RedPhoenix

Something must get into Tim Beck during the games. At times he calls an unbelievably great game, and other times it is unbelievably bad. Today was one of those games. Nebraska will not win games if they can not run the ball. Nebraska will not win games if they don't run the ball.

 

There seems to be a preconceived notion that if we run the ball all the time, defenses will just stack the box and stuff the run. But we have with Taylor Martinez and Tommy Armstrong as well as our wide receivers, players who will keep opposing defenses honest. The threat to pass will force defenses to keep players out of the box. There's also a preconceived notion that if you have talent, you have to keep feeding that talent. Having too many weapons could be just as detrimental to the team as having too few weapons if you don't know how to use them.

 

And I don't think Beck knows how to use them. And it's been evidenced in our two losses this year:

 

Wins

 

Wyoming:

 

Passing: 17/22, 155 yards, 3 TD

Rushing: 63 attempts, 375 yards, 2 TD

 

Ameer had 19 rushes

Imani had 13 carries

Taylor had 16 rushes

Newby had 15 rushes

 

Southern Miss:

 

Passing: 19/28 194 yards, 3 TD

Rushing: 46 attempts, 285 yards, 3 TD

 

South Dakota State:

 

Passing: 21/26 310 yards, 2 TD

Rushing: 51 attempts, 335 yards, 5 TD

 

Illinois:

 

Passing: 11/20 186 yards, 2 TD

Rushing: 50 attempts, 335 yards, 3 TD

 

Purdue:

 

Passing: 16/31 184 yards, 1 TD

Rushing: 56 attempts, 251 yards, 5 TD

 

 

Total:

 

127 pass attempts (32.3%)

266 rush attempts (67.7%)

 

393 plays, or about 78.6 plays per game. Nebraska is averaging a time of possession of 32:15 per game in our five wins, or about 2.44 plays per minute.

 

 

Losses:

 

UCLA:

 

Passing: 21/35 203 yards, 3 TD

Rushing: 42 attempts, 128 yards, 0 TD

 

Minnesota:

 

Passing: 16/30 139 yards, 1 TD

Rushing: 30 attempts, 189 yards, 1 TD

 

Total:

 

65 pass attempts (47.5%)

72 rush attempts (52.5%)

 

137 plays, or about 68.5 plays per game. Nebraska is averaging a time of possession of 27:24, or about 2.5 plays per minute.

 

 

So, we are much more run heavy in our wins and much more balanced when we lose. We don't need to have that balance. The stats speak for themselves.

Am I allowed to talk about my disappointment with this game?

I think that's likely just because the defense has been bad for the past couple of years. It's old news. Now they're still struggling, but there seem to be some signs of hope. So the predominant sentiment is low expectations based on a couple of years of struggles combined with hope that things seem to be getting somewhat better and that there's hope that as the youngsters get more experience they could actually be pretty good.

 

With Martinez, I think people hoped he would develop into a better and more consistent player than he has. As a fourth year starter, I think people hoped that he would have outgrown the mental errors and figured out a way to reduce his turnovers. We have a ton of weapons on offense now and just need someone to get them the ball consistently. I think Armstrong is better at that than Martinez. I see Martinez as a sort of boom or bust sandlot player. He's wired like Brett Favre, to be a high risk/high reward kind of player. When your offense is struggling and lacks playmakers, there's a value to having a guy like that. As you have more weapons, the risks start to outweigh the rewards. Then you're better off with a consistent game manager who can find ways to get the ball in the hands of your playmakers. So I think the offense has outgrown Martinez and that we're better off with Armstrong running the show.

 

But regardless, the topic is far more current and interesting than dissecting for the 300th time why the defense is still struggling.

I WAS going to post a nice long post describing my thoughts but instead ill just reply with... Yeah..What HE said.

Great post.

When Armstrong gets to 4-0 as a starter he'll have matched Cody Green's record.

And will have eclipsed Tommie Fraziers 3-1 start to his career.

We play at Purdue, then the bye week, then at Minnesota before playing NW at home. Martinez can shake the rust off against the Gophers. That gives 2 more weeks before he returns to practice.

I too look forward to the TA/JS quarterback battle next year! Should be fun to watch.

I am still a Bo supporter but I'm perilously close to losing faith in him.

Is there anyway to make the quote feature only quote 1 response at a time. Shouldn't the multi quote function be for adding in a bunch of other garbage?

I see many haven't moved past the Denial stage of grief at this point.

Don't worry guys, we'll be here for you when you get to acceptance.

Watch how much different Taylor looks compared to Tommy. Seriously folks, this isn't even a debate.

 

 

 

Okay im officially creeped out. You have 67 posts and probably 65 of them have to do with TM. Im starting to think you have a TM fetish...

Counting all my post topics? I'm starting to think you have an RP fetish!

Watch how much different Taylor looks compared to Tommy. Seriously folks, this isn't even a debate.

