TGHusker

We recruit Scott Frost again??? Can Scott coach the OL - he ran behind a good one.

Bo and Paps have got to fix the defense. I dont mean make it a little better. It better be night and day better. God damn it, Taylor and the offense we have returning deserve a top 20 defense to back them up.

 

If Nebraska has a top 20 defense next year, this team will be scary good, and could win the whole thing, imo.... This offense is suitable of a National Champion, now can the defense get close too that level?

Let's not forget - besides our D we need the O line to perform much better. TM spent too much time scrabbling or picking himself off his back last year. We had too many red zone trips that ended wt a field goal or no points. Skill players can only do so much with out a consistent low penalty line.

Martinez will not lose the starting job this year save two things - injury or a complete meltdown, and the injury is far more likely.

 

I've heard great things about Tommy Armstrong too, even seen him in practice. He's only a redshirt freshman, however, and Martinez has our playbook down pat. Whether Armstrong is the better qb is irrelevant - he is not going to overtake Martinez for the starting spot. He's just not. Period. End of discussion. Martinez gives Nebraska the best chance to win.

 

And any notion Martinez is not a playmaker is ridiculous. He shouldered the weight against Ohio State in 2011, led game winning drives against Northwestern and Michigan State this year, made big plays against Wisconsin in September, and had an unreal run against Wisconsin in the B1G championship game that will largely go unnoticed in Husker history because we got blown out.

 

I'm all for fair, legitimate Martinez criticism. Any player deserves fair criticism on our team. But the baseless claims that he's not a playmaker and can't shoulder the weight of the team need to stop. They're unsubstantiated and, quite frankly, stupid.

I have no doubt that TM will start all games next year outside of an injury. My big wish, however, is that Armstrong and/or Straton be placed in real world situations that matter - not clean up duty against St Mary's School fo the Blind. There was zero QB developement this year - outside of Armstrong in practice.

I would love to see what Martinez numbers might be if the Defense was a bit better, and if we were still lineman U. (I still have a Dave Remington autograph from when he came to my elementary school). He would have more wins and he may even have fewer turnovers as he would be trying to force things. Of course that said you can see it when he starts to lose his composure, it seems to start with some type of erratic pass or pitch when trying to force a play and next thing you know the interception or fumble follows. I did not look back at the numbers so please correct me (as I deserve) but did his fumble issue improve a bit as the season went on.

I completely agree. Martinez is faster than Tommie Frazier ever was and, if my memory serves me correct, is a statistically better thrower. You give Martinez the same kind of tools and weapons Frazier had at his disposal, and I wager we're championship contenders and Martinez receives nowhere near the criticism he does.

 

Similarly, you put Frazier on this team and I doubt his performances, statistics, and w/l ratio are as good.

 

In regards to Martinez fumbles, I want to say it was a more consistent problem that was existent in some games and non-existent in others. The problem, of course, is the overall number - we fumbled 35 times as a team this year and lost 22 of those fumbles, and Martinez was the leading culprit. Ball security has been a huge problem with this team the last couple of years, and it all comes back to fundamentals, discipline, and really a shade of luck.

 

Frazier was a playmaker. IMO he would still be making plays even with this (2012) offense. Make no mistake about that. As for the fumbling by good old Taylor he's fumble prone. Period. No matter what offensive line he'd run behind you still get tackled. Would his fumbles go down behind Frazier's o line? Maybe. Possibly. Moreover to even remotely compare the two quarterbacks in my opinion is ludacris. One dwarfs the other. Frazier's football IQ was second to none.

If my coaching career depended on who I picked as QB (Bo has done this wt TM it appears - no one else is developed behind him) and I could pick any NU QB - it would be Tommy hands down. Gill would be 2nd. I would even put Frost ahead of TM because of leadership alone.

I would love to see what Martinez numbers might be if the Defense was a bit better, and if we were still lineman U. (I still have a Dave Remington autograph from when he came to my elementary school). He would have more wins and he may even have fewer turnovers as he would be trying to force things. Of course that said you can see it when he starts to lose his composure, it seems to start with some type of erratic pass or pitch when trying to force a play and next thing you know the interception or fumble follows. I did not look back at the numbers so please correct me (as I deserve) but did his fumble issue improve a bit as the season went on.

