Huskers Red Zone Offense Worst in B1G

[Mavric]

Nebraska’s red zone inefficiency at Purdue — six trips and just one touchdown — nearly cost the Huskers the victory, and it extended a season-long trend.

The closer NU gets to an opponent’s end zone, the worse NU is.

The Huskers average 4.26 points per red trip, which ranks last in the Big Ten and is on pace to be Nebraska’s worst red zone efficiency — by far — since joining the Big Ten. And the 4.26 average doesn’t count the two pick-sixes — against Northern Illinois and Wisconsin — thrown by quarterback Tanner Lee.

“We’ve got to make the plays,” Riley said.

“We’ve got to find a way,” Lee said.

“It’s really simple execution,” offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said.

Nebraska makes it look quite hard. De’Mornay Pierson-El lets a sure touchdown bounce off his chest. Two linemen fail to block one defender, who knifes in to tackle a Husker back for a 3-yard loss. Even NU’s failed two-point conversion play at Purdue, in which Lee rolled hard to his right and tossed a ball into traffic, looked bad.

Saturday’s opponent, Northwestern, has red zone efficiency down pat. The Wildcats rank first in the Big Ten, averaging 5.81 points per trip. They’ve scored four overtime touchdowns in the last two weeks, needing each one to beat Iowa and Michigan State, respectively. Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson has completed 61.9 percent of his passes and thrown nine touchdowns this season in the red zone.

OWH

 

[4skers89]

That doesn't sound good.

 

[In the Deed the Glory]

This is what having zero ability to run the ball will get you.

 

[Warrior]

We've also had a few Red Zone attempts end up in points for the opponent.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

This is what having zero ability to run the ball will get you.

A statue QB also plays into this.  The QB run game is extra valuable in the red zone.

 

[Redux]

Well......color me shocked.

 

[4skers89]

A new low in Husker futility under Riley.

 

[InOmaha]

“It’s really simple execution,” offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said.

If it was really simple, you'd think they would be able to do it, right?

 

[Mavric]

If you really want to be depressed, read the entire article.  

 

[junior4949]

You mean the part about averaging 1.8 yards per rush in the red zone which places us nationally at #120?  I guess it shouldn't come as a shock considering we had a grand total of 8 yards rushing in the first half against Purdue.

 

[BIG ERN]

Pocket QB without a run game.....and awesome play calling = bad red zone offense 

 

[SuperBigFan69]

A statue QB also plays into this.  The QB run game is extra valuable in the red zone.

Yep...

 

[4skers89]

That was depressing. We are a ball slinging marshmallow offense.

 

[Kiyoat Husker]

At the end of the day, this is a systemic offense problem, right?  That or play-calling.  Either way, Langs/Cav/Riley is the problem.  That really sucks because it means a total overhaul is inevitable.  I know this is not new information, but I was hoping against hope that we could turn it around and things would start to come together offensively.  Not.  Gonna.  Happen.

 

[brophog]

At the end of the day, this is a systemic offense problem, right?  That or play-calling.  Either way, Langs/Cav/Riley is the problem.  That really sucks because it means a total overhaul is inevitable.  I know this is not new information, but I was hoping against hope that we could turn it around and things would start to come together offensively.  Not.  Gonna.  Happen.

Where do you gain advantages in the red zone?

Running game, including QB

Tall WR

Big Pass catching TE

Creative Play Calling