Switching QBs

Dean Pope

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2001
13,288
1,055
0
There was a moment in the 2nd half where I thought Frost was going to make a bold move. He was putting in Smothers and put his suddenly struggling starter on the sideline for a series. Suddenly adding the element of a running QB when the offense needed a kick start! Pretty ballsy to bench a QB who played so well earlier in the game! Very unlike Frost. But we've seen opponents switch QBs with success against us so why not? First play Smothers gains 7 and a 15 yard face mask tacked on! 2nd play- wait, Thompson is back in. Nebraska loses 7 yards and punts. Never mind.

Does anyone else see an opportunity for Nebraska to change momentum in games by switching to a running QB? At least for a serious or two?
 

JOHNNY N

Heisman
Sep 24, 2003
109,994
39,220
0
I don’t think Casey is our problem. He played great for most of the game. If our Caucasian receivers could finish a route or catch a ball he wouldn’t have 2 picks
What does their skin color have to do with it?
 

Scat_Back

Redshirt
Sep 5, 2018
5,093
2
2
The guy had like 2 bad throws with zero running game…struggling he was not. I feel bad for him. It is play calls like that onside kick that seriously make me question the integrity of the game. The only reason you call a play that works >10% of the time when you’ve just snatched momentum back is if you are actively trying to hand back the game. Friends and I all agreed watching that. It was sickening.
 

Dean Pope

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2001
13,288
1,055
0
Casey was struggling?
I thought he was. Or maybe he was just red hot to start the game and the off target throws that we saw in the 2nd half are more of the norm? I'm not trying to criticize Thompson with this either. Thompson was getting pressured pretty badly in the 2nd half. It's more of an advocacy for switching to a QB who can hurt a team with his scrambling or keeping it on a zone read.
 
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GeorgeFlippin

Heisman
May 29, 2001
38,554
35,533
113
Four things in a nutshell that cost Nebraska the game:

DEFENSE

Turnovers

Frost

And one of the most idiotic special team plays, EVER! (Oh wait, that falls under Frost, never mind).

Lack of running game other than a long td run.

;)
 

JOHNNY N

Heisman
Sep 24, 2003
109,994
39,220
0
I thought he was. Or maybe he was just red hot to start the game and the off target throws that we saw in the 2nd half are more of the norm? I'm not trying to criticize Thompson with this either. Thompson was getting pressured pretty badly in the 2nd half. It's more of an advocacy for switching to a QB who can hurt a team with his scrambling or keeping in on a zone read.
I thought he missed 2 throws.
 

Scat_Back

Redshirt
Sep 5, 2018
5,093
2
2
I thought he was. Or maybe he was just red hot to start the game and the off target throws that we saw in the 2nd half are more of the norm? I'm not trying to criticize Thompson with this either. Thompson was getting pressured pretty badly in the 2nd half. It's more of an advocacy for switching to a QB who can hurt a team with his scrambling or keeping in on a zone read.
The QB switch looked like a classic Frost “outsmart” move. He got out-coached by a mile, again. Just a disaster to watch inferior teams beat us like a drum for 3 hours. Defense was disappointing and looked like a big step backwards on the front 4.
 

Hephusker44

Senior
Nov 30, 2011
3,339
871
113
I thought he missed 2 throws.
He ignored checkdowns in the flats there were wide open and was forcing the middle late. They adjusted and he/we did not. Thompson is OK...not great ...maybe better than AM but not by that much IMO. Needs to tuck and run a bit.
 

Hephusker44

Senior
Nov 30, 2011
3,339
871
113
I’m prejudice and believe if you are a slow white WR your defining ability should that you are able to catch or in Oliver’s case actually put forth effort
your obsession with the color of the receiver is weird and inappropriate. You can question the use of a backup in that situation without making a racist comment.
 

JOHNNY N

Heisman
Sep 24, 2003
109,994
39,220
0
your obsession with the color of the receiver is weird and inappropriate. You can question the use of a backup in that situation without making a racist comment.
It's America. He can be a racist if he wants. And honestly I prefer when they raise their hands and let you know who they are. Makes it easier to identify the ********.
 

JabroniBlvd

Redshirt
Nov 5, 2005
1,390
4
0
Palmer, Castaneda, Washington, Belt...maybe Manning if healthy. No one else should be in the game at WR
 
Dec 4, 2007
2,397
313
0
The guy had like 2 bad throws with zero running game…struggling he was not. I feel bad for him. It is play calls like that onside kick that seriously make me question the integrity of the game. The only reason you call a play that works >10% of the time when you’ve just snatched momentum back is if you are actively trying to hand back the game. Friends and I all agreed watching that. It was sickening.
I stopped watching after the fumble, but up to that point there was only one running play designed for outside the tackles, flysweep with Palmer. Just like last year, there is zero in game adjustments to give the offense a chance. When you don't adjust to stop what is not working (inside running) how can you expect different results? I am far from an expert but when you only use about 3-4 running plays from your playbook, the defenses will stop you.
 

