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Mid-Season Report Card

maplesyrup95

Junior
Nov 26, 2014
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I'm wondering what everyone is thinking thus far, half-way through the season. We are a bit banged up, but we have decent depth at those hurting positions.

Here are my grades for each unit and the reasons for those grades (in no particular order). These grades are slightly higher that I thought they'd be, but with our 6-0 record, I had to give props to players and coaches alike where they were due.

OL - (B) Through 6 games, 1 starting left guard out for the season and a few ankle injuries later, the pipeline has helped the running game work and allowing an average of 0.67 sacks per game which is tied for 5th nationally. Though Nick Gates is out this week to start the second half of the season, it's clear he is a bulldozer. Aside from him, sometimes the opposing D-Line can have its way with our OL (with the help of a stacked box of linebackers). And they've done it with both schollies and walk-ons. On several possessions through the Oregon and Indiana games, there were 2-3 walk-ons on the line in Hahn, Utter and Conrad. They did their jobs because Coach Cav has done solid work developing those guys who weren't heavily recruited. I originally had them at a B- because the 2nd and 3rd quarters have been a little tough to watch at times, but I bumped them from a B- to B because of the physical work Mark Philip has done with them and the mental strength Cavanaugh has laid out getting these guys ready for the 4th Quarter. Rushing total yardage is at 1,323 right now. Total TOP average is 35 minutes, good for 13th nationally.

QB - (B+) Though he has thrown interceptions, the turnovers are down significantly from last season (knock on wood). I originally had TA at a B because of the perplexing INTs that he throws sometimes, but I bumped him up because of the way that Langs, Riley and TA all work together here with him. Tommy has had a better year so far because MR and DL have set him up to succeed. He has run the ball well and passed the ball as good as he is capable of in good mixes through the first 6 games. He is given an easy-to-medium difficulty of passes, and the coaches don't make him throw those difficult passes anymore. There's also the factor that our WRs know how to get open in space. This, to me, is a great formula for success this year. Having 71/282 carries puts TA at 329 yards and 5 TDs; add in Ozigbo and Newby's carries and that's 229/282 carries between the three of them. Those 3 guys have been the key in the run game to being 6-0.

WR - (A-) Since Westerkamp's back injury against Illinois and Alonzo Moore's nagging shoulder injury, Stanley Morgan has been able to elevate his game and gotten more attempts, just like everyone thought he would. He leads the team with 16/88 total receptions-- but only with 1 TD. Westy has 4TD on just 13/88 receptions. As if we didn't miss him already, it only proves how valuable Westerkamp's is to our passing game. Hopefully he can make it back for Wisconsin, or at least Ohio State. On a similar note, Moore has been great at being a deep threat, averaging 25.8 yards per his 12 receptions. And oddly enough, Brandon Reilly has yet to score a TD this season, even despite his deep-ball threat capabilities and 26 per reception. Our receivers also are great at drawing pass interference calls and that's credit to Keith Williams' mentoring. I've never seen Nebraska get more defensive PI calls as I have under his watch. The team is averaging 15.9 yards per reception and receiving yards are at 1400 even. That's a huge reason why we are No.12 nationally on 3rd down conversions (40-for-81).

RB - (B+) With our bell cow Ozigbo out with injury lately, Terrell Newby has picked up the slack and saved his best season for his last one. Each game, I find myself saying about one of Newby's runs, "That was the best run of his career." I know that it is not easy to understand why it didn't come until his senior season to come to the form we thought he would when he was recruited, but he has been a good back this year. He's also been given 81/282 carries for 429 yards and 4 TDs. Ozigbo holds 77/282 and 320 yards and also 4 TDs. It will be nice to see Ozigbo come back because Newby had to take almost all of the carries vs Indiana (TA looked slightly hobbled and couldn't run as well). Reggie Davis is a very smart coach and has equipped his guys with good skills and habits. It will be fun to see how Bryant and Wilbon--and even Ozigbo--progress as the years go on under Davis.

TE - (B) Tavita Thompson has done a good job coaching these guys. With Carter out with the elbow injury, TT has coached up his players. Though Sam Cotton let Tommy's pass at Indiana tip into the wrong hands, if you go back and watch any of the games, they block well, run good routes and make good moves. Cethan Carter is just as good, if not better than the lineman at blocking opposing LBs. Really hope he returns soon before the latter part of the season. Additionally, the tight ends have been quoted saying Thompson is great at teaching them not just about the position but the overall scheme of things. He's doing a good job in recruiting, too.

