Devine Ozigbo

[hddude55]

While Ozigbo has limitations as does any player, from the first game I really believed it was pure incompetence on the part of Riley to bury Ozigbo on the bench until injuries almost forced him to put Ozigbo on the field. And now I see Riley is praising Ozigbo for seizing the opportunity as though he suddenly became a player and I guess theoretically benefitted from the benching. Obviously none of us knows all of the factors that cause a benching, but it seems to me a blind person could see that Ozigbo should have been playing at least part time the entire season, especially given his ability to move the pile when the holes are lacking, as they usually are.

Not using Ozigbo other than as an emergency fill-in may not be a big deal to most of you but I would be interested in your thoughts, especially now that he has had some playing time.

 

[TarheelHuskerFan]

I think he's the best overall back. He's not just a bruiser like I thought he was. He has speed and agility and man...he fights for extra yards

 

[chicolby]

Didn't we see this already last year?

I also don't understand what went into the decision to bury him especially after Bryant was injured. He may not have homerun speed, but the guy is legit.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

It's neat that people think it was just a decision to "bury him on the bench". It's almost as if there was something else going on...... hmmmm. Big mystery, guess we will never know.

 

[GretnaShawn]

My guess is that his fumbling issues had something to do with it. The other two backs haven’t fumbled once.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

My guess is that his fumbling issues had something to do with it. The other two backs haven’t fumbled once.

That's a theory

 

[huskernaut]

Just need to put two and two together. He was serving some sort of suspension that wasn't made public.

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

It's neat that people think it was just a decision to "bury him on the bench". It's almost as if there was something else going on...... hmmmm. Big mystery, guess we will never know.

Can't block in pass pro very well, fumbles a bit more, and not a pass catcher?

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Can't block in pass pro very well, fumbles a bit more, and not a pass catcher?

Sure. Has to be why he didn't even warm up for 2 games.

 

[JaySker402]

puff puff pass?

Also, if it is truly him being buried is that on Riley or Davis? Davis should be controlling the reps for his guys, not Mike

 

[headcard]

I think he's the best overall back. He's not just a bruiser like I thought he was. He has speed and agility and man...he fights for extra yards

Better than a healthy Bryant?

 

[LZZOSO]

Bryant is done. We will probably not see him the rest of the year or every I bet. Reggie, with help, needs to start crootin.

 

[otismotis08]

Any of our RB's can get the job done. The O-line is a mess.

 

[newAD]

Just need to put two and two together. He was serving some sort of suspension that wasn't made public.

This came to mind a few weeks ago. If this is the reason it sucks that whatever happened happened.

 

[dinglefritz]

Any of our RB's can get the job done. The O-line is a mess.

Was a mess IMO. They've played pretty well as of late. They probably had their best game of the year against the toughest front 7 they've faced thus far in Wisconsin. We'll see if they can hold their own against OSU's front 7 because those guys are ridiculous. I do agree though that any of our RBs can get it done. Quite obviously Wilbon is not gonna break as many tackles as the other guys.

 

[newAD]

Was a mess IMO. They've played pretty well as of late. They probably had their best game of the year against the toughest front 7 they've faced thus far in Wisconsin. We'll see if they can hold their own against OSU's front 7 because those guys are ridiculous. I do agree though that any of our RBs can get it done. Quite obviously Wilbon is not gonna break as many tackles as the other guys.

I'm curious what others think. How much of a difference has Decker playing made in that?

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

I'm curious what others think. How much of a difference has Decker playing made in that?

Haven't heard the "communication issues" comment lately.

 

[dinglefritz]

Haven't heard the "communication issues" comment lately.

You replace a kid who is starting his first games ever at center with a guy who has played center his whole career and was a 4 star recruit.....could have something to do with that. THAT is the one thing that makes me question Cav. For some reason we ran Thurston off who maybe appeared to be the most talented center we had around and then keep Decker on the bench?

 

[Pennsyhusker]

You replace a kid who is starting his first games ever at center with a guy who has played center his whole career and was a 4 star recruit.....could have something to do with that. THAT is the one thing that makes me question Cav. For some reason we ran Thurston off who maybe appeared to be the most talented center we had around and then keep Decker on the bench?

