As you look at the numbers, here's a chart for reference to see how each grade would be categorized:
1-49 - poor
50-55 - below average
56-64 - average
65-70 - above average
71-79 - good
80-89 - very good
90-99 - outstanding
Each week, we will explore the PFF rankings for individual players, as well as, look at top performers across Conference USA. After expecting more of a shootout on the scoreboard, Marshall’s defense held FAU to a mere 13 points. As such, Elijah Alston received PFF’s top defensive grade for the Herd with an 83.2. Now for a look at how the rest of the defense graded against FAU.
Defensive Line:
As noted above, Elijah Alston led Marshall’s defensive line against FAU with a grade of 83.2 (69.3 run defense, 75.2 tackling, 79.2 pass rush) on 35 snaps. Koby Cumberlander had the second highest grade with a 74.3 (68.8 run defense, 43.6 tackling, 69.2 pass rush, 60.0 coverage) while playing 34 snaps. Cumberlander was followed by Rodney Croom, who played 22 snaps and graded 73.8 (70.5 run defense, 73.4 tackling, 67.3 pass rush) and Esaias Carpenter who played 26 snaps and received a grade of 69.4 (69.8 run defense, 74.5 tackling, 60.9 pass rush). Other defensive line grades of note: TyQaze Leggs – 65.7 on 22 snaps, TJ Johnson – 62.9 on 48 snaps, Shane Simmons – 61.9 on 16 snaps, Sam Burton – 61.4 on 42 snaps (it has been interesting to see Burton’s snap count increase of late in contrast to Shane Simmons taking a nosedive), Owen Porter – 55.7 on 21 snaps, Jamare Edwards – 49.8 on 46 snaps.
Linebackers:
Brian Cavacante received the lowest grade among Marshall’s linebackers against FIU, however bounced back to lead the linebacking corps in the win over FAU with a grade of 77.4 (80.1 run defense, 75.7 tackling, 62.8 coverage) on 18 snaps. Charlie Gray was next in line, grading at 74.1 (68.2 run defense, 79.6 tackling, 71.4 coverage) while playing 23 snaps. Eli Neal received a grade of 68.7 (61.9 run defense, 73.7 tackling, 55.1 pass rush, 71.7 coverage) on 60 snaps, while Abraham Beauplan graded at 64.0 (53.6 run defense, 58.5 tackling, 59.4 pass rush, 70.3 coverage) on 55 snaps.
Secondary:
Daytione Smith played 20 snaps and led the Herd’s secondary with a grade of 67.5 (60.0 run defense, 76.2 tackling, 67.4 coverage). Steven Gilmore received the second highest grade among defensive backs and safeties at 65.4 (65.0 run defense, 73.5 tackling, 64.6 coverage) on 74 snaps. Cory McCoy was third with a grade of 64.1 (96.6 run defense, 74.1 tackling, 45.7 coverage) having played 78 snaps, followed by Brandon Drayton with a 60.5 (47.2 run defense, 33.4 tackling, 66.9 coverage) on 78 snaps. After leading the Herd’s secondary with a grade of 90.1 against FIU in last week, Joshua Bowers saw a swift decline in his grade against FAU receiving a 57.1. Only Micah Abraham graded lower than Bowers coming it at 50.9 on 78 snaps.
A Look at CUSA’s Top Defensive Performers:
Top Graded Defensive Lineman in CUSA Week 10: Roderick Brown from North Texas with a 95.4
Top Graded Linebacker in CUSA Week 10: Jaden Hunter from WKU with a 91.7
Top Graded Corner/Safety in CUSA Week 10: Beanie Bishop from WKU with a 93.5
1-49 - poor
50-55 - below average
56-64 - average
65-70 - above average
71-79 - good
80-89 - very good
90-99 - outstanding
Each week, we will explore the PFF rankings for individual players, as well as, look at top performers across Conference USA. After expecting more of a shootout on the scoreboard, Marshall’s defense held FAU to a mere 13 points. As such, Elijah Alston received PFF’s top defensive grade for the Herd with an 83.2. Now for a look at how the rest of the defense graded against FAU.
Defensive Line:
As noted above, Elijah Alston led Marshall’s defensive line against FAU with a grade of 83.2 (69.3 run defense, 75.2 tackling, 79.2 pass rush) on 35 snaps. Koby Cumberlander had the second highest grade with a 74.3 (68.8 run defense, 43.6 tackling, 69.2 pass rush, 60.0 coverage) while playing 34 snaps. Cumberlander was followed by Rodney Croom, who played 22 snaps and graded 73.8 (70.5 run defense, 73.4 tackling, 67.3 pass rush) and Esaias Carpenter who played 26 snaps and received a grade of 69.4 (69.8 run defense, 74.5 tackling, 60.9 pass rush). Other defensive line grades of note: TyQaze Leggs – 65.7 on 22 snaps, TJ Johnson – 62.9 on 48 snaps, Shane Simmons – 61.9 on 16 snaps, Sam Burton – 61.4 on 42 snaps (it has been interesting to see Burton’s snap count increase of late in contrast to Shane Simmons taking a nosedive), Owen Porter – 55.7 on 21 snaps, Jamare Edwards – 49.8 on 46 snaps.
Linebackers:
Brian Cavacante received the lowest grade among Marshall’s linebackers against FIU, however bounced back to lead the linebacking corps in the win over FAU with a grade of 77.4 (80.1 run defense, 75.7 tackling, 62.8 coverage) on 18 snaps. Charlie Gray was next in line, grading at 74.1 (68.2 run defense, 79.6 tackling, 71.4 coverage) while playing 23 snaps. Eli Neal received a grade of 68.7 (61.9 run defense, 73.7 tackling, 55.1 pass rush, 71.7 coverage) on 60 snaps, while Abraham Beauplan graded at 64.0 (53.6 run defense, 58.5 tackling, 59.4 pass rush, 70.3 coverage) on 55 snaps.
Secondary:
Daytione Smith played 20 snaps and led the Herd’s secondary with a grade of 67.5 (60.0 run defense, 76.2 tackling, 67.4 coverage). Steven Gilmore received the second highest grade among defensive backs and safeties at 65.4 (65.0 run defense, 73.5 tackling, 64.6 coverage) on 74 snaps. Cory McCoy was third with a grade of 64.1 (96.6 run defense, 74.1 tackling, 45.7 coverage) having played 78 snaps, followed by Brandon Drayton with a 60.5 (47.2 run defense, 33.4 tackling, 66.9 coverage) on 78 snaps. After leading the Herd’s secondary with a grade of 90.1 against FIU in last week, Joshua Bowers saw a swift decline in his grade against FAU receiving a 57.1. Only Micah Abraham graded lower than Bowers coming it at 50.9 on 78 snaps.
A Look at CUSA’s Top Defensive Performers:
Top Graded Defensive Lineman in CUSA Week 10: Roderick Brown from North Texas with a 95.4
Top Graded Linebacker in CUSA Week 10: Jaden Hunter from WKU with a 91.7
Top Graded Corner/Safety in CUSA Week 10: Beanie Bishop from WKU with a 93.5