I completely agree. Martinez is faster than Tommie Frazier ever was and, if my memory serves me correct, is a statistically better thrower.

 

 

 

Frazier had a 48% completion percentage in 1995. Can you imagine the uproar if Taylor threw for that low of a percentage?

It wasn't that big of the issue - we didn't pass that much then. It was just as likely to get a 60 yard run as a 60 yard pass completion.

I remember watching at my Uncles - all of the family was together in S. Falls, SD finishing up the turkey. We all watched the game and red knuckled it through the 4th quarter. I was a Freshman in HS.

Johnny the Jet Rogers - Man, Woman and Child - did that put them in the aisle.

http://courtmerrigan.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/man-woman-and-child-did-that-put-em-in-the-aisles-and-watch-the-drumme/

Here is a link that ranks the top 4 year span. They have NU # 1 and Bama #2. There is no mention of the Bob Father. You'd think he'd get mentioned with his 2 NC in 70-71 & 1969-72 run would get him on the list. He went 42-4-2 wt back to back NC wt one tie as the only blemish on that 2 year period. The 71 team has often been ranked in the top 5 all time by some sport magazines. In years past I've seen the 71 team even ranked ahead of the 95 team. I've also seen the 95 team and 71 team ranked 1 & 2 all time or 1 & 3. I cannot remember the sources - this was a few years ago - during the run by USC a few years ago - that team (pre sactions) was the other team in the top 3).

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/news/article1270350.ece

Here is what the article said about # 1 NU from 94-97

1. Nebraska (1994-97)

Hard to beat this Cornhuskers stretch under coach Tom Osborne. This is how Nebraska did over these four seasons: 13-0, 12-0, 11-2, 13-0. It included at least a share of three national titles, including the 1995 team that might have been the best ever. The '95 Huskers won by an average score of 53-14, averaged 562 yards per game and never trailed all season in the second half.

I didn't see a Turner Gill mention until the second page, yikes.

 

From my observation, that man was the best pure option qb in football history. He understood the intricacies of that offense inside and out, and had the timing down flawlessly. And For what it's worth, he is at least partially responsible for the success of Frazier and Crouch as their QB's coach.

i think Gill is most fan's # 2 and perhaps our 'favorite son' - having given so many of his years to NU as a player and coach. He was a better passer than Frasier. He had the opportunity to win 3 NC - whisper close pass deflection, a crooked out of bounds line at PSU, and the opportunity was there against Clemson his soph year. That was a 'golden' time. Perhaps the 82 team was the best team not to have won the NC - it had better D than the 83 team.

I would love to see what Martinez numbers might be if the Defense was a bit better, and if we were still lineman U. (I still have a Dave Remington autograph from when he came to my elementary school). He would have more wins and he may even have fewer turnovers as he would be trying to force things. Of course that said you can see it when he starts to lose his composure, it seems to start with some type of erratic pass or pitch when trying to force a play and next thing you know the interception or fumble follows. I did not look back at the numbers so please correct me (as I deserve) but did his fumble issue improve a bit as the season went on.

Good connection. The O line is the foundation of success for all of the 'skilled' positions. With a poor line we cannot run well, a QB won't be able to have time to pass efficiently - this also affects receivers - it takes time to get through their routes. Such a huge need to get the pipeline going again. Succesful programs dominate in the trenches period.

It is great to land this kid. Maybe we will become RB U again (I Back U). Just wish we could land someone of that caliber on the D

I don't know much about Oklahoma in those days, I heard that it was pretty corrupt.

Stoops is famous for a 2 point win for the national title and then losing every bcs bowl afterward.

The Picker, a guy who predicts games in the Tulsa World, calls Stoops "Mid Game Bob" now. He was big game Bob when he won the nat'l championship and his 1st few big games. He won the NC with JOHN BLAKE's players - the same John Blake that was at NU for a season or two and then got into recruiting problems at UNC. Blake could recruit but he couldn't coach at the HC level. So Stoops has settled into the 'comfy' zone. OU fans at work complain about him like we complain about Bo - both were D guys but the O excels while the D gets blownout - ie T&M blew out OU in the bowl game - Go figure

Never going to happen unless he does a MUCH better job with ball security.

