The important takeaways from Saturday:
"We did (get better)," O’Brien said. "From a technical standpoint, we were in a good position, running routes the right way, and the quarterback was throwing the ball on time."
More from TOB's Monday press conference.
The depth chart for the Gardner-Webb game is available here (still no Vermiglio, Eugene, or Morgan). Freshmen DBs Earl Wolff and Rashard Smith will start again; O'Brien likes what he's seen from both of them, Smith especially:
Smith was the only player on the field who wasn't fooled by a reverse on Murray State's second play from scrimmage, according to O'Brien. Smith didn't make the tackle but slowed Marcus Harris enough so Wolff could hold him to an 18-yard gain.
"He's a pretty dang good football player," O'Brien said of Smith. "He's not overwhelmed by anything."
Including Wolff and Smith, there are five freshmen on the secondary's two-deep. Frightening and exciting at the same time.