Observations from Saturday's Win

6 comments so far September 4, 2006 by Darren K. Carlson

Labor Day is a splendid thing. It signals the unofficial start of fall. It's a day off from work (for most folks), and it provides Husker bloggers like myself ample to sit back, reflect, review the game, and sound off. There are lots of Husker happenings from Saturday and Sunday, so I'll try to break them down into easily digestible chunks.

Let's start with the I-backs. Wow...it is a luxury to have so much talent back there. Let me be clear about one thing before we get to how they played. For those fans clamoring for one I-back to emerge and be the "the man", just knock it off. This isn't like quarterback. Common phrase - when you have 2 quarterbacks, you really have none. Basically, because one has to be the leader, the trigger man, "the man". Well that isn't the case with I-backs. When you have four I-backs, you have FOUR I-backs. It's a luxury. Gravy. Bonus. Sit back and enjoy seeing all of that talent, and watching fresh backs run through opponents. And, considering how injuries, mental lapses, and off-field problems seemingly always crop up in a season, be thankful for the depth. Need I remind you that NU's best teams ('95-'95) had a bevy of backs, each taking turns stepping up. So, NU has four great runners. Let it go already.

So, how did the "the stable" play?

• It was obvious why Lucky got the start. No, it wasn't to please a ballyhooed recruit. He showed great versatility by running between the tackles as well as catching the ball.


• Next, there is good reason why so many people like Cody Glenn. Wow, does he show power and explosion. His physicality makes Husker fans nostalgic and optimistic all at once.


• Too bad Kenny Wilson had his TD run called back on a penalty, because he looked very nice on that run. However, I can't help but think he moves to the back of the line because he put the ball on the ground twice. Coaches don't tolerate that.


• And finally, welcome back Brandon Jackson. "Dirty South" (as he likes to be called) got 36 yards on 3 carries and his touchdown run was a real highlight. I hope it earns him more carries in the future.

Offensive Line Review
Overall, the line played well. It was gratifying to see such physical play, and to see Taylor not really get touched at all in the second half. It was also good to see as many as 10 linemen see meaningful time. But, we were a right handed football team on Saturday, with nearly every run going to the right side. There might be reasons for that. It could be opponent-specific, as Callahan and company liked their match up against La Tech's defensive left side. Or, it could be because:

• Lydon Murtha looked bad at left tackle. He's quickly running to the top of my "bust" list. I mean seriously, I rewound the Tivo at least 4 times to note how badly he missed some blocks. I can't imagine film review will go well for him.


• Andy Christensen looked VERY good at left guard. Greg Austin is a nice player, but I can't see how he'll keep Andy on 2nd team much longer. On two plays in particular, he pulled extremely well, blew up a defender and opened the hole. One was for Lucky's touchdown; the other was a 15-yard gain by Glenn. His ability to pull could have instigated so many runs to the right.

Zac and his "Fleet"
How great did NU's passing game look after the first quarter? When Taylor is given time, he can be ridiculously accurate with the ball. And, to see him dish the ball out to 10 different receivers (4 TE touchdowns?!) makes me feel like we're finally getting what we bought from Callahan. Sure, the "fleet" of receivers dropped four passes, but I'll chalk that up to first-game jitters. And, having nice competition at those spots means they won't get away with drops for long. Oh, and it was very nice to Joe Ganz get time and look very comfortable leading the team down the field.

On Defense
Our front 7 is every bit as good as advertised, especially the ends. Moore and Carriker look like NFL players. It was curious to see Carriker move to the tackle spot in the nickle, too. I just wish they can convert more of that pressure in to actual sacks, since I think they have the talent to break NU's team sack record.

The defensive backs are a concern. We don't have depth there at all. No doubt, NU's opponents will try to throw on them all day. And, while it is easy to say Grixby and Brothers got picked on a little in the second quarter, the real concern might be at safety.

Tierre Green looked like a guy making his first start. On two separate occasions, I notice Tierre in the dreaded "no mans land" between the defensive backfield and the line of scrimmage. Basically, just badly out of position. This was because he didn't time the safety blitz well. And, when you send your safety he MUST get there, or the corners are left out to dry. Watch La Tech's touchdown catch again, and you'll see what I mean. The good news is that this is a correctable coaching point for Tierre and the rest of the bunch. They can get better.

Bad Injury News
Just when Phillip Dillard was showing real flashes at middle linebacker, his season is over. An ACL tear in his knee has him sidelined for the season. That's really bad news. He was going to rotate with McKeon and keep NU fresh at a vital spot. I just hope Phillip can keep mentally tough and come back strong next year. And, we'll have to see how the coaches adjust to create depth at that spot again. Could Brandenburgh be set for a move?

And Isaiah Fluellen's career as a corner back lasted all of one play. He also suffered a serious knee injury, and could be on the shelf for a while. This is very hard luck for a kid who has done nothing but what the coaches asked of him.

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