Much has been said about Nebraska’s loss to Illinois. I laid the loss at the feet of the Blackshirts. But looking back, maybe I was wrong. Listening to the coaches this week and to former players, they didn’t think the defense played that poorly. It was a team loss, with the offense missing opportunities to take control and the special teams playing their part once again.
But I was disappointed because I didn’t feel the Blackshirts brought enough intensity. Illinois looked more physical and appeared hungrier. People point out the defense held Illinois to three points for a long period of time. However, the Blackshirts never produced a three and out and allowed 14 points in the second half and 7 more in overtime. And they seemed to lose confidence as the game wore on. I thought the overtime showed that.
I’m not sure the Huskers were emotionally ready. They had plenty to play for and yet, just when it appeared they were about to take over, they let Illinois back in.
I thought Tony White and his staff were outcoached and out schemed. Illinois did their film study and more than just blocked the Huskers. They designed plays that took advantage of the Huskers pursuit and let them take themselves out of plays. Three of the scores came out of an unbalanced line with the ball going someplace different each time. The Illinois coaching staff did an exceptional job in game planning.
Purdue and the rest of the B1G saw that. Nebraska will need to adjust. They must, as the Boilermakers will test the Blackshirts on what they learned and how well they can defend the run.
Purdue Outlook
Ryan Walters’s squad finished 4-8 last season and is off to a 1-2 start this season. In the Boilermaker’s last two games they were defeated by Notre Dame 66 to 7, and they followed that up with a 17-point loss to Oregon State. The Norte Dame loss was the worst home loss in school history. Purdue fans weren’t expecting great things from Walters’s team this year, but the defeat to instate rival Notre Dame was especially demoralizing.
The Purdue schedule only gets worse with games against Nebraska, Illinois, Oregon, Ohio State and Penn State coming up. Playing Nebraska at home may be Purdue’s best shot at a win. There is also speculation that if Walters’s team isn’t competitive going forward, he could be out of a job before seasons end. Nebraska could be entering a hornet’s nest in Lafayette. Walters and his team may feel like they have nothing to lose. Teams in that position can be dangerous.
Graham Harrell returns as offensive coordinator. A Mike Leach disciple, one would think the passing game with senior quarterback Hudson Card would be the Boilermakers bread and butter. But Card has struggled, passing for just over 150 yards a game with a 63.6% completion rate. He’s thrown for 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions and has been sacked 5 times.
The biggest reason for Card’s poor passing numbers is due to a lack of healthy receivers. So far, Card hasn’t been able to establish a rhythm with all the new faces. Tight end Max Klare, at 6’4” 240lbs, is the leading receiver with 10 receptions for 153 yards and 2 TDs.
Meanwhile, Purdue has ran the ball well, having rushed for 183 yards a game and averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Running back Devien Mockobee, at 6’0” 207lbs, has rushed for 276 yards with a 7.7-yard average. Husker fans may remember Mockobee from last season, he gashed the Blackshirts for 178 yards on 30 carries. When Mockobee is out, Reggie Love III comes in. The pair have been successful in providing a one two punch in the running game.
The Boilermakers will test Nebraska’s run defense after allowing the Illini an average of 5.5 rushing yards per carry on first down. Nebraska has struggled to stop the run in their last two games and teams going forward will look to exploit the possible weakness.
On defense for Purdue, Kevin Kane returns as defensive coordinator. The loss of defensive end Nic Scourton to Texas A&M was a huge blow for Kane’s defense. With Scourton’s departure, Kane was forced to move the opposing book end, Kydran Jenkins, from edge to LB. In the beginning, it was questionable Jenkins could match his production from last season from the LB position. He had 50 QB pressures, 9 sacks, 15 QB hits, and 26 hurries.
But there seems to have been little drop off with the move to LB, as the 6’1” 253lb Jenkins has logged 27 total tackles, 16 solo, 11 assists, and 3.5 sacks. Scourton and Jenkins combined to put the hurt on Nebraska last season. With Kane coaching linebackers, one must believe he has similar plans in pairing Jenkins with 6’6” 255lb Will Heldt. The defensive end has 16 total tackles, 10 solos, 6 assists, and 2.5 sacks.
Safety Dillion Thieneman was the top freshman in the B1G last year and is performing well this year. Last season, he had 106 tackles and 6 int’s. This season, he is the second leading tackler with 25 total, 15 solos, 10 assists, and 1 sack. He will be someone to watch.
Defensively, Purdue has yet to intercept a pass or recover a fumble. They also allow 123 yards passing per game and 269 yards rushing per game.
Purdue will look to test Nebraska’s offensive tackles with outside pressure from Jenkins and Heldt. Especially on Gunnar Gottula’s side. Sometimes the best way to handle pressure off the edge is to run straight at it. This would be an ideal time for Nebraska to reestablish their running game. I look for Dante Dowdell to get more carries and Emmett Johnson to see more action. If Nebraska can get the running game going the play action will open up and allow Raiola to hit receivers deep for big plays.
One final thought, the best way to fix special teams is to not play them. Nebraska needs to remember they can determine how many special teams plays they want to run. It’s not realistic, but if you never punt, you’ve eliminated the punting game. If you never allow Purdue to score, you remove the kick receiving team for all but one play. And if you score touchdowns, you don’t have to kick field goals. All that is left is kickoff coverage, punt returns and extra points. I told you it wasn’t realistic, and while joking, I’m somewhat serious. Eliminating possible bad scenarios is a good thing.
I want to see four things from Nebraska Saturday. Defensively, shut down Purdue’s passing game and limit them to 120 yards rushing or less. Make solid tackles and be the more physical team. The turnovers and tackles for losses will come with doing those things. Offensively, rush for over 250 yards and produce points in the second half. If Nebraska can do that, they score big.
This is a must win for both teams. Purdue is running out of opportunities and Nebraska needs to get their minds right. I think Nebraska makes a statement.
Good things are about to happen.
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