NU Report Card, 9/24: Troy
RUNNING GAME (A)
This is the best Marlon Lucky has looked in Husker red. The sophomore showed a tremendous burst, particularly on his two first-half touchdown runs. Kenny Wilson is also maturing and showing more flashes of his speed. These two are starting to become a one-two punch. Great blocking up front. What’s happened to Cody Glenn?
PASSING GAME (A)
Zac Taylor was having his way with the Troy defense. Other than the late first-half interception, the passing game was dominant. Taylor took advantage of various weapons. Terrence Nunn, Maurice Purify and Nate Swift were big names this time. Taylor took a couple of hits, but overall had solid protection and ample time.
AGAINST THE RUN (A)
Nothing to really complain about here. A side note: Ty Steinkuhler can really motor for a defensive lineman.
AGAINST THE PASS (A)
The defensive line was extremely dominant, probably the most dominant we’ve seen this year. Suffice it to say Omar Haugabook will wake up this morning feeling a bit sore. The pressure disrupted Troy’s spread offense, which never really got going. Where were these holding penalties last year?
SPECIAL TEAMS (A)
Dang … anyone else wishing Brandon Rigoni had scored on Troy’s dropped punt snap? Good coverage on kicks and punts. Nebraska coaches had regarded Leodis McKelvin as one of college football’s most dangerous return men, but McKelvin was never a factor. Great open-field tackle by Ricky Thenarse on one of the first-half returns. Why is it that on so many punt returns, the ball comes dangerously close to touching somebody?
GAME MANAGEMENT AND PENALTIES (C)
Too many big penalties, even though the Huskers overcame the flags that forced first-and-forever on their second drive. The late-hit penalty on Nate Swift kind of took the air out of the long pass to Terrence Nunn late in the first half. Thanks, though, for inserting Joe Ganz midway through the third quarter. But did Wilson really need more carries in the fourth quarter?
PLAY CALLING (A)
Who knew Bill Callahan had a play to pick up a first down on first-and-35? Nebraska coaches took a lot of heat for last week’s plan against USC, but no gripes this time. Good to see the play book opened up a bit and get more of Nebraska’s weapons involved. Props also to Kevin Cosgrove and the defensive staff for being well-prepared against the spread.
OVERALL (A)
These guys were leading Florida State in the fourth quarter? Can’t believe that Larry Blakeney is very happy with this performance. Have to say, we expected a better showing from Troy. But for Callahan’s crew, a solid way to enter the Big 12 Conference season. Certainly no USC hangover here. Nebraska responded from its first loss by putting together its most impressive performance of the season, and one of its better overall games in the Callahan regime.
This is the best Marlon Lucky has looked in Husker red. The sophomore showed a tremendous burst, particularly on his two first-half touchdown runs. Kenny Wilson is also maturing and showing more flashes of his speed. These two are starting to become a one-two punch. Great blocking up front. What’s happened to Cody Glenn?
PASSING GAME (A)
Zac Taylor was having his way with the Troy defense. Other than the late first-half interception, the passing game was dominant. Taylor took advantage of various weapons. Terrence Nunn, Maurice Purify and Nate Swift were big names this time. Taylor took a couple of hits, but overall had solid protection and ample time.
AGAINST THE RUN (A)
Nothing to really complain about here. A side note: Ty Steinkuhler can really motor for a defensive lineman.
AGAINST THE PASS (A)
The defensive line was extremely dominant, probably the most dominant we’ve seen this year. Suffice it to say Omar Haugabook will wake up this morning feeling a bit sore. The pressure disrupted Troy’s spread offense, which never really got going. Where were these holding penalties last year?
SPECIAL TEAMS (A)
Dang … anyone else wishing Brandon Rigoni had scored on Troy’s dropped punt snap? Good coverage on kicks and punts. Nebraska coaches had regarded Leodis McKelvin as one of college football’s most dangerous return men, but McKelvin was never a factor. Great open-field tackle by Ricky Thenarse on one of the first-half returns. Why is it that on so many punt returns, the ball comes dangerously close to touching somebody?
GAME MANAGEMENT AND PENALTIES (C)
Too many big penalties, even though the Huskers overcame the flags that forced first-and-forever on their second drive. The late-hit penalty on Nate Swift kind of took the air out of the long pass to Terrence Nunn late in the first half. Thanks, though, for inserting Joe Ganz midway through the third quarter. But did Wilson really need more carries in the fourth quarter?
PLAY CALLING (A)
Who knew Bill Callahan had a play to pick up a first down on first-and-35? Nebraska coaches took a lot of heat for last week’s plan against USC, but no gripes this time. Good to see the play book opened up a bit and get more of Nebraska’s weapons involved. Props also to Kevin Cosgrove and the defensive staff for being well-prepared against the spread.
OVERALL (A)
These guys were leading Florida State in the fourth quarter? Can’t believe that Larry Blakeney is very happy with this performance. Have to say, we expected a better showing from Troy. But for Callahan’s crew, a solid way to enter the Big 12 Conference season. Certainly no USC hangover here. Nebraska responded from its first loss by putting together its most impressive performance of the season, and one of its better overall games in the Callahan regime.
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