Luke McCaffrey: A Cautionary Tale

[Charlie Marlow_rivals363743]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

 

[Huskers123456]

Ok? We know the winning formula with this team. Not the same formula with a Frost offense. Frost offense relied on the qb. This offense needs a qb to eat clock and not turn the ball over. Not close to the same.

 

[Yantzeee]

But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL

 

[Suh is King]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

Valid point. I would only point out that Adrian was a far better QB than Sims has shown. I also think HH is better than Luke. A week of film and prep against him, will show us if has true potential or not.

 

[Charlie Marlow_rivals363743]

Valid point. I would only point out that Adrian was a far better QB than Sims has shown. I also think HH is better than Luke. A week of film and prep against him, will show us if has true potential or not.

I would agree on all points. Will be interesting to see how it plays out from here.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

I would agree on all points. Will be interesting to see how it plays out from here.

It would make the most sense to just have HH do the same things against La Tech as he did with No. Illinois. Assuming HH has more tools available to him, the time to break those out would be against Michigan. No need in givng Michigan a preview.

 

[phoenix4nu]

Someone tell Satterfield not to call a sideways pass on the first play against La Tech.

 

[MargotDeeper]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

You've always been kinda creepy to me, but this, this stalking a college-aged boy is a bit over the edge.

 

[moralvictories]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

We should stick with Haarberg until he proves himself to be unworthy. We won't know how he holds up until we play against better competition, but he should have the starting job until he proves otherwise.

 

[Big bo fan]

But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL

the reason he left was he wanted to play QB , he transferred to Louisville quit and transferred to Rice because they told him no to QB after watching a couple of drills.Went to Rice wanted to be a QB . Told him no. He has basically ran out of transfers and options. It was WR or quit playing football. Let’s not make it more than it is.

 

[Mrs HuskerHusaria]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

Look who?

 

[Truewooper]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

There big difference where Nebraska was at. Adrian was technically a good QB who had issues finishing. Sims is a QB who can't catch snaps. Under SF Nebraska had to score at least 30 more like 40 points a game to win. Under MR and this defense you need like 20-24 max.

Also HH has a good arm but needs refinement. Luke actually couldn't throw the ball more than like 15 yards down field. HH's passing TDs have been legit scores while Luke's was a pop pass to Zavier Betts.

Something to note for sure but the bar is much much lower for The pirate to surpass than it was for Luke.

 

[HuskerAlum92]

But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL

He was a WR in HS until his senior year, when his famous dad took over as HS coach and installed him as QB. We offered him as QB because we had to in order to secure his commitment. At the time, one older brother Christian was a verifiable stud (still is) and another older brother Dylan was QB at Michigan. And landing him enabled Bernie to light up a cigar.

At the time, it was clear that his highest potential was at WR but we were one of the few teams willing to perpetuate his family’s fantasy of him being a QB. At the first hint of a position change, he transferred to Louisville for a week. When he heard position change there and hadn’t yet attended classes, he transferred to Rice. When he heard position change there, his family finally consented.

It would have been nice if Luke had embraced being a WR while here. But that wasn’t going to happen. And that is not really Frost’s fault, other than believing it was a chance worth taking.

 

[HuskerAlum92]

Nebraska giving Luke a chance as an FBS QB reminds me of the Broncos giving Tim Tebow a chance as an NFL QB.

Both assumed they were better than they were, deserved more, and didn’t fully appreciate the chance they were graciously given. And ultimately faced reality.

 

[Mack In Motion]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

The 2023 application of this lesson:

Sims should play WR.

 

[SuperBigFan]

But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL

I think he always knew he would be a WR but he always wanted to be a QB.

It just took time for him to figure it out.

Like marriage, he finally gave up and settled.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

The 2023 application of this lesson:

Sims should play WR.

He doesn't have enough speed or quickness to be a good WR. (Although, I like him a LOT more at WR at NU, simply because he would be out of the QB position and could hurt the team less).