Have said since last year when he was tearing it up on scout team Alonzo will make fans drool for more, he just has so much proven talent ahead if him. He will be heard from this year though.

I love the irony.

Randy Gregory literally scared the QB into sacking himself. Can't remember the last time I've seen that.

I'm done with this. My point is fans should temper expectations after a game. Said after Taylor burst onto the scene. If that was the basis for all arguments, then RKIII should start. And here are two "facts" that sport that claim after todays game against a juggernaut defense. Higher completion percentage and he didn't turn the ball over. See I can skew stats km favor of any argument. There are way more pressing concerns with this team them the quarterback.

 

 

QB is a primary concern. Tommy didn't turn the ball over either that I recall.

sorry your right he fumbled but Westerkamp got it back. You get one point back from me

I'm done with this. My point is fans should temper expectations after a game. Said after Taylor burst onto the scene. If that was the basis for all arguments, then RKIII should start. And here are two "facts" that sport that claim after todays game against a juggernaut defense. Higher completion percentage and he didn't turn the ball over. See I can skew stats km favor of any argument. There are way more pressing concerns with this team them the quarterback.

 

QB is a primary concern. Tommy didn't turn the ball over either that I recall.

I thought both guys looked great today but I'm not about to name Armstrong the starter. I think he has earned a series or two in games and we will see what he is capable of. It's pretty easy to look comfortable back there when you have 10 seconds to throw. See what he does in the face of a MSU blitz.

 

Maybe he'll do this?

Doubt it. Armstrong wouldn't have let us get down 24-14. BOOM!

God I've been as critical as anyone considering the play of Taylor yet here I am defending him to guys that probably have 20+ national titles on their NCAA dynasties.

It was one game. You are the fan that gets ubber geeked after spring game performances to, aren't you????

I get über geeked when I see a real QB with talent. Tommy is that QB. Stanton may also be that QB.

So obviously you creamed your pants watching Bruin a couple our years ago. And thus must be the greatest qb evaluator ever.

 

You also have to be the poster from husker max. Enough said.

I do not change my name from Board to Board. Well, I did once, but they knew it was me from the get go.

So lets see, you've mentioned my hard on and my orgasm.... Why are you so fixated on my junk?

I did not "cream my pants" watching Brion. He was decent, and I'd hoped he would step up his game. But he did not look light years ahead of Taylor.

I forget Tommy played a sites against southern miss, so of course now I see the logic of done after the showing against those two teams. If Tommy gives you a hard in now, I can't wait until you see what Stanton does.

 

If Armstrong keeps playing like he is.....Stanton will be starting his senior year. If he's better than Armstrong he should start before that. I have a hard on for playing the best guy. Taylor is not that guy. I've agreed for 2 years he should be the starter, even has bad as he is. This year, he should not be the starter.

 

The controversy between Armstrong and Stanton might be worse....Johnny has great accuracy and looks like a gamer.

I already knew that about you. How many years of coaching experience do you have? Zero?

 

I've coached Nintendo teams....does that count?

God I've been as critical as anyone considering the play of Taylor yet here I am defending him to guys that probably have 20+ national titles on their NCAA dynasties.

It was one game. You are the fan that gets ubber geeked after spring game performances to, aren't you????

I already knew that about you. How many years of coaching experience do you have? Zero?

I have 40 years of head coaching experience at the FBS level. And I've won the Super Bowl. Twice. On my own.

It's hard to tell if Armstrong is better than Martinez because of the level of competition. The only way to find out is to play Armstrong every play for the rest of the season except when Kellogg is in , so that's what Pelini should do. I've heard those "turf toe" injuries can last for an entire season and we wouldn't want to hurt Taylor's chances for a pro career with a lingering injury that isn't able to heal right.

I think he has earned the right to be the starter. How many practices have you attended? You have no clue what goes on. I trust the coaches over your opinion that you state as fact. Truth is if Taylor had a top 10 defense behind him you would say he is the great QB since Crouch

I liked Taylor his Freshman year. That was his ceiling. He just isn't a natural QB.

I'm not real concerned if you believe me or the coaches. Personally I'd go with me, but that's only because I'm always right.

I'm dealing in facts Paul. No philosophizing needed.

 

Yeah, my bad, I forgot the fact that todays Jack rabbit defense was the second coming of the Steel Curtain, and Taylor has never seen a defense this talented.

Taylor looks inconsistent and bad when he plays FCS teams as well as when he plays FBS teams. He has for at least 2 years.

I forget Tommy played a sites against southern miss, so of course now I see the logic of done after the showing against those two teams. If Tommy gives you a hard in now, I can't wait until you see what Stanton does.

If Armstrong keeps playing like he is.....Stanton will be starting his senior year. If he's better than Armstrong he should start before that. I have a hard on for playing the best guy. Taylor is not that guy. I've agreed for 2 years he should be the starter, even has bad as he is. This year, he should not be the starter.