Agreed and NU would have to end the regular season at least 11-1 if not 12-0

ESPN picked Texas #11.

 

Of course they did! They have millions vested in Texas. Same with the SEC. They have to protect their 'golden calves'!

well put. And it is all of the TV revenue that fuels the SEC dominance. I wonder how much of it goes under the table to recruits and their families.

ESPN picked Texas #11.

 

with espn either

With the number of returning starters on offense, should be around 15th or so................

I'd say with our O (with improved ball handling - reduce fumbles and penalties) we could be top 10 if we have a very good D. If we end up wt a D like this year, then maybe 15th as we should win at least one more game next year. But if the inexperience of the D becomes a big issue and we are worse next year on D then we finish outside of top 25.

Theres more to judging a QB than"running, passing, or both" When TF took the field it was like somebody hit the start button on an engine or lightning in a bottle and the rest was history. Its called leadership on the field. Its not measured in personal total yards. Its measured in consistency, and whether you make the people around you better.

Very true. Frasier was a leader and general on the field. Biggest Heisman oversight was giving the Heisman to george and not Frasier. Alot of voters probably wished for a redo after the NCG.

Yeah, it's pretty tough to pick a four year period because there were so many good ones. Seeing how the list flows from one big name to another all the way back to the first 2 NC's, it is obvious, we didn't rebuild-we reloaded. And sometimes we were overloaded with RB talent. To be honest, when I started this exercise, I expected that string of great backs/rushers to come to a screeching halt in the early 2000's but, as I often do, I ignored the Solich/Callahan years and found that even at our low point and since, we still produce some amazing rushing talent. You sure don't hear of us referred to as I-Back U anymore but, if it isn't us then who? I would be very curious if anybody could come up with a forty year list that even begins to touch on this one for rushing talent. Of course, let's remember that most of those great time periods also had amazing O Line talent to lead the way. We wouldn't have all those 1000 yard rushers were it not for the road graders and pipeline.

 

Can anyone add any names of substance to this list? Guys that contributed and names we would remember even if they didn't gain 1000 yards here. Surely there are a couple flash in the pans that aren't listed here.

 

BTW- the biggest surprises for me on this list were Dahrran Diedrick at 9th overall and Dan Alexander at 16th. I knew they were decent and all but they are ahead of quite a few that I simply didn't expect to see them that high.

Bingo on the bold line above. Restoring the order begins with the line play. It would be interesting to see how our greatest years running matched awards/honors won by our linemen.

Continue doing what we have been doing for the past 5 years. Win 9, 10, and 11 games a year until we eventually put a team together that's able to win the big one.

 

The LAST thing we should do at this point, barring catastrophe, is to find a new coach. That would only set us back another 5 years minimum.

Not calling for a new coach but do you think OSU hiring Urban Myer set them back 5 years or whn Oregon hired Kelly or ND hiring their current coach? Sometimes the right coach at the right time can light a fire under a program.

This link shows Alabama repeating next year.

Ohio State - 2nd.

NU early preseason rank is 22nd.

Is this realistic in your opinion? Based on how we ended 2012 - probably so. No media love on NU until we start

winning something of significance. The jury is out as to when that will happen. I'd like to think we could get back

into the CCG and win it, but after the OSU blowout this pastyear and Myer given one more year as OSU coach - doubtful.

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/college-footballs-early-top-25-2013

This link picks us 20th.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8778225/alabama-crimson-tide-headline-college-football-way-too-early-2013-top-25

I suppose since I went to all the work of compiling these, I should list them for everybody.

I randomly picked Jeff Kinney to begin my list. No offense intended for the 12 prior 1000 yard rushers.

