MR on the 4th and 1

[RedSea_rivals91325]

"On the fourth-and-one incomplete pass late in the fourth quarter, Riley said the play call "has options" and wasn't solely designed to go to the fade route. He said there was a hitch route on the left side (toCethan Carter) in addition to the fade. "There were other options on the play," Riley said."

Was one of the options running the ball for one yard, or kicking a pretty sure field goal?

 

[Foosball is the devil]

Tommy hinted in his PC that he saw one on one coverage and went for it. If he'd thrown it more inside it was a TD but he didn't execute.

 

[HuskerO58]

I'd rather we kicked the FG.

But since we didn't I was okay with the play call. TA just made the wrong decision.

 

[barney44]

That passing garbage on short yardage is just that.. Sorry but without the ability pick up short yardage on the ground there is no championship football to be played.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Tommy decided where he was going before the play. An out route was wide open. Poor coaching to have a QB who would do that or not know the situation or to play a QB who refuses to be coached.

 

[barney44]

I'd rather we kicked the FG.

But since we didn't I was okay with the play call. TA just made the wrong decision.

Throwing that football on 4th and short was the wrong decision. Why in the hell are we doing so when it isn't a strength of is?

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

this is on the coach ... you have to call plays knowing TA is going to make the worst possible decision every time

 

[HuskerO58]

Throwing that football on 4th and short was the wrong decision. Why in the hell are we doing so when it isn't a strength of is?

That's like when Nebraska was playing Texas, Terrance Nunn caught a 4th down pass for a 1st down (to win the game), then fumbled (Texas recovered) and people were blaming Callahan for that play call.

The play call was there. Also what if we run the ball and get stuffed? You're telling me that you still wouldn't complain about the playcall?

 

[CC_Lemming]

I don't like the play call given our QB situation and our completion percentage on the year. But those of you acting like you never throw the ball in 4th and 1 need to get a clue.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Throwing that football on 4th and short was the wrong decision. Why in the hell are we doing so when it isn't a strength of is?

The run up the gut worked great on the play before it.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

The run up the gut worked great on the play before it.

I agree...any good coach knows that you don't run the same type of play twice in a row. They needed to change it up a bit.

 

[Frostontheegrass]

The run up the gut worked great on the play before it.

The one where we hand it off three yards deep instead of a quarter back sneak?

 

[barney44]

That's like when Nebraska was playing Texas, Terrance Nunn caught a 4th down pass for a 1st down (to win the game), then fumbled (Texas recovered) and people were blaming Callahan for that play call.

The play call was there. Also what if we run the ball and get stuffed? You're telling me that you still wouldn't complain about the playcall?

How is it ever a good thing to throw the ball on 4th and short unless you're playing the trickery card like Texas did against Nebraska in the 96 B12 title game? You and I both know that Tommy isn't Joe Montana yet we decide to put him in to that situation on 4th and short? That is not a good call when taking the skill set in to consideration.

 

[Chief Wiggum_rivals246870]

Langs did it in the 2Q too, 1st and 10, we get a solid 7 then pass pass pass...this was after Tommy had thrown 2 INT...ran on them all day basically, but Langs has the pro mentality OC...pass to set up the run.

 

[Ewooc]

"On the fourth-and-one incomplete pass late in the fourth quarter, Riley said the play call "has options" and wasn't solely designed to go to the fade route. He said there was a hitch route on the left side (toCethan Carter) in addition to the fade. "There were other options on the play," Riley said."

Was one of the options running the ball for one yard, or kicking a pretty sure field goal?[/QUOTEa

I think many are putting all these plays calls directly on the shoulders of MR and staff. Yes a simple I back formation run would have probably been a better option. If we had a better qb many of these "iffy" play calls would have probably been converted. Then MR loose like a genius.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

Langs did it in the 2Q too, 1st and 10, we get a solid 7 then pass pass pass...this was after Tommy had thrown 2 INT...ran on them all day basically, but Langs has the pro mentality OC...pass to set up the run.

3.6 yards per carry ???

 

[HuskerO58]

How is it ever a good thing to throw the ball on 4th and short unless you're playing the trickery card like Texas did against Nebraska in the 96 B12 title game? You and I both know that Tommy isn't Joe Montana yet we decide to put him in to that situation on 4th and short? That is not a good call when taking the skill set in to consideration.

Again, what would you be clamoring about if we attempted to run the ball and it got stuffed? Or if that 4th down was converted by a passing play?

If nothing was open on that play then I'd agree with you, but the play was there and unfortunately Tommy made a poor decision.

If you're worried about TA's skill set on a play like that then TA shouldn't be playing at all. You and I both know that Riley has no other choice than to play TA.

 

[Chief Wiggum_rivals246870]

3.6 yards per carry ???

In that scenario, 3.6 yards = first down, instead of the bowel movement he called...

 

[barney44]

Again, what would you be clamoring about if we attempted to run the ball and it got stuffed? Or if that 4th down was converted by a passing play?

If nothing was open on that play then I'd agree with you, but the play was there and unfortunately Tommy made a poor decision.

If you're worried about TA's skill set on a play like that then TA shouldn't be playing at all. You and I both know that Riley has no other choice than to play TA.

I'm set on the run, you wont hear a lot of complaining from me when it comes to a focused run game. You wont gain on every play out of the backfield but you're better off trying to convert 4th and short by doing so. Success or failure you'll never see me agree with 3rd and short passes in the college game, this isn't the pros. Tommy is more than likely to make a poor decision on those plays which is exactly the problem with the call. If we had a better man at QB then I wouldn't have such a problem with it even though I don't like it. Putting TA in to that situation is a recipe for failure. Just put the damn ball in to the RB's gut and open a hole, it takes the decision making for the a very poor decision maker out of the equation.

