True2tRA

We ran the ball 38 times. Why don't we just admit that the problem is not how much we passed or how much we ran, but more so how ineffective we seem to be at both. We seem to fail at the worst times. We also throw the ball in some baffling spots. I don't like the pass on first down, and I don't like the pass on anything 3rd and 3 or less. Flip side of the coin is, Nebraska can only average 2 yards a carry, so Langs is in a tough spot. Tommy had 291 yards passing but still looks very poor at times. Numbers don't tell the whole story there, he made some good choices and some bad ones. That pick six was ridiculously stupid. Still, if Tommy's receivers catch a few more passes the game probably goes the other way. 9 drops by seven receivers is the stat I heard. That's just plain bad. The numbers don't lie in the run game. 38 rushes for 82 yards. This game was lost in that stat right there. More than anywhere else. This team will either decide to get a little more aggresive in the trenches, or they won't. Plain and simple. The coaches gave them more than enough opportunities to establish something on the ground.

There are 18 running backs in the country with more than 1 play 60+ yards. 13 of those 18 only have 2 total runs of 60+ yards. So Newby is one more big run from being right alongside all but the top five backs in the country with this long of a run. There's only 10 running backs in the country with more than 1 run over 70+ yards, so if the run had been 1 more yard, he'd be in elite company huh? It's hardly anything to get too down about. I like Janovich too, but Newby hopefully continues to get more opportunities and find a rhythym. I say that because Newby is obviously the running back these coaches have chosen to be the lead back in this offense, and I'd like to see Nebraska continue to stay committed ot the run game. Nebraska is 27th in the country in rushing yards and 19th in the country in average yards per carry. We are 60th in the country as far as rushing attempts. If we commit to the run game a bit more, I imagine we get better with it, and with the increase in attempts those long rushing plays probably happen a little more often. i get it, but i don't care about a few long runs, i want a gamer who rushes for 80-120 yards per game, at least 6-8 games each season. Newby just isn't that guy. I get it. We want the same thing. Newby hasn't shown to be that guy yet, but we've also not been as committed to allowing him to be that guy as we could be. I won't defend Newby's abilities too much. Honestly, I'm a fan of Wilbon's style a lot more than I am of Newby's. I also like Ozigbo. I'm just hoping Newby steps it up and turns into more of that one cut and go type of back mostly because he's obviously the running back these coaches have chosen, so we need him to step up.

Take our four losses and turn them into wins and we're 7-0. Unbelievable!

If you paste the link like you did, and delete the "s" off https:// (make it http://) it will post like this:

Tommy still just seems like a very timing based QB. When he reads the defense correctly and his initial read is open and on time, he looks like an NFL caliber QB. It's when the coverage takes away that first option Tommy seems to either zone in on forcing a throw or he gets those happy feet and throws an awkward back footed pass. The kid has the arm strength to do it, no doubt, but imagine how much more accurate he could be if he corrected that. I'd like to see Tommy continue to get a little bit more comfortable out there. His offensive line is protecting him well this season. We are the only team Wisconsin didn't get a sack on this season I believe. They've almost averaged 3 sacks per game in all their other contests. The play calling and the options we give Tommy is vital. I'd like to see more plays with 1-2 quick reads or short routes, take away so many options, and tell Tommy to go here or there but if it isn't there, take off and make something happen with your legs. I think we've kind of been heading in that direction the more Langsdord has learned about Tommy. We've just got so many weapons in that WR group that Langsdorf really has a challenge in trying to keep so many guys involved.

Bad recruiters? Or guys that just plain aren't recruiting? There's a difference. For the people that are willing to label a position coach as the best or worst on the staff at this point, I think it would be more than fair for you to say what it is you think they do so well and what the "worst" position coach does so poorly. I see Saunders has already labeled Stewart, the secondary coach, as the worst. What technical aspects is he so poor at coaching? What are you seeing specifically in the defensive backfield that makes you feel like Stewart is not a qualified coach? Just curious is all. You've labeled Bray as the best position coach and I agree, the linebackers are playing very well. Two things though, tackling is an improved aspect throughout this team no doubt, not just at linebacker. Do you think the scheme puts the players in a better position to make plays and make tackles? Do you believe the linebackers have been put in a more challenging spot in this defense, or do you see the challenges the defensive backs face as more difficult? Just curious of your thoughts, and anyone else's for that matter, as far as how you've come to a conclusion on who is good or bad at this point.

Pretty hard to evaluate these guys this early on. They've hardly made their mark on the program yet.

