Nebraska takes on the Idaho State Bengals Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network with kickoff set for 2:35 p.m.
Idaho State, coached by Dan Kramer is 1-1 on the season. The Bengals play in front of crowds that average 6,000 people at home. Members of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly 1-AA) they beat the juggernaut of Black Hill State (South Dakota) last week 38-5.They lost at Air Force in their season opener.
Idaho State will pass the ball all over the place. They average over 60 passes a game and 443 yards through the air each week. Quarterback Kevin Yost (6-foot-1, 195 Pounds, Senior) is 81 of 109 (74.3 percent) passing for 809 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. He is not a threat running ball at all.
The Bengals are undersized compared to Nebraska at every spot on both offense and defense. The most talented group are the receivers for Idaho State. Derek Graves (6-0, 175, Sr.) has an unbelievable 30 catches in two games. He averages only nine yards per reception as part of the Bengals quick short passing game. Josh Hill (6-5, 229, Sr.) leads the team with two touchdown catches from his tight end spot. The other main weapon is Cam Richmond (6-2, 195, Jr.) with 20 grabs in 2012.The receivers are good, but the depth and talent of the Husker secondary will keep the Bengals under control.
Idaho State does not run the ball a lot, mostly using screen passes as an extension of their running game. Freshman Xavier Finney (5-11, 205) is the man man carrying the ball with 49 yards per game and three touchdowns on the season.
The offensive line is truly the smallest Nebraska has faced in many years. From tackle to tackle the Bengals average just over 6-3 and only 276 pounds per man. Right guard Mark Clampitt (6-2, 283, Sr.) is the leader of a unit that Nebraska has a major advantage over in this game. The Huskers third team defensive lineman and below should see some significant playing time in this game.
Defensively, Idaho State lines up in a 3-4 defensive look. As a team the Bengals give up over 292 yards rushing per game and just 121 yards through the air. Mitch Beckstead (6-0, 227, So.) leads the team with 19 tackles as a weakside linebacker. Nose tackle Austin Graves (6-2, 245, So.) has 2.5 sacks and linebacker Demetrious Allen (5-11, 217, So) also has two sacks this season. The defense will be chasing the Big Red offense all afternoon on Saturday.
On special teams, Idaho State does not really stand out. Punter C. J. Reyes (5-7, 190, So.) averages over 45 yards per punt. Kicker Brendon Garcia (5-11, 150, Jr.) has not been impressive early in the 2012 season. Idaho State has not shown much big play ability in the return game this season as well.
Simply Nebraska is a better football team than Idaho State. The Huskers are more talented at every position on the field than the Bengals. The Huskers will be able to stop Idaho State with ease and score at will. This is a game where the Nebraska reserves will see almost all the action in the second half. Look for Nebraska to dominate all parts of the game in a 59-20 win over Idaho State.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Nebraska to Win Wild Game With Red Wolves
Nebraska gets started early Saturday morning with an 11:05 kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln against Arkansas State.
Both teams come into the ESPN2 televised game with a 1-1 record. The Red Wolves are coached by Gus Malzahn, the former offensive coordinator at Auburn when the Tigers won the National Championship in 2010.
Arkansas State can move the football, with 575 yards per game, including 303 per contest passing and 272 rushing. An up-tempo, no-huddle offense is orchestrated by quarterback Ryan Aplin (6-foot-1, 199 Pounds, Senior).Aplin completes 59.7 percent of his passes (52 of 87) with four touchdowns and one interception this season. He is a former Nebraska recruit that can also run the ball, averaging 55 yards rushing. His dual threat talents will hurt the Husker defense at times today. He will spread Nebraska out and throw the ball all over the field.
The running game is led by David Oku, (5-10, 199, Jr.) averaging 105 yards per game on the ground with one touchdown. Frankie Jackson (5-9, 197, So.) also sees some time at running back. The small backs are quick and elusive, very good on draw plays out of the shotgun spread formation.
The Red Wolves will almost always have four or five receivers on the field offensively. Josh Jarobe (6-3, 198, Sr. leads the team with 19 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman J.D. McKissic (5-10, 184) is second with 12 receptions this season. Julian Jones (6-0, 190, Jr.) is the deep threat with big-play speed. The passing game will throw a lot of underneath passes trying to get mismatches against slower linebackers and safeties in pass coverage..
