Coach Mike Riley, seemingly already on the hot seat after the dismal 2015 campaign, often spoke of achieving an appropriate balance offensively. Most in the fan base thinks the proper balance begins and ends with the run, and there is sound thinking behind that.
Certainly, it seems Riley and offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf prefer to throw, to a fault an reminiscent of the forgettable tenure of Bill Callahan. Evidence in this critical failure in coaching staff application occurred earlier this season where, after leading throughout, the 'Huskers proceeded to give a game away at Illinois. Not willing or able to run adequately, the staff instructed Tommy Armstrong to attempt 45 passes in freezing and windy weather, which produced four interceptions, and the end result was a completely unacceptable loss.
There were far too many of those this season, and the staff is no doubt aware continuance of these failures will result in their termination. However, out on the farm at the Foster Farms Bowl, Nebraska demonstrated what an optimal offense, for the Big Red, might look like.
I used to love the old option offensive attack, where when performed with precision, was a thing of beauty. Firing that onslaught of the Big Red machine at folks was just tremendous, but, sadly, the game has changed dramatically, and I do not think it could be as effective today. There is far too much speed on the defensive line with most potential opponents, and it is much more difficult to recruit the top athletes necessary to run it. Wide receivers dream of touchdowns, knocking getting coaching points for knockdown blocks on the perimeter. Option performers do not translate so well with NFL futures, so players will go where the can aim to perfect their NFL craft.
However, it is out on the farm where a blueprint for success, one which would match the history of Nebraska football with the game of today, and that is found at Stanford. Under David Shaw, Stanford uses a punishing offensive line, runs when they want to and can when they need to, but uses both short and long passing games to compliment their total attack.
Nebraska offered a similar attack against UCLA. The Big Red ran early and often, establishing physicality and control, which in turn allowed Tommy Armstrong to be effective, and lethal, in the pass game. Imani Cross ran inside, with Devine Ozigbo running strong inside and outside and making a nice catch out of the backfield. The fullback was relevant with Andy Janovich (will miss him in 2016), and a long list of targets collected Armstrong throws, most notably, freshman sensation Stanley Morgan, Jr.
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| Stanley Morgan, Jr./WR Nebraska Photo/Erza Shaw/Getty Images |
Nebraska ended the evening having tremendous offensive success, establishing an identify, and providing a base for future offensive operation, which opens the entire field for everyone, and allows quarterback play to be guided to maximize defensive deficiencies.
Defensively, UCLA freshman quarterback sensation Josh Rosen would be quite a challenge for the Blackshirts, who although improving in recent weeks, have been very suspect. UCLA got out to a 21-7 lead, and Rosen is as advertised, but you had the feeling the Husker D was up to the task on this evening. Up front, we saw some tenacity that was often missing in the season. One area Nebraska has been strong is stopping the run, and they were stout. The linebackers were active and although there were expected lapses, the secondary played pretty well.
Of course, as what is becoming customary, Nate Gerry was inexplicably tossed for targeting. His tackle which got him disqualified was among the most fundamentally sound tackles most have recently seen. These penalties are way to subjective, are hurting the game and are in fact simply out of control. It must be addressed.
UCLA underachieved this season, which is becoming a pattern for the Bruins, but they are a talented bunch and defeating them in the Foster Farms Bowl is something to be proud of. As mentioned, an offensive blueprint may have been found on the fertile ground on the farm, one which will effectively and successfully blend 'Husker heritage with the offensive complexities of the current game.
Nebraska in 2015 was very young, and if the players are buying in, with a good recruiting class, there is no reason to think the Big Red cannot win the 2016 B1G Ten Western Division.
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