OL coach

Feb 2, 2005
601
6
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We had 2 of our 5 OL positions with very little game experience, but some of the biggest problems I saw were actually from Piper.
Benhart struggled some against bull rush being 6’9” and giving up leverage, but he graded out the highest.
It’s hard to pinpoint how much is coach and how much is player in Game 1 with a couple new guys tossed in the mix, but I’m leaning towards the coach not getting them ready when they need to be ready as causal factor #1.
OL is all technique and footwork, along with some strategy, and we seemed to be lacking in all of the above.

I would say we have 3 of our 5 OL with very little game experience. Benhart & Piper are still only R Fr. Corcoran & Banks have each started 1 game now. Only Jurgens & Sichterman have much experience. I don’t recall that Sichterman has previously started any games. In my mind, experience is our biggest problem on the OL. I see quite a bit of talent but most of it is very young and will be prone to mistakes. I don’t recall any false starts on Saturday so that’s a good thing.

What’s the problem on strategy - or are you just stating an opinion? Do you have any examples where strategy has been the problem & if so, what is the better strategy?
 

beaglehusker

All-Conference
Sep 29, 2006
13,178
3,891
0
I would say we have 3 of our 5 OL with very little game experience. Benhart & Piper are still only R Fr. Corcoran & Banks have each started 1 game now. Only Jurgens & Sichterman have much experience. I don’t recall that Sichterman has previously started any games. In my mind, experience is our biggest problem on the OL. I see quite a bit of talent but most of it is very young and will be prone to mistakes. I don’t recall any false starts on Saturday so that’s a good thing.

What’s the problem on strategy - or are you just stating an opinion? Do you have any examples where strategy has been the problem & if so, what is the better strategy?
So why was our running game so bad, why so many missed blocks or defenders in the backfield. Coaching matters, right
 

HominidHusker

Senior
Jun 25, 2018
3,727
743
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I would say we have 3 of our 5 OL with very little game experience. Benhart & Piper are still only R Fr. Corcoran & Banks have each started 1 game now. Only Jurgens & Sichterman have much experience. I don’t recall that Sichterman has previously started any games. In my mind, experience is our biggest problem on the OL. I see quite a bit of talent but most of it is very young and will be prone to mistakes. I don’t recall any false starts on Saturday so that’s a good thing.

What’s the problem on strategy - or are you just stating an opinion? Do you have any examples where strategy has been the problem & if so, what is the better strategy?
Yeah- experience is relative I suppose, but I was defining it as Piper, Jurgens and Benhart having played full seasons (well, 2020 version).

Good question about strategy- I had a thread analyzing the OL play against IL. I would point to a few examples being strategy related, unless it’s guys being completely uneducated about their responsibility.
Two examples of Piper essentially following Jurgens while neglecting to block a defender blowing right past him (i.e. assignment over common sense).
Another of Jurgens not chipping a NT in front of him (despite having numbers advantage the direction he was headed), while Piper may have been too far away to pick up that defender- allowing him to blow up backfield.
Another where Piper completely let’s loose a DT in front of him to “help” Jurgens (who didn’t need it) which allowed a sack. (assignment over common sense).
Another where Sichterman is the lone lineman blocking inside out on the right side on a zone read where Adrian keeps to the right, putting him in no man’s land against open defenders.
Another with Benhart being the 4th OL blocking 2 defenders which allowed one to easily slip around the edge making it 4 OL vs 1 DL.

Messy explanations, but just hinting at the idea.

I can’t say each one of those is entirely related to “strategy”, but if it’s not the instruction, then why the piss poor execution? At least a few of those were very obvious situations.
 

trooper141

Redshirt
Feb 3, 2017
2,123
7
0
Yeah- experience is relative I suppose, but I was defining it as Piper, Jurgens and Benhart having played full seasons (well, 2020 version).

Good question about strategy- I had a thread analyzing the OL play against IL. I would point to a few examples being strategy related, unless it’s guys being completely uneducated about their responsibility.
Two examples of Piper essentially following Jurgens while neglecting to block a defender blowing right past him (i.e. assignment over common sense).
Another of Jurgens not chipping a NT in front of him (despite having numbers advantage the direction he was headed), while Piper may have been too far away to pick up that defender- allowing him to blow up backfield.
Another where Piper completely let’s loose a DT in front of him to “help” Jurgens (who didn’t need it) which allowed a sack. (assignment over common sense).
Another where Sichterman is the lone lineman blocking inside out on the right side on a zone read where Adrian keeps to the right, putting him in no man’s land against open defenders.
Another with Benhart being the 4th OL blocking 2 defenders which allowed one to easily slip around the edge making it 4 OL vs 1 DL.