It would probably be more fair to say both share in the blame but quit putting the kid in to those situations when he's likely going to screw it up.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

In that scenario, 3.6 yards = first down, instead of the bowel movement he called...

3.6 yards per carry is a crap running game ..

 

[HuskerO58]

Just put the damn ball in to the RB's gut and open a hole

If only it was always that easy.

It would probably be more fair to say both share in the blame but quit putting the kid in to those situations when he's likely going to screw it up.

Agree 100%. End of the Illinois game is a prime example. I just don't believe the 4th down play was one of those I can agree on with you in terms of putting TA in a bad position.

Just to clarify I'd prefer a run play, but I was still okay with the play that was called. Good discussion.

 

[regionsdoc]

The one where we hand it off three yards deep instead of a quarter back sneak?

This

 

[SnohomishRed]

"On the fourth-and-one incomplete pass late in the fourth quarter, Riley said the play call "has options" and wasn't solely designed to go to the fade route. He said there was a hitch route on the left side (toCethan Carter) in addition to the fade. "There were other options on the play," Riley said."

Was one of the options running the ball for one yard, or kicking a pretty sure field goal?

cop out by Riley - same as the play call at the end of Illinois - bad decision

 

[RedSea_rivals91325]

I would have run it. If it got stuffed, then I would be disappointed, but I wouldn't feel that we picked a low percentage choice on a crucial play. Tommy was passing poorly all day. He threw more than 4 balls that could have been picked. So to ask him to complete a long touch pass, or to make the right checks before throwing, was a bad idea. Better in my mind try once more to run it.

 

[Lincoln100]

Tommy decided where he was going before the play. An out route was wide open. Poor coaching to have a QB who would do that or not know the situation or to play a QB who refuses to be coached.

Tommy is who he is. No amount of coaching is going to change it. The problem is this staff has to throw it when running it makes a lot of sense, and TA will never be able to make good decisions on a consistent basis. As I've said, Langs + TA = scary.

 

[HuskerO58]

cop out by Riley - same as the play call at the end of Illinois - bad decision

What did Riley say that was incorrect?

 

[Hard4Corn]

Should have kicked the field goal and made it a 1 score game. If not then I'd much prefer a running play from the I where we follow Jano through the hole. With all that said, that was really the only play call that I didn't like in the game. The rest of the f ups are on Tommy

 

[SnohomishRed]

What did Riley say that was incorrect?

Number one I disagree with the call of a pass play but that aside you give a QB like TA in a crucial situation the option to go for a low percentage pass and the big play as opposed to the safe and correct play- oh Geez based on his history what do you think he is going to do

 

[HuskerO58]

Again, what did he say that was incorrect?

 

[huskat]

Passing wouldn't have been an option when you kick the field goal.

 

[regionsdoc]

DL coaches like he's n the nfl. So many passes on 2&3, 2&4. The series before the half where we had 2&3 going into the wind and he passes 3 times. His running plays have no creativity AT ALL. Faking the wr sweep 20 times/game doesn't fool anyone. He has cross running east/west ? The guy is an awful OC.

Passing wouldn't have been an option when you kick the field goal.

l

 

[SoonerBeAHawk]

Okay, now this is where I have to step in and defend your program, your players, and your coaches.

I loved that play call.

 

[janne]

If you don't like you odds running the ball, use a tight formation, fake the run, and you will have a FB or TE wide open.

 

[N-sane]

If you don't like you odds running the ball, use a tight formation, fake the run, and you will have a FB or TE wide open.

T.E. was open on the play too, but TA had his mind made up before the snap.(He pretty much admitted that in post game)

 

[Charlie Marlow_rivals363743]

T.E. was open on the play too, but TA had his mind made up before the snap.(He pretty much admitted that in post game)

Yep, and this is why I'm not so down on Riley, etc. Would like to see what they can do with a QB that can make the right decisions a high percent of the time.

 

[UNIowaHawk]

"On the fourth-and-one incomplete pass late in the fourth quarter, Riley said the play call "has options" and wasn't solely designed to go to the fade route. He said there was a hitch route on the left side (toCethan Carter) in addition to the fade. "There were other options on the play," Riley said."

Was one of the options running the ball for one yard, or kicking a pretty sure field goal?

First, yes I am an Iowa fan so take it worth a grain of salt. This is pretty disheartening to hear from a coach. It sounds like he's trying to cover his own *** by blaming it on the QB by saying he had other options. That may be, but you take the high road.

 

[JHball]

Tommy hinted in his PC that he saw one on one coverage and went for it. If he'd thrown it more inside it was a TD but he didn't execute.

Then in that case Tommy is not smart

 

[Harry Caray]

The bigger issue is why we didn't kick the field goal to make it a one-possession game. Another questionable decision by our veteran head coach.

 

[planored]

I didn't have an issue going for it there myself.

 

[HuskersMan34]

"On the fourth-and-one incomplete pass late in the fourth quarter, Riley said the play call "has options" and wasn't solely designed to go to the fade route. He said there was a hitch route on the left side (toCethan Carter) in addition to the fade. "There were other options on the play," Riley said."

Was one of the options running the ball for one yard, or kicking a pretty sure field goal?

I honestly think we didn't kick the field goal because Riley didn't want the team to have to try and get a TD and 2 point conversion to tie the game late. I think he knows that's an environment laden with failure for his QB.