[Husker] Game Comments

[Martin, Douglas]

Agree with the sentiments.  
 
Would add some personal observations:
 
a.  I am not sure which CB was picked on more.  Those who think Grixby is far better than Jones I am afraid are mistaken.  They both struggle with the tall and/or physical receiver.  The #7 from La Tech is a very good ballplayer.  At times I felt that they underutilized him and threw to him basically only on the outside routes (such as the one he caught for the TD).  He certainly had the stature and route-running capability to run across the middle and I was waiting and waiting for that all afternoon and La Tech never did it.  Both CBs at times looked "lost" and reminded me of the "watch him catch it and go tackle him" days of the late 70's and late 80's.  I really want Titus Brothers to step up but there seems to be something missing there.
 
b.  Shanle and Green are excellent position players and seemed to understand spacing and anticipation better than I expected, which I suspect, was a reason they were not challenged that much.
 
c.  The left tackle Patrick impressed me.  He isn't a huge guy, but his technique is better than I have seen in a tackle for awhile.
 
d.  Our kickoff coverage is, as indicated, problematic.  I am not currently a coach, but we have all "speed" guys and it seems to me that we are missing the guy(s) who can make a physical impact to break down the middle and mess up the wedge.  Our middle guys get tangled up trying, and the very outside guys, although lightning fast can't break to the inside to make the play before the return guy has the ball at the 25 or 30. 
 
e.  Surprised at Kurt Mann's three penalties.  Tackling the guy on the pitch play that went for a TD was unnecessary.  Personal foul silly.  These are things you don't expect from a guy with experience and smarts.
 
Doug Martin, MD
UNL '87
UNMC '91

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From: husker-bounces at tssi.com on behalf of Steve Stone
Sent: Wed 9/6/2006 11:15 AM
To: husker-tssi.com
Subject: [Husker] Game Comments



I've watched the game recording several times as well as the Coach
Callahan show and have come up with a few comments:

1) My guess is that Brandon Jackson had the fewest carries because
he's the I-back with the most combat time and experience. The coaches
seemed to be primarily looking to the other three I-backs, probably
with little success because they all jelled out pretty evenly
considering their individual circumstances.

2) Joe Ganz pitched out on about four occasions. As far as I could
see, each pitch was perfect or nearly so, and his passing seemed
almost as good. I've seldom seen a sophomore make a better first
appearance. The loss of Beck seems less important now.

3) It was surprising to see most LA Tech passes directed toward
Grixby rather than the new guy Andre Jones who appeared to hold his
own in limited action.

4 ) For whatever reason, the Husker safeties didn't see as much
action as presumed, but I thought they acquitted themselves well. I
wouldn't be surprised if Tierre Green wound up the season nearly as
dominant was the Bullock boys were at the same juncture. That Shanle
kid can run.

5) The O-line is making excellent progress but has a ways to go
before reminding us of the Pipeline(s). The young talent is maturing
rapidly rather than wilting under pressure. By season's end, they
should be as good as any but the very best.

6) Dan Titchner has the leg and with practice is almost sure to
develop Sam Koch's finesse.

7) NU's kickoffs left much - - yards and yards and yards - - to be
desired while its kick coverage was like Longfellow's little girl
with a curl upon her forehead.

8) If the Huskers start with a typical lethargic stumbling offensive
thrust against the Trojans, they may have a problem. USC looked in
mid-season form against Arkansas. Decades of watching USC football up
close and personal as well as on the Tube have made it clear the
Trojans always start in fourth gear.

9) The Husker defense, it must be said, started in fourth gear
against LA Tech and would be well advised to do the same on Sept. 16.

Steve Stone

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