Could not overcome the loss of WR-Strong and OG-Felter

[rutgersal]

Strong is obviously dinged and did not play as much as he wasn’t 100%, and saw very few targets. Felter was a huge loss as he was our 2nd best lineman, and our OL as a whole struggled in pass protection, yielding 4 sacks.

Defense played very well. When your defense gives up 14 points, defense isn’t the issue.

As for our offensive void, Black and Duff stepped into the void, and were our Top 2 leading receivers. Too bad Black dropped that Touchdown pass but redeemed himself by making our lone Touchdown catch.

His drop nevertheless symbolized our day. We had our opportunities, just could not capitalize.

Athan had an off day and was well below 50% as we could not give him adequate time to make his throws. His throw which Black dropped was right on the money.

The only disappointment I have is Monagai only had 19 carries, as we got away from the run in the 2nd half. I thought I heard he had 65 yards at halftime.

I expected we were going to run the ball in the 2nd half. He needs to get at least 25-30 carries. If you’re going to lose, lose with your best.

Beat Wisconsin and no one will care that we lost to Nebraska. Let’s Get it!

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

The injuries are not why RU lost. Awful play calling put them in bad down and distance often. KC effectively took his best two weapons out of the game starting in the 2nd quarter. Sam Brown had 3 carries all game. There was bad execution by many including multiple OL that had nothing to do with Felter's loss.

We wasted two momentum changing blocked punts and fooled no one with a fake FG when RU was going into a heavy wind.

Huge missed opportunity, hopefully the team learns the lessons from this game especially our OC.

 

[rutgersal]

The injuries are not why RU lost. Awful play calling put them in bad down and distance often. KC effectively took his best two weapons out of the game starting in the 2nd quarter. Sam Brown had 3 carries all game. There was bad execution by many including multiple OL that had nothing to do with Felter's loss.

We wasted two momentum changing blocked punts and fooled no one with a fake FG when RU was going into a heavy wind.

Huge missed opportunity, hopefully the team learns the lessons from this game especially our OC.

Even the most optimal play calls could not make up for the loss of Felter on the left side. Athan was under pressure all day, and took four sacks. Our tackle had a tough too. #90 James Williams and #0 Nash Hutmacher ate our lunch with 2 sacks for each. Williams added a 2 TFLs and Hutmacher had 1 TFL. It’s hard for any playcall to be successful when the DL is living in your backfield. Monangai rushed 6 times for 0 yards in the third quarter, which is why he only got 3 carries in the fourth quarter. So in total, he rushed 9 times for 13 yards in the 2nd half, while he rushed 10 times for 65 yards in the first half. For a total of 78 yards, his poorest showing to date.

Yes, we missed opportunities, but it’s on the players to execute. Being given 6 opportunities to score inside the 5 yard line and not being able to do so is an execution problem, not a play calling problem. Monangai loves running to the left side on his TD runs. Yesterday, it just wasn’t happening in large part due to Felters absence. His five years in the weight room is impossible to replace, so we do the best we can.

 

[shields]

Felter was a loss and fake punt was stupid. I thought they might do it and Nebraska had to be aware RU would do it.

 

[cRURah]

Even the most optimal play calls could not make up for the loss of Felter on the left side. Athan was under pressure all day, and took four sacks. Our tackle had a tough too. #90 James Williams and #0 Nash Hutmacher ate our lunch with 2 sacks for each. Williams added a 2 TFLs and Hutmacher had 1 TFL. It’s hard for any playcall to be successful when the DL is living in your backfield. Monangai rushed 6 times for 0 yards in the third quarter, which is why he only got 3 carries in the fourth quarter. So in total, he rushed 9 times for 13 yards in the 2nd half, while he rushed 10 times for 65 yards in the first half. For a total of 78 yards, his poorest showing to date.

Yes, we missed opportunities, but it’s on the players to execute. Being given 6 opportunities to score inside the 5 yard line and not being able to do so is an execution problem, not a play calling problem. Monangai loves running to the left side on his TD runs. Yesterday, it just wasn’t happening in large part due to Felters absence. His five years in the weight room is impossible to replace, so we do the best we can.