Messy explanations, but just hinting at the idea.

I can’t say each one of those is entirely related to “strategy”, but if it’s not the instruction, then why the piss poor execution? At least a few of those were very obvious situations.

That was an excellent post Hominid (your post in the other thread). This one too
 

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,107
2,381
98
You might want to read what I posted again Tru

I think you may have missed a few lines. IF some of the rumors are true I would like to see Austin given full control. If I knew he had full control now with the current results I would be much more willing to throw him under the bus.

Truth is I do not know who is calling the shots for the OL technique or playing time. Nor do you.
You got me there, I don't know what Frost does when these decisions are made. The point I made is you don't either. The fact that all of his assistants followed him to Nebraska tells me something though. If a head coach was going against his assistants, it is doubtful they would follow and be so loyal to the guy.
 
Feb 2, 2005
601
6
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So why was our running game so bad, why so many missed blocks or defenders in the backfield. Coaching matters, right
Yes, coaching matters as well. It doesn’t mean it’s the coaches fault that the OL got confused with the even front instead of the odd. They did practice against both so that sounds like the coaches tried to prepare them. Experience, or lack thereof, would be expected to help in that situation. It is still perplexing how it confused them when they did practice against both, just not as much against the even. Football is the ultimate team sport. A play works best when ALL moving parts are in sync. If one of eleven is out of sync, it can blow up the whole play. Mental mistakes are more common in the inexperienced players - of which we have on the OL. When your playing Freshmen & Redshirt Freshmen, how does the Coach make up for the lack of experience? They can’t practice more. Watching film only goes so far. The talent is there, they need to grow up in a hurry.
 

trooper141

Redshirt
Feb 3, 2017
2,123
7
0
You got me there, I don't know what Frost does when these decisions are made. The point I made is you don't either. The fact that all of his assistants followed him to Nebraska tells me something though. If a head coach was going against his assistants, it is doubtful they would follow and be so loyal to the guy.

That’s why the discussions can be so entertaining, most of us don’t really know anything, we just like expressing our opinions.
 
Feb 2, 2005
601
6
0
Yeah- experience is relative I suppose, but I was defining it as Piper, Jurgens and Benhart having played full seasons (well, 2020 version).

Good question about strategy- I had a thread analyzing the OL play against IL. I would point to a few examples being strategy related, unless it’s guys being completely uneducated about their responsibility.
Two examples of Piper essentially following Jurgens while neglecting to block a defender blowing right past him (i.e. assignment over common sense).
Another of Jurgens not chipping a NT in front of him (despite having numbers advantage the direction he was headed), while Piper may have been too far away to pick up that defender- allowing him to blow up backfield.
Another where Piper completely let’s loose a DT in front of him to “help” Jurgens (who didn’t need it) which allowed a sack. (assignment over common sense).
Another where Sichterman is the lone lineman blocking inside out on the right side on a zone read where Adrian keeps to the right, putting him in no man’s land against open defenders.
Another with Benhart being the 4th OL blocking 2 defenders which allowed one to easily slip around the edge making it 4 OL vs 1 DL.

Messy explanations, but just hinting at the idea.

I can’t say each one of those is entirely related to “strategy”, but if it’s not the instruction, then why the piss poor execution? At least a few of those were very obvious situations.
Have you been a coach? Just curious. In my experience, and I’m sure you would agree, execution in practice can be different than execution in the game. Practice is scripted and the coaches can put the players in as many “game-type” situations as possible but it’s still different when the bullets are live. So how do you get more & better “game-type” situations for the young guys? There’s going to be growing pains with those younger players, there’s just no way around it.

Go back and look at some tape from Austin’s earlier years, 2018 & 2019. Even some from 2020 if you can. You’ll find times where those same scenarios you listed above could have happened in the game, but they didn’t because the player handled them correctly. Why then & not now? Is Austin teaching them differently this year? What is the difference? You might even find situations in Saturday’s game where the players listed above didn’t do the same thing in the same scenario later in the game. Again, if that’s true, why didn’t they? I appreciate your rational and well thought out responses. Much better than the teenage girls doing most of the posting.

At the end of the day, could Austin have done a better job of preparing the kids? Likely. There are just some things he can’t do no matter how hard he tries or how much time he has in fall camp.
 

