The Official Spring Game Thread
- Thread starter HuskerHackFraud
- Start date
Nelson and Butler and Gunnerson showed some flashes today.
That’s a good sign except for the fact that our OT’s look putrid.
Spring game with new offense (players/coaches), but I came away disappointed by the sloppiness.
Putting balls on the ground, some not so good hands moments from WR’s, OL struggles, bad throws, penalties, leaving WR wide open, poor tackling (NPG gave up a TD), kicking game problems.
Good news is that a lot of that came from “depth” guys and not starters, but still would like to see more overall competence, even early in the process.
That’s a good sign except for the fact that our OT’s look putrid.
Spring game with new offense (players/coaches), but I came away disappointed by the sloppiness.
Putting balls on the ground, some not so good hands moments from WR’s, OL struggles, bad throws, penalties, leaving WR wide open, poor tackling (NPG gave up a TD), kicking game problems.
Good news is that a lot of that came from “depth” guys and not starters, but still would like to see more overall competence, even early in the process.
Last edited:
I was thinking about this earlier. I had no desire to watch this year. It's just another practice at this point and really not even that. The coaches are evaluating everything based on the first 14 practices much more than anything that went on today. And I can't imagine this is even that fun for the crowd at this point. I get it, no one wants any injuries, etc. But the spring games are not anything like they used to be. And it's the same everywhere else isn't it? So I was trying to think what is next for the Spring Game. And maybe something that could tie into NIL stuff. Like 'Runza's Try to Tackle Yant at the Goal Line' event for $500 a pop. Or 'Valentino's Try to Return a Kickoff' event for $1000. Or 'Monolith's Try to wrestle the Polar Bear' for etc etc etc
After attending the game and reviewing the tape I'm hoping the new head coach next year goes back to a hard-assed spring "game" and not all this BS with no kickoffs, punts, or tackling, no stupid music playing during the scrimmage, and running the full playbook. The head coach either wants a bad-assed team or he doesn't, and not playing a real game in the spring shows you don't want a bad-assed team because someone might get hurt.
The offense looked bad. It was what we have come to expect from Frost-ball with a false start on the second play, 6 penalties for 50 yards, 9 of 25 on third down conversions, 3 sacks allowed, 3 fumbles (1 lost), and 1 interception. The play clock also ran down a number of times, but the officials were apparently instructed to not call delay of game. No quarterback emerged. The offensive line was more or less ruled by the 1st or 2nd defense. The offensive schemes/gaffs led to an unblocked defender in position to crucify the QB several times, and there were several dropped passes.
In 8 punts Buschini shanked one for 15 yards and had another right around 30 yards into the wind. I would have expected the all-everything FCS punter from Montana to be right-on every punt. It is those 15 yard shanks that have killed us in the past. Contreraz made a 26 yard FG, but missed a 42 yarder on a nice day with a strong wind at his back. It is those kinds of misses that have lost us games, but we have a better kicker coming in fall.
On the bright side:
The defense looked pretty good and the Whites (defense) won the game. Good teams find a way to win the game, even if several of last year's squad are going to the NFL. If the new head coach next year needs to hire defensive coaches, I'd be fine with Chinander, Ruud and Fisher being retained.
The running backs seemed to be sounder fundamentally than last year.
Despite the injuries, the available TEs did a good job. Rollins emerged as a go to guy.
Several unheralded guys had good games like Kamonte Grimes, Trevin Luben, Grant Tagge, Ernest Hausmann, Mikai Gbayor, Jimari Butler, Marques Buford Jr., Eteva Mauga-Clement, and Randolph Kpai 2. Where the hell did Luben come from? He looks like the next Burkhead.
Nothing I saw live or Memorex today changed my mind that Nebraska will have another losing season and HCSF will not be retained. While I can make allowances for us having new coaches and different schemes causing a few glitches, there is no excuse for the team to again play sloppy offense. There is also no excuse for the offense not appearing to care about the game, while the defense was flying around, having fun, and kicking ass.
