** Official Spring Game Thread **

[Uenth]

I'm so sad! I missed the game.

I didn't see a lot of it. Listened to parts of the first half while I was out running errans. Saw a it of the second half but I had housework (gag) that had to get done this afternoon so I was mostly just peeking in from time to time. So it goes.

I said it on Chat that there are indeed some positives but still lots to work on. That is not unexpected (the lots to work on).

 

[kmillz]

I thought we looked like a 4 win team.

 

[Huusker]

I am grateful it was a real game and not patty-cakes two-hand touch like it has been in recent years. A few players got banged up but they've got 100+ days to heal.

A lack of depth at QB cost us maybe two additional wins last year. In the B1G, you can't have a big drop off between QB1 and QB2. The starter WILL get hurt at some point and you must have someone almost as good to come in and lead. With this in mind, I was encouraged that Sims looks like someone who can compete for the starting job or step in (see Illinois game last year) when the starter goes down.

I also hope we can harness the athletic abilities of Haarberg and Smothers if they fall down into the QB depth chart. Both have good running ability and seeing them constantly on the bench is such a waste of talent.

It sure was nice to see Fearless Frankie back in the fold. I'm sure he always will have some hard feelings, but I hope today started a reconciliation that brings him back to the stadium repeatedly.

 

[Jimbosc]

Fumble had a good summary of what I saw - couple more things.

Yes we WILL line up under center and use a fullback.
I like the offensive scheme overall - lots of combo blocks in the run game that had a chance for more yards but playing sound defense got runners to the ground most of the time.

The defense will attack - lots of blitzes and action. I think that will be be good - no more letting teams pick us apart - but we also will have some games where we get burned a few times

Speaking of burns - really no big plays by the offense. They are going to have to find those in real games. I think we have guys that can make the plays - so most of it was play calling and what reads the QBs took. None of the shots they did take worked.

Work to do in many places - one more thing - Ben Scott LAUNCHED a few dudes during live action - I like that guy.

 

[Bummerbry]

Quick observations:

After 15 practices or whatever I think we should be fairly happy with what we saw today. Brand new defense that I wasn’t unimpressed with. New players, some that looked really good. Some true freshmen, early enrollees that looked better than some of the more experienced players on the team which is not something we’re used to seeing!

Obviously a lot to work on but we have the right HC to make the improvements.

I 100% believe the incoming freshman kicker Tristan Alvano will be the #1 place kicker when the season starts next fall. He’s head and shoulders better than what’s on our roster currently.

All that little said, I wouldn’t use today to make any predictions about next season. Way too early into this new staff and team and if they learn at the rate they appear to have so far, maybe we’ll have a little more success than we’ve been used to lately next season!

 

[Doc Fumble]

Brand new defense that I wasn’t unimpressed with.

I had to read this three times before I could decide whether or not I agreed with you----I decided I do!

When you consider the heart of last year's returning defensive didn't play today, I wasn't unimpressed with their play today either.

I 100% believe the incoming freshman kicker Tristan Alvano will be the #1 place kicker when the season starts next fall. He’s head and shoulders better than what’s on our roster currently.

I 100% AGREE WITH THIS! ^^^^

 

[QuerqueQuirky]

I didn't see a lot of it. Listened to parts of the first half while I was out running errans. Saw a it of the second half but I had housework (gag) that had to get done this afternoon so I was mostly just peeking in from time to time. So it goes.

I said it on Chat that there are indeed some positives but still lots to work on. That is not unexpected (the lots to work on).

Thanks for the recap. Hope your errands got done and your house is clean. I dislike housework as well. Well, dislike is a mild term for how I feel!

 

[RED ED]

I'm so sad! I missed the game.

I am sure the B1G network will replay it, and i would bet it’s on YouTube soon

 

[Husker99]

Showed great improvement. Loved the Fullback trap. GBR = God Brought Redemption in the form of Matt Rhule praise the Lord. We are Back

Okay. We haven't even played a single game yet. I, like everyone else, want to believe we're "back" (meaning to winning and national relevance) but let's temper the enthusiasm.

1. The offense is very much a work in progress. Too many fumbles and dropped passes.

2. OL was inconsistent at best.

3. Defense looked decent but is it because the offense isn't great?

4. Special teams was difficult to get a feel for because of the odd kick off method used and we did miss a FG.

Overall, the Spring Game was entertaining, I saw some good and not so good things. I think Nebraska is on the right track, but I thought that before early in Pelini and Frost's coaching tenure. All signs are pointing to a promising future, but we are most likely 2 or so years away from truly knowing if we're back or not.

 

[Husker99]

I thought we looked like a 4 win team.

I hate to admit I was thinking the same.

