AZ flooded the box with 7-8 players to plug every running gap and were willing to give up a clear long TD run if a runner could break through. It nearly happened several times, but their strategy and execution was the best I have ever seen. They held us to 4.3 yards per rush and only 1 rush over 15 yards- and that was Colt. But we plugged away and rushed for over 200 yards and wore the AZ defense down. So I grade that a B-. Our passing game was so-so. Dropped passes are part of the game, but we seem to have more than our share. And taking one really gem of a pass out, Morieta's performance was OK. About what I'd expect seeing a better defense that he's used to seeing. He also needs to learn to slide or run out of bounds more and also take a sack rather than trying a desperation pass while going down. But it's a learning process. Grade- C. As to our defense, there aren't enough superlatives to describe them. AZ was 0-4 on 4th down and held them to 2.8 yards per rush and 4.7 per pass. And, of course, they...... shut..... AZ...... out. Grade- A+. What I take away is that when a team plays well against our offense that our defense can rise to the occasion. I also liked the way we gritted things out before the end when the flood gates opened. I saw this as a great learning game and great growth game.
