Fire Foley.

[OzzyLvr]

Stop making excuses and I know this info because I know someone who watches practice. Our kickers are sucking in practice and it is translating to the field. All of the other groups are executing the process and the coaches are excelling. Special teams is the only group you can point to that is really struggling. Like I said, there are some bright spots and it is early, but when you have a presser like Foley had where he basically says he needs to get Special teams up to snuff and it is still lagging compared to the rest of the team you should be able to talk about it.

I'll reiterate, there are some good things we are doing. Punt returns is much better and I think it would probably be really really good if it wasn't IGC returning kicks. He's serviceable but his acceleration isn't top end and there have been some lanes. Buschini has been very good compared to last year. Blocking kicks is good, but that has more to do with defenders being huge and strong then Foley.

Foley needs to coach his unit up.

Wow! You're pretty sensitive. I made an observation about the first kick of the season (and the first kick of the kid's career in a D1 game in front of 87k+ people) and speculated that could be a reason (notice I used the word 'maybe'). He didn't kick the others OB so maybe I was close to correct. You never answered my questions but instead deflected.

I'm not saying that Foley shouldn't be held accountable for issues with the ST. What I'm saying is other than placekicking (right now), it isn't as bad as everyone is saying. That's my observation and opinion. Just like you, I'm entitled to that. I asked you to support yours with facts - thus my questions. My questions were all about the kickoffs, nothing about placekicking or punting, and you mentioned nothing about the kickoffs. You chose to not answer those questions which tells me all I need to know about the information you provide. Have a great day!

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Gotta try another FG kicker at this point. Not even debatable. If he was that shakey last game, at home, no pressure due to nice lead, chip shot, and he still missed? I'm trotting somebody else out there at this point...Rhule going to be forced to go for it on 4th and fprever at some.point cause our FG game is so bad....his overall percentage is something like 60 as of now isn't it? Terrible

 

[king_kong_]

just kick the ball through the end zone every time

I will never understand purposefully giving the opponent a chance to make a huge play on special teams when the alternative is forcing them to go 75 yards against our defense

makes no sense

 

[Big bo fan]

More excuses. If that player had a mental lapse, he needs to be out of the rotation and earn it back. All other groups are governing their players, Special Teams should be no different.

Did you not read the entire post. The kid was not back there on BB next punt.

 

[leodisflowers]

Wow! You're pretty sensitive. I made an observation about the first kick of the season (and the first kick of the kid's career in a D1 game in front of 87k+ people) and speculated that could be a reason (notice I used the word 'maybe'). He didn't kick the others OB so maybe I was close to correct. You never answered my questions but instead deflected.

I'm not saying that Foley shouldn't be held accountable for issues with the ST. What I'm saying is other than placekicking (right now), it isn't as bad as everyone is saying. That's my observation and opinion. Just like you, I'm entitled to that. I asked you to support yours with facts - thus my questions. My questions were all about the kickoffs, nothing about placekicking or punting, and you mentioned nothing about the kickoffs. You chose to not answer those questions which tells me all I need to know about the information you provide. Have a great day!

Not sensitive whatsoever. I'm not the one making excuses for a unit that is struggling. Just giving you the info that this group is not in a good spot from a first hand account. I don't think Foley is the answer. Like I said it is early and I hope he can turn it around, but Foley is the one coach that seems not to be making a big jump.

 

[leodisflowers]

Did you not read the entire post. The kid was not back there on BB next punt.

No I didn't after the first one. Carry on.

 

[OzzyLvr]

Not sensitive whatsoever. I'm not the one making excuses for a unit that is struggling. Just giving you the info that this group is not in a good spot from a first hand account. I don't think Foley is the answer. Like I said it is early and I hope he can turn it around, but Foley is the one coach that seems not to be making a big jump.

What excuses did I make?

 

[Kenny Fin Powers]

IF you're going to try to return it you almost had to call a timeout to substitute. Did we really want to call a timeout and let them think about what they were going to do? Ideally you have a CB you could put deep in those situations. Maybe after having the nitwit Deion attempt a 60 yard field goal against us we'll have a plan going forward for stupid opposition coaches.

