In grading game performance, Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter has his assistant coaches go over every play of every football game, watching every player in his position group.
The staff grades technique, effort and production. Add them all up and there you have it – and at Ole Miss six days back not too many of the Bulldogs got a report card worth taking home and taping to the refrigerator.
But Nathan Madsen did.
The rookie nose guard, who moved inside from defensive end in the spring and is in the spot held down so well the past three seasons by Tyeler Davison (now with the New Orleans Saints), played his technique and took on double teams from offensive linemen with SEC size, strength and skill – and stood up to it well.