DL - (B) I can't be the only one who has noticed, but Parrella seems to be slowly instilling the Blackshirt mentality not just to the DL but the whole defense. As far as stats go, Nebraska is not at the top of the rankings in this unit's regards. However, the DL has done some good things. Kevin Maurice has been a highlight to watch and Ross Dzuris has done more than many thought he was capable of. He got double teamed a lot against Indiana. The guy has a good motor and I don't think we have seen his best game yet. Dzuris is sitting with the most sacks at 3.5 and 21 solo tackles, Freedom and Maurice both have 2.0 sacks and 11 and 13 total tackles a piece. The DL has a ways to go and a ways to go still, and I think Parrella is doing the best he can with what he's got right now. He has 4 verbal commits already for 2017 and 1 verbal for 2018. Overall though, the DL has been productive.

LB - (B-) Besides the safeties, the linebackers have done a good share of the tackling.
Banderas has 30 total tackles, D.Young has 31; MRI - 24; Newby - 11. We are No. 19 nationally in 3rd down defensive percentage (24 given up out of 77 attempted). Though No. 19 seems low for production, don't be alarmed because Wisconsin is No. 6 and only leads us by 4 less 3rd down conversions (20 given up - 76 attempted). Sometimes, our LBs don't make enough of the tackles or pass break ups over the middle which puts a lot of pressure on our safeties and corners/nickels. The position has not been horrible, but definitely not spectacular or up to Trent Bray's standards. Hoping for a little more swagger, (like the DBs and Safeties) in the second half of the season. I still think Bray continues to develop his unit, and he's got a stalk of young guns learning from the older guys. He's also one of our top recruiters. That's how a great system starts. B- right now.

S - (B+) The safeties have the most tackles on the team. Out of our Top 5 tacklers, 3 of them are safeties. Kieron Williams leads all tacklers at #1 with 43 total tackles (28 solo). Gerry sits at #2 in total tackles at 37 and Kalu at #5 with 29 tackles so far (23 solo). Whether or not you think that is good or bad that the safeties have so many tackles is up to your own interpretation of the scheme. At times, Gerry and Williams bite too far toward the line of scrimmage and big runs happen (See Gerry bite on an Oregon receiver early on, and Williams bite on the fake reverse rushing TD against Indiana) However, this scheme that relies more on players in the backfield has put us at No. 29 in total defense, giving up 344.5 yards/game. They've got something there. B+.

CB - (A) Starting from game 1 up to game 6, I don't think I have seen a more improved unit than our corners other than QB/Tommy Armstrong. Aaron Williams, Josh Kalu (as nickel) and Chris Jones have saved so many big plays not just from regular route defending, but they have made great tackles in space, too. Kieron Williams may be the leading tackler on the team (which is awesome), but Jones and Aaron Williams may be the smartest and most athletic. Jones has 15 total tackles and (14 solo) and A. Williams has 21 total tackles (10 solo). While 10 solo tackles in space is not great, not many opposing QBs have thrown to the receiver that AW guards. Yes, the zone they play right now allowed our opponents to move down the field sometimes, but they tighten the screws when it counts. The corners get the highest grade because of overall improvement from last season. Brian Stewart is earning his check right now. A.

K- (A-) Drew Brown has a good leg. ZD is a good holder. Brown leads the team with 41 total points. Just what a kicker and holder should do.

P/PR - (C+/B-) The lowest grade of the team goes to this overall unit. They have allowed 2 blocked kicks against Fresno State and Indiana, and the only reason why they are not a C or C- is because of Lightbourn's kicking in Oregon game and DPE's PR in the same game. Lightbourn, aside from his *silly* punt-fake run, has a boot and can flip the field pretty well. Bruce Read has done some good things, but he still has quite a ways to go to earn his large paycheck. Quite a ways. Even though opponents know about DPE's ability, he has to find a way to get him open in space.

K/KR- (A-/C+) Though Drew Brown has not had a great amount of touchbacks, he kicks it high enough to about the 5 yard line so that the returner only gets about 10-15 yard returns. This is the area that Read has coached pretty well through the first 6 games. Our KR unit has been hungry to get to the returner quickly and physically. Midway through, they look prepared. Kick returners have a lot of room to improve still.

Let me know your grades and/or thoughts!
 
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Thanks for all your thoughts. Would add that the coaches deserve an A. The development is impressive. Plus the coaches are unselfish. Best example of this is coach Stewart promo for Chris Jones to the NFL. You think he would love nothing more than to have that kid back next year? But these coaches are thinking of the kids. Working the NFL U aspect and it's going to pay big dividends in recruiting.
 
Thanks for all your thoughts. Would add that the coaches deserve an A. The development is impressive. Plus the coaches are unselfish. Best example of this is coach Stewart promo for Chris Jones to the NFL. You think he would love nothing more than to have that kid back next year? But these coaches are thinking of the kids. Working the NFL U aspect and it's going to pay big dividends in recruiting.