Best analysis yet. Play calling was fine. Nebraska has a very good defense, and overpowered our guys up front.

 

[RCBeta79]

Even the most optimal play calls could not make up for the loss of Felter on the left side. Athan was under pressure all day, and took four sacks. Our tackle had a tough too. #90 James Williams and #0 Nash Hutmacher ate our lunch with 2 sacks for each. Williams added a 2 TFLs and Hutmacher had 1 TFL. It’s hard for any playcall to be successful when the DL is living in your backfield. Monangai rushed 6 times for 0 yards in the third quarter, which is why he only got 3 carries in the fourth quarter. So in total, he rushed 9 times for 13 yards in the 2nd half, while he rushed 10 times for 65 yards in the first half. For a total of 78 yards, his poorest showing to date.

Yes, we missed opportunities, but it’s on the players to execute. Being given 6 opportunities to score inside the 5 yard line and not being able to do so is an execution problem, not a play calling problem. Monangai loves running to the left side on his TD runs. Yesterday, it just wasn’t happening in large part due to Felters absence. His five years in the weight room is impossible to replace, so we do the best we can.

Nebraska was keying on Monangai during the 1st and Goal series.
Why not try an AK fake handoff to Monangai and sprint to the right side for a TD?

 

[sct1111]

Nebraska was keying on Monangai during the 1st and Goal series.
Why not try an AK fake handoff to Monangai and sprint to the right side for a TD?

Kaliakmanis is playing with a brace on his knee. He didn't look as mobile as vs Washington. Obviously a knee injury.

 

[rutgersal]

Nebraska was keying on Monangai during the 1st and Goal series.
Why not try an AK fake handoff to Monangai and sprint to the right side for a TD?

Monangai’s carry distribution is perplexing to say the least.

• 8 carries in the first quarter for 65 yards
• 2 carries in the 2nd quarter
• 6 carries in the 3rd quarter
• 3 carries in the 4th quarter

He netted 13 yards in the remaining quarters

 

[sct1111]

Felter was a loss and fake punt was stupid. I thought they might do it and Nebraska had to be aware RU would do it.

If we have Felter we probably push it in from the 1 yard line. Olinr really has terrible depth.

 

[RUbacker]

Felter was a loss and fake punt was stupid. I thought they might do it and Nebraska had to be aware RU would do it.

on the fake punt there was a parting of the line up the middle he chose to run wide right into 3 defenders .

 

[noble106]

on the fake punt there was a parting of the line up the middle he chose to run wide right into 3 defenders .

Could that be what Greg was alluding to in the post game conference about the play not being executed the way he wanted it to?

It makes me wonder if the fake FG was designed a certain way that wasn't being followed through by the players.

 

[RUbacker]

Could that be what Greg was alluding to in the post game conference about the play not being executed the way he wanted it to?

It makes me wonder if the fake FG was designed a certain way that wasn't being followed through by the players.

exactly. he pretty much said that in the presser but would not throw his player(s) under the bus which i love.

 

[NickRU714]

Monangai’s carry distribution is perplexing to say the least.

• 8 carries in the first quarter for 65 yards
• 2 carries in the 2nd quarter
• 6 carries in the 3rd quarter
• 3 carries in the 4th quarter

He netted 13 yards in the remaining quarters

But you said play-calling was fine?

 

[rucoe89]

Felter was a loss and fake punt was stupid. I thought they might do it and Nebraska had to be aware RU would do it.

I think you mean fake field goal. We got burned on fake punt because Dixon was just standing around as the receiver blew past him.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

But you said play-calling was fine?

 

[rutgersal]

But you said play-calling was fine?

I didn’t say it was fine. I didn’t like the fact that we got away from running the ball in the 2nd half. Turns out we actually barely ran the ball beginning with the 2nd quarter, and I didn’t like that. But at the same time, I didn’t think it was the biggest issue. The loss of Felter and strong are bigger, imo.

