Nebraska fans have to think that this is all some horrible dream, that soon they will wake up and it will be September 5th with the Huskers getting ready to start their season. But unfortunately this isn’t a dream, its a harsh reality that the Nebraska Cornhuskers found yet another way to lose in the final seconds, this time to a talented but flawed Wisconsin team. Nebraska failed to put away the Badgers despite leading 21-20 with just over a minute remaining in the game, as Wisconsin kicker Rafael Gaglianone nailed a 46-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to spoil a valiant effort from the Nebraska front seven. Here are my final grades for the Cornhuskers as well as some final thoughts about their performance this Saturday.
When Will It End? Nebraska Cornhuskers Season from Hell Continues
Nebraska Cornhuskers Game Grades
Quarterback: D
Tommy Amrstrong improved from his putrid performance against Illinois, but not by much, as the junior completed just 11 of 28 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while carrying the ball eight times for 50 yards and a touchdown. Armstrong’s footwork was terrible for the majority of the game, which affected his short yardage accuracy and cost the Huskers multiple opportunities to pull away from Wisconsin in the third quarter. After a solid performance during non-conference play, Armstrong has completed just 35.6% of his passes and is averaging a miserable 3.9 yards per pass attempt in Big Ten play. He has gone from a definitive strength for the Huskers to one of its main weaknesses in the past two games.
Running Back: C-
Nebraska’s running backs struggled to find room to run against a stout Wisconsin defense, as the Huskers three man rotation of Terrell Newby, Imani Cross, and Devine Ozigbo combined for just 89 yards on 24 carries. The saving grace for the Husker running backs was senior full back Andy Janovich, who carried the ball for 59 yards on three carries, including a 55 yard touchdown run with 3:38 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, the Husker running backs couldnt get the job done on the Huskers final drive, gaining just five yards on three carries and giving Wisconsin the ball back with just over a minute remaining.
Receivers: D-
What in the world happened to Jordan Westerkamp and Brandon Reilly? Both receivers were on pace for 1,000 yard seasons at the end of non conference play, but the pair has combined for just four catches for 32 yards over the past two games. A sizeable portion of the blame belongs to Tommy Armstrong, but these two have struggled mightily to seperate from Big Ten defensive backs through two games. Demornay Pierson-El had some nice moments in the screen game and Stanley Morgan made a great catch to keep the Husker drive alive, but neither were featured consistently enough to make a significant impact. The only thing keeping this unit from getting an “F” was Alonzo Moore’s tremendous 41 yard-touchdown catch late in the 1st half which gave Nebraska the lead and the momentum heading into the third quarter.
Tight End: B
Vince Biegel and Joe Schobert had a quiet night, and a sizable portion of the credit for that belongs to Cethan Carter and Sam Cotton, who did a decent job of run blocking on the edge and in pass pro. Carter also was Nebraska’s most consistent receiving target, leading Nebraska with three catches for 23 yards. The tight end position has been one of the few offensive bright spots for Nebraska the past few games along with Andy Janovich.
Offensive Line: C-
Nebraska’s offensive line paved the way for 187 rushing yards and didn’t allow a sack, but the stats don’t tell the entire story. The unit failed to consistently get a push in the run game, and guards Chongo Kondolo and Dylan Utter committed costly penalties that negated two big plays for the Huskers. I also can’t overlook the fact that the Husker offensive line got thoroughly whipped up front in the fourth quarter when Nebraska needed just one first down to win the game.
Defensive Line: B-
Maliek Collins and Vincent Valentine need to be commended, because those two played their hearts out on Saturday. Valentine made a huge impact in his first game back from a high ankle sprain, collecting a sack in the first half and being a consistent presence against the run. Collins played yet another tremendous outing despite being double-teamed the entire game. He is playing like an All-American right now. Greg McMullen had a solid first game as a defensive tackle, as his quickness made him tough for the Wisconsin guards to block. Jack Gangwish did a solid job of getting pressure on Joel Stave, and Dzuris had his moments in the first half. Unfortunately, the Husker defensive line wore down late, allowing Dare Ogunbowale to gash them for almost 100 yards rushing in the fourth quarter and getting zero pressure on Joel Stave in the 4th quarter.
