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Smith, the Spread O and Neb

W

Wyoirish

Well-known member
It was pretty obvious that the gameplan was to run between the tackles with AA, Ghaali, and Miller but I believe there were so many opportunities that Smith could have gotten outside and made positive yards on the spread fake which would have added a completely different dimension to that game on Saturday. I can appreciate the fact that you have to keep him healthy and that you open him up to shots out on the perimeter, but I believe that is a huge element that his ability brings to this offense and that we were lacking. It seemed like midway through the 2nd quarter they were not paying any mind to Smith at all, and just collapsing on our RB's. Maybe it was DC not wanting to lose the freshman prior to MWC play but I think if we are wanting to go bowling and beat the likes of USU, SDSU, AFA, and CSU Smith will have to show the shake and be more of a run threat.
 
I am torn on that one.

On one hand, you lose Smith, and you limit your future opportunities (like how ACS was groomed early in 2009). Building confidence is a big deal with a young QB.

On the other, I think UW should compete on all cyclinders, no matter who the opponent is. I don't necessarily think we were too close minded offensively, but we did limit things.

I found it interesting how we redeveloped the "getting-set" formation, only to stop and look at the sideline for an audible (that probably wasn't an audible). Reminded me of Cockhill. Took a bunch of time off the clock as well.
 
McPeachy said:
I found it interesting how we redeveloped the "getting-set" formation, only to stop and look at the sideline for an audible (that probably wasn't an audible). Reminded me of Cockhill. Took a bunch of time off the clock as well.
Click to expand...

I thought that was a little strange too. I hated that offensive set-up, and wasn't too pleased to see it again.

The whole game reminded me of Cockhill. It was clear to the folks I was watching with that we could throw on Nebraska pretty much at will. Granted, there were a few big dropped passes (that probably would have gone for TD's and changed the game), but the passing opportunities were there. Why did we continue to run it between the tackles?

The gameplan confused me, but I'm looking forward to the rest of the year. I think our offense will surprise some people, and if the defense can shore up the tackling will be able to stop some as well.

GO POKES!
 
I personally liked the game plan and had it not been for the key drops and penalties that killed drives, I think we would be feeling a lot different about it. We rushed for over 100 yds vs. the "vaunted blackshirt defense" and I thought the O-line was pushing them backwards most of the game. Had a couple big catches been made, Smith easily passes for over 200 yds and who knows what happens. We actually beat them in TOP by 3 minutes, which surprised me. I have no iron in the fire regarding the offensive game plan by Brandon and DC, but it in no way reminded of anything Cockhill threw out there...that guy was horrible.

The game stats are below and I found them interesting to look through.

Team Statistics (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook
Nebraska vs Wyoming (Sep 24, 2011 at Laramie, Wyo.)
NE WY
FIRST DOWNS 24 18
R u s h i n g 15 5
P a s s i n g 7 11
P e n a l t y 2 2
NET YARDS RUSHING 333 137
Rushing Attempts 49 31
Average Per Rush 6.8 4.4
Rushing Touchdowns 4 0
Yards Gained Rushing 347 142
Yards Lost Rushing 14 5
NET YARDS PASSING 157 168
C o m p l e t i o n s - A t t e m p t s - I n t 12-21-0 18-34-1
Average Per Attempt 7.5 4.9
Average Per Completion 13.1 9.3
Passing Touchdowns 1 2
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 490 305
Total offense plays 70 65
Average Gain Per Play 7.0 4.7
Fumbles: Number-Lost 4-1 0-0
Penalties: Number-Yards 5-48 7-68
PUNTS-YARDS 3-159 6-264
Average Yards Per Punt 53.0 44.0
Net Yards Per Punt 50.0 40.0
Inside 20 1 1
50+ Yards 2 2
T o u c h b a c k s 0 1
Fair catch 0 2
KICKOFFS-YARDS 7-489 3-167
Average Yards Per Kickoff 69.9 55.7
Net Yards Per Kickoff 49.9 41.0
T o u c h b a c k s 6 1
Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 1-4-0 1-9-0
Average Per Return 4.0 9.0
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 1-24-0 1-20-0
Average Per Return 24.0 20.0
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 1-0-0 0-0-0
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0
Miscellaneous Yards 0 0
Possession Time 28:32 31:28
1st Quarter 4 : 3 6 10:24
2nd Quarter 6 : 5 5 8 : 0 5
3rd Quarter 8 : 3 8 6 : 2 2
4th Quarter 8 : 2 3 6 : 3 7
Third-Down Conversions 7 of 13 7 of 17
Fourth-Down Conversions 0 of 0 1 of 2
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 5-6 1-2
T o u c h d o w n s 4-6 1-2
Field goals 1-6 0-2
Sacks By: Number-Yards 1-3 1-3
PAT Kicks 5-5 2-2
Field Goals 1-2 0-1
 
