[NU Sports] Sunday Thoughts

[Dennis W. Brandt]

> 5) Speaking of running games, I wish McGee would run the ball more. He was 
> calling all sorts of passing plays even before Sutton was injured. That 
> being said, I did not like the run up the gut call late in the game that 
> forced us to punt.

I, too, did not understand the virtual absence of a running game.  However, 
we again demonstrated our inability to move the ball on the ground at crunch 
time, and we struggled inside the 5.  Against a better D, we might not have 
scored.  We can run only when the defense can't be sure we won't pass.  This 
I have to blame on the OL.  They did not push Nevada's DL off the line many 
times yesterday and didn't against Northeastern either.  Indeed, this is the 
NU tradition.  They can run for oh so many yards but can't get the one that 
counts the most.  I have trouble believing that is the coach's fault except 
as a recruiter.

Is the D Colby's fault?  Or is it again just lack of talent?  The DL looks 
slow because it gets blocked almost every time and rarely penetrates without 
a blitz.  Initial contact is usually beyond the line of scrimmage.  I think 
it likely that, thanks to rotating eight guys, Nevada's OL was worn down by 
game's end, which explains some of our second half defensive success and the 
three late sacks.  (I'm assuming there was a sack on that grounding call.) 
We must get better before the Big 10 season begins.  Probably is a good idea 
of finding a replacement if only to shake things up.

P.S.  On another topic, didn't Penn State have a quarterback on the field 
last night?  It seems only Notre Dame did, the kid who is the second coming 
of JohnnyJoeJoePeytonSteveTerryDonovanTom 
UnitasMontanaNamathManningYoungBradshawMcNabbBrady. 


-- 
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
It has removed 41 spam emails to date.
Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len