What Did We Learn - Maryland

DefenderAO said:
Sure; then is Adrian is the best we have, full circle - let’s bring in another who has shown competency in this system. If Jr Adrian emerges at the top, then he was hopefully pushed by the best group of kids possible. 
 

Adrian’s regression in decisiveness should be a concern. Trend? Anomaly? The folks bought in to ride him out (not necessarily all in this discussion) is perplexing. 
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Adrian's decision-making is definitely a concern.  It's too early to say if it's a long-term trend or an anomaly.  There are reasons to point to why it would be an anomaly.  These include:  new o-line, new skill players, skill player injuries/suspensions, Adrian's own injuries.  For this year, there isn't a reason why Adrian should be benched, because the drop-off to the next QB is vast.  That gap will probably be closer next year as McCaffrey progresses and Smothers comes in.

 
ColoradoHusk said:
I don't disagree, and the progression has been slower than we like.  NU has had opportunities to bust games open against CU, Indiana, and Purdue, and they didn't do that.  NU did that on Saturday.  Getting to the point that NU has 6, 7, or 8 "big" wins and then having a fewer number of close games is where NU wants to be.  That's where Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Penn State are.
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But it has been progression. Last season and this season we have improved as a team from week 1 to the end of the season. To me that tells me all I need to know. We are going in the right direction and Frost will never stop improving.

 
Nebfanatic said:
But it has been progression. Last season and this season we have improved as a team from week 1 to the end of the season. To me that tells me all I need to know. We are going in the right direction and Frost will never stop improving.
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I agree that there has been progression in the o-line play, fewer penalties, and younger guys getting involved in the game.  There are still areas which need improvement.

 
teachercd said:
You are right, there is not a competition, anymore.  AM is so clearly the best QB on the team.  Now, who knows with another off season but right now it is not even close.

Also, a lot of people like to say "they quit"...well Maryland quit.  After a few bad breaks in that game and some QB's getting hurt, that team wanted no part of that game.  I felt bad for them at times.
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It was strange seeing it from an NU opponent and not us. Refreshing in fact. It reminded me of the ‘96 Fiesta bowl where Florida looked like they gave up (I’ve watched the whole thing probably 15-20 times) They actually had a couple miscues that, at the time of the game, may have grabbed a little momentum. I’d like to see that game played 10 times between those teams. NU wins all 10 I think but would like to have seen a scenario against a different postured FL team. 

 
soup said:
One thing that is never brought up in Adrian's role this year, is a lack of a Stanley Morgan to throw to.  You don't lose a 1000 yard receiver, and not have anyone to replace him, and expect the QB to put up similar numbers.

Morgan covered up a lot of deficiencies in the offense last year, with his ability to get open, and block on the perimeter.
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Morgan was such a great target in the red zone, too.  He had strength and such a good route-runner, that he was a great target near and in the end zone.

 
DefenderAO said:
It was strange seeing it from an NU opponent and not us. Refreshing in fact. It reminded me of the ‘96 Fiesta bowl where Florida looked like they gave up (I’ve watched the whole thing probably 15-20 times) They actually had a couple miscues that, at the time of the game, may have grabbed a little momentum. I’d like to see that game played 10 times between those teams. NU wins all 10 I think but would like to have seen a scenario against a different postured FL team. 
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Yeah, they were hitting passes to Doering early on, and I remember thinking at the time that it would be a shoot-out if we couldn't get to Wuerfell more quickly. Farley and Williams changed things up not long after, though.

 
Jeremy said:
Yeah, they were hitting passes to Doering early on, and I remember thinking at the time that it would be a shoot-out if we couldn't get to Wuerfell more quickly. Farley and Williams changed things up not long after, though.
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And Hilliard T-Rex’ed some passes he normally caught all year. Literally half extended arms and just missed them. A few would have been huge gains or plays. Their D would never stop NU but their O could’ve made things more interesting. 
 

 
DefenderAO said:
And Hilliard T-Rex’ed some passes he normally caught all year. Literally half extended arms and just missed them. A few would have been huge gains or plays. Their D would never stop NU but their O could’ve made things more interesting. 
 
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Hilliard possibly short-armed those catches because he was afraid of getting laid out by the punishing NU secondary.  Florida didn't see that physicality and speed combination from an opponent until playing NU.

 
ColoradoHusk said:
Hilliard possibly short-armed those catches because he was afraid of getting laid out by the punishing NU secondary.  Florida didn't see that physicality and speed combination from an opponent until playing NU.
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You’re right about them not seeing any beast like that team. However, they were fade routes to the sideline (he caught one to get them to 16 points before Frazier’s immaculate run but missed multiple) No hit was coming. Something was in his head because it was bad.  
 

To topic, it’s interesting what a little momentum, giving up vs not, and the avalanche for weak minded teams that ensues. We’ve seen it too often from the Huskers the last two decades. I had to double take Saturday as it was nice to see it from an opponent for once. 
 

Stepping back, I hope the carry over to Iowa and 2020 is more material than the expectations for this year yielded given how ‘18 ended. Beat Iowa, win the bowl game...and start from that point next year be what happened this year. 

 
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One difference between Taylor Martinez, Tommy Armstrong, and Adrian Martinez is that I was never interested in seeing more of Cody Green or Ryker Fyfe.

Frost gets credit for this strong stable of QBs. They're expected to push each other. Fans of a 5-6 team can be excused for wondering if a change might help. 

 
We drop 60+ for the first time in Lord knows how long if Martinez doesn't short-arm the TE throw-back, which is actually a play-call that I like.

Anyone else notice how exhausted Frost looks? This season has definitely taken its toll on him, for sure.

 
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