First round prospect Anto Saka is off to a slow statistical start this season

Northwestern redshirt junior Anto Saka had a ton of hype this preseason. It was quite common to the edge rusher's name showing up in mock drafts; often times in the late first round.

It's easy to understand why as he was expected to develop into an every down player, and with that manifest himself into a tour de force off the edge.

It simply hasn't happened yet, as he has no sacks or tackles for a loss through the first two games. Actually, all he has is one single tackle so far, when it comes to traditional statistics. The rest are currently goose eggs. 

Northwestern head coach David Braun was asked about Saka's slow start at his weekly press conference yesterday. 

“Turn on the tape from Western Illinois," Braun responded.

"I mean, extremely disruptive. I don’t know how quarterback hurries are tallied. I’ll tell you right now, having played defensive end, like you start chasing sacks, you’re not going to be playing.

"Playing good football a lot of times, a clean win on the edge doesn’t result in a sack. It results in a disruption where a quarterback steps up and someone else has an opportunity. I think Anto needs to continue to focus, and has continued to focus on what he can control.

"What we’re seeing on tape at practice, specifically the last week and a half, has him playing at the highest level he’s played at since he’s been here. Those stats will naturally start to accumulate.”

Braun has a point- you can't play the game with a focus on statistics, first and foremost. He's also right that the stats will naturally be realized if/when you win. 

Saturday brings a major chance to do so, as Northwestern hosts #4 Oregon. Given that NU is playing most of its home games this season in a temporary facility, which holds about 12,000 people, this game could bring something we've never seen before. 

A top-four team playing in front of a crowd this small? Has that ever happened before? We'll look it up, but in the meantime, FOX's pregame show is setting up shop there this Saturday. 

And facing such a formidable opponent will provide Saka with the perfect opportunity to make some big plays and get back on the radar.  

This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Northwestern EDGE Anto Saka has potential, but not the stats yet