I'm suprised at being upset with the offensive gameplan. I think the offensive gameplan was perfect. It looked to me like the gameplan was to control TOP (keep our defense off the field because we saw what happens when they stay out there in the 2nd half), limit mistakes, limit 3rd and longs and hit a couple big plays.

Other than dumb penalties and dropped balls, it worked just fine. We should've had a couple more big plays with the dropped balls.

Maybe Smith should've kept a few more option reads, but those are small details that don't really pertain to the overall gameplan.

We lost this game because of an atrocious kicking game, dumb penalties, dropped balls and Nebraska being a good team. Not the offensive gameplan.
 
I think the gameplan was very good. Run on a D that struggles to stop it, make them tired, run clock and create short yardage situations to either pass or run. Very sound.
Honestly this is the best we played against any top school we've played in the last few years.
305 yards total offense; 168 yards in the air; 137 yards rushing. And like many have stated, it could have been better if we didn't drop passes. Plus, our O scored 14 points in this game. Our O-Line dominated! Yes, Smith was flushed out of the pocket, but that's to be expected against a top team. Plus, only one TO and that was at the end of the game. Overall, very good.
Our D actually played well too. They struggled to pass against us, but did get a few good receptions. And we played Martinez well also. Really, the 45 yard td run and 16 yard td run by Burkhead should've been called back. Both plays I saw 2 clips and 2 Holds that were not called. And sadly, one ref was reaching for his flag and decided not to throw it on the 45 yarder. So subtract 61 yards from his rushing and Neb's overall O and we played well.
Now, we did have some stupid errors on our part with the penalties. But, overall we played good. I think we saw what our Cowboys can actually do when they play with composure. I'm excited for the rest of this season. And to be honest, even 6 wins and no bowl from a 3 win team last year with a fresh QB is drastic improvement.
Now, going back to what i was going to originally do on this post was to compare our O numbers from this game to other big games.
Texas 2010, L 7-34. Tot O 257 yards, 199 passing, 58 rushing. 1TD, 0 TO's
Boise 2010, L 6-51. Tot O 135 yards, 156 passing, -21 rushing, 1 TD, 3 TO's
TCU 2010, L 0-45. Tot O 191 yards, 116 passing, 75 rushing, O TD, 1 TO's
Utah 2010 , L 6-30. Tot O 183 yards, 116 passing, 67 rushing, 1 TD, 0 TO's
Texas 2009, L 10-45. Tot O 273 yards, 188 passing, 85 rushing, 0 TD. 1 FG, 1 TO's
Utah 2009, L 10-22. Tot O 202 yards, 151 passing, 51 rushing , 1 TD, 1 FG, 1 TO's
BYU 2009, L 0-52. Tot O 225 yards, 113 passing, 112 rushing, 0 TD, 3 TO's
TCU 2009, L 10-45. Tot O 178 yards, 94 passing, 84 rushing, 1 FG, 4 TO's
Nebr 2011, L 14-38. Tot O 305 yards, 168 passing, 137 rushing, 2 TD's, 1 TO's
Which one stands out to you?
 