We didn’t have any timeouts.

 

[huskerfan66]

I love you man but I hope you were 3 or 4 double tall gin and tonics in to the evening when you posted this. I thought our special teams play was better other than a 19 year old missing a field goal.in an incredible environment Yeah they had a big return by one of the most dynamic returners in the country. It happens. Barney is going to do the same this year at some point.

No not a gnt drinker. My assessment is that this is the only part of the team that hasn't improved. We can't get kickoffs to the endzone which is where everyone of them needs to be especially against good returnees.

Kickoffs return can't get passed the 25. Buschini was better this week but he's gotta get consistent

 

[HBK4life]

 

[leodisflowers]

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[cruelhalo]

For the record, don't fire Foley. But if a kicker misses a chip shot, 32-yard field goal then it's time to try someone else. If Dowdell fumbled the football one time and got pulled, missing a field goal from inside 50 deserves the same treatment. Missing a 32-yarder is the same as a turnover.

 

[OzzyLvr]

For the record, don't fire Foley. But if a kicker misses a chip shot, 32-yard field goal then it's time to try someone else. If Dowdell fumbled the football one time and got pulled, missing a field goal from inside 50 deserves the same treatment. Missing a 32-yarder is the same as a turnover.

Agreed. Let's also pull the snapper & the holder. They are equally at fault.

 

[king_kong_]

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I like it when Rhule calls people out publicly for being terrible at their jobs

here's a short list in his 2 years here:

1 - trev - no longer here
2 - satt - TBD
3 - foley - TBD

if they don't get it fixed, they'll be gone. simple as that.

accountability is important

 

[dinglefritz]

No not a gnt drinker. My assessment is that this is the only part of the team that hasn't improved. We can't get kickoffs to the endzone which is where everyone of them needs to be especially against good returnees.

Kickoffs return can't get passed the 25. Buschini was better this week but he's gotta get consistent

we did get kicks to the endzone. Every team also calls short kicks to try to bury the other team inside the 20.

 

[king_kong_]

we did get kicks to the endzone. Every team also calls short kicks to try to bury the other team inside the 20.

make teams drive 75 yards against our defense every single time

 

[Walleye79]

make teams drive 75 yards against our defense every single time

I agree with this. Defense has played a very good 2 games. If the defense has been playing poorly or inconsistent try to bury them deep. But the way they are playing right now. Why take the possibility of taking it out of the defense hands.

 

[king_kong_]

I agree with this. Defense has played a very good 2 games. If the defense has been playing poorly or inconsistent try to bury them deep. But the way they are playing right now. Why take the possibility of taking it out of the defense hands.

Nothing swings momentum like a big return

We should take this possibility away from opponents entirely

Problem is I’m not sure we have a kid who can put it through the end zone consistently

 

[OzzyLvr]

make teams drive 75 yards against our defense every single time

That's one philosophy. Evidently, either both Georgia & Ohio State don't follow this same philosophy OR they don't have a kicker that can consistently get touchbacks. They've both scored a lot of points and roughly half of their kickoffs (very quick math from the last game of each) don't make it to the endzone. I'm not opposed to getting a touchback every time. Especially when our coverage team is horrible. At this point, I don't think they are horrible. As a matter of fact, they've covered pretty good MOST of the time. Yes they've given up a long return so maybe one of the defensive starters that's on KO got out of their lane. Reviewing the game, it's difficult to say as the TV coverage doesn't present the best angle.

Even with one good return from UTEP, we gained a net 10 yards for our D, which should translate to a net 10 yard gain for our offense. The philosophy may not work every game, as evidenced by CO. Other than the long return, CO started at their 21, their 25, and their 29 (squib right before half), so the same net as if they were all touchbacks. I think the fans are much more gunshy than Coach Rhule.

 

[king_kong_]

That's one philosophy. Evidently, either both Georgia & Ohio State don't follow this same philosophy OR they don't have a kicker that can consistently get touchbacks. They've both scored a lot of points and roughly half of their kickoffs (very quick math from the last game of each) don't make it to the endzone. I'm not opposed to getting a touchback every time. Especially when our coverage team is horrible. At this point, I don't think they are horrible. As a matter of fact, they've covered pretty good MOST of the time. Yes they've given up a long return so maybe one of the defensive starters that's on KO got out of their lane. Reviewing the game, it's difficult to say as the TV coverage doesn't present the best angle.

