Husker Report Card: Louisiana-Lafayette

by Husker Mike on Sep 27, 2009 10:31 PM CDT in Football Comment 6 comments

Louisiana quarterback Brad McGuire gets squished by Nebraska's Matt O'Hanlon. (AP Photo/Dave Weaver)

I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about this report card. On one hand, it's hard to find much fault with a 55-0 shutout. But truth be told, as I watched the game, I saw plenty of missed opportunities by the Huskers and while the Huskers overcame those problems, they are still worth noting. Perhaps I'm guilty of raising my expectations, but I think this team is capable of playing at a higher level...hence the following grades.

As always, your feedback is encouraged!

QB: Zac Lee returned to machine-like precision, completing 15 of 18 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. But he did show some indecision on scrambling at times. Last week's performance doesn't look quite as bad when you consider how Jacoby Harris performed against the Hokies yesterday. So we'll call it an A-.

IB: Roy Helu didn't get untracked in the rushing game, but did have a nifty pass reception. Would have scored if not for Niles Paul getting in the way. Rex Burkhead showed great speed and balance on his touchdown catch. B-

WR: Curenski Gilleylen is becoming a deep threat that will make defenses pay for putting too much pressure on Lee. Chris Brooks is finally starting to live up to the promise of the recruitniks. But it was another quiet week for Niles Paul and Menelik Holt. B-

OL: Truth be told, I would have expected the line to plow the road for the I-backs yesterday. Jacob Hickman was especially erratic on shotgun snaps early on, aiming several at Lee's face or higher. That can't happen against Big XII competition. C

DL: With the linebackers out of place to cover spread offenses, it falls on the defensive line to put a stop to the running game. The results could be better, but overall, I'd rate it ok. On pass defense, Ndamukong Suh and Jared Crick continue to wreak havoc up front. Barry Turner seems to be turning the corner as well. B+

LB: Phillip Dillard seems to have found a home at weakside linebacker, while Sean Fisher is starting to make some plays. He could have scored on a fumble return if he hadn't been tackled by his teammate. B-

Secondary: Of all the bad luck, Larry Asante and Rickey Thenarse needed assistance to leave the field. Thenarse nearly blocked a punt, and Asante returned an interception for a touchdown P.J. Smith looked a little shaky at first but should grow into the role after he gets comforatable. Eric Hagg led the team in tackles. Only one long (32 yard) pass was allowed, which is a sign of improvement. B+

Special Teams: Normally I don't grade these, but I wanted to give special mention to Alex Henery. Not only was he perfect on field goals, but he uncorked a 55 yard bomb on a punt that would have probably hit Jerry Jones new TV set if the game were played in Dallas. Oh, and that 55 yard punt landed at the 2 yard line and bounced straight left towards the sideline. Dean Jase was unfairly flagged for a monster hit on punt coverage that caused a fumble. Then Tim Marlowe showed great speed in getting downfield to cover another punt at the 1 yard line. Rex Burkhead looked good returning punts too. A+

Coaching: A good defensive game plan, and Shawn Watson took what the Cajuns gave yesterday. Watson needs to get the play calls in faster, though. One play call must have gotten completely lost in translation in the second quarter, forcing Lee to call timeout while in the huddle. B+

Overall: B Lots of good things, but a few too many things went awry. You can get away with that against Louisiana-Lafayette...but not against Missouri and Kansas.

Elsewhere in College Football

ESPN Talking Heads F Last week, we heard all about how "Miami was back" and Penn State was Top 5. Puh-leaze.

Missouri C+ Congratulations: You're the third-best team to beat Nevada this season. Blaine Gabbert is showing great poise, but his line can't handle MAC and WAC defenses. Danario Alexander looks to finally be recovered from his knee injury; he's becoming one of the elite receivers in the league.

Kansas B- Great job handling Southern Miss and the Jayhawk hoopsters last week.

Poll

Rate the Huskers performance against Louisiana

A 55-0. How could you ask for anything more?

43 votes

B Looked great on the scoreboard, but there's still room for improvement

125 votes

C Yeah, it was a blowout...but many teams would have blown these guys out last night.

29 votes

D Way too many mistakes that the Cajuns didn't capitalize on.

1 votes

F Not happy with last night at all.

0 votes

198 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 6 comments

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Comments

B for Zac Lee

He took a long time in the huddle and at the line, to the point he had to waste some time outs and take a couple of delay of game penalties.

by alacy9513 on Sep 27, 2009 10:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Seriously.

The sheer amount of awesome contained in those throwbacks can not be fully measured.

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by RPT on Sep 27, 2009 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You're right...

I should have given those jerseys a A+. I’d suggest adopting that script on the numerals full time. My only complaint was the lack of names on the backs of uniforms, because when the subs came in during the second half, we were left unaware of who was out there unless the PA announcer gave it. Had to wait until I got home to know it was Dean Jase who clobbered that punt returner.

by Husker Mike on Sep 28, 2009 6:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about some love for Cam Meredith?

He looks like a big-time speed rusher, and with the offenses we face in conference he could be in for a nice year.

Also very impressed with Fisher, he looked to be swimming in it the first couple games, but now he’s really making some nice plays.

I read the INT return was the first for a touchdown since 2002. Seven years!

by awolfson on Sep 28, 2009 12:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Time for a change...

Congrats to the football program for the 300th sellout….it’s a remarkable feat. I’m sure we’ll be selling out seats well into the era of gravity boots and holographic referees.

That said, it’s time for a change in attitude. Saturday seemed like a feel-good win….but what I consider a feel-good win is what I watched Saturday night on ESPN. Again, for the second straight year, I watched the Hawkeyes approach a game unranked, disrspected, overlooked, and hungry. They took care of business and beat yet another top 10 team. I’m getting more jealous than I can stand!

I lived in Omaha for my first 25 years, and after 10 in Des Moines I can say that I have been more impressed by the Iowa coaching staff than anything coming out of Lincoln since Osborne. That includes Bo Pelini, if only because he hasn’t had a lot of time. But he has had one shot at winning a big game, and didn’t come through. I’m not drinking any red kool-aid until we start beating the big boys. Until then, we are just a bully for the weak teams.

One thing jumped out at me when watching that UI-PSU game. There was a sense of progression and almost predictability. Both teams were clearly going in certain directions, and there was never a doubt as to who was going to end up on top. Reminded me of the old Husker teams that would wear down the opposition…and you could just sense the impending breakdown of the ooponent. Nowadays, watching the Big Red can feel like shaking the magic 8-ball on every series. That’s not fun to watch, it’s nerve-racking! And you can’t beat the big boys like that.

Here’s to another 100 sellouts, but lets not forget that winning the big games is the most important thing. Isn’t that why we packed the stands in the first place?

by Mr. Corn on Sep 28, 2009 7:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs