Run Defense Concerning

[broken record]

This was a critical win and I expected a tough game. Overall, not bad. The W is a relief. But the inability to stop the run in a conference that is run-heavy conference is a huge concern.
NU has a couple games to clean up the tackling and run D and test out its ability to stretch the D with longer passes.

 

[dinglefritz]

This was a critical win and I expected a tough game. Overall, not bad. The W is a relief. But the inability to stop the run in a conference that is run-heavy conference is a huge concern.
NU has a couple games to clean up the tackling and run D and test out its ability to stretch the D with longer passes.

We don’t have anybody in our D line who commands double teams. We had two interior DL last year a lot of teams had to double.

 

[Laner2]

Keona Davis getting hurt is a kick in the nards.

 

[dinglefritz]

Keona Davis getting hurt is a kick in the nards.

No. I didn’t catch that.

 

[salsa red]

no pass rush, no sacks, offensive line pushed around too

 

[Walleye 1]

no pass rush, no sacks, offensive line pushed around too

Oline had there moments. I for a time in the game they really had a good push. Strange game in Kansas City. I was encouraged at times. First game down. I think they will be on

 

[broken record]

no pass rush, no sacks, offensive line pushed around too

The OL seemed pretty good. Corleone is a mismatch for almost every team and will play in the NFL. I'll not dwell on Pritchett's whiff and false start right now.
The DL was a non-factor. Huge holes and zero pressure.

 

[VictoryRed]

That Dline is as bad as I thought it would be. We're looking at maybe 7 wins as of tonight.

 

[OxfordComma]

I agree run D was concerning, but there was some concern about that after losing Ty and Nash. More of a concern and a surprise is that the passing game had trouble clicking. Offense was bailed out by EJs productivity. Which reminds me that we have nobody behind him.

 

[broken record]

I agree run D was concerning, but there was some concern about that after losing Ty and Nash. More of a concern and a surprise is that the passing game had trouble clicking. Offense was bailed out by EJs productivity. Which reminds me that we have nobody behind him.

The next two games I would use EJ only enough to get a decent lead. In fairness, Cincy does have a decent OL and this is game 1. But run D has to improve a lot in the next few weeks or it will be a challenging year.

 

[Anon1707625086]

First game, Davis out. Oline sucked. Dline who knows, we sold out on the pass. Offensively struggled more than I thought.

 

[NormanDale]

This was a critical win and I expected a tough game. Overall, not bad. The W is a relief. But the inability to stop the run in a conference that is run-heavy conference is a huge concern.
NU has a couple games to clean up the tackling and run D and test out its ability to stretch the D with longer passes.

Couldn't agree more. I have faith we'll make the correct adjustments

 

[Spinner4]

Good in the passing game. Both sides. Bad at rush D. Only have one running threat. Nothing shocking

 

[Bigred2467]

Did Cam Lenhardt do anything? I saw him in there a lot, but I didn't hear his name mentioned during the broadcast.

 

[RChrisReade]

Team lost two stalwarts on DL and spent NIL money on OL. Not a surprise that DL looked shaky in game 1.

 

[SantaBarbaraSker.]

This was a critical win and I expected a tough game. Overall, not bad. The W is a relief. But the inability to stop the run in a conference that is run-heavy conference is a huge concern.
NU has a couple games to clean up the tackling and run D and test out its ability to stretch the D with longer passes.

.

 

[Nuts McClanahan]

Keona Davis getting hurt is a kick in the nards.

Didn't Davis return later?

 

[Nuts McClanahan]

Oline had there moments. I for a time in the game they really had a good push. Strange game in Kansas City. I was encouraged at times. First game down. I think they will be on

Cincinnati had a monster in there at nose tackle. I think that his presence is what allowed Cincy to play that 3 deep look and those safeties really did a nice job flying up to the ball & tackling.

 

[Pennsyhuskers]

This is the first game and improvement will probably happen. Also, Cincinnati may be better than we thought. Their QB certainly has some wheels. And that may explain why we had minimal pass rush. You have to play to contain him. Special teams were also clearly better.

All that said, this looks, based on one game, like a six win team at best if we continue to play at the same level. Our rushing defense was squishy, our rushing offense very inconsistent in the second half when we needed it the most, Raiola had pressure on him almost every pass play, and Holgorsen’s vaunted play calling looked pretty much the same as previous years. We also had trouble turning promising drives into touchdowns just like previous years.

This was one of those wins that feel like an overall buzzkill despite the W. This was not a dominant performance. Cincinnati looked every bit our equal in talent and physicality. That is not a good sign.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

This is the first game and improvement will probably happen. Also, Cincinnati may be better than we thought. Their QB certainly has some wheels. And that may explain why we had minimal pass rush. You have to play to contain him. Special teams were also clearly better.

All that said, this looks, based on one game, like a six win team at best if we continue to play at the same level. Our rushing defense was squishy, our rushing offense very inconsistent in the second half when we needed it the most, Raiola had pressure on him almost every pass play, and Holgorsen’s vaunted play calling looked pretty much the same as previous years. We also had trouble turning promising drives into touchdowns just like previous years.

This was one of those wins that feel like an overall buzzkill despite the W. This was not a dominant performance. Cincinnati looked every bit our equal in talent and physicality. That is not a good sign.

It will be extra negative, at least here in Nebraska, because they did not cover.