Even with one good return from UTEP, we gained a net 10 yards for our D, which should translate to a net 10 yard gain for our offense. The philosophy may not work every game, as evidenced by CO. Other than the long return, CO started at their 21, their 25, and their 29 (squib right before half), so the same net as if they were all touchbacks. I think the fans are much more gunshy than Coach Rhule.

another reason to do it is to save our starting defenders' bullets

I highly doubt Ohio St & UGA have multiple defensive starters covering kicks like we do

could be wrong

 

[HikingHusker]

Two games in, 2-0, and no major blunders on either side of the ball. Yet I've already seen posts for Sat and Foley to be fired. How quickly some forget:

2023 5-7
2022 4-8
2021 3-9
2020 3-5
2019 5-7
2018 4-8
2017 4-8

From what I remember of those painful years... our special teams unit looks much better overall. Heck you could argue that the pick 6 was in large part caused by the punt team. In previous years the return by Horn would have went to the house due to lack of effort and we would have at best fair caught the easily catchable punts and let the short low punts roll down the field an extra 15+ yards.

We are not perfect by any means on either side of the ball, even defense. Let the season play out, soak up the positive vibes we have, appreciate how hard this team has worked (it shows), and enjoy the season. It goes by fast... but not as fast as the last 7.

 

[HikingHusker]

Gotta try another FG kicker at this point. Not even debatable. If he was that shakey last game, at home, no pressure due to nice lead, chip shot, and he still missed? I'm trotting somebody else out there at this point...Rhule going to be forced to go for it on 4th and fprever at some.point cause our FG game is so bad....his overall percentage is something like 60 as of now isn't it? Terrible

I don't think it's that easy of a call. I understand the sentiment after some struggles over 40 last year, but you could also say it's his first and only miss this year. Does a guy lose the job just because of one miss? How does that affect the next guy and your decision process with him if he struggles?

He was 6-7 inside 40 yards last year and this miss Saturday was from 32 yards. Concerning and we came into the year knowing this was a weakness. Too soon to make a switch imo.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

I think people are VASTLY underestimating the psychological pressure these young guys are under. Alvano has been limited this fall due to a hamstring but he's been money in practice this fall inside of 40. Buschini has been very good this fall. Maybe that's coaching. After hanging out with some of my daughter's college friends who were football and track athletes 3 years ago it struck me how damned young they were. I can only imagine being 19 years old and trying to kick in front of 90,000 fans and a national TV audience. That takes some serious gonads.

You drive for show and putt for dough.

The world of horse racing is full of "morning glories." Horses that work out in the morning like champions, but become invisible when put into an actual race environment.

Alvano is a complete puzzle. Kid should be one of the top kickers in the country.
His inability to bring an A game every week weakens this team considerably and its gonna cost us.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Ball out of bounds was his first kick of the season. Maybe a little adrenaline? Maybe a little nerves? Where is the ball supposed to be kicked - what is the correct position? How do you know where the kicker is told to kick it to? For those kicks that are returned, what's the average starting position (look at it both with and without that long return for perspective)? Sorry for all the questions.

If you're not kicking to the outside of both hash marks, you've not doing it right. You gotta shrink that coverage area into 1/3rds.

 

[dinglefritz]

You drive for show and putt for dough.

The world of horse racing is full of "morning glories." Horses that work out in the morning like champions, but become invisible when put into an actual race environment.

Alvano is a complete puzzle. Kid should be one of the top kickers in the country.
His inability to bring an A game every week weakens this team considerably and its gI nna cost us.

People who I believe watched that missed kick more closely than me said it was a poor snap and hold. I don't know if he'll get better or not. I just know for a 19-20 year old that was a pressure packed situation and wondering whether the ball is going to be where it needs to be when you go to kick it wouldn't be a confidence inspiring event. I guess I like our kicker situation a LOT better than CU's. I expect Alvano will be fine going forward and if not Rhule won't hesitate to try someone else.