The whole Decker/Conrad thing at center is a gigantic mystery and a red flag. Makes you wonder if Cav really is the "Mr. nice" he comes across as. Maybe he has Bo's old doghouse for certain players. But whatever it is, it isn't good for Nebraska football.

 

[Cloud@Heart]

Was a mess IMO. They've played pretty well as of late. They probably had their best game of the year against the toughest front 7 they've faced thus far in Wisconsin. We'll see if they can hold their own against OSU's front 7 because those guys are ridiculous. I do agree though that any of our RBs can get it done. Quite obviously Wilbon is not gonna break as many tackles as the other guys.

And it took a couple of injuries to get our "improved" O-line on the field.... Just another head scratcher as far as talent evaluaters in my opinion.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

You replace a kid who is starting his first games ever at center with a guy who has played center his whole career and was a 4 star recruit.....could have something to do with that. THAT is the one thing that makes me question Cav. For some reason we ran Thurston off who maybe appeared to be the most talented center we had around and then keep Decker on the bench?

I am not at practice, but sometimes these jobs are won at practice. I know Decker is a very smart and analytical kid. I have seen those types of kids not be great practice players because they overthink, but when they get in a game they perform. When a OL coach sticks with 5 guys, the only way for the backup to get any game reps is blowouts or injury. Then when they get the game reps they win the job. THIS IS NOT A DEFENSE OF CAV.

 

[dinglefritz]

I am not at practice, but sometimes these jobs are won at practice. I know Decker is a very smart and analytical kid. I have seen those types of kids not be great practice players because they overthink, but when they get in a game they perform. When a OL coach sticks with 5 guys, the only way for the backup to get any game reps is blowouts or injury. Then when they get the game reps they win the job. THIS IS NOT A DEFENSE OF CAV.

Well in a way it is a defense of CAV, but he still should give a different kid a shot IF the starter isn't getting it done in games. I dunno. Clearly there was some conflict with Thurston and that cost us games by not having him around.

 

[chicolby]

It's neat that people think it was just a decision to "bury him on the bench". It's almost as if there was something else going on...... hmmmm. Big mystery, guess we will never know.

As I stated, I don't know what went into the decision. That doesn't mean I'm discounting a disciplinary reason behind the decision. I just am not privy to the decision and what went into it.

Maybe you are privy to it. Good for you, if so.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

I'm curious what others think. How much of a difference has Decker playing made in that?

Huge. Basic communication has obviously improved a ton.

 

[dinglefritz]

The whole Decker/Conrad thing at center is a gigantic mystery and a red flag. Makes you wonder if Cav really is the "Mr. nice" he comes across as. Maybe he has Bo's old doghouse for certain players. But whatever it is, it isn't good for Nebraska football.

A teammate of mine in high school (senior tackle) made one comment after an extremely hot pre-season practice to our head coach and he never played the whole year until senior night when I asked an assistant coach to start another senior instead of me at RB and that big tackle. The coach asked if we had had enough and he said yes. One answer to one question and he didn't play the whole year. Well it could have been that he started a fight in the locker room with me later too but you get my point. We had a damned good team and started a kid 50 lbs lighter than him all year instead but we could have really used him.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Well in a way it is a defense of CAV, but he still should give a different kid a shot IF the starter isn't getting it done in games. I dunno. Clearly there was some conflict with Thurston and that cost us games by not having him around.

Which games did we lose last year that Thurston would have been the difference? Not saying you're wrong, I just don't know that Thurston makes Nebraska a 10 or 11 win team.

 

[Lincoln100]

One thing is for sure is that Oz brings a fire and toughness that is desperately needed on this team. If everyone else on the team had his attitude when they walked onto the field, we'd be much better.

 

[nordakotahusker]

You replace a kid who is starting his first games ever at center with a guy who has played center his whole career and was a 4 star recruit.....could have something to do with that. THAT is the one thing that makes me question Cav. For some reason we ran Thurston off who maybe appeared to be the most talented center we had around and then keep Decker on the bench?