Hardslider33

All-American
Nov 30, 2015
4,199
5,236
113
I wanted to stay with Dr. Toms offense, 9 wins per year..
running the ball, run blocking, etc...

but oh no, we could out recruit everyone and their mom for the best left tackle and the next joe montana.
alot of folks said....

I said the situation would get out of control,

and it has...

I met Tom while he was still the AD during a season ticket holder event in 2012. He spoke highly of a young coach at Oregon doing good work. He thought (then) he would make a great HC someday.
I think he’s right, not trying to change fan’s minds. It’s not easy to build a winner in today’s world. It takes time, kids have options, NIL makes it even tougher.
I just think it’s better to see how the season plays out before over reacting now. If Tom was still the AD, he wouldn’t. Maybe change some positional coaches first. Blowing up the entire thing will kill both the 22 & 23 classes. #GBR
 
Jan 14, 2017
3,160
493
47
I can the convo going “Scott, you can agree that this season was not up to the standards that we have here at Nebraska. What changes, if any, need to be made to fix this, and how can I help”. Make the changes be “Scott’s” idea, but hint at them.
 

redwine65

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2010
10,837
2,157
113
I met Tom while he was still the AD during a season ticket holder event in 2012. He spoke highly of a young coach at Oregon doing good work. He thought (then) he would make a great HC someday.
I think he’s right, not trying to change fan’s minds. It’s not easy to build a winner in today’s world. It takes time, kids have options, NIL makes it even tougher.
I just think it’s better to see how the season plays out before over reacting now. If Tom was still the AD, he wouldn’t. Maybe change some positional coaches first. Blowing up the entire thing will kill both the 22 & 23 classes. #GBR
you maybe right..It's just tough because we used to run thru teams like last sat, like clockwork.
 

HuskerPower10

All-Conference
Oct 24, 2009
14,387
3,108
113
I'm not saying Austin is the second coming of Milt Tenopir but AM has a lot of time that other QBs would die for. The basic gameplan vs Nebraska is take away the run, take away AM's first read. Make him beat you with his 2nd+ read which he's proven he can't do.
17 web hurries and 5 sacks don’t quite equate to what you are trying to sell here.
 

Husker88

Senior
Dec 9, 2017
2,187
425
83
I met Tom while he was still the AD during a season ticket holder event in 2012. He spoke highly of a young coach at Oregon doing good work. He thought (then) he would make a great HC someday.
I think he’s right, not trying to change fan’s minds. It’s not easy to build a winner in today’s world. It takes time, kids have options, NIL makes it even tougher.
I just think it’s better to see how the season plays out before over reacting now. If Tom was still the AD, he wouldn’t. Maybe change some positional coaches first. Blowing up the entire thing will kill both the 22 & 23 classes. #GBR

Same guy that forced Solich after his retirement, hired Pelini, Tim Miles, and Erstad.

Amazing college football coach, but has had a seriously hard time accepting anything outside of the inner circle he built.

Obviously a huge supporter of Frost, as are/were 90% of our fan base. At worst we'd be bowling. At best..., we'd be like UCF playing in major bowl games or even more.

Barry Switzer, Steve Spurrier, Hayden Fry, and Bear Bryant never had a 30+ year stranglehold on future hires of their programs after their unprecedented success.

Hell, maybe Oklahoma should go back to running the 'bone? They are just too soft to win a Natty these days.
 

oldjar07

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2009
9,458
2,000
113
Same guy that forced Solich after his retirement, hired Pelini, Tim Miles, and Erstad.

Amazing college football coach, but has had a seriously hard time accepting anything outside of the inner circle he built.

Obviously a huge supporter of Frost, as are/were 90% of our fan base. At worst we'd be bowling. At best..., we'd be like UCF playing in major bowl games or even more.

Barry Switzer, Steve Spurrier, Hayden Fry, and Bear Bryant never had a 30+ year stranglehold on future hires of their programs after their unprecedented success.

Hell, maybe Oklahoma should go back to running the 'bone? They are just too soft to win a Natty these days.
I don't think Osborne was terrible as an AD. But at the same time, his idea of fiscal conservatism in the competitive landscape of college athletics was incredibly stupid.
 

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,107
2,381
98
That’s why the discussions can be so entertaining, most of us don’t really know anything, we just like expressing our opinions.
There are some differences though. You can speculate about what Frost had for breakfast, but see for yourself from experience when something is not right.
 

trooper141

Redshirt
Feb 3, 2017
2,123
7
0
There are some differences though. You can speculate about what Frost had for breakfast, but see for yourself from experience when something is not right.

