Defensive Line: C+

There was some effort to get pressure from the DL on that late night game in Tuscon. But still, most of what this group gets requires sending numbers through exotic blitz packages. There is just not a true pass rushing threat from this group. Against the run in critical short yardage plays they, like the entire D throughout the night, managed to stand tall.

Linebackers: A

Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts are incredible. Rodriguez turned in one of the best performances from any Red Raider linebacker in modern tech history, but Roberts was also all over the field. Add in the depth LBs flying around the ball, this unit is quietly in the conversation as one of the best linebacker groups in the nation.

Secondary: C

This group needed to respond against an Arizona team boasting elite skill position talent. And bye and large, they did their job. It was nowhere close to perfect, but they contained the dangerous T-Mac, and kept Arizona out of the endzone. Keeping everything in front of you, not busting on the backend, and making a few plays is more than enough to get the job done most nights. It was that night.

Coaching: B-

Tim DeRuyter called lots of pressures, but I would argue he did not adjust well at halftime. Arizona suddenly was having success moving the ball, and the tired defense was floundering. The pressures were well needed, but I would have liked to see a better second half gameplan. Still, he had a read on any redzone drive Arizona had and that was winning football.