What happened: A former coach now working as an analyst praised a team's defense after its season-opening performance. He also pointed to a more effective rushing attack as a key improvement.
Why it matters: The combination could keep the team in contention late in the season if it holds against stronger opponents. The assessment also underscores the program's sharply higher expectations under new leadership.
By the numbers: The team won its opener 51-10.
What to watch: The next test will show whether the defensive standard and rushing production carry beyond Week 1.