 

[czxqa]

We don't have a Howard Barbieri this year; that sixth o-line guy who can seamlessly fill in if someone goes down. Felter's injury makes the rest of the season more difficult. No doubt about it.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Kaliakmanis is playing with a brace on his knee. He didn't look as mobile as vs Washington. Obviously a knee injury.

He hasn't run much for awhile now.. and often looked like he slid or took dives early leaving yards he could have had. I wonder if he has been dinged a long time now. I thought it was odd he handed off no matter what the read suggested.. a lack of legs would explain it.

 

[Joey Bacala]

This talk that the loss of Felter was the difference in the game is a bit too much. If you watched that game our whole o-line was manhandled from start to finish. Suddenly Felter turned into Zach Martin??? He wouldn't have fared much better than the other 5 guys. We need to face facts that yesterday our o-line was out-matched.

 

[rutgersal]

This talk that the loss of Felter was the difference in the game is a bit too much. If you watched that game our whole o-line was manhandled from start to finish. Suddenly Felter turned into Zach Martin??? He wouldn't have fared much better than the other 5 guys. We need to face facts that yesterday our o-line was out-matched.

There were two linemen in particular who struggled, not five. One lineman struggling is bad enough but two is too much. If Felter is playing, Monangai scores his touchdown, without question. We can’t easily replace his knowledge, experience, and effectiveness. We just have to get better. The LG is going through a learning curve.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

He hasn't run much for awhile now.. and often looked like he slid or took dives early leaving yards he could have had. I wonder if he has been dinged a long time now. I thought it was odd he handed off no matter what the read suggested.. a lack of legs would explain it.

The brace was another big factor in my opinion though we don’t know what the injury is or the extent of it. I know he’s not an explosive runner but his mobility was clearly compromised in this game. We’ve seen him take off before and while he did so a couple times he took care to slide well before a defender could get to him and looked noticeably slower. It was obvious he was being extra cautious.

 

[Knight Shift]

Felter was a loss and fake punt was stupid. I thought they might do it and Nebraska had to be aware RU would do it.

And Nebraska's fake punt was stupid too? Sometimes plays do not work as designed. Why do you think RU's fake punt was stupid?

 

[Jerseylegends]

Nebraskas defensive line is big time...if your online isn't performing at a high level you will have a problem with them.. I agree about filter being a big loss, his replacement did not have enough in game reps to perform at a high level against that dline..

 

[Jerseylegends]

This talk that the loss of Felter was the difference in the game is a bit too much. If you watched that game our whole o-line was manhandled from start to finish. Suddenly Felter turned into Zach Martin??? He wouldn't have fared much better than the other 5 guys. We need to face facts that yesterday our o-line was out-matched.

I can go with this as well... Nebraskas dline is huge as well..

 

[Jerseylegends]

He hasn't run much for awhile now.. and often looked like he slid or took dives early leaving yards he could have had. I wonder if he has been dinged a long time now. I thought it was odd he handed off no matter what the read suggested.. a lack of legs would explain it.

I'm guessing the coaches tell the QBs to hand it off no matter the read because it was the same thing last year with Wimsatt... majority of his runs were QB dives up the middle..I can only remember him pulling the ball out of there and keeping it one time maybe he kept twice.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

And Nebraska's fake punt was stupid too? Sometimes plays do not work as designed. Why do you think RU's fake punt was stupid?

Wasn’t it a fake FG? Patel was out there. I think the argument the commentators was making was that a 42 yarder was basically an impossible feat with the wind gusts so Nebraska would’ve known something was up. But the same would’ve been the case with a punt against the wind gusts from inside 30. There was no way we were doing that either (we don’t have an all star pooch kicker anymore) - though I guess argument could be made that if the play is sniffed out with a punt the kicker might still be able to boot one off. But realistically that ends up being a touchback so basically they just get the ball a few yards back. Who cares?