Agreed. There are always differences. But neither of us saw who made the breakfast.

I think what you are referring to are the results on the field. I can agree that we would both like the final product to be better.
 

HominidHusker

Senior
Jun 25, 2018
3,727
743
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Have you been a coach? Just curious. In my experience, and I’m sure you would agree, execution in practice can be different than execution in the game. Practice is scripted and the coaches can put the players in as many “game-type” situations as possible but it’s still different when the bullets are live. So how do you get more & better “game-type” situations for the young guys? There’s going to be growing pains with those younger players, there’s just no way around it.

Go back and look at some tape from Austin’s earlier years, 2018 & 2019. Even some from 2020 if you can. You’ll find times where those same scenarios you listed above could have happened in the game, but they didn’t because the player handled them correctly. Why then & not now? Is Austin teaching them differently this year? What is the difference? You might even find situations in Saturday’s game where the players listed above didn’t do the same thing in the same scenario later in the game. Again, if that’s true, why didn’t they? I appreciate your rational and well thought out responses. Much better than the teenage girls doing most of the posting.

At the end of the day, could Austin have done a better job of preparing the kids? Likely. There are just some things he can’t do no matter how hard he tries or how much time he has in fall camp.
Full disclosure- I’m just a common jack*ss with no legit football experience.
I agree coaches aren’t the ones executing on the field.
But I do think even a lay person can understand “some” of the common sense principles that lead to success/failure. The nature of the college game is adapting to lack of depth/experience.
OL has not been a strength for at least the last 3 years (maybe 4). 2020 was lowest scoring offense in 40 years at Nebraska.

The bottom line is why are other schools able to win games that we’re unable to win? Schools with less ‘paper’ talent (and new coaches sometimes, or 2nd/3rd string QBs) manage better results.
Coaches get paid a lot to get their team ready by both recruiting adequate talent and developing that talent. Some succeed, some fail.
We’re seeing a 4th year of failure unravel before us.
I won’t pick on Corcoran being a young player coming off injury, and I won’t cast all the blame on Martinez, which is short sighted despite his shortcomings. Austin’s performance is also directly tied to the head man who oversees it all.

It all points to the top. Scott Frost runs this football team that is in the midst of historic levels of failure.
Maybe it’s hyperbole, but I said if you pay me $20K, I’ll ensure a punt returner NEVER fields a punt inside the 8 yd line. Over $15 million dollars hasn’t been able to make that one peewee level concept happen (a repeated error, not a random play).

Millions in salaries demand positive results.

Some errors are on the players, while some patterns of errors point the finger at the coaches. We have a lot of error patterns.
 

BHeinDaHuskers

All-American
Oct 12, 2004
27,309
8,667
113
Yeah- experience is relative I suppose, but I was defining it as Piper, Jurgens and Benhart having played full seasons (well, 2020 version).

Good question about strategy- I had a thread analyzing the OL play against IL. I would point to a few examples being strategy related, unless it’s guys being completely uneducated about their responsibility.
Two examples of Piper essentially following Jurgens while neglecting to block a defender blowing right past him (i.e. assignment over common sense).
Another of Jurgens not chipping a NT in front of him (despite having numbers advantage the direction he was headed), while Piper may have been too far away to pick up that defender- allowing him to blow up backfield.
Another where Piper completely let’s loose a DT in front of him to “help” Jurgens (who didn’t need it) which allowed a sack. (assignment over common sense).
Another where Sichterman is the lone lineman blocking inside out on the right side on a zone read where Adrian keeps to the right, putting him in no man’s land against open defenders.
Another with Benhart being the 4th OL blocking 2 defenders which allowed one to easily slip around the edge making it 4 OL vs 1 DL.

Messy explanations, but just hinting at the idea.

I can’t say each one of those is entirely related to “strategy”, but if it’s not the instruction, then why the piss poor execution? At least a few of those were very obvious situations.
I agree with everything you said here but maybe, just throwing out another possibility, is that Jurgens didn't make the right line call to his guards? just another possibility. If this is true is still looks bad on Allen as he isnt teaching Jurgens correctly then. Either way its a FUBAR coaching issue.
 
Feb 2, 2005
601
6
0
Full disclosure- I’m just a common jack*ss with no legit football experience.
I agree coaches aren’t the ones executing on the field.
But I do think even a lay person can understand “some” of the common sense principles that lead to success/failure. The nature of the college game is adapting to lack of depth/experience.
OL has not been a strength for at least the last 3 years (maybe 4). 2020 was lowest scoring offense in 40 years at Nebraska.

