With Dana Holgerson making his Husker debut, we are all wondering what we may see. Well if history is a teacher we know that it should be a high powered offense once all the ruffles get ironed out. That being said, I’m hoping Holgerson is in the box calling plays to give him an overview. Historically, Holgerson does best in the box. When on the field Holgerson’s potency as a play caller diminishes, leaving Husker nation to speculate that we will see him in the box calling plays.
With Holgerson having an outside looking in view for the first nine games, his perspective will be different from the remainder of the Husker coaching staff. As most of the nation recognizes Nebraska’s need to incorporate Heinrich Haarberg, as goes Holgerson. The use of split back sets is a staple of a Holgerson led offense. A cross use of Rhamir Johnson, Carter Nelson, Thomas Fidone and Haarberg would be deadly when paired with our steady use of Dowdell and Emmett Johnson. Utilizing Haarberg as a utility knife causing opposing defenses to plan for anything while in formation but still giving the Huskers the ability to run a traditional offense. With Nelson, Fidone and Rhamir also lining up with Dowdell or Emmett in the backfield it allows for extended blocking or passing weapons.
Nebraska’s big bodied receivers will enjoy the quick hitting Husker passing game allowing them to open up for longer routes as defenses begin to sneak closer to the line of scrimage due to short passes and bunch formations. Those bunch formations can help with Raiola’s weakness against the zone defense. If ran properly, routes ran out of bunch formations can split zones causing open receivers with a broad passing lane.
The route tree is simple with Holgerson and will build Raiola’s confidence. The true freshman quarterbacks confidence has been seemingly shaken over the last half of this season. He has been holding onto the ball and has not been taking what defenses have given him, instead Raiola has been trying to win the game on every pass which is not a good situation for a veteran quarterback to be in. Let along a young, superstar. With the simplicity of the route tree and quick release built passing game Raiola could very easily return to his early season superstar status.
Buckle up Husker nation, the USC defense is good and has held every team this year under their season average. This Saturday at 3pm Central Time there will be an interesting battle on Fox Sports 1.
