Given the flow of yesterday’s game, I wonder if it would be more appropriate to do split these grades by first half and second half? At least those are my shower thoughts, anyway…Let’s try and grade this one out, shall we?
Quarterback: B–
We ran the full gamut of the Rocco Becht Experience yesterday (minus the turnovers part). Rocco threw for a couple of touchdowns and 240 yards in total and even had a couple of decent scampers with his feet. Unfortunately, we also saw a lot of the Bad Rocco in the second
half with the tipped passes and shaky decision-making. Thankfully, it was an overall good enough performance to get PSU over the top.
Running Back: A
As someone who was long critical of Carson Hansen, I would like to issue my “mea culpa.” After putting up 96 yards on the ground last week, he followed it up with his first 100-yard game in a Nittany Lion uniform, averaging 8.5 yards a carry and putting up a TD. Hansen’s 36-yard run in the fourth quarter with PSU clinging to a 28-25 lead put PSU in the red zone and ultimately allowed PSU to run out the clock on the Huskies. Cam Wallace was more quiet by comparison, but still ripped off a critical 46-yard TD run shortly before halftime to put PSU up 28-6.
Wide Receiver: A
Chase Sowell’s return to the starting lineup could have come at a better time, as he absolutely balled out with some spectacular catches (including a sick one-handed grab) to rack up 125 yards and a TD. Zay Robinson also caught a TD pass from Becht as PSU built up a 22-point halftime advantage.
Tight End: C+
A quieter afternoon for the tight ends, as Andrew Rappleyea had an uncharacteristic drop in the red zone, but Ben Brahmer stepped up with a decent afternoon, leading the group with four catches for 36 yards, including a 24-yarder to move the chains.
Offensive Line: A-
Solid offensive numbers would not have been possible of course, without a solid performance from the offensive line. Becht did get sacked three times, but not all of them can be blamed on the O-line.
Defensive Line: C
If the defense had played the second half the way they did the first half, I would be award A’s across the board. Unfortunately, such was not the case. Yvan Kemajou and Ty Blanding combined for a sack, and the front seven as a whole did a good job not allowing Demond Williams to run hog wild throughout the entire game, but the lack of pressures once again proved problematic in the second half when Williams had time to find his receivers. Not to mention, when Washington actually decided to run the ball, they were fairly successful as Jayden Limar averaged over seven yards on only nine carries. Why the Huskies went away from it almost entirely is quite baffling, but I won’t complain…
Linebacker: C+
Tony Rojas and Kooper Ebel co-led with eight tackles apiece, including two for a loss. Of course, this being the 2026 linebackers group, there were also some missed opportunities for even more tackles for a loss that instead turned into positive gains for the Huskies.
Secondary: A-
Washington had less than 50 yards passing at halftime and only ending up racking up a total of 172 yards through the air, thanks in large part to Audavion Collins, Daryus Dixson, and Ibn McDaniels coming up with some big plays. Shout-out especially to McDaniels, who snuffed out what could’ve been yet another scoring drive for the Huskies with a critical interception that momentarily stopped the bleeding with PSU up 28-17.
Special Teams: B-
Ryan Barker’s services were only needed for extra points, while Nathan Tiyce pinned the Huskies deep in their own territory, which should have ultimately resulted in the safety. Kickoff coverage could’ve been better, especially on the opening kick where Washington bobbled the ball deep in their own territory but still managed to take it out past the 25.
Coaching: C
First half would give the staff an A, possibly even an A+. The second half is an almost totally different story, as Washington made adjustments and PSU…didn’t. We’ll just split the difference and call it a ‘C.’
(BONUS CATEGORY) Announcing Crew: F
It’s bad enough when you’re messing up names multiple times in a broadcast, but showing a complete lack of situational awareness is another thing. Case in point: When PSU converted the 4th-and-1 late in the game and pick up the first down with less than 2 minutes left and Washington all out of timeouts, the announcing crew was talking about what plays to run next instead of realizing (like many of you watching from home) that the game was over, as PSU could just kneel it twice and let the clock run out. Such is life when you’re an afterthought in the Big Ten, I suppose.