A win but no cover with a small line doesn't leave a good taste in most fans mouth.

Normally by mid-week things are "okay" after any win but this week it will linger until Saturday when NU is in a lose-lose game vs a lame team.

 

[Shimmer003]

I want to give the dline time before I go too hard on them. Certainly concerned but they also looked good for half the game. Not sure how much of a pass rush we were going for…their qb scramble was one of their best plays. Felt like we were trying to just keep him in the pocket for a lot of the game. We won’t face many teams with a running threat as good as cincy’s qb. Hopefully we are better vs a traditional run scheme. Also… we are very young and inexperienced up front. Hopefully they can grow up fast. 4th quarter was concerning.

 

[Huskers12345]

At least we won. We absolutely lose this game any opener the last at least 7 years. Yes, the run d is beyond concerning.

 

[dinglefritz]

no pass rush, no sacks, offensive line pushed around too

Kinda my take too. That mobile QB was a problem

 

[dinglefritz]

At least we won. We absolutely lose this game any opener the last at least 7 years. Yes, the run d is beyond concerning.

If that game was held in Cinci, we probably lose.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Kinda my take too. That mobile QB was a problem

The scary thing is he is not even all the mobile, he is just not a statue. I think that Michigan QB will run for 150 against NU.

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

Middle DLine needs to do more on its own. It felt like Butler didn't necessarily trust them, sending extra guys.

I'm also a bit concerned that they cannot play against the no huddle. We were shuffling guys off and on while they were already lined up. We didn't look ready for it.

 

[Huskers12345]

Middle DLine needs to do more on its own. It felt like Butler didn't necessarily trust them, sending extra guys.

I'm also a bit concerned that they cannot play against the no huddle. We were shuffling guys off and on while they were already lined up. We didn't look ready for it.

Im also concerned the extra guys couldn't lay a hand on him. What a **** show for a DC is supposedly all about bringing pressure. This was my fear with Butler. Another on the job trainee. Yay.

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

Im also concerned the extra guys couldn't lay a hand on him. What a **** show for a DC is supposedly all about bringing pressure. This was my fear with Butler. Another on the job trainee. Yay.

Didn't seem like they disguised much of anything on it

 

[Walleye 1]

We won…. yes parts were ugly. They have some work to do. But we generally lose a game like this. Need to make that proverbial coach speak jump from week 1 to week 2.
1-0 looks a lot better than 0-1 no matter how the game went.

 

[Huskers12345]

We won…. yes parts were ugly. They have some work to do. But we generally lose a game like this. Need to make that proverbial coach speak jump from week 1 to week 2.
1-0 looks a lot better than 0-1 no matter how the game went.

I will say it's nice to get that W out of the way, have 2 home games we should easily win and then get a home conference opener. Akron got beat 10-0 by Wyoming last night.

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

Nebraska really needs to improve the next two games, #4 is going to be a rough one if they don't.

Nebraska won most of the statistical battles, they need to run the ball better and get more production in 40 minutes of possession time.

 

[cubsker15]

If that game was held in Cinci, we probably lose.

Some false starts were huge plays for us.

 

[Anon1656882651]

Didn't Davis return later?

yes, he was in there with 50 seconds left in the game from what i saw... #97....Anyone got an update on Bonner ....im thinking knee sprain....hopefully no long term knee injury

 

[BadgerPete]

Some false starts were huge plays for us.

Only 3 penalties which is a huge improvement. But, first down on the one yard line and you false start, come on. You don't even need to come out of your stance and EJ would have scored on a dive.

 

[BadgerPete]

yes, he was in there with 50 seconds left in the game from what i saw... #97....Anyone got an update on Bonner ....im thinking knee sprain....hopefully no long term knee injury

I agree with knee or ankle, hopefully he will be back for Michigan. No matter the pain, don't fumble the ball, which is what happened.

 

[Bigred2467]

NM

 

[Husker88]

Hopefully this game was a statistical anomaly.

Total Offense: 356 vs 271
Turnovers: 0 vs 2
TOP: 40 minutes vs 20

Just looking at those key stats I would say the final score would be something like 23-3. Somehow they scored 17 points with 2 turnovers and little yards.

 

[OxfordComma]

I thought we were in control when we went up 20-10 in the 4th, but our defense couldn’t get a stop from that point on until the game ending pick. And we couldn’t respond offensively, in part because of a drive killing sack.

It was shaping to be one of those gut punch games. Just before the pick, I was wondering if this might go to overtime. And we all know how that would turn out.

But somehow, we made a single play to win the game. Past teams would have lost. The best thing about the game was that we didn’t choke it away.

 

[lifer56]

Absent improvement up front, we’re going to have to start loading the box to stop the run. Especially if Davis is out for any significant time, that’s not an easy fix.

Of course, that forces our DBs to play good man-to-man coverage. Given what we saw last season from a couple of current starters, that’s pretty darn frightening.

I’m hoping we have some athletic dawgs at DB able to step up and fill that void.

GBR!!

 

[cubsker15]

Only 3 penalties which is a huge improvement. But, first down on the one yard line and you false start, come on. You don't even need to come out of your stance and EJ would have scored on a dive.

I meant the ones on cincy. Our crowd definitely played a role. On our false start, our crowd was way too loud. Dylan should have quieted them before going under center. He did on two or three other occasions, but didn't there.