Offensive Line Play vs Cincinnati

[kaz36]

I've been critical of Raiola as OL coach, but that is just from a fan's point of view. At times I thought the OL created some holes against Cincy, but overall, was pretty underwhelmed by them. With the defense that Cincy was running, was hoping for a more consistent run game. Not sure if that is on the OL or the the game that the Holgorsen called. @slattimer have you had a chance to review the game and was just interested in your thought on the line play from the OL.

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

I've been critical of Raiola as OL coach, but that is just from a fan's point of view. At times I thought the OL created some holes against Cincy, but overall, was pretty underwhelmed by them. With the defense that Cincy was running, was hoping for a more consistent run game. Not sure if that is on the OL or the the game that the Holgorsen called. @slattimer have you had a chance to review the game and was just interested in your thought on the line play from the OL.

I get they had a middle clogging Nose Tackle, but it felt like they were begging us to run on them with their gaps. I don’t fault the play calls as it feels like we were trying to. Need to be able to get 6 yards every time with that front to force them to change up their d.

 

[slattimer]

I've been critical of Raiola as OL coach, but that is just from a fan's point of view. At times I thought the OL created some holes against Cincy, but overall, was pretty underwhelmed by them. With the defense that Cincy was running, was hoping for a more consistent run game. Not sure if that is on the OL or the the game that the Holgorsen called. @slattimer have you had a chance to review the game and was just interested in your thought on the line play from the OL.

From watching the game, while our newborn was pretty screamy, so don't hold me to it. I haven't looked at much outside of watching the game as a fanatic.

Just general observations...
I think they block Inside Zone and Duo pretty well. Don't feel like we saw a lot of Duo though, which was a staple last year.

Midzone and/or Outside Zone, pretty Meh.

Counter - I thought it was horrid.

I think I remember seeing a couple of power plays. I thought they did alright if I remember correctly.

Pass Pro, I thought they held up pretty well overall.

What's our identity run? I'm assuming Inside Zone...but if I have to assume...

I saw some twitter thread of Husker plays vs Cinci, I need to see if I can find it again.

 

[slattimer]

On another note...I wish we ran more bucksweep and/or pin and pull. Especially vs these 3 down, 3 high safety style teams. You saw it last night with TCU vs NC. They busted big run after big run on pulling both guards.

We ran a little of it last year....

 

[cwessel76]

On another note...I wish we ran more bucksweep and/or pin and pull. Especially vs these 3 down, 3 high safety style teams. You saw it last night with TCU vs NC. They busted big run after big run on pulling both guards.

We ran a little of it last year....

I thought our run game (really our whole offensive game plan for that matter) showed little creativity. So much so that I thought we keeping significant portions of our playbook off the table for the first game.

 

[Tell_Sackett]

It looked to me live that we ran inside with some success, mostly behind Spindler. EJ likes to go sideways too much, and he missed some reads on where his openings were. I think he generally played well, but we need more from the RB room.

EJ is not a 25-30 touch talent, but looks to be by far the best we have. I'm hoping there is more explosiveness behind him and they can gain some confidence over the next two weeks.

 

[...TrueColors...]

It looked to me live that we ran inside with some success, mostly behind Spindler. EJ likes to go sideways too much, and he missed some reads on where his openings were. I think he generally played well, but we need more from the RB room.

EJ is not a 25-30 touch talent, but looks to be by far the best we have. I'm hoping there is more explosiveness behind him and they can gain some confidence over the next two weeks.

Mozee missed a huge opportunity to get vertical on his first touch. Had he planted his foot and gone vertical he gets no less than 10 yards.

Even on the pop pass he caught I thought he was indecisive and I feel it went from a guy who got the ball with a lot of space to work with to a minimal gain because he didn’t make a choice.

 

[Irv]

I thought our run game (really our whole offensive game plan for that matter) showed little creativity. So much so that I thought we keeping significant portions of our playbook off the table for the first game.

I feel like we say this a lot when things don’t look very good.

If we didn’t run things that could be helpful and then watched as Cincy almost won, that would not be a best practice.

 

[Cornicator]

On another note...I wish we ran more bucksweep and/or pin and pull. Especially vs these 3 down, 3 high safety style teams. You saw it last night with TCU vs NC. They busted big run after big run on pulling both guards.

We ran a little of it last year....

While they did bust big run after big run, I thought North Carolina's effort and tackling was nothing short of atrocious. Outside of a non con game vs. an FCS program, I bet TCU doesn't come close to rushing for 250 yards again all season.

 

[Cornicator]

Mozee missed a huge opportunity to get vertical on his first touch. Had he planted his foot and gone vertical he gets no less than 10 yards.