 

Years/Name/Career Yards/Touchdowns/100 yd games/Ranking on Husker 1000 yard rushers list

69-71 Jeff Kinney 2295-29-6-20th

71-72 Gerry Dixon 1042-14-1-59th

73-75 Tony Davis 2195-17-7-24th

73-75 John O'Leary 1461-14-2-41st

74-75 Monte Anthony 2126-18-5-26th

76-78 Rick Berns 2478-28-9-17th

77-79 I.M. Hipp 2913-21-10-7th

77-80 Andra Franklin 1753-10-3-31st

78-80 Craig Johnson 1293-18-6-45th

79-80 Jarvis Redwine 2213-17-10-23rd

79-82 Roger Craig 2493-26-7-18th

80-84 Jeff Smith 2014-19-5-27th

80-83 Turner Gill QB 1593-18-1-44th

81-83 Mike Rozier 4837-49-26-1st

[see list above for this time period]

90-92 Derek Brown 2784-23-12-11th

91-93 Calvin Jones 3215-40-16-5th

92-95 Tommie Frazier QB 2231-36-3-29th

93-95 Lawrence Phillips 2886-30-15-8th

93-96 Damon Benning 1623-20-3-34th

95-97 Ahman Green 3989-42-20-2nd

95-98 Joel Makovicka 1458-13-2-38th

96-97 Scott Frost QB 1778-28-3-35th

96-99 Deangelo Evans 1182-18-5-49th

97-00 Correll Buckhalter 2587-27-11-14th

97-00 Dan Alexander 2532-20-14-16th

98-01 Eric Crouch 3950-59-17-3rd

99-02 Dahrran Diedrick 2837-26-8-9th

00-03 Jammal Lord 3118-24-8-13th

02-05 Cory Ross 2877-17-12-10th

02-04 David Horne 1188-11-4-51st

04-06 Brandon Jackson 1475-14-4-39th

05-08 Marlon Lucky 2508-22-8-19th

07-10 Roy Helu Jr 3536-28-10-12th

09-11*present Rex Burkhead 2756-25-10-12th

10-11*present Taylor Martinez 2235-21-8-30th

 

*totals do not include bowl games from 1969-2001. 2002 and later include bowl games.

** Yards listed are gross gained-does not include lost yardage.

*** I do not know when the cutoff was for Burkhead and Martinez numbers.

Sorry for any typos or if my source is incorrect.

What a list. We haven't talked about Redwine, Cory Ross either. So many great backs. I'd love to see us be known as I-Back U again.

By sheer number of career 1,000 yard rushers, 85-88 could be called the best 4 year period. We had 12 guys on the roster in that 4 year span that gained 1,000 yards in their career at Nebraska. Of course, some of those yards were gained before or after that time period. Using the same criteria, there were no 4 year periods with 11 names, eight 4 year periods with 10 names, and seven periods with 9 names going back to 1969. The twelve;

 

Years/Name/Career Yards/Touchdowns/100 yd games/Ranking on Husker 1000 yard rushers list

81-85 Tom Rathman 1429-12-4-40th

82-85 Doug Dubose 2250-16-14-21st

83-85 Paul Miles 1097-9-2-54th

84-87 Keith Jones 2577-32-10-15th

85-88 Steve Taylor QB 2560-32-6-25th

85-88 Tyreese Knox 1391-12-6-42nd

87-89 Ken Clark 3112-29-12-6th

87-89 Gerry Gdowski QB 1281-17-3-47th

87-89 Bryan Carpenter 1069-7-1-55th

88-90 Leodis Flowers 1668-18-7-32nd

88-91 Mickey Joseph QB 1198-16-1-52nd

88-92 Lance Lewis 1012-6-0-58th

 

*totals do not include bowl games

** Yards listed are gross gained-does not include lost yardage.

GREAT LIST! A couple of guys I didn't think of - forgot about - Flowers, Knox

One more point to all of the above, NU had argueably the all time greatest football team in 1995. None of the current UA teams would hold a candle to them.

The salute to Tom - his last game at NU

TM's run against Wisky,

Bell's block - remineded me of Husker receivers of old

Rex's comeback

Comeback wins - yes that was entertainment - I need a pacemaker

I don't like seeing Bowden ahead of Tom & at this point Saban - hard to argue against 4 NC however. They did leave off some good coaches from the list Switzer, McKay, Leathy.

I'd add them and drop off Miles, Bo S from Michgan - no NC, Jimmy Johnson - who ran a thug house. One could argue that what happened at PSU - Paterno should be dropped from

the list.

We haven't even touched on I.M. Hipp either. Who remembers his years?