Hundley Will Be a Handful
The Nebraska defense will face a tough challenge against UCLA this week. Not only did the Bruins light up Rice last weekend, but they did it with a dual-threat quarterback. In many ways, it appears the Huskers are set to face their own offense. There's the familiar zone read option and the Bruins throw the ball to the tight end. But there are also some differences. First, Hundley is a big guy. He's built more like Imani Cross than Taylor Martinez. Also,the Bruins threw a lot of passes to their backs in the opener, while NU seems more apt to look downfield.
Hundley certainly got people's attention with his 72-yard touchdown run to start the game at Rice. He was then sacked twice and his remaining four carries netted just three yards. He rushed for a bunch of yards in high school, but that may not translate real well to college. The question remains whether Hundley will truly hurt NU with his legs or whether that single big play that was well blocked against a bad Rice defense really means anything. You also wonder how much of an NFL mentality exists on the UCLA staff. Pro football has generally shunned designed runs for the quarterback. They don't want to see such a critical player get injured and the speedy NFL defenses are good at minimizing the damage from quarterback rushes anyway. Will that be Mora's mindset? Especially since Hundley was accurate with his passes.
The way to handle Hundley may not be all about defense anyway. One telling statistic for Nebraska under Bo Pelini is that the Huskers haven't lost a game in which they've scored at least 35 points. NU may not keep UCLA from scoring, but they can possess the ball and put together scoring drives to limit opportunities for the Bruins. If Taylor Martinez can stay as hot as he's been and the offensive line can continue to avoid penalties, then that may ultimately be the recipe for victory. It's all about efficiency.
If the NU offense is effective, Pelini can continue to keep his safeties deep on defense to slow things down, even if the Bruins are having success running the ball and throwing underneath. That can at least take away the big play and give the Husker D a chance to make plays when the field gets smaller in the red zone. Expect to see a lot points scored on Saturday. And just hope that the experience of Martinez can trump the younger Hundley on his home field.
Valencia, CA
9/5/2012
This is probably the most dangerous non-conference game the Huskers have played since Virginia Tech in 2009. However, Hundley is a freshman and will go through his growing pains. Young, inexperienced QBs more often than not turn the ball over in big games. If he turns the ball over 2 or 3 times in this game, the Huskers will win.
Overall, Hundley will get his yards (especially in the first half) but I think the Huskers’ depth will be a factor in the second half.
Huskers win in a close one: 38 - 33.
http://www.B1GRedFootball.com
9/5/2012
^ I think we will do a little better than the picked spread.
9/5/2012
Personally, I think Alford - the So Miss quarterback - is a much more dangerous and talented player than Hundley. He’s much more explosive, and So Miss used him frequently on designed runs.
Of course, the collection of talent *around* Hundley is better than what Alford was working with. He will have better linemen, a good tight end and more explosive players on the outside.
That will be the test. As far as scheme goes the in ability to defend a WR screen was more concerning than the zone read or designed QB run.
Valencia, CA
9/5/2012
Darren, good point with Alford. He is probably a better all-around runner than Hundley. However, Hundley is big (6’3, 223 lbs.) and did take it to the house on his first collegiate snap.
Also, Jonathan Franklin could be the most explosive RB we face all season.
@B1GRedFootball
9/5/2012
Hundley had one good run. That’s it. And from the fact that it was the first play of the season, it was at least partially due to luck or fluke. They scored well, but we scored the same against a much tuffer defense. UCLA is ranked around the 50th best team in the country, we’re #14 and #16, and they lost 8 games last year. We’ll spank them repeatedly and move up a couple places in the polls. Can’t wait till we’re in the top 10. Plus we’ll most likely do that without one of our Heisman candidates. Did ya catch that…“one” of our Heisman candidates? Ya, we’ve got 2 now they’re talking about.
Anyone keeping track of what the national media is saying about Martinez? Wow. Good stuff all around. One person has him 5th in the Heisman race. That’s probably a stretch after only one game, but it’s something. Still can’t believe his throws…man they were right on; fast, right in there it needs to be to be caught and great form and footwork. Those balls had some zip on ‘em. Calhoun made some money last Saturday that’s for sure. Can’t remember when this much improvement has been shown by any one player.
Helena, Montana
9/5/2012
Well, I guess UCLA did pretty well with Rice, what’s on their schedule after NU….Chow Mein? They may have to schedule a game with Won Ton soup after we bust their chopsticks.
9/5/2012
Talk about corn, thanks, Dennis :))
Austin, TX
9/5/2012
DennisR with the quote of the week! I thought the Southern Miss game was good overall, and our defense looked better in the stat column, particularly TFLs, than I originally thought from watching. However, it did expose a continued weakness for defending mobile QBs. That being said, I wasn’t all that impressed with homeboy’s run against Rice…he didn’t look like he was exactly blazing fast. It appeared to be more a combination of a well-designed play against a horrible defense. That being said, we have had this tendency to give up breakout games to opposing QBs with any degree of athleticism for so long, that I just expect it. We seriously whiff on way too many opportunities to stop a play in its tracks. Let’s hope we iron out a few things and Taylor stays hot…we may need a big offensive performance. Let’s also hope we figure out a way to force some dang turnovers…
9/5/2012
Rice put 24 on UCLA. NU scores at least 48, can’t believe all the “predictions” having NU under 40.
Helena, Montana
9/5/2012
That’s about what I figured too. Heck, if Chop Suey can put 24 on UCLA, then NU will put 50 on them…and we all know what happens then,
Wakita, Oklahoma
9/5/2012
Nebraska- 38
UCLA- 24
Bremerton, WA
9/6/2012
I’m more of a potato man, personally. I hope the D had to do 18 hours of tackling drills every day this week, otherwise this will be a high-scoring nail biter.
9/6/2012
Anyone else worried about the tempo of our offense if Taylor throws a couple incompletions in a row? If we ever go 3-and-out, the defense won’t even have time to unbuckle their helmets.
I love what the pace of our offense does to the opposing defense, but I wonder if it also fatigues our own.
9/6/2012
I really feel the line should be closer to 10. The Bruins are a young, new coach and learning team on both sides of the ball. The Huskers faced a much better foe in their first test, their offense is firing, the defense adjusted very well at the half. Yes the Bruins are at home, but believe me, there will be a strong swell of red there to support the Huskers. It may be close at the half, but I predict the wheels will come off for the Bruins by the 4th and the Huskers will plow right through to the end. NU 45 UCLA 21 GBR
California
9/6/2012
Here’s how it is going down on Saturday:
1) We all enjoy the view at the Rose Bowl
2) Nebraska scores more points than UCLA
3) Then this happens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxvdvoQgAy8
9/7/2012
41-17 neb. Close first half neb will make better second half adjustments than ucla
9/7/2012
Nu 49 Ucla 27