The bottom line is why are other schools able to win games that we’re unable to win? Schools with less ‘paper’ talent (and new coaches sometimes, or 2nd/3rd string QBs) manage better results.
Coaches get paid a lot to get their team ready by both recruiting adequate talent and developing that talent. Some succeed, some fail.
We’re seeing a 4th year of failure unravel before us.
I won’t pick on Corcoran being a young player coming off injury, and I won’t cast all the blame on Martinez, which is short sighted despite his shortcomings. Austin’s performance is also directly tied to the head man who oversees it all.

It all points to the top. Scott Frost runs this football team that is in the midst of historic levels of failure.
Maybe it’s hyperbole, but I said if you pay me $20K, I’ll ensure a punt returner NEVER fields a punt inside the 8 yd line. Over $15 million dollars hasn’t been able to make that one peewee level concept happen (a repeated error, not a random play).

Millions in salaries demand positive results.

Some errors are on the players, while some patterns of errors point the finger at the coaches. We have a lot of error patterns.
When was the last time our OL was considered a strength of the team?

I’m not saying Austin isn’t culpable, I just don’t think it’s to the extent the Karens on the Board do. What was the average age & number of starts for the IL starting OL? Did it help IL to win with their 2nd team QB that they had a lead & could afford to eat clock? Did it help that their experienced OL helped them to do that? Are those all things that fall on the coaching staff that we’re in that situation? Absolutely it does!!

I promise you when you say you’ll ensure a punt returner NEVER fields a punt inside the 8 yard line, your team will at one point prove you a liar. So what will you do when he does? Replace him? Similar to putting Martin back there instead of CTB? Did they talk to CTB on the sidelines at any point about that stupid decision? According to Dawson, they did. According to Dawson, they practice that every day. So what do you do differently to
Full disclosure- I’m just a common jack*ss with no legit football experience.
I agree coaches aren’t the ones executing on the field.
But I do think even a lay person can understand “some” of the common sense principles that lead to success/failure. The nature of the college game is adapting to lack of depth/experience.
OL has not been a strength for at least the last 3 years (maybe 4). 2020 was lowest scoring offense in 40 years at Nebraska.

The bottom line is why are other schools able to win games that we’re unable to win? Schools with less ‘paper’ talent (and new coaches sometimes, or 2nd/3rd string QBs) manage better results.
Coaches get paid a lot to get their team ready by both recruiting adequate talent and developing that talent. Some succeed, some fail.
We’re seeing a 4th year of failure unravel before us.
I won’t pick on Corcoran being a young player coming off injury, and I won’t cast all the blame on Martinez, which is short sighted despite his shortcomings. Austin’s performance is also directly tied to the head man who oversees it all.

It all points to the top. Scott Frost runs this football team that is in the midst of historic levels of failure.
Maybe it’s hyperbole, but I said if you pay me $20K, I’ll ensure a punt returner NEVER fields a punt inside the 8 yd line. Over $15 million dollars hasn’t been able to make that one peewee level concept happen (a repeated error, not a random play).

Millions in salaries demand positive results.

Some errors are on the players, while some patterns of errors point the finger at the coaches. We have a lot of error patterns.
When was the last year the OL was considered a strength of the team?
So if we’re in the 4th year of bad OL play, that would mean it was 2017. Or was it 2016? Maybe it was 2015. Tell me when the last time the OL was considered a strength of the team? They are NOT a strength this year. Please tell me though.

I’d love to hear your coaching method to ENSURE a punt returner NEVER fields a punt inside the 8 yard line. Please share. Consider that you have a veteran punt returner and you haven’t played your first game of the new Season yet AND it hasn’t been a problem in practice. Please share how you’d do it.
 

steinek11

All-Conference
Apr 18, 2004
13,481
1,215
113
Oh sure, Austin is responsible for the O line and someone else is telling him who to play? Got some proof of that or are you just parroting everything to hear/read? Who would be telling Austin? Frost? Several things, Frost is not around for O line drills, Frost and Austin want to win, playing favorites only makes things worse. Austin hears the criticism and his butt is on the line. He is responsible for teaching technique that leads to results. Those results speak for themselves, but keep finding excuses and spreading rumors unless you have proof.
It's quite possible that Frost and Austin do not have the proper philosophy to run an offense effectively in the Big ten. They haven't adapted because they are so impressed with their own cooking. Frost is more guilty of trying to outsmart and dazzle the competition with fancy footwork. Seems they are lacking in the fundamentals.
 

steinek11

All-Conference
Apr 18, 2004
13,481
1,215
113
I agree with everything you said here but maybe, just throwing out another possibility, is that Jurgens didn't make the right line call to his guards? just another possibility. If this is true is still looks bad on Allen as he isnt teaching Jurgens correctly then. Either way its a FUBAR coaching issue.
AUSTIN. ITS AUSTIN! GET IT RIGHT OR STOP POSTING.
 

