[Husker] The Offense

[Steve Stone]

Dave wrote:

(snip)

>I can't be the only one concerned about our offense, particularly 
>the play we are getting from the quarterback position.  If the VT 
>game showed us anything, it's that we have a good running game but 
>not good enough to win the game by itself.  Missouri, because of the 
>rain, makes it hard for me to judge much.  But no one can argue that 
>in the two games against representative competition, our qb has 
>played poorly.

While not without merit. I believe Dave's case is a bit one-sided. At 
VT the qb was not afforded needed protection, which in large part 
accounted for a number of inaccurate throws.

The O-line's pass protection was spotty in the downpour at MU, in 
addition to which receivers were not playing even close to their 
potential and as a result were benched for a while. So it's not 
inaccurate to say that the qb's play at that time was substandard.

However, in the fourth quarter the qb's performance was little short 
of spectacular. I've been watching football since my Dad coached Roy 
Petsch at Scottsbluff HS in the Thirties and I've seldom seen its 
equal by any qb - - HS, college, or pro.

>Really poorly.

An exaggeration.

>VT - 11 for 30, 136 yards - 2 INT against a good defense.  Missouri 
>- 14 for 33, 158 yards in a flood.  56 of those on one play.  3 TDs 
>is good, but 2 were off the turnovers.

One - - and only one - - stat really counts: 27-12.

>  I doubt anyone, especially Zac and OCSW, are satisfied with what we 
>have seen in those > two games.

Agreed.

>Weather forecast for Lincoln on Saturday is  partly cloudy, 53.  I 
>am nervous about this game.  The Missouri win generated so much 
>optimism and enthusiasm not felt in so long, that I don't want it to 
>diminish so soon.  I'm just hoping for a win.  Cover 10 and a half? 
>Probably not but I don't care in the slightest.  I'm still waiting 
>for the game that gives me a good read on this team.  I thought it 
>would be VT, it wasn't.  I thought it would be Missouri, it wasn't 
>because of the rain.  Saturday is big.

I share Dave's apprehension.

Steve Stone