Tuiaki - The guy has absolutely been on it both games. Great D scheme both games, great in-game calls for the most part. He was my greatest concern among the coaches. His terrific performance so far is the biggest surprise to me.

Bernard - Absolute stud at LB. Hard to fathom a sophomore former RB being as impactful as he's been. Not perfect, but clearly a playmaker. He looks like he'll play on Sundays with that combo of size/athleticism/playmaking ability. We are set at LB for the next two years. His interception against Utah was a thing of beauty. I've watched that play a dozen times now, and his read and technique were textbook. He had the RB assignment out of the backfield. As soon as it was clear the RB was breaking into the secondary, he rotated and ran with him almost step for step, turned at the right time and made a stellar play on the ball. He looked like a three-year starter, not a 2-game starter.

Langi - I thought he'd be more impactful. Hard to complain since the D has been so good, but I expected more individual plays from him. Not disappointed so much as just surprised a bit.

Taysom - I expected more from him so far as well. Seems tentative. Missed some key throws against Utah that made a difference (e.g., overthrow to Juergens deep in Utah territory). Hard to know if its the offense, lingering effects of his injury or something else. I do believe Matich's observations are correct, that he has trouble anticipating guys being open, or even throwing them open. With him being a 5th year senior, and after the glimpse of the improved Taysom we saw at Nebraska, I thought he and the O would produce more.

Oldroyd - Hard to be surprised about someone you did not know existed until the last 8 seconds of the AZ game, so let's just call it surprise at the kicking game. Very pleasantly surprised. No further explanation necessary.

Pau'u - Less of a surprise because he was fairly highly-touted of the HS, but he seems to have command of the D just 2 games in, and is clearly a playmaker. You have to love the huge Cheshire grins he flashes after he makes those bone-rattling hits. So much fun to watch.

Kurtz - I really thought he'd emerge from Matthews' shadow. He's been almost a non-factor in both games. It's true that Utah has strong DBs, and that likely caused him trouble, but it's still surprising how much of a non-factor he's been. In his defense, it's possible this is partly due to Taysom's struggles. Or maybe it's the other way around.