What did we learn? UTEP edition

Game was awesome. We’ll have to get re-used to watching games that aren't 58 play clock grinders. 

Part of me says to at least give a token tap of the brakes. That was a bad UTEP team with a new coach. The other part of me is unabashedly drunk on the Big Red Kool-Aid. An evening of questionable decisions may be nigh.

 
We've struggled in the past in games like this.  Our season openers were rough in past years.  Great to get a win.

Allowed back ups to get reps.  This can't be overlooked.  Not a lot of chances with a the past 8-9 seasons being the kings of 1 score games.

Raiola was as advertised.  Moved well in the pocket.  Kept his eyes downfield.  Extended plays by moving the pocket.  The pass to Banks for the TD in the end zone was thrown to his outside where only he could get it.  

We appear to have legit receivers in Banks, Neyor and Bonner (Nelson right up there).  

RB stable appears to be deep.  I'd still like to lean on that "one guy", but real game experience can't be beat. And history has told us that by the end of most recent seasons we are down to the 4th RB and 3rd QB....

IGC averaged 8 yards per return.  That's 8 less yards we have to get.  HUGE improvement.  Don't feel like we got 25 yards total all last year.

Unsure what's up with Fidone.  3 receptions for 1 yard.  Play calling for him?  Ability? Desire?  All the tools in the world.  

OL.  Did well.  I don't care if it was UTEP. "Looking good" can help "becoming good".

D-Other than the 2nd or 3rd drive (3 plays and a score) played solid.  CU might be our hardest test with our DB's vs their receivers.  Love to see us play some press coverage or keep 2 high safeties to help.  Thinking DL/LB can contain run game w/out safety help.  At least after watching NDSU.

Plus in the TO category.  Let's keep it that way.

Time management was solid.

Didn't get to see much punting or FG work so ST's still a question mark.

Ended up how a game like this should end up.  We won.  Gained some confidence. No injuries.  Put some stuff on film to work on.

GBR!!!!!

 
We finally have a legitimate quarterback that can throw the ball, and make throws on the run. We've also significantly upgraded the wide receiver position. We have legitimate 6'4" and 6'5" guys who can go up and make the catches that in years' past would have been incompletions, if not interceptions. The only thing I didn't like is how Rhule got away from Dowdell...but maybe he just wanted the other backs to get some time. But they weren't nearly as explosive as Dowdell.

 
Street Novelist said:
We finally have a legitimate quarterback that can throw the ball, and make throws on the run. We've also significantly upgraded the wide receiver position. We have legitimate 6'4" and 6'5" guys who can go up and make the catches that in years' past would have been incompletions, if not interceptions. The only thing I didn't like is how Rhule got away from Dowdell...but maybe he just wanted the other backs to get some time. But they weren't nearly as explosive as Dowdell.
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Dowdell fumbled.  We have four "OR" backs on the roster right now.  There isn't any wiggle room for loose hands.  

 
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