Marlon Lucky

[EbylHusker]

It's interesting to me how a lot of the team that's returning sorta gets a free pass from last season. Callahan didn't inspire them to play, they didn't like Callahan, or whatever...many reasons are cited. What's interesting, though, is that Lucky never gets that pass from people. They seem to think he just sucks and won't give him the benefit of the doubt, for whatever reason.

[DJR313]

It's interesting to me how a lot of the team that's returning sorta gets a free pass from last season. Callahan didn't inspire them to play, they didn't like Callahan, or whatever...many reasons are cited. What's interesting, though, is that Lucky never gets that pass from people. They seem to think he just sucks and won't give him the benefit of the doubt, for whatever reason.

 

I agree. Lucky was one guy that gave his all every snap and came ready to play.

[Huskerfan55]

Lucky in my humble opinion will never make it in the NFL. He does not appear strong enough or tough enough at this point. he would benefit from another year at NE.

[Spartness]

I supposed if he is willing to toughen up his running. I think it's pretty obvious that Pelini and company will want him to run harder, and there were times he did run hard and times he didn't. I think this coaching staff wants blue collar type of backs -- and I don't mean slow but hard-nosed. We fortunately have a couple of back like that. If Lucky feels like he can fit in with the new coaches, maybe he will stay. If not, he will be gone.

[HUSKER FREAK]

Lucky in my humble opinion will never make it in the NFL. He does not appear strong enough or tough enough at this point. he would benefit from another year at NE.

I really don't think this is entirely accurate. He has most of the tools that you need to be an explosive back. He has strength, speed, and good hands, but the biggest thing in my oppinion is that he is lacking vision at times he was a stand out running back, but when there was only a (seam) to hit he just couldn't quite get there. I do think that he will go pro after this season but I agree that I think that it would be a mistake if he left this year just MO! I do have to afree with Cy though his blocking was definately something to be desired at times....well okay most of the time but I think that some GOOD coaching could smooth out the wrinkles.

[Cy the Cyclone]

It may sound like I'm being unfairly critical of Marlon but I'm convinced he just is not an adequate back for Nebraska. All you have to do is look at the numbers

 

How about this:

 

He rushed for 1019 yards last year...but close to half of those came against Nevada, Ball State and Iowa State (442 all told). Against those three teams he averaged 147 yards a game. In the other 9 games he only managed 577 yards (64 yards a game).

 

He rushed for 114 yards a game versus non-conference teams last year but only managed a weak 70 yards a game versus Big 12 opponents.

 

Finally, last year when going agains run defenses ranked in the bottom 50 of the NCAA he ripped off 424 yards with 106 yard a game averag but when playing against run defenses ranked in the top 50 he only ran for 595 yards for a 74 yard per game average. These numbers include less than stellar numbers against Texas A&M (23 yards), OK State (66 yards) along with 15 rushing yards against Kansas and 33 yards versus USC.

 

If the opposition is medicore (or worse) Lucky is your man...if you want to really establish a running game versus real defenses...find someone else.

 

Incidently...for reference in case you want to know...here is the final rankings in rush defense for the opponents and Lucky's rushing totals

 

Nevada - #79 - 233 yards

Wake Forest - #17 - 90 yards

Ball State - #99 - 102 yards

USC - #4 - 33 yards

Missouri - #25 - 67 yards

Iowa State - #43 - 107 yards

OK State - #59 - 66 yards

Texas A&M - #66 - 23 yards

Texas - #8 - 111 yards

Kansas - #6 - 15 yards

Kansas State - #49 - 107 yards

Colorado - #32 - 69 yards

[Huskerballz]

Those are some good stats you dug up Cy, but I think a lot of those stats have to do with our run blocking. It wasn't that good, therefore, Lucky had to fight for a lot of those yards.

 

A good Oline makes it a lot easier for a runningback to rack up yards.

[Always a husker]

Ya but you have to remember when we started playing better teams we were down the whole time because our D sucks so we were throwing pretty much every down. He also caught a ton of passes too so I wouldn't be to hard on him. I remember also two games where he helped win the game with pass blocking. The WF game he had a great block that gave Keller time to hit Hill for a TD, and against Ball State the same thing happened. If we did not score there we lose those games. I'm almost positive he led the nation in rushing and recieving yards combined. Maybe he led the Big 12.

[Cy the Cyclone]

Those are some good stats you dug up Cy, but I think a lot of those stats have to do with our run blocking. It wasn't that good, therefore, Lucky had to fight for a lot of those yards.

 

A good Oline makes it a lot easier for a runningback to rack up yards.

 

Tell that to Troy Davis...his line put the "offensive" into Offensive Line.

[HUSKER FREAK]

I think that with some good coaching and fire Lucky can be a great back better than the #'s that Cy has provided (thanx by the way). I really do hope though that the coaches spend a great deal with Castille though. IMO I think that he is capable of being a back like Philips, but lets hope he has a better head on his shoulders. I think that another year will help Lucky to be a great back, but I also think that it will be done with shared time with Castille. Hope I didn't contradict my previous post to much. LOL

[EbylHusker]

As I said, a lot of the team played poorly last season. When nearly anyone (save a few) except Lucky is brought up, it's not that player's fault, or at least not mostly. It was the coaching staff's fault.

 

But Lucky? Nope, when he is brought up for not having a good season, it's ALL his fault.

