[Husker] Game Comments

[Steve Stone]

Duane Feldman wrote:

>I was surprised to read that Jackson was in on virtually the same 
>number of plays as each of the other three backs (close to 20).  the 
>difference is that Jackson was used primarily on passing plays 
>because he (evidently) picked up the blitz's better.

He may well become the starter for the USC game just on that account.

>I'm already on record as predicting Ganz will start 1-2 games due to 
>a Taylor injury.  An injury-free season like last year is 
>improbable.  I think Ganz will do better than most of us expect.

He did much, much better than any of us had a right to expect.

><<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.
>
>This is my biggest worry about the team this year.

It's terribly difficult compare, but it seems to me that Jones played 
better than Ralph Brown did in his first freshman game. Considering 
how short a time he's been in the program, that's quite a feat.

>The lack of kick depth is at least partially due to the lower 
>kickoff tee.  You will see more teams with this problem this year. 
>The kick coverage problem was due to the lower trajectory on the 
>kick -- the ball gets to the returner before the coverage team is in 
>place.

I believe that's true, but it didn't seem to affect the LA Tech 
kicker much. With a lower tee, it's possible to attain a higher 
trajectory with the ball so that it remains airborn longer. But that 
didn't happen with NU's kicking.

><<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.
>
>I agree with others here --USC didn't start out that fast.  The 
>USC receivers DID look awesome however.

Compared to the Huskers, they started not only faster but surer. It 
probably wouldn't be wise to bet they won't start fast at the 
Coliseum.

Steve Stone