HominidHusker

Senior
Jun 25, 2018
3,727
743
0
When was the last time our OL was considered a strength of the team?

I’m not saying Austin isn’t culpable, I just don’t think it’s to the extent the Karens on the Board do. What was the average age & number of starts for the IL starting OL? Did it help IL to win with their 2nd team QB that they had a lead & could afford to eat clock? Did it help that their experienced OL helped them to do that? Are those all things that fall on the coaching staff that we’re in that situation? Absolutely it does!!

I promise you when you say you’ll ensure a punt returner NEVER fields a punt inside the 8 yard line, your team will at one point prove you a liar. So what will you do when he does? Replace him? Similar to putting Martin back there instead of CTB? Did they talk to CTB on the sidelines at any point about that stupid decision? According to Dawson, they did. According to Dawson, they practice that every day. So what do you do differently to

When was the last year the OL was considered a strength of the team?
So if we’re in the 4th year of bad OL play, that would mean it was 2017. Or was it 2016? Maybe it was 2015. Tell me when the last time the OL was considered a strength of the team? They are NOT a strength this year. Please tell me though.

I’d love to hear your coaching method to ENSURE a punt returner NEVER fields a punt inside the 8 yard line. Please share. Consider that you have a veteran punt returner and you haven’t played your first game of the new Season yet AND it hasn’t been a problem in practice. Please share how you’d do it.
I think other teams manage just fine following simple fundamentals. There’s no big secret other than before each punt, grab CTB and remind him of his responsibility.
It’s also no secret our special teams overall has been horrendous, so I’d point again to what other teams do to have more success. I’d re-iterate I try not to obsess over 1 play in isolation, but rather the patterns that have developed. I think we’ve broken the punt fielding inside the 8 rule maybe 4 times? or more during Frost’s tenure- then the 2nd fake punt run last year? etc.

I’d also be more than happy to offer a money back guarantee, returning my $20K if the desired result fails… that’s what the money was for. :)

Our OL hasn’t been dominant for a long time, but Frost’s first year produced better results than what we’ve seen since.
Looks like Illinois had two RS sophomores on their OL, so they weren’t completely old across the board.
Again, I’m a common jack*ss who simply cares about our success and future as a program.
GBR
 

HUSKERFAN66

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2004
21,175
3,526
113
We were constantly told in preseason that the DL was "dominating" the OL. This isn't really a surprise to anybody.

If you see an OL wearing a "Run the damn ball" hat on campus feel free to just take it from the guy. They probably won't be able to stop you.
IF they did make sure you throw a flag for holding
 

HUSKERFAN66

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2004
21,175
3,526
113
Have you been a coach? Just curious. In my experience, and I’m sure you would agree, execution in practice can be different than execution in the game. Practice is scripted and the coaches can put the players in as many “game-type” situations as possible but it’s still different when the bullets are live. So how do you get more & better “game-type” situations for the young guys? There’s going to be growing pains with those younger players, there’s just no way around it.

Go back and look at some tape from Austin’s earlier years, 2018 & 2019. Even some from 2020 if you can. You’ll find times where those same scenarios you listed above could have happened in the game, but they didn’t because the player handled them correctly. Why then & not now? Is Austin teaching them differently this year? What is the difference? You might even find situations in Saturday’s game where the players listed above didn’t do the same thing in the same scenario later in the game. Again, if that’s true, why didn’t they? I appreciate your rational and well thought out responses. Much better than the teenage girls doing most of the posting.

At the end of the day, could Austin have done a better job of preparing the kids? Likely. There are just some things he can’t do no matter how hard he tries or how much time he has in fall camp.
Game type of experience....go 1 vs1 not scout team
 
Feb 2, 2005
601
6
0
I think other teams manage just fine following simple fundamentals. There’s no big secret other than before each punt, grab CTB and remind him of his responsibility.
It’s also no secret our special teams overall has been horrendous, so I’d point again to what other teams do to have more success. I’d re-iterate I try not to obsess over 1 play in isolation, but rather the patterns that have developed. I think we’ve broken the punt fielding inside the 8 rule maybe 4 times? or more during Frost’s tenure- then the 2nd fake punt run last year? etc.