 

Talk about bullsh#t and double standards.

[Cy the Cyclone]

Ya but you have to remember when we started playing better teams we were down the whole time because our D sucks so we were throwing pretty much every down. He also caught a ton of passes too so I wouldn't be to hard on him. I remember also two games where he helped win the game with pass blocking. The WF game he had a great block that gave Keller time to hit Hill for a TD, and against Ball State the same thing happened. If we did not score there we lose those games. I'm almost positive he led the nation in rushing and recieving yards combined. Maybe he led the Big 12.

 

Don't make me have to go back and crunch the receiving numbers now just to tell you the majority of those yards came against crappy defenses too...

 

As for dumping all over Lucky, I've done the same thing to others who I think underperformed...including "Big Mo", Keller and the entire defense. The only guy who I've missed is the kicker (forget his name) and I think he did pretty darn good!

[DJR313]

It may sound like I'm being unfairly critical of Marlon but I'm convinced he just is not an adequate back for Nebraska. All you have to do is look at the numbers

 

How about this:

 

He rushed for 1019 yards last year...but close to half of those came against Nevada, Ball State and Iowa State (442 all told). Against those three teams he averaged 147 yards a game. In the other 9 games he only managed 577 yards (64 yards a game).

 

He rushed for 114 yards a game versus non-conference teams last year but only managed a weak 70 yards a game versus Big 12 opponents.

 

Finally, last year when going agains run defenses ranked in the bottom 50 of the NCAA he ripped off 424 yards with 106 yard a game averag but when playing against run defenses ranked in the top 50 he only ran for 595 yards for a 74 yard per game average. These numbers include less than stellar numbers against Texas A&M (23 yards), OK State (66 yards) along with 15 rushing yards against Kansas and 33 yards versus USC.

 

If the opposition is medicore (or worse) Lucky is your man...if you want to really establish a running game versus real defenses...find someone else.

 

Incidently...for reference in case you want to know...here is the final rankings in rush defense for the opponents and Lucky's rushing totals

 

Nevada - #79 - 233 yards

Wake Forest - #17 - 90 yards

Ball State - #99 - 102 yards

USC - #4 - 33 yards

Missouri - #25 - 67 yards

Iowa State - #43 - 107 yards

OK State - #59 - 66 yards

Texas A&M - #66 - 23 yards

Texas - #8 - 111 yards

Kansas - #6 - 15 yards

Kansas State - #49 - 107 yards

Colorado - #32 - 69 yards

 

So was Texas an anomaly or a sign of things to come? Most of the games the Huskers were behind and were passing a bunch to attempt to come back and that hurt his running stats. Lucky also had almost 80 catches and about 700 yards receiving. Lots of his yards would come on screens and swing passes. Other teams knew that he was going to get the ball and still had a hard time stopping him in the open field. I think he could benefit from another year at Nebraska, but I think he is a solid back. People knock him because he isn't tough or doesn't break tackles. I urge you to watch the KSU game from this year. He ran like a man possessed for that game.

[admo]

Lucky was solid. His physical play improved down the stretch. Without doubt, I believe he can rush for 1500 yards next year by getting 20-23 carries a game.

[Hunter94]

It may sound like I'm being unfairly critical of Marlon but I'm convinced he just is not an adequate back for Nebraska. All you have to do is look at the numbers

 

How about this:

 

He rushed for 1019 yards last year...but close to half of those came against Nevada, Ball State and Iowa State (442 all told). Against those three teams he averaged 147 yards a game. In the other 9 games he only managed 577 yards (64 yards a game).

 

He rushed for 114 yards a game versus non-conference teams last year but only managed a weak 70 yards a game versus Big 12 opponents.

 

Finally, last year when going agains run defenses ranked in the bottom 50 of the NCAA he ripped off 424 yards with 106 yard a game averag but when playing against run defenses ranked in the top 50 he only ran for 595 yards for a 74 yard per game average. These numbers include less than stellar numbers against Texas A&M (23 yards), OK State (66 yards) along with 15 rushing yards against Kansas and 33 yards versus USC.

 

If the opposition is medicore (or worse) Lucky is your man...if you want to really establish a running game versus real defenses...find someone else.

 

Incidently...for reference in case you want to know...here is the final rankings in rush defense for the opponents and Lucky's rushing totals

 

Nevada - #79 - 233 yards

Wake Forest - #17 - 90 yards

Ball State - #99 - 102 yards

USC - #4 - 33 yards

Missouri - #25 - 67 yards

Iowa State - #43 - 107 yards

OK State - #59 - 66 yards

Texas A&M - #66 - 23 yards

Texas - #8 - 111 yards

Kansas - #6 - 15 yards

Kansas State - #49 - 107 yards

Colorado - #32 - 69 yards

 

So was Texas an anomaly or a sign of things to come? Most of the games the Huskers were behind and were passing a bunch to attempt to come back and that hurt his running stats. Lucky also had almost 80 catches and about 700 yards receiving. Lots of his yards would come on screens and swing passes. Other teams knew that he was going to get the ball and still had a hard time stopping him in the open field. I think he could benefit from another year at Nebraska, but I think he is a solid back. People knock him because he isn't tough or doesn't break tackles. I urge you to watch the KSU game from this year. He ran like a man possessed for that game.

 

 

i rate KSU right down there with Nevada. honestly, against tougher opponents, he was average.