I was watching my recording of the Nebraska game today. We give Bajakian a lot of heat, and deservedly so. But the offense's struggles aren't all on him. Sometimes, it's just terrible execution and individual breakdowns.
Take the first drive of the second half. NU is trailing 10-6. On first down, Sully throws a quick out to Johnson, in front of the corner who is in soft coverage. It was a poor throw by Sully and Johnson had to dive for it, but it was a completion for five yards. It's second-and-5. On the next play, everyone on the offense moves in unison on Sully's count -- except Carsello, who snapped the ball late. False start. Now it's second-and-10. Sully throws a perfect strike to Johnson on a slant, right between the linebackers, and he just drops it. It hit him right in the numbers and would have been a first down. Then, on third-and-10, Nebraska blitzes, and NU has the perfect play call, a screen to Porter. He catches the pass, turns upfield and is tackled by Gifford because Tiernan whiffs badly on his block. (Actually, both Carsello and Tiernan were out there. If either of them can block Gifford, that was a first down and more.)
Just a pathetic sequence: a penalty, a drop and a missed block on successive plays, and NU punts.
Take the first drive of the second half. NU is trailing 10-6. On first down, Sully throws a quick out to Johnson, in front of the corner who is in soft coverage. It was a poor throw by Sully and Johnson had to dive for it, but it was a completion for five yards. It's second-and-5. On the next play, everyone on the offense moves in unison on Sully's count -- except Carsello, who snapped the ball late. False start. Now it's second-and-10. Sully throws a perfect strike to Johnson on a slant, right between the linebackers, and he just drops it. It hit him right in the numbers and would have been a first down. Then, on third-and-10, Nebraska blitzes, and NU has the perfect play call, a screen to Porter. He catches the pass, turns upfield and is tackled by Gifford because Tiernan whiffs badly on his block. (Actually, both Carsello and Tiernan were out there. If either of them can block Gifford, that was a first down and more.)
Just a pathetic sequence: a penalty, a drop and a missed block on successive plays, and NU punts.
Last edited:
