3rd Down Penalties Costly to the Blackshirts

[ESPY]

In the last 2 games, 23 of the 26 points allowed by the Blackshirts have been scored on drives they have committed a penality on 3rd down to keep the drive alive for the opposing offense. And each of those 3rd down plays would've forced a punt.

 

aTm scored 6 of its 9 points because of penalties committed on 3rd-and-long plays. Obviously the two calls that kept those scoring drives were questionable (PI on Dennard) or just plain bad (Osborne RTP). But, the fact remains.

 

Colorado scored all 17 points on drives kept alive by defensive penalties on 3rd downs, and unlike the aTm game, these were legit calls. The first 10 points came from drives we were called for PI, and the final TD came after the penalty by Crick.

 

As far as I can tell, this is the only negative trend our D has shown. But, there's no two ways about it - this has been a very costly trend, and one that we can ill-afford to keep going in the CCG vs Oklahoma.

[NUance]

Grassy! Knoll!

 

 

(I am only half kidding, in view of the BS calls we've had.)

[3rd and long]

In the last 2 games, 23 of the 26 points allowed by the Blackshirts have been scored on drives they have committed a penality on 3rd down to keep the drive alive for the opposing offense. And each of those 3rd down plays would've forced a punt.

 

aTm scored 6 of its 9 points because of penalties committed on 3rd-and-long plays. Obviously the two calls that kept those scoring drives were questionable (PI on Dennard) or just plain bad (Osborne RTP). But, the fact remains.

 

Colorado scored all 17 points on drives kept alive by defensive penalties on 3rd downs, and unlike the aTm game, these were legit calls. The first 10 points came from drives we were called for PI, and the final TD came after the penalty by Crick.

 

As far as I can tell, this is the only negative trend our D has shown. But, there's no two ways about it - this has been a very costly trend, and one that we can ill-afford to keep going in the CCG vs Oklahoma.

 

Good points. It seems like we seldom bring extra pressure on third and long, give the QB time to throw and then get hit with those PI's. Here's a thought, lets get aggressive on third, bring the heat and finish the sack. Can't have a PI when the throw doesn't get off (course when it does then we can have the late hit penalty).

[ESPY]

I gotta wonder why we haven't been able to respond after being hit with these 3rd down penalties. That's the part that bothers me. I know it sucks when you think you just stopped the opponent's drive and forced a punt only to get hit with a penalty that nullifies all that effort. But, the Blackshirts must find a way to keep from getting so demorolized that they allow the offense to keep moving the ball after the penalty. Either they must stop committing those costly fouls, or they must have enough resolve to get the job done again.

[ESPY]

I didn't want to start another thread about penalties, and since I'd already gotten this one going about how costly 3rd down penalties on our D have been in recent games, I believe this is the perfect thread for this article in today's OWH.

 

Aggressive style tends to elevate penalty count

By Jon Nyatawa

 

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s Big 12 opponents received 19 first downs as a result of a penalty this season, the highest total for a team’s opponents in the league. Conversely, Nebraska was awarded first downs because of penalties only seven times, the lowest total in the conference.

 

That is one statistic gleaned from an analysis of the penalties called in all 48 Big 12 regular-season games in 2010.

 

Another? Nebraska is not the most penalized team in league play. That distinction belongs to Texas A&M. NU was tied with Baylor for the second-most penalties.

 

By contrast, Oklahoma, Nebraska’s opponent Saturday in the Big 12 title game, was by far the least penalized team, with a little more than four a game. Nebraska averaged just more than eight and A&M almost nine.

 

The World-Herald began looking at the penalties in each league game after Nebraska’s 9-6 loss to Texas A&M on Nov. 20 in which 16 penalties were called against NU and two were called against A&M — both statistical anomalies when compared with the teams’ other Big 12 games.

 

However, while the numbers do show that the Huskers were penalized more often than their opponents, it cannot be ignored that Nebraska’s style of play, especially on defense, has likely contributed to the discrepancy. NU has been heavily penalized each of the past three years.

 

The Big 12 office has declined multiple requests to discuss officiating. Walt Anderson, the conference’s coordinator of football officials, was unavailable for comment this week.

 

But two officials who have worked Big 12 games, who spoke under the condition of anonymity because they may work Big 12 games in the future, said that a high level of aggressive play by a defense can result in a higher number of penalties.

 

Aggressive defensive play has been a Nebraska hallmark under coach Bo Pelini. But is Nebraska more aggressive than other teams in the Big 12?

 

Statistically, that’s impossible to answer. But there are plenty of anecdotes.

 

For instance, Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson, praised the Husker secondary for its physicality earlier this week, telling the Dallas Morning News that “guys are lockin’ up receivers, grabbin’, muggin’, hangin’ on to you, makin’ you work. You’re not going to get an easy pass.”

 

Nebraska’s nine defensive pass interference penalties led the conference. Texas Tech, with eight, was the only other team with more than five in league play.

 

Without possession of the football, Nebraska has been called for two holding penalties, second only to Texas (four).