kansasCowboy said:
I think the gameplan was very good. Run on a D that struggles to stop it, make them tired, run clock and create short yardage situations to either pass or run. Very sound.
Honestly this is the best we played against any top school we've played in the last few years.
305 yards total offense; 168 yards in the air; 137 yards rushing. And like many have stated, it could have been better if we didn't drop passes. Plus, our O scored 14 points in this game. Our O-Line dominated! Yes, Smith was flushed out of the pocket, but that's to be expected against a top team. Plus, only one TO and that was at the end of the game. Overall, very good.
Our D actually played well too. They struggled to pass against us, but did get a few good receptions. And we played Martinez well also. Really, the 45 yard td run and 16 yard td run by Burkhead should've been called back. Both plays I saw 2 clips and 2 Holds that were not called. And sadly, one ref was reaching for his flag and decided not to throw it on the 45 yarder. So subtract 61 yards from his rushing and Neb's overall O and we played well.
Now, we did have some stupid errors on our part with the penalties. But, overall we played good. I think we saw what our Cowboys can actually do when they play with composure. I'm excited for the rest of this season. And to be honest, even 6 wins and no bowl from a 3 win team last year with a fresh QB is drastic improvement.
Now, going back to what i was going to originally do on this post was to compare our O numbers from this game to other big games.
Texas 2010, L 7-34. Tot O 257 yards, 199 passing, 58 rushing. 1TD, 0 TO's
Boise 2010, L 6-51. Tot O 135 yards, 156 passing, -21 rushing, 1 TD, 3 TO's
TCU 2010, L 0-45. Tot O 191 yards, 116 passing, 75 rushing, O TD, 1 TO's
Utah 2010 , L 6-30. Tot O 183 yards, 116 passing, 67 rushing, 1 TD, 0 TO's
Texas 2009, L 10-45. Tot O 273 yards, 188 passing, 85 rushing, 0 TD. 1 FG, 1 TO's
Utah 2009, L 10-22. Tot O 202 yards, 151 passing, 51 rushing , 1 TD, 1 FG, 1 TO's
BYU 2009, L 0-52. Tot O 225 yards, 113 passing, 112 rushing, 0 TD, 3 TO's
TCU 2009, L 10-45. Tot O 178 yards, 94 passing, 84 rushing, 1 FG, 4 TO's
Nebr 2011, L 14-38. Tot O 305 yards, 168 passing, 137 rushing, 2 TD's, 1 TO's
Which one stands out to you?
Click to expand...
I can think of two plays. Two plays that stopped drives, that if completed or completed in bounds would have resulted in one td and one first and goal (Mazi's drop of course and the completion out of bounds by Dotson...not the td, but the one on the 10 yd line in NE corner). Add another 120 yds to the passing total too. Live and learn....it is in fact a game in inches.

Go Pokes!!
 
