1) Scripted plays to begin the game - Excellent
2) Defensive readiness for Marshal to begin the game - very good
3) Players in position to make plays - very good
4) Emotionally ready to start the game - very good
5) Defensive adjustments to Marshals offensive adjustments - took time, but once they figured out how to attack marshal's blocking schemes for Ali they stopped Marshal cold. Very good
6) Offensive adjustments to marshal's defensive adjustments - There was a stretch where Marshal's defense was able to stop UL's offensive attack during the middle of the game. UL had to rearrange the O. Line to create effective blocking schemes & take control of the LOS. Once again, it took a while but once they figured it out that was church. Very Good.
7) Critical play calling at critical times. Both of the big bombs that Levi got off were daggers to Marshal. They were the difference in that game. It took a lot of nerve for Desormeaux to call the second play to Bernard. Pulling that play off sealed the deal for UL. - Excellent
A head coach will probably never have a more nerve racking game than his first one. In this case Desormeaux wasn't just an interim coach coaching a bowl game for someone leaving the team. It was his baby & he knew people would have the gavel out judging his performance following a local legend. So the pressure was on for him. Coaching short handed with a lot of key players out & having to deal with his first recruiting classes is about as tough a situation as this guy may ever have to deal with. Considering all of those factors. He & his staff did a very admirable job.