Linebackers
The issues weren’t as blatant for the linebackers as the secondary, but Butch Jones did mention concern over their drops in pass coverage when breaking down some of the overall errors in pass defense. Jalen Reeves-Maybin showed up several times, recording a sack, two tackles for loss and jumping on a BGSU fumble to prevent another late score. Freshman Darrin Kirkland Jr. showed some of his potential in the first half, getting to Johnson for a sack near the goal line and knocking the ball out, though the officials blew the play dead before he could jump on the loose ball and score. That big-play potential from this group is good to see, but there were some issues as well. Bowling Green found some room on the ground, and the pass coverage was poor overall against the spread passing attack. Colton Jumper struggled to get off blocks and recorded just one solo stop, so the middle linebacker situation is still a work in progress.
Grades
Daniel: C
Houston: C+
Reed: A for Jalen Reeves-Maybin, D for everybody else
Average Grade: C