Alex Henery was great in the NFL....until he wasn't. The name of the other Nebraska kicker who was with Dallas and suddenly developed the yips escapes me now. He would kick em from 60 for most of the season and then he suddenly couldn't make an extra point.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

just kick the ball through the end zone every time

I will never understand purposefully giving the opponent a chance to make a huge play on special teams when the alternative is forcing them to go 75 yards against our defense

makes no sense

Try to intentionally let that cat from USC have catches on the 5-10 yard line, and we are asking for trouble. He's way more dangerous than the CU kid was.

 

[dinglefritz]

I agree with all this - yet kickers do it every week. IA State nailed a 54 yarder for the win basically with no time left. Alvano missed a chip shot in the first quarter.

I’m sure it’s in his head more than anything but he needs to figure it out because we need to find someone who has the confidence to go out and win a game with a kick.

I'm not sure we have a better option than Alvano but we might get to find out. The ISU fans I was watching that game with couldn't believe that kid made that kick. Making that one kick doesn't mean he's a better kicker than Alvano but that was a clutch moment.

 

[HikingHusker]

People who I believe watched that missed kick more closely than me said it was a poor snap and hold. I don't know if he'll get better or not. I just know for a 19-20 year old that was a pressure packed situation and wondering whether the ball is going to be where it needs to be when you go to kick it wouldn't be a confidence inspiring event. I guess I like our kicker situation a LOT better than CU's. I expect Alvano will be fine going forward and if not Rhule won't hesitate to try someone else.

Alex Henery was great in the NFL....until he wasn't. The name of the other Nebraska kicker who was with Dallas and suddenly developed the yips escapes me now. He would kick em from 60 for most of the season and then he suddenly couldn't make an extra point.

I thought of Alex Henery's NFL career as well. The guy was dang near automatic in college, drafted in the 4th round, and I think it was his 4th year in the league, started the first two games 1-5 and never played again.

 

[timnsun]

People who I believe watched that missed kick more closely than me said it was a poor snap and hold. I don't know if he'll get better or not. I just know for a 19-20 year old that was a pressure packed situation and wondering whether the ball is going to be where it needs to be when you go to kick it wouldn't be a confidence inspiring event. I guess I like our kicker situation a LOT better than CU's. I expect Alvano will be fine going forward and if not Rhule won't hesitate to try someone else.

Alex Henery was great in the NFL....until he wasn't. The name of the other Nebraska kicker who was with Dallas and suddenly developed the yips escapes me now. He would kick em from 60 for most of the season and then he suddenly couldn't make an extra point.

Brett Maher for the Cowboys…

 

[Huskers123456]

I think people are VASTLY underestimating the psychological pressure these young guys are under. Alvano has been limited this fall due to a hamstring but he's been money in practice this fall inside of 40. Buschini has been very good this fall. Maybe that's coaching. After hanging out with some of my daughter's college friends who were football and track athletes 3 years ago it struck me how damned young they were. I can only imagine being 19 years old and trying to kick in front of 90,000 fans and a national TV audience. That takes some serious gonads.

This is Nebraska football. Don't take the scholarship if you can't handle pressure. Go to Kearney or Chadron State.

 

[Dean Pope]

Special teams is our weakest link. Outside of 2 good Buschini punts all other special teams plays weren't acceptable

Is there a sports franchise or college program anywhere in the history of the world that fired coaches after starting out 2-0? When the team hasn't had a winning season in almost 10 years? And if it ever did happen, maybe a team with the dumbest owner, how did that work out? So far, it sounds like we would have at least three vacancies on the staff this week and zero idea what to do next.

Satterfield? Replaced by Thomas I guess. So much for having a QB coach. Find some guy off the street to coach the TEs?
Donovan? Replaced by? Is Cavanaugh still alive? Who plays QB next year?
Foley? Find a replacement coach who will tell the kickers to make all of their field goals.

Great plan guys. Great plan.

 

[dinglefritz]

This is Nebraska football. Don't take the scholarship if you can't handle pressure. Go to Kearney or Chadron State.

