LJS Stat Corner: Third Down

Mavric

Mavric

Yoda
Staff member
On the defensive side of the ball, the Huskers took steps back in this statistic in 2011 and 2012. After ranking fourth nationally in third-down defense in 2009 and 15th in 2010, Nebraska ranked 64th in 2011 and 46th in 2012.


So NU defensive coaches had to be quite pleased last year when the Huskers finished 6th nationally on third down, allowing the opponent to convert just 31.02 percent of the time. The one game Nebraska's defense would have preferred better numbers was against Michigan State, which was 11-of-21 on third down that day, though some of that is as much a credit to some pinpoint throws by Connor Cook with the heat on.

All told, though, the Huskers would likely take a repeat of those third-down stats, which were considerably better than 2012 when foes converted 37 percent of the time, and 2011, when the conversion rate was above 40 percent.
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On the other hand, Nebraska's offense did not fare so well on third down in 2013, converting at a 39.25 percent clip, which ranked 74th nationally.


This is where you'd like to see the Huskers become more efficient. That conversion percentage is not much better than the third-down rate NU had in 2009 on an offense that, as that Big 12 Championship Game easily reminds, was not exactly the model to imitate.

Aside from 2008, Bo Pelini's first year and Joe Ganz's last year as quarterback, when NU ranked 14th nationally in third-down offense (47.49), the Huskers have been 42nd or lower in the category every year, hovering around a 43 percent conversion rate or lower.
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I think it's safe to say that we wouldn't be anywhere near the top 10 on 3rd down defense without #44.

 
RG4 was a big reason last year and will continue to be a factor this year. But don't sleep on Collins, VV, and the rest of the Dline. Also guys like Newby and Zaire in certain situations.

In general this defense SHOULD be in the discussion for the best under Bo at the end of the year. I don't know if they will capture the scoring D title like we did in 09 though.

 
The D should be solid and and the strength of the team. The failing to convert on roughly 40% of 3rd downs puts pressure on the D to take the field with less rest and time to be "coached up" on the sidelines. This doesn't even account the number of TO's that put the D right back on the field. Now imagine better conversion rate and less TO's.........

 
Tommy Armstrong reads the LJS' stat about offensive third down inefficiency and throws it right back at their faces.

(it lands in montana.)

 
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