There are 18 running backs in the country with more than 1 play 60+ yards. 13 of those 18 only have 2 total runs of 60+ yards. So Newby is one more big run from being right alongside all but the top five backs in the country with this long of a run. There's only 10 running backs in the country with more than 1 run over 70+ yards, so if the run had been 1 more yard, he'd be in elite company huh? It's hardly anything to get too down about. I like Janovich too, but Newby hopefully continues to get more opportunities and find a rhythym. I say that because Newby is obviously the running back these coaches have chosen to be the lead back in this offense, and I'd like to see Nebraska continue to stay committed ot the run game. Nebraska is 27th in the country in rushing yards and 19th in the country in average yards per carry. We are 60th in the country as far as rushing attempts. If we commit to the run game a bit more, I imagine we get better with it, and with the increase in attempts those long rushing plays probably happen a little more often.

No way do we scrap what we're doing on defense because it isn't always "pretty" 7 games in. Now maybe if it still isn't pretty 2 years in, then we change something. We know one thing as Husker fans, because we've witnessed each side of this first hand. Selling out to stop the pass is a killer to your run defense. Ask Bo Pelini. Selling out to stop the run can be a killer to your pass defense, ask Banker. Two key things though. Banker is in season one, Bo was in season seven. Bankers hardly had the time to prove what his system could be here. Secondly, this is the Big Ten. If I've got to choose between stopping the run or stopping the pass, it's kind of a no brainer. Maybe someday we get pretty good at both though. Even a small improvement in the pass defense, and/or a turnover gained here or there, and this is an undefeated Husker football team right now.

Agree with this. I think our key to making this stop is doing what we did against Minnesota. We need to get interceptions. I you have teams pass for 40+ times with a 50% completion percentage but they have a decent yards per attempt, they are going to keep doing it. NOW, if you make them pay a few times a game with an interception, they will start rethinking that theory. And the way we got the interceptions? Go away from the Quarters coverage and play Cover 2. We only moved to Cover 2 when the threat of Minnesota's run game was gone. I think we have the formula for success in this conference. Just got to get a bit better at executing it. I don't expect the players to be great in this system yet. It's a complete 180 degree turnaround from what they're used to. But they'll get it, and when they do Nebraska is going to be sitting pretty.

This s*** makes my blood boil. You don't understand how much pride Tommy has for the 'N' on his helmet? You really don't? Go back and watch the second half of that Miami game. Yeah, that was where it got stupid. I mean the whole initial idea was kind of meh, but to go from "the kid doesn't know much about the 95 Huskers", to " he has no sense of pride for wearing the N on his helmet"; that was another level of WTF. Matter of fact, Tommy seems to be one of the more bought in and most competitive guys out there. Don't question that kids devotion for a second, I don't think it can be denied. This kid gets it, he's just too damn young and grew up far from the corn fields of Nebraska to know the history of this place. I'd like to think these guys go back and check out some tapes, some of those youtube videos we've got an entire thread devoted too, but it's not a requirement by any means. It doesn't mean much at all. Honestly guys, we need to start devoting at least half the time we devote to finding things to bitch about, try to start a thread about something positive. Who even cares what it is. It's time to turn the page on this constant negativity we've gotten too familiar with. We got rid of the clown running the circus, so let's stop following his act.

I might be pumping a little bit of sunshine too. I guess I just like to be different.

Yea Minnesota failed and I mentioned that in my post, but to be honest guys, Newby has had some pretty good holes open up this year and he hasn't always hit them with a full head of steam like this. Now yes, this one was fairly easy and obvious as I said in my OP, but to give Newby credit, he didn't hesitate. I also saw that play as an opportunity to point out some good blocking up front. There are other plays I could have used. Point is, the offensive line seems to be an improved group across the board. We also had questions a few weeks ago about if Nebraska was capable of "hitting the homerun", which I thought was a pretty ridiculous statement. This play is just one of a few examples here recently that demonstrate Nebraska is capable and may be even more capable if Newby continues to improve on hittin those running lanes with intent.

Thanks man, I appreciate that. It's really what I was trying to accomplish with this one. Broke it down into just one play, but for me there was a lot of positives to take from this one. Just seeing some good fundamental execution and we took advantage of what they gave us. Yeah, they were out of position and made mistakes, but its still the Huskers job to execute the play and make it happen. The fellas did their jobs and it looked good. I love seeing Nebraska break off a big run like that, I don't care what the defense did. Between that one and Jano's big TD run against Wisconsin, I'm loving the ground game and the effort from the Huskers.