Linebackers: B
It’s safe to say that the Nebraska linebackers have grown up since Big Ten play started, as Chris Weber and Dedrick Young continued their impressive seasons. Sophomore Marcus Newby had his breakout game against the Badgers, accumulating four tackles while also breaking up four passes and gave Nebraska a badly needed pass defender at the linebacker position. Josh Banderas and Michael Rose-Ivey are expected back from injury soon, but neither are guaranteed their starting jobs once they return, their replacements have played to well thus far.
Defensive Backs: F
I honestly don’t know what to make of Nebraska’s corner backs. The effort is there, and there are times that the corner backs look like legitimate FBS defenders, but far too often the Husker corner backs look terrified out there. The Nebraska corners play soft at the line of scrimmage, don’t look back for the ball, and panic when the ball is in the air. This led to the Huskers committing far too many pass interference penalties and giving up big plays in the fourth quarter that allowed the Badgers to come back and beat them. Early in the season, I was confident in Brian Stewart’s ability to fix the Huskers secondary issues, but after six games of horrid pass defense, I’m not sure if there is an in-house solution to the Huskers issues. I think the only real fix for the Huskers issues is to get JUCO all-American Devron Davis to commit to the Huskers and pray that he helps fix the 2016 Huskers secondary.
Special Teams: C
Sam Foltz was terrific as usual, averaging 43.8 yards per punt on his nine punts and pinning Wisconsin inside their 20 yard line twice. Unfortunately he was one of their few bright spots. Drew Brown missed his only field goal attempt from 52 yards, and Nebraska’s punt return game was non-existent while the mysterious absence of Demornay Pierson-El continued. Jordan Stevenson didn’t look good in his debut as Nebraska’s kick returner, it was odd when Nebraska pulled his red-shirt and looks even odder now.
Final Grade: D
After four massive punches to the gut, it is getting harder and harder for Nebraska fans to remain optimistic about Nebraska’s chances for the rest of this season. Nebraska is halfway through the season, but still has not played a complete four quarter game and is off to its worst start since 1959 because of it. Nebrsaka can still salvage their season with their next 6 games all winnable, but Nebraska needs to figure out who they are on offense and find someone who can play corner back for that to happen.
FINAL OBSERVATIONS
- I’m fully behind the Nebraska coaching staff, but they have completely butchered Nebraska’s running back position. There has been no consistency as it has shifted from a three man rotation to a feature back and then back to a rotation. The coaches needs to come up with a plan at the running back position and stick to it for the rest of the season.
- The Jordan Stevenson situation went from something odd to one of Mike Riley’s biggest blunders thus far in his Nebraska tenure. I just don’t see the point in pulling the red shirt from a highly touted recruit just to have him return kicks unless the kid is incredibly dynamic at that position. Stevenson proved on Saturday that he isn’t a dynamic kick returner, and the Husker coaching staff wasted a year of development for no apparent reason.
- I really hope that Maliek Collins sticks around for his senior season. After a slow start, the junior from Kansas City has been an absolute terror in Big Ten play and is really solidifying his claim to be a first or second round draft pick. If he returns, Nebraska will be five deep at defensive tackle, while losing only Jack Gangwish at the defensive end position.
- Something tells me that Patrick O’Brien will have a very good chance to be Nebraska’s first true freshman starter at quarterback next season. I love Tommy Armstrong’s toughness and mobility, but the last two games have really exposed him as a passer. I just dont think that Nebraska’s offense will take off until a true passiing quarterback takes over the job.
- Noah Fant visited Nebraska this weekend and wore Husker red despite being committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes. I would love to see Nebraska reel in Fant to play defensive end, but the Omaha native appears to have his heart set on playing tight end at the collegiate level.
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