The thing is even when playing "well enough to win" the defense rarely makes the stop they HAVE TO. The 3rd down when to get off the field when our offense finally is moving the ball. The 4th and 1 in a 1 point game. Those plays are defining this defense.
Hope
- Thread starter Pennsyhusker
- Start date
Here's my thing...
Raiola isn't the running threat that HH is, but he's alot more mobile than people seem to think. So I wouldn't even say we lack a mobile QB.
I feel like a big part of the reason he seems immobile is because he is so hesitant and/or indecisive when it comes to running. Once he decides to run, he's not exactly a statue.
I don't know if he's been coached not to scramble or only do so as an absolute last resort, or if it's him personally not wanting to, but if he was more decisive about when to break down and run for it, he'd be alot more successful.
Even on the run that caused his injury, he ended up in the position he did because he was hesitant and didn't look comfortable running. His slide short of the first down in this game was just another example of it too.
Gotta keep in mind, we lost Teddy P before the season started and he was named starter at LT. Corcoran who is a far better run blocker than Pass Blocker was the starter at LT this year after Teddy was lost and last year due to Teddy's season ending shoulder injury. The loss of Ethan Piper who retired due to that nasty injury also doesn't help much either as he was a beast. The Philosophy and the blocking changed up this year because of Dylan. Last year with pretty much the same OL we led the B1G in rushing up until the last 2 games and Penn St passed us and we finished 2nd and were nationally ranked in rushing as well all year. It's the philosophy change as Dylan isn't an RPO dual threat QB. They taylored the O and blocking to him. The blocking schemes are different for a running QB with a run heavy offense such as last years as we didn't have a QB that could complete passes worth shit when needed.
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I saw progress for sure. QB getting the ball out faster, actually schemed some running lanes and blocked on the perimeter a few times, better personnel use at RB/WR, targeting at WR, and much better flow to the playcalling in general. Still wish WRs would fight for the ball more. I also wouldn't mind HH getting a full series as a wildcat QB either. It won't work as the whole offense, but it could be unstoppable for one drive of scripted plays and could put in a trick play where he throws it. Overall definitely made progress and wasn't as humiliating as usual. We lost but we were playing football.
Redzone QB play is still a problem. DH schemed up an easy 6 points and Raiola didn’t see it. Dylan slid short of the sticks on a 3rd down as well. Those are the 2 obvious mistakes but there were more. IF he stays hopefully he learns from his mistakes.
Agree - all quality NFL QBs are now mobile...Lamar, Mahomes, Allen, Hurts, Hebert, Burrow, Daniels etc.
Good teams would have intercepted or batted down the passes you mention in Nos. 1 and 2.
I have zero hope with Rhule as HC. He can not manage any in game situations. All the while watching first and 2nd year coaches at there respected programs progress and improve. Another lame coach that can’t move the program forward. God our football program is incompetent. Been that way since the Pelini days. Embarrassing every single year
The oline has been a glaring problem for years . I've been preaching that too long. You guys will have amnesia next season, just wait. If we can't run against the likes of N.Iowa we won't be a good team. Period. Bank on it.
Well reasoned post. The only suggestion would be to call another poster a name to stay in keeping with board tradition. I would like to nominate HBK, Tampa or Red Baloney. Possibly me. TIA
Since Rhule kept Donovan I've been preaching that he needs three years with his own recruits, not what he inherited. Two glaring things about this year's Oline.....Dylan has a clean box most times to pass from, and run blocking sucks ballz. It's beyond embarrassing that NU, with its running tradition, can't open lanes better. That has to change, and soon.
Yeah, he needs his own guys. These starters are too soft and the quit is too deep in them.
Culture builder. Poor at game day coaching and choosing a staff
Truly baffling to bring in Holgorsen if he didn’t agree to be OC next season. I expect him to be OC going forward, but if not I’ll be scratching my head. But the good thing is Satt is gone regardless so that’s a net positive
McGuire has to be replaced… is Dr Route still available?
Maybe the DB coach?
Frankly, most of our issue stem from the crappy offense. Fix that with DH and we are a much better team. I liked what I saw give. That we had a completely new OC from the outside take over mid stream… that can’t be easy to do
If we win one of the last two that will be something, and those teams don’t have the skill players that USC does
Fingers crossed
I mean at the very least, calling the plays
Not sure if he would be kept as a position coach for next year, who knows.
If, Holgorsen is OC for next year then we can fully implement his offense and see what we can do. There are no certainties these days, but not having Shitterfield run his offense will be positive for us.
I recall the days of Frosts second year, when we looked like absolute ASS and still had many dipshits on this board saying it was Riley’s fault and that Frost needed 5 years at least.
What a shitshow THAT was….
At least Rhule made a change early
Actually it was the left guard who did the false start. Imo the linemen aren’t athletic enough. The red zone woes have been the killer of this team and the past. They run the ball between the 20’s then they run one time and then pass pass pass. I still say go big I formation with a fullback and tell your oline to freaking man up and move your opponent . When was the last time we had a o lineman that had a nasty streak? I’m guessing Ricky Henry. That’s to long not for a school that has multiple Outland trophy winners
He has to get the rot out. I see that he is willing to put younger guys in , so there's that.
I was just listening to the Vikings radio guys on their postgame radio. They talked about the difference having a positive family vibe makes for their team. It has allowed them to attract quality free agents on defense they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
We were a mess when Rhule took over. Some would say we still are but the change in the chemistry of our team is positive. I believe if we get the offense fixed and Dylan gains experience, we’ll get there. I don’t see starting over with a new head coach as a good option even if the contract wasn’t a factor. I like Rhule. I like the atmosphere he’s fostered. Now fix the offense and get it done.
He’s not a good runner. He’s athletic enough maybe but no DC has to game plan around him getting a chunk play on a called QB run or option. He’s a big dude who could punish a DB but he’s going to try to avoid hits
I wonder if he’ll try to lean out a little during the offseason
Not saying he should
I hope not. A little fat cushion helps take some of the sting out of hits. I would like him be more decisive when he takes off but I don’t think it’s in his DNA to be a runner. Maybe he gets more confident in his ability to move the chains with his feet. It takes a different mindset.
I think he can get it done but it will be longer than we want. The stench is real to me. The losing mentality is too easily accepted. He's not going anywhere so all I can do is not get excited and /or don't watch, I've been doing both.
Rhule had some mojo working during last years win streak
Crowd surfing in the locker room and everything. Guys were having a good time.
This year has seemed much more business-like and now nobody seems like they’re having any fun
They’re feeling the pressure and hear the noise from social media. They heard the boos during the UCLA game. Believe it or not, they hate losing. We need a win badly. Hopefully Wisconsin canning their OC gives us an edge.
Hope is why they made the hire. Losing 6 straight was going to be tough to swallow.
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