The offense looked bad. It was what we have come to expect from Frost-ball with a false start on the second play, 6 penalties for 50 yards, 9 of 25 on third down conversions, 3 sacks allowed, 3 fumbles (1 lost), and 1 interception. The play clock also ran down a number of times, but the officials were apparently instructed to not call delay of game. No quarterback emerged. The offensive line was more or less ruled by the 1st or 2nd defense. The offensive schemes/gaffs led to an unblocked defender in position to crucify the QB several times, and there were several dropped passes.
In 8 punts Buschini shanked one for 15 yards and had another right around 30 yards into the wind. I would have expected the all-everything FCS punter from Montana to be right-on every punt. It is those 15 yard shanks that have killed us in the past. Contreraz made a 26 yard FG, but missed a 42 yarder on a nice day with a strong wind at his back. It is those kinds of misses that have lost us games, but we have a better kicker coming in fall.
On the bright side:
The defense looked pretty good and the Whites (defense) won the game. Good teams find a way to win the game, even if several of last year's squad are going to the NFL. If the new head coach next year needs to hire defensive coaches, I'd be fine with Chinander, Ruud and Fisher being retained.
The running backs seemed to be sounder fundamentally than last year.
Despite the injuries, the available TEs did a good job. Rollins emerged as a go to guy.
Several unheralded guys had good games like Kamonte Grimes, Trevin Luben, Grant Tagge, Ernest Hausmann, Mikai Gbayor, Jimari Butler, Marques Buford Jr., Eteva Mauga-Clement, and Randolph Kpai 2. Where the hell did Luben come from? He looks like the next Burkhead.
Nothing I saw live or Memorex today changed my mind that Nebraska will have another losing season and HCSF will not be retained. While I can make allowances for us having new coaches and different schemes causing a few glitches, there is no excuse for the team to again play sloppy offense. There is also no excuse for the offense not appearing to care about the game, while the defense was flying around, having fun, and kicking ass.
There isn’t a lot to evaluate when a big chunk of the starters or key contributors are watching the game, not playing. The starters that did play played touch football. The scrubs got a lot of live work. Looks like the word on Grant was correct.
Any word on Mathis? Hopefully he was impressed by the spirited play of the D.
Any word on Mathis? Hopefully he was impressed by the spirited play of the D.
Um no. Purdy had some great throws under duress. On several passes he showed great touch dropping balls in right where they had to be over or between defenders. Considering the pressure he was under and the fact that he's only practiced a couple of times, I thought he looked very good.
I think the staff had what they wanted from the QB, RB and WR positions in live scrimmages during practices. The goal was to not get Thompson, Purdy or our top RBs injured in that first half. I think we saw plenty of physical play and a decent run game from the guys playing in that second half which INCLUDED many first team O and D linemen.
As several have pointed out, I think it's tough to take much out of this one other than how some young kids performed in front of a crowd against D-1 competition. This deal is more for the fans and walk ons than anything else.
He threw at least two ducks on pretty short passes, one of which he jumped when he threw it.
Considering Purdy has done little more than watch film and recuperate from injury, the fact he only had 2 practices this week prior to the game shows a lot of promise. It's easy to understand with only 3 actual physical practices under his belt, his upside looks positive.
In the event he can get and stay healthy, he probably will be a solid #2 QB, and it looks to me as though Thompson is going to be an up and down starter, Purday may get his chances.
Just his being able to throw the ball on a daily basis should do wonders for his arm strength. None of us can sit all spring, just watch television, then go to the range and hit the ball with mid-season form.
Not making excuses for Purdy, the fact is this was only his 3rd practice of the year. His footwork, his release point, all those factors can be cleaned up with repetition. If he's doing that stuff in August, then it's a concern.
Overall, he played well. He looked to be the most mobile (other than smothers), which is why I said he's the most similar to Martinez. Has some arm strength, can run, can make some really good throws, but can also make some bad throws/decisions under pressure.
Not sure what it looked like on TV, but the first play of the game had pick 6 written all over it. Somehow, CT got it in there.
