That kind of even distribution makes life difficult for a game-planning defensive coordinator. Treadwell, the former 5-star who led Ole Miss in catches last year, gets the headlines, but if defensive backfields stretch themselves too far in his direction they're exposing themselves to opportunistic receivers Engram and Core.
Engram's 112-yard performance against Vanderbilt was evidence enough as to what can happen.
"Evan is such a mismatch for people," Wallace said. "If they want to guard Laquon like they're playing with the two-high stuff, Evan is going to find the seam."
And if Engram can't, Core will, as Boise State and Vanderbilt can each attest. Core's 195 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns leads the Rebels. The junior from Auburn, Alabama, surprised those of us on the outside looking in when he won the starting slot receiver spot. We all thought the starting job belonged to Quincy Adeboyejo, but Core won it in August and hasn't looked back.
Hugh Freeze doesn't seem all that shocked.
Hugh Freeze doesn't seem all that shocked.
"It's his first chance and first opportunity," Freeze said. "He didn't all of a sudden become talented. It's time now with Ja-Mes (Logan) and Donte (Moncrief) gone, it's time for a kid in the program to step up now and have his chance, and he's used that. Also Laquon Treadwell is helping him. Just because Laquon doesn't catch a ball certainly doesn't mean he's not doing his part. Several of the big plays Cody has had the defense has chosen to keep a two-high shell there, and it's opened some other things to the field."
And then there's Adeboyejo and Sanders, good receivers in their own right. Wallace appreciates what Vince brings, too.
"He's going to be Vince every Saturday," Wallace said. "He's going to be reliable. He's going to make big catches. I wish people talked about him more. He's just so consistent that he kind of gets lost in the shadows of it. He's one of the top receivers on this team. I have as much confidence in him as I do Laquon or any of those guys."
After struggling a little bit with inconsistent hands in August camp, Adeboyejo is getting better each game out, and he's proven himself with his play.
"I'm really pleased," Freeze said. "I don't want to jinx him, but he's catching it well with his hands. One of the best plays in the game the other day was a little stop route on the sidelines when Ryan threw it to him in the corner. The corner broke on it and it could have easily been picked if the receiver doesn't work hard to beat him back to it, and Quincy did that exactly. He's been very consistent in the first two games, and we're very excited. We need him to play that way."
Thanks to the proficiency of Engram, Core, Sanders and Adeboyejo, defenses will eventually be forced to quit keying on Treadwell, and you can bet Wallace will be ready, just like he was when Boise State went into single coverage against Treadwell in the 4th quarter of that game. Wallace and Treadwell made them pay with the touchdown that broke the game open.
That'll happen again soon enough.