[Husker] Game Comments

[Steve Stone]

Douglas Martin wrote:
>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

I suspect you're going to be seeing that young man on Sundays next 
year. His one-hander ranks among the best I've ever seen at any 
level. And he's the WAC 60-meter sprint champion.

>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.

I can't agree the CB's looked lost at times. As for Titus Brothers, 
he needs more playing time. As for being missing, he certainly wasn't 
missing during the last play of the Alamo Bowl, thank Goodness!

>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.

Both of them have considerable on-the-field experience. No substitute for that.

>
>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.

On one kickoff the coverage team looked like All-Americans and on the 
next it looked like Little League. We need the right kind of 
consistency there.

>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.

Have to agree. I don't think Mann had three penalties all last year. 
Let's hope his 2006 streak stops right there!

Steve Stone