The offensive line averages 6-3 and 300 pounds from tackle to tackle.Center Eric Allen (6-1, 291, Sr.) and right tackle Zack McKnight (6-4, 300, Sr.) lead the way. This offensive line will use wide spaces similar to what Texas Tech did under Mike Leach to also create running lanes for the backs.. This group does not have to protect for a long time because Aplin moves well and releases the ball quickly.
The Red Wolves defense gives up yards and points in bunches. Middle linebacker Nathan Herrold (6+3, 235, Sr.) paces the team with 20 total tackles and a forced fumble. He is the heart and soul of the defense. This season Arkansas State is allowing 42.5 points and 449 yards per game. The defense gives up 231 yards per game passing and 218 on the ground. The defensive line has a big run stopper in tackle Ryan Carrethers (6-2, 310, Jr.), while the small secondary is led by cornerback Chaz Scales (5-9, 167, Sr.) with one interception this season. The defense of Arkansas State is much less powerful than the solid offensive group.
In the kicking game Brian Davis (5-11, 182, Jr.) is 4-of-6 (66.7 percent) on field goals with a long of 43 yards. Punter Neely Sullivent (6-0, 195, Sr.)averages 38.4 yards per punt with one kick blocked this season. Oku and Rocky Hayes (5-10, 177, Fr.) both are solid kick returners. Hayes is a defensive back that may also get a few carries in the offensive backfield. McKissic handles the punt returns.
Nebraska is reeling in all facets of the game right now. This game could shape up like the 2007 NU-Ball State game won by the Big Red 41-40 that signaled the beginning of the end for Bill Callahan at Nebraska. This game will be a test, but I think Nebraska will find a way to win over Arkansas State. The Red Wolves have talent on offense to keep the game in doubt to the fourth quarter. I like Nebraska to win today by a score of 45-30.
Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
Both teams come into the ESPN2 televised game with a 1-1 record. The Red Wolves are coached by Gus Malzahn, the former offensive coordinator at Auburn when the Tigers won the National Championship in 2010.
Arkansas State can move the football, with 575 yards per game, including 303 per contest passing and 272 rushing. An up-tempo, no-huddle offense is orchestrated by quarterback Ryan Aplin (6-foot-1, 199 Pounds, Senior).Aplin completes 59.7 percent of his passes (52 of 87) with four touchdowns and one interception this season. He is a former Nebraska recruit that can also run the ball, averaging 55 yards rushing. His dual threat talents will hurt the Husker defense at times today. He will spread Nebraska out and throw the ball all over the field.
The running game is led by David Oku, (5-10, 199, Jr.) averaging 105 yards per game on the ground with one touchdown. Frankie Jackson (5-9, 197, So.) also sees some time at running back. The small backs are quick and elusive, very good on draw plays out of the shotgun spread formation.
The Red Wolves will almost always have four or five receivers on the field offensively. Josh Jarobe (6-3, 198, Sr. leads the team with 19 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman J.D. McKissic (5-10, 184) is second with 12 receptions this season. Julian Jones (6-0, 190, Jr.) is the deep threat with big-play speed. The passing game will throw a lot of underneath passes trying to get mismatches against slower linebackers and safeties in pass coverage..
The offensive line averages 6-3 and 300 pounds from tackle to tackle.Center Eric Allen (6-1, 291, Sr.) and right tackle Zack McKnight (6-4, 300, Sr.) lead the way. This offensive line will use wide spaces similar to what Texas Tech did under Mike Leach to also create running lanes for the backs.. This group does not have to protect for a long time because Aplin moves well and releases the ball quickly.
The Red Wolves defense gives up yards and points in bunches. Middle linebacker Nathan Herrold (6+3, 235, Sr.) paces the team with 20 total tackles and a forced fumble. He is the heart and soul of the defense. This season Arkansas State is allowing 42.5 points and 449 yards per game. The defense gives up 231 yards per game passing and 218 on the ground. The defensive line has a big run stopper in tackle Ryan Carrethers (6-2, 310, Jr.), while the small secondary is led by cornerback Chaz Scales (5-9, 167, Sr.) with one interception this season. The defense of Arkansas State is much less powerful than the solid offensive group.