In most cases during the glory years guys had time to mature as players before they were thrown to the dogs in front of 76,000 fans in Memorial Stadium. I don't disagree that he shouldn't play if he can't handle the pressure but I'm not ready to give up on him either. Who is our other option? That is the problem. It's another freshman from WCC. Is that Rhule's failure or is that still on Frost at this point? Other kickers see a returning starter sophomore scholarship kicker and I would guess not many wanted to come to Nebraska to compete with that. I don't believe that social media blather calling for his benching is going to help the situation either. For right now, it appears he apparently is our most consistent kicker. All of the whining is because of one missed kick on Saturday that multiple "experts" have said was affected by a questionable snap and hold.

Newsflash: Most college kickers aren't automatic.

 

[huskerfan66]

Is there a sports franchise or college program anywhere in the history of the world that fired coaches after starting out 2-0? When the team hasn't had a winning season in almost 10 years? And if it ever did happen, maybe a team with the dumbest owner, how did that work out? So far, it sounds like we would have at least three vacancies on the staff this week and zero idea what to do next.

Satterfield? Replaced by Thomas I guess. So much for having a QB coach. Find some guy off the street to coach the TEs?
Donovan? Replaced by? Is Cavanaugh still alive? Who plays QB next year?
Foley? Find a replacement coach who will tell the kickers to make all of their field goals.

Great plan guys. Great plan.

Why would you fire coaches that improved.

Coach Rhule even said in his press conference yesterday that this was the worst special teams he's ever had as a coach.

 

[timnsun]

Why would you fire coaches that improved.

Coach Rhule even said in his press conference yesterday that this was the worst special teams he's ever had as a coach.

I’m guessing that’s code for “if it doesn’t get fixed, it’ll get fixed by a new guy.” Like Kong likes to say, Rhule put Foley on notice.

 

[Truewooper]

Special teams is our weakest link. Outside of 2 good Buschini punts all other special teams plays weren't acceptable

Hire a second special teams coordinator. Here's a pretty good one Bill Busch. I hear he's in town from time to time.

 

[Truewooper]

just kick the ball through the end zone every time

I will never understand purposefully giving the opponent a chance to make a huge play on special teams when the alternative is forcing them to go 75 yards against our defense

makes no sense

Because a lot coaches believe they can get them to return it at the one and have them start at the 10 or something. Then they get the team fired up.

I agree that I think kick it through the endzone is the best idea though.

 

[dinglefritz]

Why would you fire coaches that improved.

Coach Rhule even said in his press conference yesterday that this was the worst special teams he's ever had as a coach.

There is no doubt Alvano has had some issues. Otherwise our special teams looked pretty good Saturday. I think Rhule would like that comment back. We’ll see if they can fix the kicking situation but firing Foley isn’t the answer. Recruiting a new kicker is probably the answer.

 

[leodisflowers]

There is no doubt Alvano has had some issues. Otherwise our special teams looked pretty good Saturday. I think Rhule would like that comment back. We’ll see if they can fix the kicking situation but firing Foley isn’t the answer. Recruiting a new kicker is probably the answer.

What color is the sky in your world? Rhule just literally said that it was one of the worst performances his teams has had. There were all kinds of issues.... Coaches don't just say that for the fun of it.

 

[Sodakred]

When Rhule announces at his press conference that the special teams were the worst in his recent experience I don’t think anyone needs to call for Foley to be fired. Foley is surely aware that he better get things improved fast.

Callahan was willing to be fired instead of upgrading his obviously underperforming DC. I don’t think Ruhle operates that way but we will see.

 

[king_kong_]

When Rhule announces at his press conference that the special teams were the worst in his recent experience I don’t think anyone needs to call for Foley to be fired. Foley is surely aware that he better get things improved fast.

Callahan was willing to be fired instead of upgrading his obviously underperforming DC. I don’t think Ruhle operates that way but we will see.

I don't think anyone actually expects a coach to be fired 2 games into our most promising season in 8 years.

at least I don't.

"Fire so and so" is a turn of phrase. it only becomes literal after the season.