 

[dinglefritz]

The 2023 application of this lesson:

Sims should play WR.

No. He should probably ride the pine for a couple of weeks and be ready to come in when Michigan clobbers Haarberg. I’m not sure Sims will even be healthy enough to play by Michigan.

 

[king_kong_]

when Michigan clobbers Haarberg.

noted

what about your boy purdy?

seemed to have michigans number for about 40 seconds last year

 

[BleedRed78]

Sims should play WR.

Have you seen his hands? Can't catch a shotgun snap...

Big RB if anything?

 

[inWV]

No. He should probably ride the pine for a couple of weeks and be ready to come in when Michigan clobbers Haarberg. I’m not sure Sims will even be healthy enough to play by Michigan.

Do we know the type of injury? High ankle sprain? If they kid can't run he can't play. NU isn't running a chuck and duck offense.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Have you seen his hands? Can't catch a shotgun snap...

Big RB if anything?

His best position is being a cheerleader on the sidelines and collecting his Amigo/John Deere money.

 

[dm1330]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

Yes he is at Rice and doing a great job, but it is as a WR. That is where he needed to be from day one. He has speed and who knows he may get a shot at the NFL if he keeps going at Rice. Granted it is Rice though.

 

[dinglefritz]

Do we know the type of injury? High ankle sprain? If they kid can't run he can't play. NU isn't running a chuck and duck offense.

The last QB at NU who had a “high ankle sprain” actually had a fractured fibula and torn interosseus ligament. Who knows what his actual injury is.

 

[steinek11]

I think he always knew he would be a WR but he always wanted to be a QB.

It just took time for him to figure it out.

Like marriage, he finally gave up and settled.

We always hoped he’d figure it out at Nebraska, but no.

 

[Truewooper]

Nebraska giving Luke a chance as an FBS QB reminds me of the Broncos giving Tim Tebow a chance as an NFL QB.

Both assumed they were better than they were, deserved more, and didn’t fully appreciate the chance they were graciously given. And ultimately faced reality.

but Broncos made the playoff with Tim Tebow!!! So your saying we are going to the payoffs

 

[thall__]

Luke's Penn State game was a total squeaker, sandwiched in between Penn State getting crushed by Maryland and Iowa. HH did exactly what this team needs to do, extend drives and don't wear the defense out.

until I see HH turning the ball over 3+ times a game and going 3 & out every drive, I have no interest in seeing anyone else.

if you disagree you may be retarded.

 

[goldencohusker]

He was a WR in HS until his senior year, when his famous dad took over as HS coach and installed him as QB. We offered him as QB because we had to in order to secure his commitment. At the time, one older brother Christian was a verifiable stud (still is) and another older brother Dylan was QB at Michigan. And landing him enabled Bernie to light up a cigar.

At the time, it was clear that his highest potential was at WR but we were one of the few teams willing to perpetuate his family’s fantasy of him being a QB. At the first hint of a position change, he transferred to Louisville for a week. When he heard position change there and hadn’t yet attended classes, he transferred to Rice. When he heard position change there, his family finally consented.

It would have been nice if Luke had embraced being a WR while here. But that wasn’t going to happen. And that is not really Frost’s fault, other than believing it was a chance worth taking.

If memory serves, wasn't Frost publically proclaiming there being no doubt in his mind that Luke was the future of the QB room at NU just weeks before he entered the portal? Was that just for public consumption and behind the scenes he was telling Luke a different story? Or did Luke just get impatient thinking he was going to behind AM for a couple of more seasons.

 

[TruHusker]

What makes so many people think Sims can just magically make the switch to RB? It is a completely different look and responsibilities.