In the kicking game Brian Davis (5-11, 182, Jr.) is 4-of-6 (66.7 percent) on field goals with a long of 43 yards. Punter Neely Sullivent (6-0, 195, Sr.)averages 38.4 yards per punt with one kick blocked this season. Oku and Rocky Hayes (5-10, 177, Fr.) both are solid kick returners. Hayes is a defensive back that may also get a few carries in the offensive backfield. McKissic handles the punt returns.
Nebraska is reeling in all facets of the game right now. This game could shape up like the 2007 NU-Ball State game won by the Big Red 41-40 that signaled the beginning of the end for Bill Callahan at Nebraska. This game will be a test, but I think Nebraska will find a way to win over Arkansas State. The Red Wolves have talent on offense to keep the game in doubt to the fourth quarter. I like Nebraska to win today by a score of 45-30.
Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Nebraska to Win a Road Test at UCLA
Nebraska returns to action Saturday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California where the 16th ranked Cornhuskers face the UCLA Bruins. Both teams are 1-0 on the season. UCLA defeated Rice 49-24 last week in Houston, while the Big Red rolled over Southern Mississippi in Lincoln last week by a 49-20 count. The game will be nationally televised on the Fox Network with kickoff set for 6:35 p.m. CDT.
UCLA is coached by Jim Mora Jr., whose father was a successful coach in the United States Football League and National Football League. The younger Mora was the head coach of both the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks before taking the UCLA job after last season. He is known for being a strong defensive minded coach.
The Bruins were impressive last week offensively, although Rice over the last several years has been one of the bottom defensive teams in the country. Rice has been ranked in the bottom twenty defensive teams in the nation the last decade.
Quarterback Brett Hundley (6-foot-3, 223 pounds, Freshman) was the offensive catalyst for the Bruins last week, passing for 202 yards on 21 of 28 passes (75 percent) with two touchdowns and one interception. Hundley also ran for 79 yards and had a 72-yard touchdown dash against Rice. He has the tools to cause problems for Nebraska, but the Husker defense will have some surprises in store for Hundley because of his inexperience.
UCLA ran for 368 yards against the bad Rice defense but will certainly be a challenge for the defense of Nebraska. Johnathan Franklin (5-11, 195, Sr.) ran for 218 yards and three scores last week. He is talented but the Blackshirts will slow Franklin down considerably. James Jordon (5-8, 193, So.) and Damien Thigpen (5-8, 178, Jr.) also catch the ball well out of the backfield.
The passing game was effective last week for UCLA. The Bruins will pass more down the field than Nebraska saw against Southern Mississippi. The key man to contain is tight end Joseph Fauria (6-7, 255, Sr.). Fauria is a physical presence that the Huskers will have to account for in the passing game. The top wide receivers were not a major part of UCLA's passing attack last week.
The Bruins have a very young offensive line. Three freshmen and a sophomore start up front for UCLA. the leader is right guard Jeff Baca (6-3, 295, Sr.). Watch right tackle Simon Goines (6-7, 324, Fr.) to be a rising star. As a unit UCLA averages over 6-4 and nearly 299 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. The Husker defensive front has a major edge in experience in this matchup.
Defensively, UCLA employs a 3-4 look. They gave up 358 yards last week against Rice, with 174 yards rushing and 184 yards passing. Defensive end Datone Jones (6-4, 275, Sr.) is the best playmaker up front while Owamagbe Odighizuwa (6-3, 270, Jr.) was a prized recruit that picked UCLA over Nebraska two years ago.
The top linebacker for the Bruins is Damien Holmes (6-2, 250, Sr. He needs to keep UCLA in the right alignments if the Bruins are to contain the Husker offense. Eric Kendricks (6-0, 230, So.) paced UCLA with 11 tacles last week against Rice. Cornerback Sheldon Price (6-2, 180, Sr.) had an interception last week and has the most physical skills in the UCLA defensive backfield.
The Bruins were almost as poor in special teams last week as Nebraska was. Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (6-0, 171, Fr.) had three extra points blocked last week. Punter Jeff Locke 6-0, 207, Sr.) averaged 43.7 yards per punt last week and handles kickoffs. Freshman Steven Manfro (5-9, 192) looks to be a threat as a kick returner for UCLA.
