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Luke McCaffrey: A Cautionary Tale

Charlie Marlow

Charlie Marlow

Athletic Director
Sep 23, 2005
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In Your Head
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
 
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Ok? We know the winning formula with this team. Not the same formula with a Frost offense. Frost offense relied on the qb. This offense needs a qb to eat clock and not turn the ball over. Not close to the same.
 
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But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL
 
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Charlie Marlow said:
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
Click to expand...
Valid point. I would only point out that Adrian was a far better QB than Sims has shown. I also think HH is better than Luke. A week of film and prep against him, will show us if has true potential or not.
 
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Charlie Marlow said:
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
Click to expand...
You've always been kinda creepy to me, but this, this stalking a college-aged boy is a bit over the edge.
 
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Charlie Marlow said:
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
Click to expand...
We should stick with Haarberg until he proves himself to be unworthy. We won't know how he holds up until we play against better competition, but he should have the starting job until he proves otherwise.
 
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Yantzeee said:
But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL
Click to expand...
the reason he left was he wanted to play QB , he transferred to Louisville quit and transferred to Rice because they told him no to QB after watching a couple of drills.Went to Rice wanted to be a QB . Told him no. He has basically ran out of transfers and options. It was WR or quit playing football. Let’s not make it more than it is.
 
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Charlie Marlow said:
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
Click to expand...
Look who?
 
Charlie Marlow said:
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
Click to expand...

There big difference where Nebraska was at. Adrian was technically a good QB who had issues finishing. Sims is a QB who can't catch snaps. Under SF Nebraska had to score at least 30 more like 40 points a game to win. Under MR and this defense you need like 20-24 max.

Also HH has a good arm but needs refinement. Luke actually couldn't throw the ball more than like 15 yards down field. HH's passing TDs have been legit scores while Luke's was a pop pass to Zavier Betts.

Something to note for sure but the bar is much much lower for The pirate to surpass than it was for Luke.
 
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Yantzeee said:
But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL
Click to expand...
He was a WR in HS until his senior year, when his famous dad took over as HS coach and installed him as QB. We offered him as QB because we had to in order to secure his commitment. At the time, one older brother Christian was a verifiable stud (still is) and another older brother Dylan was QB at Michigan. And landing him enabled Bernie to light up a cigar.

At the time, it was clear that his highest potential was at WR but we were one of the few teams willing to perpetuate his family’s fantasy of him being a QB. At the first hint of a position change, he transferred to Louisville for a week. When he heard position change there and hadn’t yet attended classes, he transferred to Rice. When he heard position change there, his family finally consented.

It would have been nice if Luke had embraced being a WR while here. But that wasn’t going to happen. And that is not really Frost’s fault, other than believing it was a chance worth taking.
 
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Nebraska giving Luke a chance as an FBS QB reminds me of the Broncos giving Tim Tebow a chance as an NFL QB.

Both assumed they were better than they were, deserved more, and didn’t fully appreciate the chance they were graciously given. And ultimately faced reality.
 
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Charlie Marlow said:
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
Click to expand...
The 2023 application of this lesson:

Sims should play WR.
 
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Yantzeee said:
But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL
Click to expand...
I think he always knew he would be a WR but he always wanted to be a QB.

It just took time for him to figure it out.

Like marriage, he finally gave up and settled.
 
Anyone who thought Nebraska was on the verge of turning the corner after the win against Penn St needed their head examined.
 
dinglefritz said:
No. He should probably ride the pine for a couple of weeks and be ready to come in when Michigan clobbers Haarberg. I’m not sure Sims will even be healthy enough to play by Michigan.
Click to expand...
Do we know the type of injury? High ankle sprain? If they kid can't run he can't play. NU isn't running a chuck and duck offense.
 
Charlie Marlow said:
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
Click to expand...
Yes he is at Rice and doing a great job, but it is as a WR. That is where he needed to be from day one. He has speed and who knows he may get a shot at the NFL if he keeps going at Rice. Granted it is Rice though.
 
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inWV said:
Do we know the type of injury? High ankle sprain? If they kid can't run he can't play. NU isn't running a chuck and duck offense.
Click to expand...
The last QB at NU who had a “high ankle sprain” actually had a fractured fibula and torn interosseus ligament. Who knows what his actual injury is.
 