Even on the pop pass he caught I thought he was indecisive and I feel it went from a guy who got the ball with a lot of space to work with to a minimal gain because he didn’t make a choice.

I think he's been practicing Outside zone and getting the perimeter so much this preseason that he had tunnel vision. It also seemed like Cincinnati knew exactly where he was going.

As for indecision, Mekhi Nelson's one carry was one of the more hesitant and indecisive runs I've ever seen out of a Husker running back. Sheesh.

 

[Dawgsauce]

It looked to me live that we ran inside with some success, mostly behind Spindler. EJ likes to go sideways too much, and he missed some reads on where his openings were. I think he generally played well, but we need more from the RB room.

EJ is not a 25-30 touch talent, but looks to be by far the best we have. I'm hoping there is more explosiveness behind him and they can gain some confidence over the next two weeks.

Interesting Rhule wanted some touches to go to other backs, but Dana overrode him and stuck with EJ. You're correct about not a 25-30 touch guy. 20 seems right at max. But, since he carried the load last week, really hard to say what Nebraska has with other backs. You would think we'll start to find out with HCU and Akron. If EJ is still there main event then I think there's some big issues back there.

 

[...TrueColors...]

Interesting Rhule wanted some touches to go to other backs, but Dana overrode him and stuck with EJ. You're correct about not a 25-30 touch guy. 20 seems right at max. But, since he carried the load last week, really hard to say what Nebraska has with other backs. You would think we'll start to find out with HCU and Akron. If EJ is still there main event then I think there's some big issues back there.

We simply needed one more.

 

[cwessel76]

I feel like we say this a lot when things don’t look very good.

If we didn’t run things that could be helpful and then watched as Cincy almost won, that would not be a best practice.

I hear you…

 

[slattimer]

While they did bust big run after big run, I thought North Carolina's effort and tackling was nothing short of atrocious. Outside of a non con game vs. an FCS program, I bet TCU doesn't come close to rushing for 250 yards again all season.

While probably true, TCU's buck vs NC's bear was blocked up exactly how you draw it up...My fat ass could have ran for a few yards they way it was blocked up.

We've had success running it....I think maybe it was last year vs Wisky we ran it a couple of times.

 

[slattimer]

I thought our run game (really our whole offensive game plan for that matter) showed little creativity. So much so that I thought we keeping significant portions of our playbook off the table for the first game.

Certainly very possible.

My personal opinion, Nebraska on Offense was truly be a great offense without a dual threat QB that can cover up deficiencies and extend/break plays. Not a shot at anyone...probably my bias in general of having an athletic QB.

We don't have really any Q Run game to even up the fits. Our read game isn't really that threatening IMO...what little they do run. It's good enough to get a key first down...but not good enough to make an explosive play more often than not.

 

[Faux Sean Callahan]

We simply needed one more.

Brown who is at Miami or Lacy who is at Ole Miss or Dowdell who is at Kentucky as RB2 would make me feel much better about the RB room right now.

 

[Lionsfan93]

I've been critical of Raiola as OL coach, but that is just from a fan's point of view. At times I thought the OL created some holes against Cincy, but overall, was pretty underwhelmed by them. With the defense that Cincy was running, was hoping for a more consistent run game. Not sure if that is on the OL or the the game that the Holgorsen called. @slattimer have you had a chance to review the game and was just interested in your thought on the line play from the OL.

People have been critical of Barthel awhile now, and I have been more patient. But, at this point, I think the bigger issue is our RBs missing holes, rather than our OL not opening them.

Barthel needs to step up more than Raiola does IMO.

 

[dom91932]

People have been critical of Barthel awhile now, and I have been more patient. But, at this point, I think the bigger issue is our RBs missing holes, rather than our OL not opening them.

Barthel needs to step up more than Raiola does IMO.

Amen-how many times over the last three seasons have we heard some variation of "the runs were there but the guy hit the wrong hole or missed an opening"?

 

[Flabio]

People have been critical of Barthel awhile now, and I have been more patient. But, at this point, I think the bigger issue is our RBs missing holes, rather than our OL not opening them.

Barthel needs to step up more than Raiola does IMO.

Dana criticized him right away when he got here too.

 

[Lionsfan93]

Dana criticized him right away when he got here too.

For the same issue - RBs missing holes. I know that vision is something that is hard to teach, but ultimately he has to be held accountable for his room.

I'm a sun shine pumper. If the pessimists are the Sandy Vag's, I'm in the Happy Ending Club (@HuskerGarrett can we get badges for this?). I still believe in this RB room. EJ left yards on the field, but still finished with over 100 yards. Neither Nelson or Mozee were given much of a shot. I have a feeling that we will see a lot of these younger backs over the next two weeks. Perfect opportunity to let them shine.