I’d also be more than happy to offer a money back guarantee, returning my $20K if the desired result fails… that’s what the money was for. :)

Our OL hasn’t been dominant for a long time, but Frost’s first year produced better results than what we’ve seen since.
Looks like Illinois had two RS sophomores on their OL, so they weren’t completely old across the board.
Again, I’m a common jack*ss who simply cares about our success and future as a program.
GBR
I like the thought on CTB. But you’re also looking back in hindsight. I’ll let you determine if you would have taken the same approach before the game when he hadn’t done it before.

So the OL was a problem before Frost. How do we keep coming up with horrible OL coaches? Again, I’m not saying Austin is the answer, I just don’t think he’s as much of the problem as the Karens on this Board think he is. NE finished the BIG 4th in rushing in 2018, 3rd in 2019 and 2nd in 2020. Consider in 2019 & 2020 that the defenses were stacking the box to stop the run and force AM to beat them with his arm. That doesn’t seem too bad. We averaged 5.4 ypc in 2018, 4.5 in 2019 and 4.8 in 2020. Yes, 2018 was the most productive. So what was different in 2018? We had the same coaches teaching the same techniques and the same philosophy.

According to The Champaign Room on August 11, IL was expected to start 4 Seniors and 1 Junior. They believe all 5 will be drafted. I believe at least a couple are “Super Seniors”. I remember a similar graphic during the game Saturday. Compare that to our OL - would it make a difference?
 
Feb 2, 2005
601
6
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Game type of experience....go 1 vs1 not scout team
I believe they’ve done some of that. Correct me if I’m wrong. Again, most likely scripted plays and against the 3 man front. They also had a few scrimmages that would count. Should they do it more? Maybe. I don’t know how often they do it. Results on the field doesn’t mean they don’t do it.
 

HUSKERFAN66

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2004
21,175
3,526
113
I believe they’ve done some of that. Correct me if I’m wrong. Again, most likely scripted plays and against the 3 man front. They also had a few scrimmages that would count. Should they do it more? Maybe. I don’t know how often they do it. Results on the field doesn’t mean they don’t do it.
I assumed we did too until I heard Austin Allen interview the other day. Sounded like way too much practice against scout team
 
Feb 2, 2005
601
6
0
I assumed we did too until I heard Austin Allen interview the other day. Sounded like way too much practice against scout team
Double edged sword. We’re limited on the number of hours we can practice during the week. Scout team will be running the opponent’s schemes. Go 1 v 1 and you’re taking away time prepping for opponent’s schemes. Spend too much time against scout team and you’re taking away time of iron sharpening iron. Obviously finding the right balance hasn’t happened quite yet.
 
Jan 10, 2020
8,138
0
0
Double edged sword. We’re limited on the number of hours we can practice during the week. Scout team will be running the opponent’s schemes. Go 1 v 1 and you’re taking away time prepping for opponent’s schemes. Spend too much time against scout team and you’re taking away time of iron sharpening iron. Obviously finding the right balance hasn’t happened quite yet.
The 1s on D can’t run the opponents schemes for half of one practice?
 

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,107
2,381
98
Someone please define what "young" and "experience" are? This extra year has the class messed up, at least I think it does. I looked up what the primary players show for experience and this is what I found, it is very basic.

Banks soph 1v
Benhart soph 1v
Bando Jr 1v
Corcoran fr 1v
Jurgens soph 1v
Piper soph 1v
sichterman Jr 2v

While, on paper (or computer, take your pick) it appears these guys aare mostly Sophs, is that really true? Each has at least one varsity letter so they have significant playing time. And I believe, all but Corcoran redshirted? Someone help me out here. So IF, they redshirted, can we add one more year to this?
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,383
12,799
78
Someone please define what "young" and "experience" are? This extra year has the class messed up, at least I think it does. I looked up what the primary players show for experience and this is what I found, it is very basic.