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HuskerAlum92 said:
Nebraska giving Luke a chance as an FBS QB reminds me of the Broncos giving Tim Tebow a chance as an NFL QB.

Both assumed they were better than they were, deserved more, and didn’t fully appreciate the chance they were graciously given. And ultimately faced reality.
Click to expand...
but Broncos made the playoff with Tim Tebow!!! So your saying we are going to the payoffs :D
 
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Luke's Penn State game was a total squeaker, sandwiched in between Penn State getting crushed by Maryland and Iowa. HH did exactly what this team needs to do, extend drives and don't wear the defense out.

until I see HH turning the ball over 3+ times a game and going 3 & out every drive, I have no interest in seeing anyone else.

if you disagree you may be retarded.
 
HuskerAlum92 said:
He was a WR in HS until his senior year, when his famous dad took over as HS coach and installed him as QB. We offered him as QB because we had to in order to secure his commitment. At the time, one older brother Christian was a verifiable stud (still is) and another older brother Dylan was QB at Michigan. And landing him enabled Bernie to light up a cigar.

At the time, it was clear that his highest potential was at WR but we were one of the few teams willing to perpetuate his family’s fantasy of him being a QB. At the first hint of a position change, he transferred to Louisville for a week. When he heard position change there and hadn’t yet attended classes, he transferred to Rice. When he heard position change there, his family finally consented.

It would have been nice if Luke had embraced being a WR while here. But that wasn’t going to happen. And that is not really Frost’s fault, other than believing it was a chance worth taking.
Click to expand...
If memory serves, wasn't Frost publically proclaiming there being no doubt in his mind that Luke was the future of the QB room at NU just weeks before he entered the portal? Was that just for public consumption and behind the scenes he was telling Luke a different story? Or did Luke just get impatient thinking he was going to behind AM for a couple of more seasons.
 
What makes so many people think Sims can just magically make the switch to RB? It is a completely different look and responsibilities.
 
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Yantzeee said:
But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL
Click to expand...
I will be very surprised
 
goldencohusker said:
If memory serves, wasn't Frost publically proclaiming there being no doubt in his mind that Luke was the future of the QB room at NU just weeks before he entered the portal? Was that just for public consumption and behind the scenes he was telling Luke a different story? Or did Luke just get impatient thinking he was going to behind AM for a couple of more seasons.
Click to expand...
He was begging the McCaffery family publicly to decide against transferring. Nothing more than that. It was obvious BS, and treated as such.
 
cruelhalo said:
Anyone who thought Nebraska was on the verge of turning the corner after the win against Penn St needed their head examined.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Luke was great for most the first half. There was no tape on Luke and Penn State didn’t know how to defend him initially. But by halftime Penn State made adjustments, and Luke couldn’t do anything. If the game had been 62 minutes, Penn State would have won. If Luke had continued at QB, teams would have continuously exposed him.
 
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HuskerAlum92 said:
Agreed. Luke was great for most the first half. There was no tape on Luke and Penn State didn’t know how to defend him initially. But by halftime Penn State made adjustments, and Luke couldn’t do anything. If the game had been 62 minutes, Penn State would have won. If Luke had continued at QB, teams would have continuously exposed him.
Click to expand...
As someone who loved the change up McCaffrey brought in that game, yeah, felt uncomfortable going into the next one. Which of course we all saw exposed then and there.

Feels... Different, with HH. But we'll see!
 
BleedRed78 said:
As someone who loved the change up McCaffrey brought in that game, yeah, felt uncomfortable going into the next one. Which of course we all saw exposed then and there.

Feels... Different, with HH. But we'll see!
Click to expand...
The difference was, Scott Frost waited for two years before he started McCaffrey. Had he done so sooner, he might have come to the conclusion that we need to bring in a new QB who won't turn the ball over so much.
 
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What game was it where Luke missed his receiver and nearly threw it into the stands? I swear it happened but I'm not re-watching that season to find it.
 
Charlie Marlow said:
Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.
Click to expand...
McCaffrey owns a better career win % at Nebraska than Martinez and the best win at Nebraska/ over PSU. He also had an idiot as HC . Was he a great QB Hell No-Was he as good as or better than Martinez=Hell Yes
But that wasnt hard as A Mart led the nation in turnovers two years and avged 4 wins per year
 
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