[Husker] Other Observations

[Duane Feldman]

I watched the ESPN/ABC version again today and pretty much agree with your comments.
 
Blythe runs great routes and I think you are right, our corners erred on the side of keeping between the receivers and the end zone.
 
In the last two games, I have come to appreciate Shanle a great deal.  He was present on runs, coverage and even blitzes.  He saved countless YAK (yards after contact AND yards after catch).  His  hit on the ISU receiver (Davis??) to knock him out of bounds was key too.  My hats off to Jones and Cryer as well.   the other reason Meyer didn't break more rushing yards was having someone in hsi face as he released the ball - especially in the second half.
 
As far as only two of the "four horses" getting playing time at any point, I noticed the same thing.  I concluded that Glenn and BJ are seeing action if BC thinks it most advantageous to run inside and Lucky and Wilson if the runs are headed outside.  OTOH, I notced BJ getting many plays but few carries in earlier games when used predominantly as a blocking back in pass downs and Lucky sees more if he will be used as a receiver (vs ISU).  I think it may depend upon how much blitzing/pressure the other team will offer.
 
I took issue with the announcers that "this game was closer than the score suggests."  Yes, IF Blythe doesn't get called for pushing off, he scores a TD.  Flynn? did get jobbed of his TD however.  Still, if the score was closer, Taylor passes for more than five times in the second half and we mount more sustained drives than we did.  I felt the score fairly represented the game.
 
Duane Feldman


----- Original Message ----
From: Steve Stone <sstone at pvtnetworks.net>
To: husker-tssi.com <husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 8, 2006 5:52:17 PM
Subject: [Husker] Other Observations


This morning, looking at a home-made recording of the game, I gained 
some perspectives I missed Saturday evening:

1) The Husker defense seemed to be deployed for the primary purpose 
of preventing Bret Meyer gaining a lot of ground on foot. As part of 
that strategy, Husker defensive backs tried to keep ISU receivers in 
front of them, and to do so they had to allow some shorter 
receptions. The result was that Meyer netted a total of only 26 
yards, much shy of his regular output and didn't score any home-run 
passes.

2) Pre-season some concern was expressed (not on this List) about 
Andrew Shanle's ability to play safety. Unless my old eyes deceive 
me, this young man has played well.

3) Although I'm not Carmen SanDiego, I have to ask, "Where in the 
world was Brandon Rigoni?" Answer: not very much in the mix. 
Apparently the Cyclones took note of his presence near punt and 
kickoff receivers and employed special precautions to seal him away 
from the action, particularly since their punt receiver muffed two 
punts last week. As a result, on NU punts and kickoffs, Rigoni didn't 
even come into camera view until the last punt of the second quarter, 
much less play his usually "bullet" role. Not until the fourth 
quarter did he actually get to the punt receiver first or nearly 
first. When you think about it, ISU's attempt to eliminate him as an 
infuence is a tremendous compliment. How often is any "bullet" the 
object of an opponent's special attention?

4) It would appear that the Four Husker Horses (Glenn et.al.) are 
indeed being played on rotation, but an unusual one. Two get lots of 
work in a given game while token appearances are made by the other 
two who get lots of work in the following game while the first two 
make token appearances. This way each running back has a shot at 
getting a 100-yard day. This system may include an an ancillary 
benefit: which two should K-State prepare for next Saturday? And why?

Steve Stone

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