[Husker] Game Observations

[jon johnston]

http://www.cornnation.com/2008/9/8/609500/drive-chartin-nebraska-vs

I did an offensive drive chart, including all of the missed blocks  
through the game. Hunter Teafatiller did start the game, was on the  
first play, made a block, butted heads with Marlon Lucky, then made  
his exit. I didn't see him again. His return would be good... Mike  
McNeill has a ways to go to be a complete tight end.

more below....

Jon Johnston
http://www.cornnation.com


On Sep 8, 2008, at 5:22 PM, Steve Stone wrote:

> 1. The TV camera appeared to be operated by an on-the-job trainee  
> who wa used to using a Kodak Brownie - - and the on-screen panels  
> seemed to be composed by his litter brother:
> The NU startling lineups were not put up until the third NU  
> possession and included #65 Colin McDermott (freshman linebacker) at  
> left tackle in place of #65 Mike Smith, #70 Kenny Anderson (freshmen  
> defensive end) at right guard in place of #70 Matt Slauson, and #88  
> Micah Kreikemeier (freshman linebacker) in place of #88 Mike McNeil.  
> The defensive starting linekup appeared some nine minutes into the  
> first quarter and included #43 Brent Moravic (frehman free safety)  
> in place of #43 Ty Steinkuhler.

Didn't they have Tyler Wortman's name listed twice? It was pretty  
cheesy....

> 2. Even so, having Matt Davison as the color commentator more than  
> made up for it.
>
> 3. I'd bet that Western Michigan decided before last week's game  
> that since Cody Glenn was a late convert to linebacker they'd test  
> him, so he was heavily involved in many plays. He passed the test  
> with flying colors, so SJSU decided to test other people with the  
> result that Cody Glenn was not so much in the focus of things.  
> Still, he made a mark.

> 4. It seems likely that both WMU and SJSU decided to stop the  
> Huskers' running game by loading the box on the theory that Ganz had  
> several picks in each of his games last year. Both teams got two  
> intercepts, but Ganz beat both with his arm anyway.

Well, most of the time the goal is to make a team one-dimensional.  
Given the lack of receiving experience beyond Peterson and Swift, it's  
foreshadowing of what other teams are going to do to us as the seven  
goes on. The bad news is that our offensive line is not near explosive  
enough to establish a running game, regardless of Barney Cotton's  
complaint we can't block five guys with four or whatever number you  
want to throw in there. We miss enough assignments as it is, and the  
line isn't physical.

The good news was that the WR screen for Peterson and Swift was there  
when we wanted it, and can be a good counter against stacking the line.

>
>
> 5. Although Ganz showed no limp or favoring of his leg after the  
> first sack, he did lose a degree mobility and so didn't attempt to  
> beat them with with his running. Had he not had his leg/ankle  
> twisted on the first sack, he probably would have been a more  
> effective runner.
>
> 6. During Suh's interception run, I was astonished to see Erik Hagg  
> pick up about four and a half to five yards on the Spartan's #89  
> within 35 yards. Hagg appeared suddenly out of nowhere and slashed  
> forward in an attempt to block for Suh, which turned out not to be  
> necessary.
>
> 7. This brings up another point: I didn't see Prince Amukamra in the  
> game until midway into the third period. Why he was kept out so  
> long, I have no idea, but it seems to me that Amukamara's speed  
> shouldn't be wasted on the bench.
>
Seemed to me that one of the goals of this game was to get more guys  
involved.

> 8. The punting game has deteriorated from last year. Don't know why  
> but hope it will reverse itself soon.
>
> 9. All of Adi's kicks but one sailed into the end zone. The guy is a  
> weapon. Bet he's saved the kickoff team(s) from dozens of injuries,  
> major and minor.

Jeremy Maclin.
>
>
> 10. After a stunning field-goal day last week, not a single one on  
> Saturday.
>
> 11. Hunter Teatafiller showed up in the third quarter.
>
> 12. Didn't see hide nor hair of Justin Mackovicka in either game.
>
> 13. Swift and Peterson = Mo who?
>
> 14. Freshman Alfonso Dennard did indeed play like a senior on  
> special teams.
>
> Steve Stone
>
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jon johnston
jon.johnston at gmail.com