I saw the stats for the 1H and it was total domination on paper. In watching the game today, the Nubs were totally outclassed, but Martinez had some panic moments that made it worse. Their RT couldn't handle the Ohio State edge rusher on that side at all (#2).
Martinez in the first series was frightened a bit and threw a bad pass for a pick. OSU went down and scored pretty easily, with Fields displaying top notch arm and legs, hard to defend. 7-0
2nd Series, Martinez overthrows a screen pass, failed to patient (heard footsteps) and then was sacked on 3rd down, 3 and out.
Buckeyes take it about 60 yards without much resistance for 14-0.
Nubs come out and run a little i-formation with Martinez under center. Fans go nuts of course. We see fullback traps, even some option looks off that and they have some success. Score, and things might be more competitive. But Martinez overthrows a coming open Robinson who is able to touch the ball, tipping it to the DB lying on the ground on the 4-yard line of the Buckeyes.
This is a key moment in the game as it looked like the Huskers might have a little life, albeit probably only until OSU adjusts to the I-Formation.
Buckeyes, move it 92 yards to 1st and goal at the 4, and the Nubs hold and force a FG. 17-0 early 2nd quarter.
Martinez promptly comes out and looks awful. 1st down could have been a pick-six but was just knocked down rather than intercepted, but it was a dangerous pass. 2nd down he throws it right to the DB. Awful throw. 3rd interception.
This is where the Huskers lose faith. Fields goes off on 1st down on a run thru a hole that reminded me of the day their program was decimated here in Boulder in 2001. Big John Deere's can drive-thru that hole. Buckeye's score easy, looks like Huskers have QUIT. 24-0.
Huskers quit, Buckeyes score at will to close half.
Conclusion (defense):
Linebackers are poorly coached and often out of position.
Corners are pretty skilled, but there's coverage lapses in the secondary that cost them.
DL is improved, but not much pass rush.
Conclusion (offense):
Martinez is not better than he was in game 1 of his first start in CFB. Probably worse.
OL sucks. They are just awful.
Not enough playmakers at WR.
All OSU from there. Could have had 40 by half. No reason to watch after that.
Unbiased conclusions:
Nebraska looks only slightly better in year 2. Martinez has regressed (poor QB coaching).
OL is poor and should be concerning. LB corp is often out of position. DBs have too many gaffs.
WR position is 1 deep plus Robinson (hybrid). Frost can probably fill this quickly.
Expectations for Frosty to drastically improve a team from year 1 to year 2 were a mirage.
This is not a well-coached team and there's no sound reason to believe that will change.
The fans may stay positive, but players are starting to doubt. They quit in the 1H and I suspect they don't like Frosty's act. Time will tell.
Martinez in the first series was frightened a bit and threw a bad pass for a pick. OSU went down and scored pretty easily, with Fields displaying top notch arm and legs, hard to defend. 7-0
2nd Series, Martinez overthrows a screen pass, failed to patient (heard footsteps) and then was sacked on 3rd down, 3 and out.
Buckeyes take it about 60 yards without much resistance for 14-0.
Nubs come out and run a little i-formation with Martinez under center. Fans go nuts of course. We see fullback traps, even some option looks off that and they have some success. Score, and things might be more competitive. But Martinez overthrows a coming open Robinson who is able to touch the ball, tipping it to the DB lying on the ground on the 4-yard line of the Buckeyes.
This is a key moment in the game as it looked like the Huskers might have a little life, albeit probably only until OSU adjusts to the I-Formation.
Buckeyes, move it 92 yards to 1st and goal at the 4, and the Nubs hold and force a FG. 17-0 early 2nd quarter.
Martinez promptly comes out and looks awful. 1st down could have been a pick-six but was just knocked down rather than intercepted, but it was a dangerous pass. 2nd down he throws it right to the DB. Awful throw. 3rd interception.
This is where the Huskers lose faith. Fields goes off on 1st down on a run thru a hole that reminded me of the day their program was decimated here in Boulder in 2001. Big John Deere's can drive-thru that hole. Buckeye's score easy, looks like Huskers have QUIT. 24-0.
Huskers quit, Buckeyes score at will to close half.
Conclusion (defense):
Linebackers are poorly coached and often out of position.
Corners are pretty skilled, but there's coverage lapses in the secondary that cost them.
DL is improved, but not much pass rush.
Conclusion (offense):
Martinez is not better than he was in game 1 of his first start in CFB. Probably worse.
OL sucks. They are just awful.
Not enough playmakers at WR.
All OSU from there. Could have had 40 by half. No reason to watch after that.
Unbiased conclusions:
Nebraska looks only slightly better in year 2. Martinez has regressed (poor QB coaching).
OL is poor and should be concerning. LB corp is often out of position. DBs have too many gaffs.
WR position is 1 deep plus Robinson (hybrid). Frost can probably fill this quickly.
Expectations for Frosty to drastically improve a team from year 1 to year 2 were a mirage.
This is not a well-coached team and there's no sound reason to believe that will change.
The fans may stay positive, but players are starting to doubt. They quit in the 1H and I suspect they don't like Frosty's act. Time will tell.
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