kansasCowboy said:
I think the gameplan was very good. Run on a D that struggles to stop it, make them tired, run clock and create short yardage situations to either pass or run. Very sound.
Honestly this is the best we played against any top school we've played in the last few years.
305 yards total offense; 168 yards in the air; 137 yards rushing. And like many have stated, it could have been better if we didn't drop passes. Plus, our O scored 14 points in this game. Our O-Line dominated! Yes, Smith was flushed out of the pocket, but that's to be expected against a top team. Plus, only one TO and that was at the end of the game. Overall, very good.
Our D actually played well too. They struggled to pass against us, but did get a few good receptions. And we played Martinez well also. Really, the 45 yard td run and 16 yard td run by Burkhead should've been called back. Both plays I saw 2 clips and 2 Holds that were not called. And sadly, one ref was reaching for his flag and decided not to throw it on the 45 yarder. So subtract 61 yards from his rushing and Neb's overall O and we played well.
Now, we did have some stupid errors on our part with the penalties. But, overall we played good. I think we saw what our Cowboys can actually do when they play with composure. I'm excited for the rest of this season. And to be honest, even 6 wins and no bowl from a 3 win team last year with a fresh QB is drastic improvement.
Now, going back to what i was going to originally do on this post was to compare our O numbers from this game to other big games.
Texas 2010, L 7-34. Tot O 257 yards, 199 passing, 58 rushing. 1TD, 0 TO's
Boise 2010, L 6-51. Tot O 135 yards, 156 passing, -21 rushing, 1 TD, 3 TO's
TCU 2010, L 0-45. Tot O 191 yards, 116 passing, 75 rushing, O TD, 1 TO's
Utah 2010 , L 6-30. Tot O 183 yards, 116 passing, 67 rushing, 1 TD, 0 TO's
Texas 2009, L 10-45. Tot O 273 yards, 188 passing, 85 rushing, 0 TD. 1 FG, 1 TO's
Utah 2009, L 10-22. Tot O 202 yards, 151 passing, 51 rushing , 1 TD, 1 FG, 1 TO's
BYU 2009, L 0-52. Tot O 225 yards, 113 passing, 112 rushing, 0 TD, 3 TO's
TCU 2009, L 10-45. Tot O 178 yards, 94 passing, 84 rushing, 1 FG, 4 TO's
Nebr 2011, L 14-38. Tot O 305 yards, 168 passing, 137 rushing, 2 TD's, 1 TO's
Which one stands out to you?
Click to expand...
I'm with you that the game plan was a good one. After two years of pain watching Arroyo's circus, maybe I'm just easy to please. Some bad calls a few drops and who knows? For an emerging team to beat a Nebraska you can't have the drops and you need the calls, etc. I feel better after this loss than I did after the Weber win. Maybe not better as a win is so nice, maybe more hopeful. There are many positive surprises so far this year. My favorite is the O-line. The last 2 seasons the other team seemed to have their players getting to ACS at the same time as the snapped ball did. It's nice to see Smith getting an extra fraction of a second to execute or create a play. I like when he runs (angry!), but we need him throwing the ball.

Having said that, you can't just say " subtract 61 yards from his rushing and Neb's overall O and we played well". If the missed calls you saw were called it's not like they would then hand us the ball and their drive would end. They'd still keep the ball and continue their drive albeit a few yards further back. Hell, if they scored anyway they'd end up with more yards.

The WYO team that played Saturday lost, but I believe that same team would have beaten any MWC team with the exception of BSU and TCU.
 
calpoke25 said:
I'm suprised at being upset with the offensive gameplan. I think the offensive gameplan was perfect. It looked to me like the gameplan was to control TOP (keep our defense off the field because we saw what happens when they stay out there in the 2nd half), limit mistakes, limit 3rd and longs and hit a couple big plays.

Other than dumb penalties and dropped balls, it worked just fine. We should've had a couple more big plays with the dropped balls.

Maybe Smith should've kept a few more option reads, but those are small details that don't really pertain to the overall gameplan.

We lost this game because of an atrocious kicking game, dumb penalties, dropped balls and Nebraska being a good team. Not the offensive gameplan.
Click to expand...

+1

I thought it was a good plan as well. Seemed like the big plays were there for the taking, the receivers either dropped the ball or were overthrown, but they were open. Certainly seemed better than anything Arroyo or Cockhill came up with.
 
Asmodeanreborn said:
Nice to see we gave up 1 sack total to a monster d-line.
Click to expand...

I agree completely! Sure Jared Crick wasn't in there but regardless that d-line is scary. Nice job by the offensive line I hope they can continue to gel and play well.
 
gbpoke said:
Asmodeanreborn said:
Nice to see we gave up 1 sack total to a monster d-line.
Click to expand...

I agree completely! Sure Jared Crick wasn't in there but regardless that d-line is scary. Nice job by the offensive line I hope they can continue to gel and play well.
Click to expand...

And not only the offensive line either... at times it looked like Smith had taken a grease bath before the game as several Huskers players got their hands on him, only to have him somehow slip away.
 
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