But honestly it seems like real nit picking. The alternative was going for it on 4th and long. Ok maybe we should’ve just done it perhaps played the 3rd down differently and kept it on the ground so it would be a more manageable 4th. I don’t see this decision as some major mistake. It was just a crappy situation for us on the road to be in a situation where we got into FG range but the weather made it impossible for us to even try to put points on the board unless we found the end zone.

 

[Rutgers NJ]

Nebraska was keying on Monangai during the 1st and Goal series.
Why not try an AK fake handoff to Monangai and sprint to the right side for a TD?

If they did that,plenty would say with a weapon like Kyle why would you run AK wide? Can't win an argument after the fact I guess.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

If they did that,plenty would say with a weapon like Kyle why would you run AK wide? Can't win an argument after the fact I guess.

Because his leg was in a brace?

 

[rutgersal]

Because his leg was in a brace?

Might have been a good opportunity to play Ajani in that situation, due to Athans limited mobility.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Might have been a good opportunity to play Ajani in that situation, due to Athans limited mobility.

Possibly although we don’t know where he is with his development as he hasn’t attempted any throws in real situations yet.

Realistically - unless Athan couldn’t go at all Nebraska’s hostile environment probably wasn’t the play to throw him in. It was just a bad situation for us is all:

1) QB with very limited mobility
2) Second best OL out for season - working in brand new starting left guard
3) no Longerbeam on D. Other guys limited
4) Ian Strong barely played so Miller well covered. Mostly had to rely on frosh wide outs.
5) FGs from one side of the field impossible due to wind against a team that cant kick and gets a crazy high percentage of their kicks blocked.
6) 95 degree heat and our sideline in blazing sun. Opponent in shade.

That’s a lot of sudden unexpected adversity to overcome. Then we also had a key call go against us with the spot at the 1 and got unlucky with the direction the FG kick bounced off the upright which was a total momentum killer.

 

[rutgersal]

Possibly although we don’t know where he is with his development as he hasn’t attempted any throws in real situations yet.

Realistically - unless Athan couldn’t go at all Nebraska’s hostile environment probably wasn’t the play to throw him in. It was just a bad situation for us is all:

1) QB with very limited mobility
2) Second best OL out for season - working in brand new starting left guard
3) no Longerbeam on D. Other guys limited
4) Ian Strong barely played so Miller well covered. Mostly had to rely on frosh wide outs.
5) FGs from one side of the field impossible due to wind against a team that cant kick and gets a crazy high percentage of their kicks blocked.
6) 95 degree heat and our sideline in blazing sun. Opponent in shade.

That’s a lot of sudden unexpected adversity to overcome. Then we also had a key call go against us with the spot at the 1 and got unlucky with the direction the FG kick bounced off the upright which was a total momentum killer.

Thats the point. If you put Ajani in, that situation, on Nebraskas 2 yard line, he’s big and strong enough to bowl over the linebacker, or accurate enough to hit an open receiver.

Worst comes to worst, we come away with nothing, which is what we did anyway. We should start giving Ajani opportunities to help him get acclimated to this level. This way if Athan is injured, he can step in.

Another option, that we haven’t taken advantage of, is throwing the fade. 6’6” Duff would have been the perfect target.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Thats the point. If you put Ajani in, that situation, on Nebraskas 2 yard line, he’s big and strong enough to bowl over the linebacker, or accurate enough to hit an open receiver.

Worst comes to worst, we come away with nothing, which is what we did anyway. We should start giving Ajani opportunities to help him get acclimated to this level. This way if Athan is injured, he can step in.

Another option, that we haven’t taken advantage of, is throwing the fade. 6’6” Duff would have been the perfect target.

I mean no - worst case would be a pick six like in last year’s Wisky game. Just saying…

 

[LeapinLou]

Al - good analysis with one caveat. As you are aware, there were a few times when we were on their side of the field with 3rd and manageable. On top of that, Nebraska set up in a 3-4 on many of those plays. That's four down territory. Everytime, Ciarocca called a pass play. I was pulling my hair out.