Nebraska will be tested on the road by UCLA, but the Huskers have a much more veteran team than the Bruins. I the Huskers limit their mistakes I look for the Huskers to post a 35-24 victory in the Rose Bowl over UCLA.
Look for my post game comments early Sunday and thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
UCLA is coached by Jim Mora Jr., whose father was a successful coach in the United States Football League and National Football League. The younger Mora was the head coach of both the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks before taking the UCLA job after last season. He is known for being a strong defensive minded coach.
The Bruins were impressive last week offensively, although Rice over the last several years has been one of the bottom defensive teams in the country. Rice has been ranked in the bottom twenty defensive teams in the nation the last decade.
Quarterback Brett Hundley (6-foot-3, 223 pounds, Freshman) was the offensive catalyst for the Bruins last week, passing for 202 yards on 21 of 28 passes (75 percent) with two touchdowns and one interception. Hundley also ran for 79 yards and had a 72-yard touchdown dash against Rice. He has the tools to cause problems for Nebraska, but the Husker defense will have some surprises in store for Hundley because of his inexperience.
UCLA ran for 368 yards against the bad Rice defense but will certainly be a challenge for the defense of Nebraska. Johnathan Franklin (5-11, 195, Sr.) ran for 218 yards and three scores last week. He is talented but the Blackshirts will slow Franklin down considerably. James Jordon (5-8, 193, So.) and Damien Thigpen (5-8, 178, Jr.) also catch the ball well out of the backfield.
The passing game was effective last week for UCLA. The Bruins will pass more down the field than Nebraska saw against Southern Mississippi. The key man to contain is tight end Joseph Fauria (6-7, 255, Sr.). Fauria is a physical presence that the Huskers will have to account for in the passing game. The top wide receivers were not a major part of UCLA's passing attack last week.
The Bruins have a very young offensive line. Three freshmen and a sophomore start up front for UCLA. the leader is right guard Jeff Baca (6-3, 295, Sr.). Watch right tackle Simon Goines (6-7, 324, Fr.) to be a rising star. As a unit UCLA averages over 6-4 and nearly 299 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. The Husker defensive front has a major edge in experience in this matchup.
Defensively, UCLA employs a 3-4 look. They gave up 358 yards last week against Rice, with 174 yards rushing and 184 yards passing. Defensive end Datone Jones (6-4, 275, Sr.) is the best playmaker up front while Owamagbe Odighizuwa (6-3, 270, Jr.) was a prized recruit that picked UCLA over Nebraska two years ago.
The top linebacker for the Bruins is Damien Holmes (6-2, 250, Sr. He needs to keep UCLA in the right alignments if the Bruins are to contain the Husker offense. Eric Kendricks (6-0, 230, So.) paced UCLA with 11 tacles last week against Rice. Cornerback Sheldon Price (6-2, 180, Sr.) had an interception last week and has the most physical skills in the UCLA defensive backfield.
The Bruins were almost as poor in special teams last week as Nebraska was. Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (6-0, 171, Fr.) had three extra points blocked last week. Punter Jeff Locke 6-0, 207, Sr.) averaged 43.7 yards per punt last week and handles kickoffs. Freshman Steven Manfro (5-9, 192) looks to be a threat as a kick returner for UCLA.
Nebraska will be tested on the road by UCLA, but the Huskers have a much more veteran team than the Bruins. I the Huskers limit their mistakes I look for the Huskers to post a 35-24 victory in the Rose Bowl over UCLA.
Look for my post game comments early Sunday and thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I am back!
Well, after the trials and tribulations of having the post fail last week I am back to follow the Huskers. Anyone who knows me knows how much it hurt not to have my preview available and thanks to the many of you that wanted to see my thoughts. (Just for the record my prediction was Nebraska 27, Southern Mississippi 17.
The preview for the UCLA game will be out on Wednesday and I hope you enjoy it.
My apologies for last week and I hope you enjoy the preview tomorrow.
The preview for the UCLA game will be out on Wednesday and I hope you enjoy it.
My apologies for last week and I hope you enjoy the preview tomorrow.
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