Banks soph 1v
Benhart soph 1v
Bando Jr 1v
Corcoran fr 1v
Jurgens soph 1v
Piper soph 1v
sichterman Jr 2v

While, on paper (or computer, take your pick) it appears these guys aare mostly Sophs, is that really true? Each has at least one varsity letter so they have significant playing time. And I believe, all but Corcoran redshirted? Someone help me out here. So IF, they redshirted, can we add one more year to this?
Corcoran and Benhart are really pretty young in game experience IMO. Corcoran especially and he was limited due to injury. Piper too for that matter. Sichterman hasn't played much largely because he's not that talented physically. I like the depth chart potentially but dang most of these guys have this and 2 more years together. I think it was Zatechka that said that at Nebraska and even in the NFL it took their O line 3-4 games before they really gelled and played well. I'm hopeful that they will improve as the season goes on. Still hopeful.

I'm sure no x's and o's O line guy but it's pretty obvious that when your center hands off a guy and there's nobody there to take him in pass pro that there's some confusion. I don't know and I don't think may posters on here know either who is to blame when those things happen. Some of that confusion obviously happens when they bring extra guys and it appeared to me that they did that quite a bit. It sure smells like a coaching issue.
 
Feb 2, 2005
601
6
0
Someone please define what "young" and "experience" are? This extra year has the class messed up, at least I think it does. I looked up what the primary players show for experience and this is what I found, it is very basic.

Banks soph 1v
Benhart soph 1v
Bando Jr 1v
Corcoran fr 1v
Jurgens soph 1v
Piper soph 1v
sichterman Jr 2v

While, on paper (or computer, take your pick) it appears these guys aare mostly Sophs, is that really true? Each has at least one varsity letter so they have significant playing time. And I believe, all but Corcoran redshirted? Someone help me out here. So IF, they redshirted, can we add one more year to this?
What the Hail Varsity practice report from today's practice. They talk about that very issue.
 
Feb 2, 2005
601
6
0
Corcoran and Benhart are really pretty young in game experience IMO. Corcoran especially and he was limited due to injury. Piper too for that matter. Sichterman hasn't played much largely because he's not that talented physically. I like the depth chart potentially but dang most of these guys have this and 2 more years together. I think it was Zatechka that said that at Nebraska and even in the NFL it took their O line 3-4 games before they really gelled and played well. I'm hopeful that they will improve as the season goes on. Still hopeful.

I'm sure no x's and o's O line guy but it's pretty obvious that when your center hands off a guy and there's nobody there to take him in pass pro that there's some confusion. I don't know and I don't think may posters on here know either who is to blame when those things happen. Some of that confusion obviously happens when they bring extra guys and it appeared to me that they did that quite a bit. It sure smells like a coaching issue.
May be a coaching issue but you can't coach experience on a player. Inexperienced players make inexperienced decisions when the bullets are live. If it continues to happen, it's definitely a coaching issue.
 

oldjar07

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2009
9,458
2,000
113
I like the thought on CTB. But you’re also looking back in hindsight. I’ll let you determine if you would have taken the same approach before the game when he hadn’t done it before.

So the OL was a problem before Frost. How do we keep coming up with horrible OL coaches? Again, I’m not saying Austin is the answer, I just don’t think he’s as much of the problem as the Karens on this Board think he is. NE finished the BIG 4th in rushing in 2018, 3rd in 2019 and 2nd in 2020. Consider in 2019 & 2020 that the defenses were stacking the box to stop the run and force AM to beat them with his arm. That doesn’t seem too bad. We averaged 5.4 ypc in 2018, 4.5 in 2019 and 4.8 in 2020. Yes, 2018 was the most productive. So what was different in 2018? We had the same coaches teaching the same techniques and the same philosophy.

According to The Champaign Room on August 11, IL was expected to start 4 Seniors and 1 Junior. They believe all 5 will be drafted. I believe at least a couple are “Super Seniors”. I remember a similar graphic during the game Saturday. Compare that to our OL - would it make a difference?
We come up with terrible OL coaches because we have horrible head coaches who both can't pick out talent in their coaching staff and they also don't hold their assistants accountable for results. I actually thought Barney Cotton was a pretty solid OL coach, especially in the run game. He was pretty underrated. But yeah, it's entirely possible we've had two historically bad OL coaches in a row.
 
Nov 28, 2016
3,382
803
92
I feel like Austin will get the job done. He has recruited well. The players seem to really like him.

Depending upon whom you believe he has been hamstrung with who he should play and the technique they use to block the running game.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if he could be given full control of all OL things. (of course maybe he already has that).
JV O-line coach will get a few things figured out in 20 years. Problem is this regime won’t be here that long thanks to the Offensive incompetence the last 4 years.

If JV O-line coach got fired, there is no other team in P5 that would hire him to be O-line coach. He just isn’t good enough at this level. It’s that simple.