How do you think the loss of Felter impacts our chances of winning 8+ games?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Thats the point. If you put Ajani in, that situation, on Nebraskas 2 yard line, he’s big and strong enough to bowl over the linebacker, or accurate enough to hit an open receiver.

Worst comes to worst, we come away with nothing, which is what we did anyway. We should start giving Ajani opportunities to help him get acclimated to this level. This way if Athan is injured, he can step in.

Another option, that we haven’t taken advantage of, is throwing the fade. 6’6” Duff would have been the perfect target.

Eh I don’t think you throw a green QB out there like that in a hostile environment. Especially in the red zone. No doubt this was a game where Gavin would’ve gotten snaps had he stuck around in a back up role, but we didn’t have someone with experience to put out there.

 

[rutgersal]

Al - good analysis with one caveat. As you are aware, there were a few times when we were on their side of the field with 3rd and manageable. On top of that, Nebraska set up in a 3-4 on many of those plays. That's four down territory. Everytime, Ciarocca called a pass play. I was pulling my hair out.

How do you think the loss of Felter impacts our chances of winning 8+ games?

We literally stopped running the ball after the 1st quarter. Just made no sense to me. 2 carries in the 2 qtr, 6 carries on the 3rd, 3 carries in the fourth.

Winning 8+ Games will depend on how fast Taj White can get up to speed. With Felter 8+ was a certainty. Without him, Its going to be tough.

 

[beaced]

Strong is obviously dinged and did not play as much as he wasn’t 100%, and saw very few targets. Felter was a huge loss as he was our 2nd best lineman, and our OL as a whole struggled in pass protection, yielding 4 sacks.

Defense played very well. When your defense gives up 14 points, defense isn’t the issue.

As for our offensive void, Black and Duff stepped into the void, and were our Top 2 leading receivers. Too bad Black dropped that Touchdown pass but redeemed himself by making our lone Touchdown catch.

His drop nevertheless symbolized our day. We had our opportunities, just could not capitalize.

Athan had an off day and was well below 50% as we could not give him adequate time to make his throws. His throw which Black dropped was right on the money.

The only disappointment I have is Monagai only had 19 carries, as we got away from the run in the 2nd half. I thought I heard he had 65 yards at halftime.

I expected we were going to run the ball in the 2nd half. He needs to get at least 25-30 carries. If you’re going to lose, lose with your best.

Beat Wisconsin and no one will care that we lost to Nebraska. Let’s Get it!

Very nicely done.Agree completely.There are 7 games plus a bowl to be played.Takewisconsin seriously and get that fifth win

 

[scarletbergen]

NE’s d-line dictated the play calling. They were huge and totally disruptive. They were getting to AK rushing 3! Even with a healthy Felter, it would have been tough! That is why we lost.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

NE’s d-line dictated the play calling. They were huge and totally disruptive. They were getting to AK rushing 3! Even with a healthy Felter, it would have been tough! That is why we lost.

Not to discredit their DL (they are very solid), but AK playing with that brace was a huge factor in the success they had applying pressure. His speed was maybe at 40% of his normal level on scrambles and the RPO.

 

[rutgersal]

NE’s d-line dictated the play calling. They were huge and totally disruptive. They were getting to AK rushing 3! Even with a healthy Felter, it would have been tough! That is why we lost.

There’s no comparison between Felter, who has spent 5 years in the weight room, film room, refining his technique, and a kid who was getting his first meaningful shot in year 3, and had such a tough matchup. Felter would have made a huge difference.

But The big problem here was we had two guys getting beat. A Guard and a tackle, and this significantly limited the effectiveness of our offense.

 

[scarletbergen]

There’s no comparison between Felter, who has spent 5 years in the weight room, film room, refining his technique, and a kid who was getting his first meaningful shot in year 3, and had such a tough matchup. Felter would have made a huge difference.

But The big problem here was we had two guys getting beat. A Guard and a tackle, and this significantly limited the effectiveness of our offense.

NE’s nose #0 was a monster! Hopefully, I doubt we will face a line like that again.