Anybody that thinks Tim Beck came to Nebraska to run the ball 60% of the time is fooling themselves. Tim Beck wasn't a good enough coordinator to get his passing game to be effective. If he were, Nebraska would have been passing the ball a lot more in recent histroy.

All the comments about Newby's style, or Minnesota "gave" it to us. I like the way Newby DID run, and the way we took what the defense gave us. And we did it on the ground. Be prepared Lo Country. The only reason Nebraska ran the ball more under Tim Beck was because Tim Beck was not a good enough coach or recruiter to bring a QB into his system and execute it at a high rate. Langsdorf and Riley will get their guy and they are good enough to get their team to execute it. The result will be more of a balanced attack, and it will probably be a successful one.

This play: Erased a lot of questions we had about this team. Question number one was about the ability of our offensive line. In my opinion, the improvement of the offensive line has been dramatic. This play demonstrates the capabilities. Let's get it out of the way now that Minnesota was clearly not on the right page on defense, but regardless, we executed our part and that word EXECUTE is not something you could say too often in recent history. The assignment blocking on this play is great in my opinion. It looks like the players understood their assignments and made their blocks. Question two was if Nebraska lacked a homerun threat. Newby went 69 yards and his speed is obvious. When we execute and when Newby sees the lane open up, it is clear that he can be that home run threat. Part of being able to hit the homerun is catching the defense off guard and taking advantage of the opportunity when they present it. As much as you could say Minnesota was out of position, give credit to Nebraska for recognizing it and not hesitating. Question three was if Newby could be the guy. To me this play showed a side of Newby I'd like to see more. Now this one might have been "easy". He had a huge lane open up and he one cut and BOOM, to the house. But to me, this is the Newby we need to see more often and he's now shown he can do it. I want to see the one cut and BOOM Newby more often. It's when he takes those two or three hesitations steps, that's when we go nowhere. If Newby can continue to recognize the openings in the defense and show no hesitation, I think he can be THAT GUY that the Nebraska fans desire in their run game.

Not sure if this has been discussed yet, but Riley had some pretty high praise for Alonzo Moore in his press conference. I have high praise for Alonzo this season as well. We heard all about this guys' playmaking capabilities, and now we are seeing them. Alonzo looks great in the passing game and I have especially like what he's done on those speed sweeps. Seems like he's good for ten yards every time he gets a carry. His hands have improved drastically. Here's an article: http://nebraska.247sports.com/Article/Nebraska-wide-receiver-Alonzo-Moore-is-having-a-solid-year-40419463 Hard work paying off for Moore. Good to see it. The future is bright for this guy. He's developing as an all around threat in every aspect of our offense.

I was born in 1981. We don't need to finish that story.

As long as we are all angry about something!

I love that whole approach from the staff. Perfect. There's probably more stories like this behind the scenes, but this is just one example of what the experience and knowledge of this staff can do here. I could'nt imagine a better way of handling it. Don't let the player hang their head and stay down, and don't try to find someone to blame. No excuses. Pure and simple, get out there and play like you deserve to be part of this tradition. Keep grinding. Huge respect to McMullen for stepping it up, and great coaching job by Banker.

Nah. Not even close. Not only do I like the guy as a coach, and his personality, but I like what he's doing with the defense. It's a work in progress, but I like the direction of it.

I've settled I guess. I like these guys. I really like the amount of coaching I'm seeing every time a player comes to the sideline. It seems like the position coaches are always there to meet them. Langs is talking with Tommy constantly as well. We're pretty close to being undefeated, but we're not. Still, it's hardly been "sh**ty" to watch, to use your words. It's really been pretty interesting and exciting. I wish we coudl be on the other side of those close losses, I'm sure the players and coaches wish it too. I guess I see it as more than just a "moral victory" when we beat a team that has beaten us the past two seasons, and when we compete to the wire against a Wisconsin team that has literally made us their bitch since we joined the conference. Moral victory? Nope, it's called playing better football. To be honest, playing better football is what eventually wins you games, and last weekend was hopefully the start to this team playing even better football. I see plenty they've already improved upon though. I see the Head Coach of this team as one of those improvements.

Good pick too. I hope Weber keeps getting opportunities to show what he can do once he gets healthy. The guy is a great athlete, tough kid too and seems to have the smarts for this game from what we've seen from him. Whereever the ball goes, Weber is right there.