 

[GBRforLife1]

But you left out that he’s now a pretty dam good WR. Almost 900 Rec & Rushing last year. Had 99 yards Rec last week and has 4 TD this year. He scored Rices lone TD against Texas. Wish he was still here and we could have converted him to WR in Lincoln

I’d love to Put him in are starting lineup @ WR now. Don’t be surprised if he gets a real shot in the NFL

I will be very surprised

 

[dinglefritz]

What makes so many people think Sims can just magically make the switch to RB? It is a completely different look and responsibilities.

We have a walk on who is probably a better RB than Sims would be.

 

[RedBaloneyPony]

His best position is being a cheerleader on the sidelines and collecting his Amigo/John Deere money.

John Deere hitched their plow to the wrong horse this year for ROI with nil money

 

[HuskerAlum92]

If memory serves, wasn't Frost publically proclaiming there being no doubt in his mind that Luke was the future of the QB room at NU just weeks before he entered the portal? Was that just for public consumption and behind the scenes he was telling Luke a different story? Or did Luke just get impatient thinking he was going to behind AM for a couple of more seasons.

He was begging the McCaffery family publicly to decide against transferring. Nothing more than that. It was obvious BS, and treated as such.

 

[HuskerAlum92]

Anyone who thought Nebraska was on the verge of turning the corner after the win against Penn St needed their head examined.

Agreed. Luke was great for most the first half. There was no tape on Luke and Penn State didn’t know how to defend him initially. But by halftime Penn State made adjustments, and Luke couldn’t do anything. If the game had been 62 minutes, Penn State would have won. If Luke had continued at QB, teams would have continuously exposed him.

 

[BleedRed78]

Agreed. Luke was great for most the first half. There was no tape on Luke and Penn State didn’t know how to defend him initially. But by halftime Penn State made adjustments, and Luke couldn’t do anything. If the game had been 62 minutes, Penn State would have won. If Luke had continued at QB, teams would have continuously exposed him.

As someone who loved the change up McCaffrey brought in that game, yeah, felt uncomfortable going into the next one. Which of course we all saw exposed then and there.

Feels... Different, with HH. But we'll see!

 

[moralvictories]

As someone who loved the change up McCaffrey brought in that game, yeah, felt uncomfortable going into the next one. Which of course we all saw exposed then and there.

Feels... Different, with HH. But we'll see!

The difference was, Scott Frost waited for two years before he started McCaffrey. Had he done so sooner, he might have come to the conclusion that we need to bring in a new QB who won't turn the ball over so much.

 

[Huskers123456]

What game was it where Luke missed his receiver and nearly threw it into the stands? I swear it happened but I'm not re-watching that season to find it.

 

[Anon1655851746]

Back in 2020, the fans clamored for young McCaffrey to start at QB over AMart.
Nebraska started the season 0-2 before starting McCaffrey for the Penn State game.
Nebraska responded with a win over Penn State and everybody thought we had finally turned the corner.
The following week we were expected to win easily against Illinois.
But Lovie Smith noticed something on film about McCaffrey- that he was actually a terrible QB.
And so we got our a$$es kicked by Illinois and then lost to Iowa the following week.
AMart came back and lead us to stirring victories over Purdue and Rutgers.
We finished the COVID season 3-5 and turned down an opportunity to go to a bowl game.
McCaffrey's career as a QB was over.
He transferred to Louisville and then quit once they found out that they would never play him at QB.
He then went to play a few games as QB at Rice before losing his job there too.

McCaffrey owns a better career win % at Nebraska than Martinez and the best win at Nebraska/ over PSU. He also had an idiot as HC . Was he a great QB Hell No-Was he as good as or better than Martinez=Hell Yes
But that wasnt hard as A Mart led the nation in turnovers two years and avged 4 wins per year

 

[ssmill777]

Have you seen his hands? Can't catch a shotgun snap...

Big RB if anything

Hands of stone!

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

Have you seen his hands? Can't catch a shotgun snap...

Big RB if anything?

The backwards pass from Ervin didn't make Sims look like any kind of WR material at all. He managed to recover fine, but for the catching part of it, it looked more like you took a kid out of the student section and threw the ball to him.