What did we learn Rutgers edition

We went 5-1 in a stretch last year to get to 5-3, but lost the last 4 games, so I'm still a bit apprehensive given last year and the Frost years to think a bowl game in a guarantee.   I'd like to think we could win two more to get to 7-5, but I see a lot of flaws still. Our defense played well overall, but Rutgers also had some bad luck as well.

 
huskerfan74 said:
Just watched the Rhule postgame presser…why is our media afraid to ask the tough questions? Not one question about what Rhule plans to do to fix our nonspecial teams. It would have been nice if even one reporter had the stones to ask a question about our inability to have competent and reliable special teams play. Very disappointing. It does not seem like anyone is concerned about us having 5 blocked punts in 6 games.
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I'm concerned about it. 
special teams is like this:

Find players that aren’t on first team O or D. 

Give those players clawing for playing time a chance to prove themselves. 
Spend 40 min per practice teaching, coaching, rehearsing the plays they need to do. It’s not too hard, just requires effort. 

Lastly, Special Teams is about effort. Plain and simple.  Players who are “this close” to cracking the Top 2 should be playing Special Teams.  Maximum effort, good coaching on specific/exact execution, full effort, and making plays. 

The players that make plays on special teams are the next up for reps on the field during game time.  
Special teams players should be a few No1 players, trusted players that can execute, and players that are clawing for upward depth chart paying time.  
We have been out-executed, out-hustled, and out-coached thus far. Put our best players there to get the job done and let everyone else claw their  way to the top for playing time. 
Also, COACH THE DAMN PLAYERS TO EXECUTE THEIR DAMN JOB.  
 

I blame coaching 90% for our abysmal showing on special teams. 
 

Side note…at least we aren’t fumbling and throwing picks 2-4 times a game anymore. 

 
RedDenver said:
Winning ugly is WAY better than losing close.
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It seems that many fans want a certain identity that will reveal what they identify with, to boost their self sense.  When their team wins a game, and the fashion of the outcome doesn't scratch that itch, a simple victory doesn't mean as much as it should.  Often times the fan's pride gets hurt in a way that makes it difficult to feel the pride and pleasure when they win in a boring fashion.  Especially when it feels good to them when they boast to a neighbor who likes a different team.    :)

 
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Also.  I muted the Tv and listened to the radio broadcast.  I was afraid there would be a lag but it was a much more enjoyable experience 

 
Wins like this are far more important for DR’s development than a blow out victory.  
 

First and goal from the 1 and the opponent does not score?  Rutgers went backwards on all four downs.  I have not see a defense that honored the name Blackshirts in a while.  This unit does.

The running game has multiple backs that can move the chains. As it gets colder, that means a lot in this league. 

The Cornhuskers will be in the college football playoff in my lifetime.  There was a time I didn’t think that was possible. 

 
I am I said:
I'm concerned about it. 
special teams is like this:

Find players that aren’t on first team O or D. 

Give those players clawing for playing time a chance to prove themselves. 
Spend 40 min per practice teaching, coaching, rehearsing the plays they need to do. It’s not too hard, just requires effort. 

Lastly, Special Teams is about effort. Plain and simple.  Players who are “this close” to cracking the Top 2 should be playing Special Teams.  Maximum effort, good coaching on specific/exact execution, full effort, and making plays. 

The players that make plays on special teams are the next up for reps on the field during game time.  
Special teams players should be a few No1 players, trusted players that can execute, and players that are clawing for upward depth chart paying time.  
We have been out-executed, out-hustled, and out-coached thus far. Put our best players there to get the job done and let everyone else claw their  way to the top for playing time. 
Also, COACH THE DAMN PLAYERS TO EXECUTE THEIR DAMN JOB.  
 

I blame coaching 90% for our abysmal showing on special teams. 
 

Side note…at least we aren’t fumbling and throwing picks 2-4 times a game anymore. 
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Let me offer an alternative option. 
 

Urban Meyer, when coaching OSU, was their primary ST coach. He played their 1st string best players. That’s how important he felt it was to dominate that facet of the game. 
 

A bowl game is absolutely attainable, and more, if we can get to just average on ST and stop the offensive regression.

This is how tenuous the season is at this point. We could win 4 of the next 5. Or lose all five. 
 

As an aside - if the D could’ve shown up like this against Illinois, we’d be 6-0. 

 
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Dylan Raiola is human. 

Ceyair Wright is at least the 2nd best cover corner on the roster. 

Brian Buschini can throw better than virtually every QB recruited during the Frost era.   

College and Pro coaches don't tell players to knock the ball down on 4th down.  It didn't hurt Nebraska as it did with my Bucs this week, but you rarely end up with better field position intercepting on 4th down.  On the bright side, turnover stats.

 
Game balls to Buschini and the defense.  

We'll need the offense and defense to show up to beat Indiana and have any chance to make Ohio State competitive.   Not this "one or the other" business we've been seeing the last several weeks.

 
DefenderAO said:
Urban Meyer, when coaching OSU, was their primary ST coach. He played their 1st string best players. That’s how important he felt it was to dominate that facet of the game.
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We have a handful of starters on both punt teams.  In fact I think John Bullock blew the block that led to the 2nd blocked punt.

 
A lot of favorites lost yesterday. Being able to run a bunch of the teams on your schedule of the stadium just by showing up isn't going to happen any longer.


 
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