As lame as the game was, Lincoln was a blast. Started off a little slow but it was rocking by noon.
pick 6 for our former QB, who probably would've never attempted that throw considering his total lack of arm talent
it was a dime, right between two defenders. the kind of throw that is routine on Sundays, but hasn't been seen in Lincoln in 4 years
Over one defender and in front of the other. I thought it was a pass that gets picked a lot.
his inability to fit the ball into a tight window up the seam right before the half I thought exposed his lack of arm strength
Purdy will be recruited over
I didn't like the play. If a QB is just gonna make that throw, too many times that ball will be picked.
Why would you throw the ball, on the opening play, into that type of coverage?
If it's the play I'm thinking of (gifford broke it up?), the receiver probably should have taken his route more to the right than he did to let the throw take the receiver away from the defender. I thought he generally had good velocity on his throws down the field.
I had that same kind of reaction. Ballsy first throw of the game when you get it in there. Stupid when you dont.
it was a very routine throw
we consider it 'ballsy' because we are still recovering from whatever it was we watched AM do the last 4 years
we have no clue what a functional passing game should look like & are scared to death any time the ball is in the air - and rightfully so
I'm kinda new to the game, a newbie since 1962.
AM would have pulled it down and run. Or airmailed it 5 yards over everybody's head.
I do watch about 12 hours a day on Saturday during the football season, I think I've seen a functional passing game from a couple teams. Watch Gabriel from OU throw a 10 yard pass and see if Thompson has that type arm. I'm just hoping Thompson plays within his level of talent and help this team move the chains, and yes, a minimum of QB errors would be a HUGE upgrade.
Likely the closest NU had to a functional passing game was in 1972 when Humm was the QB, and then again Ferragamo. But, as we all know, NU made their bones running the ball and good D.
I think unless and until NU gets a decent OL the word "routine" offensive football remains to be seen. NU went 2 plays yesterday before getting a penalty.
I will agree, us NU fans have shook our heads so many times during the Frost/Riley regime
we sit around during the game, waiting for something bad to happen. Too often it does.
No one can tell a darn thing from lame spring ball because they just don’t go hard. Not saying they should, because of injury risk.
That said, I saw game highlights on YouTube and it leads me to thinking about the next coach… sorry boys it’s gonna happen.
That said, I saw game highlights on YouTube and it leads me to thinking about the next coach… sorry boys it’s gonna happen.
Was boring as ****. Stopped watching when what's his name who I've never heard of was QB in the 3rd ****ing quarter.
I get they don't want injuries or to show stuff on film. But from a fan perspective, not worth watching AT ALL.
I get they don't want injuries or to show stuff on film. But from a fan perspective, not worth watching AT ALL.
No, that's not a throw you will routinely see in CFB at all. Guys are generally much more open in CFB, making it unnecessary.
The idea that Martinez couldn't or didnt make throws into coverage is pretty silly. We mostly took bubbles out of the playbook last year and he completed 62% of his passes while we ranked 6th in the country in yards per pass attempt. 3 option teams were 1-3. Georgia and Ohio St were 4th and 5th.
I was thinking Callahan ran a fun spring game in 2006. If I remember correctly the just put the starters against the rest of the bunch and let Zac Taylor put up Nintendo numbers on them. I mean it didn’t help the team any that day, but it was fun for the crowd, so since they aren’t really evaluating things that much anyways, why not go that route again???
Callahan giving zero ****s was funny. That K st game with ganz still makes me laugh.
I'm starting to see it that way. It would be a lot more entertaining than what we've seen the last few years.
| Passing | C-A-I | Yds | TD | Long | Sack |
| Logan Smothers | 5-14-0 | 46 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| Chubba Purdy | 5-10-0 | 63 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| Matt Masker | 4-9-0 | 29 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Heinrich Haarberg | 4-7-1 | 78 | 1 | 34 | 0 |
| Jarrett Synek | 3-5-0 | 55 | 1 | 42 | 0 |
| Casey Thompson | 3-4-0 | 31 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Totals | 24-49-1 | 302 | 2 | 42 | 3 |
i spilled my Kool-Aid watching the game. The idea the game has become a gimmick is ridiculous. People can argued that there’s no point in going hard due to risk of injury, but why have spring ball at all with that logic? They do scrimmage during the spring. They die hit during the spring. So to say that for the spring game is BS. The one thing the coaches don’t get to see in practice is “can they do it with the spot light on”?