If you're talking about Decker as the 4* center, he played guard all through high school. I remember an article during his recruitment where he said the last time he had played center was in jr. high, and it hadn't gone so well.

 

[dinglefritz]

If you're talking about Decker as the 4* center, he played guard all through high school. I remember an article during his recruitment where he said the last time he had played center was in jr. high, and it hadn't gone so well.

His whole college career basically has been at center.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

One thing is for sure is that Oz brings a fire and toughness that is desperately needed on this team. If everyone else on the team had his attitude when they walked onto the field, we'd be much better.

As much as I like Ozigbo, the fact is Tre Bryant was damn good at the start of this season. I just don't understand why our coaches would take a guy they knew had tired knees and then run him 30 times in a game and never bring in a sub. Matt Davison was asking that very question on the radio

 

[dinglefritz]

Which games did we lose last year that Thurston would have been the difference? Not saying you're wrong, I just don't know that Thurston makes Nebraska a 10 or 11 win team.

Who played instead of him? I distinctly remember our center getting pushed back in to the backfield repeatedly. How many bad snaps did we have? There had to have been a game or two where that would have helped. Wisconsin for one last year.

 

[dinglefritz]

[QUOTE="Pennsyhusker, post: 3781893, member: 11810" I just don't understand why our coaches would take a guy they knew had tired knees and then run him 30 times in a game and never bring in a sub. Matt Davison was asking that very question on the radio[/QUOTE]
I don't think they knew the extent of his knee problem. They probably thought patellar tendonitis or something similar and then found out with a scope or MRI that it was something more chronic. You don't know sometimes until you get in there with a scope. MRIs can be confounded by fibrin deposition etc.

 

[Lincoln100]

As much as I like Ozigbo, the fact is Tre Bryant was damn good at the start of this season. I just don't understand why our coaches would take a guy they knew had tired knees and then run him 30 times in a game and never bring in a sub. Matt Davison was asking that very question on the radio

I'm not saying Oz is better than a healthy Tre, just saying that Oz's I-don't-care-who-you-are-I'm- going-to-run-your-ass-over attitude is good for the team, and, unfortunately, a rare quality on this team.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Who played instead of him? I distinctly remember our center getting pushed back in to the backfield repeatedly. How many bad snaps did we have? There had to have been a game or two where that would have helped. Wisconsin for one last year.

maybe, I just don't see Thurston, who didn't start at Colorado St, until injury, was the difference in 9--4 to 10-3

 

[dinglefritz]

maybe, I just don't see Thurston, who didn't start at Colorado St, until injury, was the difference in 9--4 to 10-3

All I know is how well he played the one start he got in that bowl game vs UCLA. It's all I can base it on. Our center play was not good last year. Maybe Decker should have been playing last year but wasn't he hurt part of the year? I haven't paid any attention to Thurston's career since he left.

 

[inWV]

Oz and a healthy Wilbon are sufficient, but are not the caliber of back we need to field a championship offense. Imagine the added shiftiness of a guy like Rex, or the burst and instincts of an AA. We saw what a sufficient passing offense with a high quality run game can do last Saturday. Wisconsin runs into trouble when they play a team that can limit their chunk plays and force Hornibrook to convert through the air.

 

[nordakotahusker]

His whole college career basically has been at center.

Sorry. Misunderstood you there.

 

[dinglefritz]

Sorry. Misunderstood you there.

itsallright. I thought about that after I posted it. I didn't remember exactly what he played in high school but most of the higher ranked kids played tackle because that's where they put them even if they're more suited to play inside in college.

 

[Suhrreal]

I think he's the best overall back. He's not just a bruiser like I thought he was. He has speed and agility and man...he fights for extra yards

He's like a Dan Alexander that does not fall down.

 

[StrongArm517]

As much as I like Ozigbo, the fact is Tre Bryant was damn good at the start of this season. I just don't understand why our coaches would take a guy they knew had tired knees and then run him 30 times in a game and never bring in a sub. Matt Davison was asking that very question on the radio

Reminded me of Jaws where Quint puts so much stress on the boat it overheats and quits.