 

Yet NU senior Prince Amukamara said he and his teammates aren’t changing their style, largely because games are called differently each week. Sometimes, he and the Huskers have to adjust. Sometimes, they don’t.

 

“Maybe you have to take away your aggressiveness or stop using the technique that you’re taught just because the refs are calling it in that game,” Amukamara said. “I definitely think our coach doesn’t want us to stop being physical.”

 

That much is clear.

 

Go back to the start of November. On the heels of Eric Martin’s suspension issued by the Big 12, there was speculation that conference officials might also discipline Courtney Osborne for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Blaine Gabbert late in Nebraska’s win over Missouri.

 

Pelini was asked directly if the league’s action would impact the way the Huskers play. His answer? “It won’t.”

 

In 2008, Pelini’s first year, NU averaged 7.23 penalties per game, more than 101 other Division I schools. The Huskers averaged 7.14 last season, which placed them 93rd. (NU set a single-season school record in 2009, finishing the year with 100 penalties.)

 

It was not out of character then this season when the Huskers averaged 8.13 penalties per game, only twice finishing a Big 12 contest with fewer infractions than their opponent.

 

Here’s what’s proven tough to swallow for many Nebraska supporters, some who have cried conspiracy:

 

If the NU game is stripped from the season statistics, only Oklahoma State and Missouri average fewer penalties than the number they were hit with in their games against the Huskers. And in some instances the disparity was striking.

 

Iowa State committed three penalties during its overtime loss to Nebraska but averaged 6.71 infractions in other Big 12 contests. Kansas was flagged once against the Huskers but committed an average of 6.57 penalties in its seven other conference games. Texas A&M was penalized twice during its win over NU, but it averaged 9.86 fouls during the rest of Big 12 play.

The two officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity don’t buy the suggestion that officials during those games were somehow keeping track of the discrepancy in calls. Both, in separate interviews, said football is not like basketball, where it is assumed by some that referees use make-up calls to even things out. With the bang-bang nature of a football play, they agreed, an official is often focused completely on his particular responsibilities. Officials, they said, are so zoned in that even profanity-laced complaints from coaches are rarely digested in full. Officials who allow their minds to wander during games will make so many mistakes that they’ll soon be unemployed.

 

That said, the season penalty analysis showed that what could be considered judgment calls — such as defensive pass interference and offensive holding — haven’t favored the Huskers.

 

For instance, as NU committed a league-high nine defensive pass interference penalties, the Huskers accepted just one defensive pass interference penalty, as did Missouri, Kansas State and Baylor.

 

Nebraska’s opponents were called for four holding penalties when they had possession of the ball, tying Baylor’s opponent total for the second-fewest in the league. Iowa State’s foes committed just two holding infractions.

 

Big 12 teams averaged about seven offensive holding fouls for the season. Nebraska finished with nine, but Iowa State was caught holding the most (11 times).

 

Personal fouls tend to encompass several different infractions, so for comparison purposes in this story, those fouls were grouped with roughing the passer, face mask, unsportsmanlike conduct, kick catching interference, clipping and roughing the kicker penalties. All of those infractions are penalized 15 yards.

 

Nebraska totaled 16 of those types of penalties, third-highest behind Texas Tech (20) and Baylor (17). The conference average was 12.75.

 

Very very interesting analysis done by the World-Herald here. It appears Nebraska is definitely between a rock (agressive D elevates penalties) and a hard spot (extra scrutiny from refs and conference).

[Glendower]

I didn't want to start another thread about penalties, and since I'd already gotten this one going about how costly 3rd down penalties on our D have been in recent games, I believe this is the perfect thread for this article in today's OWH.

 

Aggressive style tends to elevate penalty count

By Jon Nyatawa

 

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s Big 12 opponents received 19 first downs as a result of a penalty this season, the highest total for a team’s opponents in the league. Conversely, Nebraska was awarded first downs because of penalties only seven times, the lowest total in the conference.

 

That is one statistic gleaned from an analysis of the penalties called in all 48 Big 12 regular-season games in 2010.

 

Another? Nebraska is not the most penalized team in league play. That distinction belongs to Texas A&M. NU was tied with Baylor for the second-most penalties.

 

By contrast, Oklahoma, Nebraska’s opponent Saturday in the Big 12 title game, was by far the least penalized team, with a little more than four a game. Nebraska averaged just more than eight and A&M almost nine.

 

The World-Herald began looking at the penalties in each league game after Nebraska’s 9-6 loss to Texas A&M on Nov. 20 in which 16 penalties were called against NU and two were called against A&M — both statistical anomalies when compared with the teams’ other Big 12 games.

 

However, while the numbers do show that the Huskers were penalized more often than their opponents, it cannot be ignored that Nebraska’s style of play, especially on defense, has likely contributed to the discrepancy. NU has been heavily penalized each of the past three years.

 

The Big 12 office has declined multiple requests to discuss officiating. Walt Anderson, the conference’s coordinator of football officials, was unavailable for comment this week.

 

But two officials who have worked Big 12 games, who spoke under the condition of anonymity because they may work Big 12 games in the future, said that a high level of aggressive play by a defense can result in a higher number of penalties.