I feel like Scott is scared. Doesn’t want to show any bit of his hand, not because he’s got aces but because he knows he has shit.
He can play the “doesn’t want show Pat Fitz anything on tape” game but we’ve been hearing these excuses for years. Maybe just maybe he doesn’t want Nebraska beat writers or fans to make it a hard summer on him and the staff. Because when he doesn’t show a dam thing in spring ball, he’s only doing it for the first game of the year and we see how well that helped him last season.
Kind of a harsh take, but I understand it and mostly agree.
This weekend was the day to wash off the stink of old and be a new team. New players, new coaches, I was expecting a much different energy.
My kool-aid got spilled as well. I had such high hopes, and that pretty much got soured for me, but I don't want to be too negative about it.
Trying to look for bright spots, and the defense was one again for the most part.
I don't understand giving so many snaps to a QB who clearly isn't a very good passer, and the prick that appears to be starting only threw 4 balls? It makes me wonder if he might be secretly injured.
I guess the question remains on how the recruits liked their visit. That's probably one of the other positives that maybe we can take away from this. The atmosphere at the Spring Game is always pretty good.
Spring football doesn’t mean shit. It’s good to get reps but you literally get nothing to translate. My koolaid is low, but this wasn’t a tangible measuring stick for anything.
Agree...it was lucky. The guy wasn't open and he threw it anyways. That ball gets picked 90% of the time.
The offense was so boring. My only hope is Whipple wanted to save his secret offense for the real games. The o line was getting dominated by 3rd string guys.
I had it ass backwards Saturday. I watched the first half of the no contact scrimmage, then fell asleep and missed the whole second half. I've been watching the 2nd half on video, trying to make up my mind on some of the new players as well as looking for "improvement" from many of the returnees.
Since I'm about as critical as anyone on here, I really do like to see what they look like in live action before I decide on any player. Of course, I have zero say in the matter, but I do have opinions and I'm not afraid to put them out there.
I thought heading into the game, NU would look like a 6-6 team, maybe a 7-5 squad and hopefully not a 5-7 team, considering we have a few cupcakes on the schedule. (NU could be one of them). Without spending much time watching the video, I'm thinking NU is somewhere in that area.
Who leaves and who NU can bring in through the portal can move the dial on all those early #'s.
Maybe I missed it, but has anyone posted the Allen Iverson quote in this thread yet?
Good Lord.
Good Lord.
yeah, it's probably not fair to judge too harsh since it was no contact and guys are out.. BUT STILL... this wasn't the time to be worried about injuries and to actually evaluate some guys in a mock game like situation. At least that is what I would look at it like from a coaching perspective. To me, it wasn't an evaluation at all, more like a dog and pony show. At least the second half started to look more like football.
I thought we were potentially a 9 win team from all the hype lately, but that's now out the window for me. It will probably be a dogfight to get to bowl eligibility this year..
I thought one of the quotes out of CT was interesting, where he said the coaches were telling him to just focus on what he's doing and basically let the other coaches worry about the other players. I didn't make it through his interview.. can't stand listening to him.
I think it's okay to have an opinion.. but as some others have pointed out, the format wasn't great (due to injuries) and not being able to run 2 full teams. Which I think is garbage as well. We have how many walkons and you can't run 2 teams?
It just felt like Frostism's again. Being too secretive whether that is not running any good plays or possibly hiding guys injuries and general weirdness on offense again.
Contrast this with the defense, who after losing a lot of guys, showed up, looked good, played as a unit, and it seems Chins has those guys ready to play again, even with major changes in personnel.
It's hard not to contrast how those 2 squads look miles apart once again.
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
Can’t stand Notre Dame…but really impressed with their coach…- Latest: Lovethehuskers
-
-