Absolutely the coaches deserve an A. I hope that this trend only continues as we head down the stretch, especially against teams like UW, OSU and, yes, Iowa. Chris Jones having 14/15 solo tackles is the standout stat to me. Stewart has helped him develop good habits and good instincts. Same with Aaron Williams. It also makes me thrilled for a guy like Lamar Jackson to get coached by him. I also did not realize how productive Dedrick Young was. NFL U is right. Keep them coming through the Nebraska machine.
 
A C+ for our punting is pretty generous but obviously the kid was put in a tough spot. I am afraid punting is going to cost us a game at some point, but probably not a surprise after losing one of the best punters and rushing the development of a freshman.
 
Not sure how you can give the Safeties and CB's anything other than an A.

As for the offensive line, they're doing as well as possible despite the injuries. But the Center and Left Guard have been sub par all season long. When you add injuries to Farmer and Knevel, the Oline becomes sub standard. Perhaps it should be graded on a Curve, but I'm giving that unit a C.
 
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I'd generally agree, but personally I'd drop DL down to B- and LB to B...in both cases lack of speed on the edge has hurt us at times

Would up S to A-, if not an A

Splitting coaching duties between Banker and Stewart has really pd off IMO
 
My grades would look something like:

QB: B+ (Much improved, although I worry about TA's decision making going forward as he is banged up and so is his OL)
OL: C- (It has been rough. Most of our problems are injuries, but we lack depth and are struggling)
RB: B (Solid, deep. Not spectacular)
WR: A (Studs. Have overcome injuries and still make huge plays)
TE: B (Losing Carter hurts, but they are still productive and an A when CC plays)

DL: B- (This group has been a pleasant surprise. They are solid and appears to be getting better. The future is bright with Coach JP)
LB: C (I have been pretty disappointed with this group as a whole. Our defense has been much better in Nickel and Dime, when we get Reed and Williams on the field)
DB's: A (We have six guys playing at a high level, plus a couple promising Freshmen. Love the job Banker and Stewart are doing with the DB's!)

FG: A (Drew is money)
Punt: D- (It has been a disaster, minus the Oregon game. Two blocked punts, which hasn't happened in a season since 2002 and we are only half way through. Also pretty weak coverage)
KO: A (This unit has been great. Drew is a terrific directional kicker and we cover well)
PR: B (We have an A+++ punt return, just put him in position and let he do his thing already)
KR: C- (Pretty uninspiring)
 
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You can't give the receivers an A- but the QB a B+....how did they get a chance to get an A-......they all have been injured and out, yet we still have produced....because of the QB and his legs.

..Hell man show me the QB that doesn't throw INTs...I swear some of you dont watch college football....

Tommy has made the plays on offense to get us to 6-0......without him we would be 2-4 at best.

He deserves an A+
 
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A C+ for our punting is pretty generous but obviously the kid was put in a tough spot. I am afraid punting is going to cost us a game at some point, but probably not a surprise after losing one of the best punters and rushing the development of a freshman.
I SO feel for this kid...it's not as if he EVER thought he would be playing...he's a bit of the incredibly tragic collateral damage of Sam's death. I think Caleb will BE great...
 
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My grades would look something like:

QB: B+ (Much improved, although I worry about TA's decision making going forward as he is banged up and so is his OL)
OL: C- (It has been rough. Most of our problems are injuries, but we lack depth and are struggling)
RB: B (Solid, deep. Not spectacular)
WR: A (Studs. Have overcome injuries and still make huge plays)
TE: B (Losing Carter hurts, but they are still productive and an A when CC plays)

DL: B- (This group has been a pleasant surprise. They are solid and appears to be getting better. The future is bright with Coach JP)
LB: C (I have been pretty disappointed with this group as a whole. Our defense has been much better in Nickel and Dime, when we get Reed and Williams on the field)
DB's: A (We have six guys playing at a high level, plus a couple promising Freshmen. Love the job Banker and Stewart are doing with the DB's!)

FG: A (Drew is money)
Punt: D- (It has been a disaster, minus the Oregon game. Two blocked punts, which hasn't happened in a season since 2002 and we are only half way through. Also pretty weak coverage)
KO: A (This unit has been great. Drew is a terrific directional kicker and we cover well)
PR: B (We have an A+++ punt return, just put him in position and let he do his thing already)
KR: C- (Pretty uninspiring)

Agreed, top to bottom.
 
You can't give the receivers an A- but the QB a B+....how did they get a chance to get an A-......they all have been injured and out, yet we still have produced....because of the QB and his legs.

..Hell man show me the QB that doesn't throw INTs...I swear some of you dont watch college football....

Tommy has made the plays on offense to get us to 6-0......without him we would be 2-4 at best.

