Mitch Sherman's Game Notes

[knapplc]

Click the headline for more notes from Sherman.

Notes: Play call surprised NU's Paul
LINCOLN — Nebraska receiver Niles Paul was surprised at the call Saturday on the first play of the second half. And based on the result, it may not happen again soon.

Paul, with the Huskers leading 31-3 over Idaho, lined up behind center in the Wildcat formation. He took the snap and fumbled when he ran into I-back Rex Burkhead. Idaho's Aaron Lavarius recovered.

“I was real excited we actually ran it,” Paul said. “I was supposed to carry out the fake, and I think I rushed it too much, because I ended up colliding with Rex.”

Paul said he was intent on keeping the football.

“I saw nothing but green grass,” he said.

Paul's fumble, one of eight Saturday for Nebraska, contributed to four turnovers against the Vandals. As a result, he said, the coaches are overloading the Huskers this week in practice with a “massive amount” of ball-security drills. Tough work, according to Paul.

“It's terrible,” he said.

He said he expects to return kickoffs Saturday against Washington for the first time this season. He handled punt returns in the first two games.

It had better be Paul and Marlowe back there returning kickoffs. Unless Marlowe is hurt, he's been doing a great job. Marlowe is ranked 13th in the country in kickoff returns, and if Washington is as vulnerable as they appear on special teams, we need him back there.

Niles is ranked ninth in the country in punt returns, by the way.

Washington is 90th in the country in Punt Return Defense, and 91st in Kickoff Return Defense.

 

[sd'sker]

all of paul's problems can be blamed on him being too anxious. instead of securing the ball and then making his move, he is thinking of his move, and ensuing td, before he has the ball secured. it is easily corrected, he just needs to maintain focus.

 

[billdozer15]

all of paul's problems can be blamed on him being too anxious. instead of securing the ball and then making his move, he is thinking of his move, and ensuing td, before he has the ball secured. it is easily corrected, he just needs to maintain focus.

It would appear Niles gets pretty excited when he see's some open field. Almost like a 3 year old seeing a plane for the first time. He needs to learn to control that emotion, but if he hasnt already dont expect him to anytime soon.

 

[sd'sker]

all of paul's problems can be blamed on him being too anxious. instead of securing the ball and then making his move, he is thinking of his move, and ensuing td, before he has the ball secured. it is easily corrected, he just needs to maintain focus.

It would appear Niles gets pretty excited when he see's some open field. Almost like a 3 year old seeing a plane for the first time. He needs to learn to control that emotion, but if he hasnt already dont expect him to anytime soon.

he does not seem to have that problem on punt returns and kick returns.

it reminds me of when i used to play football in grade school during recess. i could never catch the ball because i was so excited to get down the parking lot. i was looking at who to avoid and running down field without the ball.

 

[knapplc]

he does not seem to have that problem on punt returns and kick returns.

He let a punt bounce off his chest against W. Kentucky. Luckily it went out of bounds, but he seems to be consistent in his drops.

 

[sd'sker]

he does not seem to have that problem on punt returns and kick returns.

He let a punt bounce off his chest against W. Kentucky. Luckily it went out of bounds, but he seems to be consistent in his drops.

that was intentional. he was clearly deflecting it out of bounds because it was too late to call fair catch.

 

[billdozer15]

he does not seem to have that problem on punt returns and kick returns.

He let a punt bounce off his chest against W. Kentucky. Luckily it went out of bounds, but he seems to be consistent in his drops.

I just dont understand the boneheadedness of NP. I can think of 3 plays off the top of my head where he just went braindead 1) TT fumble, just watch the dude rumble 70 yds for a TD 2) ISU phantom fumble 3) Idaho run without ball incident. I am sure there are others but these are 3 that are extremely disturbing. Most players have maybe 1 throughout their career that no one will forget but this guy seems to be racking them up at an accelerated pace. I love what NP does when he is on, but I hate when he isnt.