I think with a little luck 6 wins might be possible, but it wouldn't surprise me if we have another losing season in 2023.

Edit: What *would* surprise me is if this team found a way to get 7 or 8 wins in 2023.

 

[Pavlov's Dog]

Good news! We learned where we are at RIGHT NOW! This fits in with Coach Ruhle's way of fixing things which starts with an honest assessment of what needs to be done.
More good news! Our first game at Minnesota is a ways away. Lots of time to get better.
More good news! Sims is a definite threat in the run game.
More....
We have a solid group of running backs that will push each other.
Dline looks strong
Bryce did NOT put his uniform on inside out, shoes were on the correct feet, and he got on and off the field with vim and vigor.





I admit I missed almost everything as I was dealing with a contractor on work on the house. heheh.

 

[Doc Fumble]

1. The offense is very much a work in progress. Too many fumbles and dropped passes.

I thought the first quarter and a half, the execution looked good. It got sloppier as the game progressed---which was why it was good practice for them to have to run through a whole game. When was the last time you can recall well-executed Husker football for four straight quarters?

2. OL was inconsistent at best.

I thought they looked better but frankly, that's not a hard bar to cross.

3. Defense looked decent but is it because the offense isn't great?

Be it the OL or our defensive play, it's hard to evaluate these things from a Spring ball game.

4. Special teams was difficult to get a feel for because of the odd kick off method used ...

I actually liked that approach to kick-offs. The only downside I see to CFB adopting it would be that it would make onside kicks really, really HARD.

...and we did miss a FG.

As @Bummerbry pointed out earlier, our new FG kicker isn't on campus yet.

Overall, the Spring Game was entertaining, I saw some good and not so good things.

I thought it was GREAT to see them actually play a real game and allow us to watch individual players in live action. That said, it was a good reminder for sunshine-pumpers like me that we are a 4-8 ballclub until we play Minny next fall.

 

[Righteous Red]

I was taken aback by lack of offensive output by both teams.
*White Team rushing 48/146 for 3yd average
*White Team passing 13/27/1 for 154 yds
*White Team average/play 4yds

*Red Team rushing 23/45 for 2 yd average
*Red Team Passing 13/27/1 for 105 yds
*Red Team average/play 3 yds

I have absolutely have no idea whether this was because the offense was so abysmal or the defense was sparkling.

A lot to sort out during summer workouts and fall camp.

 

[Chris]

I have absolutely have no idea whether this was because the offense was so abysmal or the defense was sparkling.

.[/QUOTE]

Neither. There was nothing "abysmal" about the O- they showed more versatility and diversity than we've seen in a while. Sims looked very good, our RB's and WR/TE's showed potential. It's REALLYU early with a new regime and there were a few moments of the yips.
Defense wasn't sparkling either but I like what I'm seeing from this play freely style of the D after one brief glimpse.

 

[oakley100]

I thought the defense looked really good. Much more team speed. Gang tackling, good open field tackling. The offense may have had 1 play for 15 yards or more. It's nice to see a newly installed defense come in and dominate. Personally I thought the offense would dominate. Through out the spring the offense said it was tough to prepare for this new defensive scheme as its hard to know where the pressure is coming from.

 

[innmc]

Just get to a bowl game and have a good defense and I'll be hap-happy

 

[oakley100]

Just get to a bowl game and have a good defense and I'll be hap-happy

We need to think more optimisticly. This new staff is head and shoulders above the previous staff. They are teaching accountability, technique, stressing development, goal setting, team work and practicing at full speed. It was nice to see the entire Spring game being played at full speed and not touch football. I want 9 or 10 wins and a spot in the BTN championship game. Personally I think more injuries occur when your practice is soft,compared to going at each other at 100 percent. It teaches you how to prepare for and absorb a shock. Plus it teaches you how to play fast and it provides the coaches with better evaluation of each player. GBR!!!

 

[innmc]

Running game has a long way to go. A lot of big plays by some defensive players. All the QB's look good to me. Our problems are still on the O line

 

[innmc]

 

[justino52]

OL and DL is where the team makes it or breaks it this year. The OL needs to be better and improve. The DL has to replace some players and sort out who starts on the first line and who starts on the 2nd line. There are some young players that will play this year.
The defense will be interesting. I can see how it can be a matchup nightmare. But I also envision where they will give up big chunks and have trouble in the run because players are new and positions are new and interchangeable. The DL will need to make some plays in the run game.
The LB could be really good if everyone stays healthy but we know Reimer and Heinrich have not to this point. So there will need to be lots of depth.
Kicking game.....needs to be better.
I will be interested to see who enters the portal this month and who comes aboard.
All in all I'm excited for the future.
And yes, it was nice to see a FB play.