He deserves an A+
Love his determination and dedication to his position despite a bum ankle. A+ in that regard. But if you watch the overall WR position, they block well like crazy. They draw PI calls better than I have seen in recent Husker memory, and they get open on 3rd down (like I said in my OP), which per the NCAA is 12th best nationally. Yes, TA has run on short 3rd downs, but a majority of the conversions have been because of WR receptions via getting open in space. But you are right, we would not be 6-0 without him.
 
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I can't give Tommy an A+, he just makes to many bad decisions. I will give him an A+ for effort, no one has worked harder than him. However on the field I would give him a B, B+ at best, his decision making is so inconsistent, he can be awesome and horrible on the same series. Keep in mind I gave him an A+ on effort.
 
I'm exaggerating with the A+...but the number one stat is wins.....He is directly responsible for each one.......You can't say that about the receivers.


But he definitely deserves an A.
 
I think you have it pretty well nailed. Tommy gets dinged for not doing much in the run game the last 2 weeks (injured). OL is weak point and part of the reason TA is getting beat on. I would bump up LB to C+ - although they do disappear at times. So one small change and I agree with you. DPE needs to touch the ball more but takes touches away from other good WRs....good problem to have.

My grades would look something like:

QB: B+ (Much improved, although I worry about TA's decision making going forward as he is banged up and so is his OL)
OL: C- (It has been rough. Most of our problems are injuries, but we lack depth and are struggling)
RB: B (Solid, deep. Not spectacular)
WR: A (Studs. Have overcome injuries and still make huge plays)
TE: B (Losing Carter hurts, but they are still productive and an A when CC plays)

DL: B- (This group has been a pleasant surprise. They are solid and appears to be getting better. The future is bright with Coach JP)
LB: C (I have been pretty disappointed with this group as a whole. Our defense has been much better in Nickel and Dime, when we get Reed and Williams on the field)
DB's: A (We have six guys playing at a high level, plus a couple promising Freshmen. Love the job Banker and Stewart are doing with the DB's!)

FG: A (Drew is money)
Punt: D- (It has been a disaster, minus the Oregon game. Two blocked punts, which hasn't happened in a season since 2002 and we are only half way through. Also pretty weak coverage)
KO: A (This unit has been great. Drew is a terrific directional kicker and we cover well)
PR: B (We have an A+++ punt return, just put him in position and let he do his thing already)
KR: C- (Pretty uninspiring)
 
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I hadn't given as much thought to the linebackers as other units because I generally thought they had been doing their jobs pretty well. But thinking back and seeing some of your posts, I do think the B+ seems a little high. I really like Bray and the job he has done with Dedrick Young, the others have performed average (except for MRI against Oregon) for us being 6-0. Time to step it up in the last 6. I changed the unit's grade to a B-
 
Fwiw, this is just what someone told me concerning the LB's. It's an aggressive run-stop defense. If the LB's even sniff anything that smells like a run, they're crashing the line for their gap assignment. If they are not at the point of attack or deception was involved, then they're effectively out of the play. And that leaves the safeties to be making a lot of the tackles. I haven't watched for any of this, but it does make sense.
 
Not to be a downer, but I would grade the following:

OL: B- trending to a C+. You can't bump them up because of injuries...this is a performance grade and the last three games this unit has had a rough go.
QB: B- as well. Trending down.
P/PR: C+/C-
 
Not to be a downer, but I would grade the following:

OL: B- trending to a C+. You can't bump them up because of injuries...this is a performance grade and the last three games this unit has had a rough go.
QB: B- as well. Trending down.
P/PR: C+/C-
I wouldn't say that's being a downer. I think QB play has been better than you do, but your C+ grade to the punt team is more than generous
 
You can't give the receivers an A- but the QB a B+....how did they get a chance to get an A-......they all have been injured and out, yet we still have produced....because of the QB and his legs.

..Hell man show me the QB that doesn't throw INTs...I swear some of you dont watch college football....

Tommy has made the plays on offense to get us to 6-0......without him we would be 2-4 at best.

He deserves an A+
Have you seen those receivers block? They are nasty!
 
Have you seen those receivers block? They are nasty!

And I have seen them drop passes and basically stifle our offense with penalties like against Illinois...not saying they aren't playing well....the reason we are 6-0 is Tommy

He has won with Moore, Carter, Westerkamp and Reilly out from injury behind a 2nd team offensive line.

Please..no one on this team deserves an A if Tommy doesnt.
 
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Very nice rundown, thanks for putting in the work. I have been a huge fan of this staff from Day One, except maybe the week after the Purdue game. Two gripes. Bruce Read needs to go the way of Hank Hughes. He remains the only coach who IMHO isn't getting it done. My second gripe is Cav's pathological refusal to not give backups like Decker, Gaylord and Barnett PT is going to come home to roost for him.
 
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