SickOfPractice

Redshirt
Oct 10, 2021
2,997
1
0
I wanted to see QB#2 get a series or 2 in this game. I was a little disappointed Smothers wasn't left in for awhile as the RPO isn't working if CT isn't willing or able to run with it occasionally.
 

JabroniBlvd

Redshirt
Nov 5, 2005
1,390
4
0
NW dropped back and played zone all game...hence we should have been able to run the ball. CT should have had a few designed runs or pull outs to keep them honest. Rahmir Johnson should have 100% played. Ervin also possibly.
 

Scat_Back

Redshirt
Sep 5, 2018
5,093
2
2
I wanted to see QB#2 get a series or 2 in this game. I was a little disappointed Smothers wasn't left in for awhile as the RPO isn't working if CT isn't willing or able to run with it occasionally.
I’m sorry but this is just a horrible take. Casey Thompson looked outstanding. He’s the starter Pulling him would have made this game far worse. Would be on par with kicking an onside kick up 11 points to completely hand back over the game.
 

Headcard

Heisman
Feb 2, 2005
192,508
20,877
113
I would have liked to see Smothers play at least a series. The QB run game is tough to defend and NW struggled against it big time last year. We mix and match personnel all over the field, to put players in a position to succeed, no reason QB should be any different. I also think Casey got a bit rattled and a change of pace would have helped him.
 
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Nov 28, 2016
3,382
803
92
Do you watch the games?
I watched the game. I praised the Defense last year but saw a lot of breakdowns in this game (poor tackling, poor communication, not much pass rush). Definitely has to get better because right now it is bad. Tackling was atrocious.

The O-line did improve some in pass protection but run blocking was still terrible. Grant made them better than they are. Still need a talent upgrade. O-line still proved they are not BIG-10 caliber.

I agree with OP, Casey Thompson is not a problem. Big time upgrade over AM (quicker release, better passer, goes through progressions quicker).
 

king_kong_

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2021
24,413
4
0
I’m prejudice and believe if you are a slow white WR your defining ability should that you are able to catch or in Oliver’s case actually put forth effort
would be nice

why again do you want Oliver's position coach to take over the head job?

we should've listened when Mickey literally said he stinks as a coach and relies solely on talent
 

cubsker_rivals142943

All-Conference
May 29, 2003
18,603
3,797
0
Thompson played fine, but let's not act like he was all world out there. He missed Trey running free multiple times on deep corner routes, he throws short passes way too hard, he threw a couple of awful balls on 12 yard out routes, and he threw a few balls that were catchable but certainly behind the receiver. Vok caught a couple of those because he looks to be a pretty damn good player.
 

Dean Pope

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2001
13,288
1,055
0
The QB switch looked like a classic Frost “outsmart” move.
Maybe you're right. But I think Frost's outsmart moves pertain to on side kicks and when he was OC wasting time adding on more and more plays to the game sheet while the offensive couldn't even line up right, but not switching QBs.

I don't know what the stats were but there must have been a big difference between Thompson's 1st and 2nd half stats- although that long pass off the scramble helps.
 

redwine65

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2010
10,844
2,161
113
I don’t think Casey is our problem. He played great for most of the game. If our Caucasian receivers could finish a route or catch a ball he wouldn’t have 2 picks
palmer is white? I sen it bounce off his hands a couple times
 

SLOHusker

Sophomore
Aug 7, 2001
2,740
123
0
Casey was a little off in the second half. That was undeniable. Had he hit Turner that was a TD. There were a few throws that were off target or with too much velocity on short tosses. I don't blame him but letting him get settled for a series made more sense than pulling Smothers after one good play.
 

HuskerBruce81

All-American
Nov 7, 2012
39,978
6,010
113
The guy had like 2 bad throws with zero running game…struggling he was not. I feel bad for him. It is play calls like that onside kick that seriously make me question the integrity of the game. The only reason you call a play that works >10% of the time when you’ve just snatched momentum back is if you are actively trying to hand back the game. Friends and I all agreed watching that. It was sickening.
Wouldn't surprise me to hear a breaking report that points were being shaved. Not saying it's happening. Just saying I wouldn't be shocked
 

putemintheaisles

Redshirt
Apr 29, 2022
353
0
0
I would rather switch linebackers than qbs for the record.
My god, I rewatched the game and Nick Henrich can't be on the field. Undersized, slow, can't tackle, can't shed blocks and liability in pass coverage. LOL what in the hell has this team come to.
 

HuskerBruce81

All-American
Nov 7, 2012
39,978
6,010
113
I wanted to see QB#2 get a series or 2 in this game. I was a little disappointed Smothers wasn't left in for awhile as the RPO isn't working if CT isn't willing or able to run with it occoccasionally
That's the only issue I have with him. All throws weren't perfect but in this offense he needs to be able to make the read and take off. Missed about 4 of those. If the QB won't run our designed runs are worthless