 

Aggressive defensive play has been a Nebraska hallmark under coach Bo Pelini. But is Nebraska more aggressive than other teams in the Big 12?

 

Statistically, that’s impossible to answer. But there are plenty of anecdotes.

 

For instance, Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson, praised the Husker secondary for its physicality earlier this week, telling the Dallas Morning News that “guys are lockin’ up receivers, grabbin’, muggin’, hangin’ on to you, makin’ you work. You’re not going to get an easy pass.”

 

Nebraska’s nine defensive pass interference penalties led the conference. Texas Tech, with eight, was the only other team with more than five in league play.

 

Without possession of the football, Nebraska has been called for two holding penalties, second only to Texas (four).

 

Yet NU senior Prince Amukamara said he and his teammates aren’t changing their style, largely because games are called differently each week. Sometimes, he and the Huskers have to adjust. Sometimes, they don’t.

 

“Maybe you have to take away your aggressiveness or stop using the technique that you’re taught just because the refs are calling it in that game,” Amukamara said. “I definitely think our coach doesn’t want us to stop being physical.”

 

That much is clear.

 

Go back to the start of November. On the heels of Eric Martin’s suspension issued by the Big 12, there was speculation that conference officials might also discipline Courtney Osborne for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Blaine Gabbert late in Nebraska’s win over Missouri.

 

Pelini was asked directly if the league’s action would impact the way the Huskers play. His answer? “It won’t.”

 

In 2008, Pelini’s first year, NU averaged 7.23 penalties per game, more than 101 other Division I schools. The Huskers averaged 7.14 last season, which placed them 93rd. (NU set a single-season school record in 2009, finishing the year with 100 penalties.)

 

It was not out of character then this season when the Huskers averaged 8.13 penalties per game, only twice finishing a Big 12 contest with fewer infractions than their opponent.

 

Here’s what’s proven tough to swallow for many Nebraska supporters, some who have cried conspiracy:

 

If the NU game is stripped from the season statistics, only Oklahoma State and Missouri average fewer penalties than the number they were hit with in their games against the Huskers. And in some instances the disparity was striking.

 

Iowa State committed three penalties during its overtime loss to Nebraska but averaged 6.71 infractions in other Big 12 contests. Kansas was flagged once against the Huskers but committed an average of 6.57 penalties in its seven other conference games. Texas A&M was penalized twice during its win over NU, but it averaged 9.86 fouls during the rest of Big 12 play.

The two officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity don’t buy the suggestion that officials during those games were somehow keeping track of the discrepancy in calls. Both, in separate interviews, said football is not like basketball, where it is assumed by some that referees use make-up calls to even things out. With the bang-bang nature of a football play, they agreed, an official is often focused completely on his particular responsibilities. Officials, they said, are so zoned in that even profanity-laced complaints from coaches are rarely digested in full. Officials who allow their minds to wander during games will make so many mistakes that they’ll soon be unemployed.

 

That said, the season penalty analysis showed that what could be considered judgment calls — such as defensive pass interference and offensive holding — haven’t favored the Huskers.

 

For instance, as NU committed a league-high nine defensive pass interference penalties, the Huskers accepted just one defensive pass interference penalty, as did Missouri, Kansas State and Baylor.

 

Nebraska’s opponents were called for four holding penalties when they had possession of the ball, tying Baylor’s opponent total for the second-fewest in the league. Iowa State’s foes committed just two holding infractions.

 

Big 12 teams averaged about seven offensive holding fouls for the season. Nebraska finished with nine, but Iowa State was caught holding the most (11 times).

 

Personal fouls tend to encompass several different infractions, so for comparison purposes in this story, those fouls were grouped with roughing the passer, face mask, unsportsmanlike conduct, kick catching interference, clipping and roughing the kicker penalties. All of those infractions are penalized 15 yards.

 

Nebraska totaled 16 of those types of penalties, third-highest behind Texas Tech (20) and Baylor (17). The conference average was 12.75.

 

Very very interesting analysis done by the World-Herald here. It appears Nebraska is definitely between a rock (agressive D elevates penalties) and a hard spot (extra scrutiny from refs and conference).

 

Their research probably just consisted of reading our thread on the topic here at HB

[schuhbdoo]

Grassy! Knoll!

 

 

(I am only half kidding, in view of the BS calls we've had.)

 

 

It is all on the sapruter tapes. The percentage of 3rd down penalties is larger since it keeps a drive alive and allows the other team to possibly score and deny NU a win.

[ESPY]

Yet NU senior Prince Amukamara said he and his teammates aren’t changing their style, largely because games are called differently each week. Sometimes, he and the Huskers have to adjust. Sometimes, they don’t.

 

“Maybe you have to take away your aggressiveness or stop using the technique that you’re taught just because the refs are calling it in that game,” Amukamara said. “I definitely think our coach doesn’t want us to stop being physical.”

It's that style, aggressiveness and physical play which sets this secondary and this entire defense apart. There's a reason Bo wants physical, smashmouth play from his guys - he's experienced the incredible results and knows what it takes to shut down opposing offenses.