Stupid theory on our collapses in the second half of Oregon and Nebraska

Besides these two games, which games have our starters played more than two quarters or two and a half quarters? Before both of these games we've never let our starters go that long. It certainly could be an intensity type thing that leads to the lack of finish. It could just be that Nebraska played a four quarter game against Miami before us. Who knows, just a possible reason (more likely an excuse) of why we're having trouble finishing. It's my suspicion we get better as we go along.

That thought had crossed my mind as well.

I think it is more of a mental aspect than physical. There seemed to be some lack of focus that Nebraska was able to exploit. It only takes one blown assignment on a given play.

The refs still played a bigger part IMO. Calls against us, as well as no calls that should have gone our way to extend drives.

I dunno. Yesterday's semi-collapse was mostly fluky. It was 27-9 with like 6 min to go and a pick 6 goes right through Drummonds hands. 34-9 and you don't start this thread. The bogus PI call. A punt return TD, etc. most concerning was not being able to run the ball well enough to salt the game away but the Nebraska D played well and never quit.

I think they players became distracted by the silence coming from the green seats followed by the mass exodus in the student section.

Remarkable performance for the Defense yesterday when you consider that Nebraska was allowed to have 18 possessions.

Stanford had 12 in the Rose Bowl
Ohio State had 13 in BTT

Oregon had 15

gHost Spartan wrote:I guess I shared the same theory with respect to the offense. Cook hasn't been playing much at all except the Oregon game and he seemed a little off yesterday. That killer instinct seems to be missing or lapses in the second half last night and we struggled offensively in the second half in Eugene.

To use a football cliche, I thought Cook was threading the needle on some of his throws. Cook continues to amaze me and I still see a lot of upside to his game.

I think the coaching strategy shifts in the 2nd half, I think the play calling goes away from what is working to a game of trying to melt the clock. It's too conservative and I hate it. I would like to see us stay aggressive and put teams away.

I agree with the OP, I think this team improves and I don't think we lose another game up to the Ohio State game. The Ohio State game should be a thriller.

Didn't Narduzzi say he thought the starters should've played more against JSU, only for Dantonio to come out and say he disagreed with him?

Not saying there's a rift or anything like that, but it is worth noting Narduzzi has already brought up this point.

WBill wrote:Remarkable performance for the Defense yesterday when you consider that Nebraska was allowed to have 18 possessions.

Stanford had 12 in the Rose Bowl
Ohio State had 13 in BTT

Oregon had 15

That's unreal. Thats a hell of a job by the defense

DWags wrote:Besides these two games, which games have our starters played more than two quarters or two and a half quarters? Before both of these games we've never let our starters go that long. It certainly could be an intensity type thing that leads to the lack of finish. It could just be that Nebraska played a four quarter game against Miami before us. Who knows, just a possible reason (more likely an excuse) of why we're having trouble finishing. It's my suspicion we get better as we go along.

I think your suspicion will play out as reality. Was glad to hear MD call out the refs as best he could. The team got conservative in the 4th; Cook has said so. Learn from that. The kids, (young adults) follow MD like a sherpa and as they should. They do not want to embarrass; just win. They will learn the difference and when the speed limit needs to be exceeded. We are beyond the falling apart years. November will see all cylinders and a team that could / should be top 5 or better.

Wally Fairway wrote:I think they players became distracted by the silence coming from the green seats followed by the mass exodus in the student section.

I think it was a combination of this and the officiating...

This worried me a little heading into the game. But we didn't get manhandled in the 4th quarter. We didn't look gassed. It was three plays... a missed pick six, a bad PI call and bad punt coverage. More reps vs. Eastern were not the issue.

The brain fart on special teams allowing a 64 yard punt return for a touchdown was how the Huskers made it a game with under 4 minutes left. One tackle on special teams and Nebraska maybe scores a TD with 2 minutes left in the game, allowing MSU to kneel down for the win.

Nordic wrote:This worried me a little heading into the game. But we didn't get manhandled in the 4th quarter. We didn't look gassed. It was three plays... a missed pick six, a bad PI call and bad punt coverage. More reps vs. Eastern were not the issue.

While I agree with the general context of your post - it was more than 3 plays, IMO. Penalties hurt the team on both sides of the ball in the 2nd half, I'd have to look but I think it was more in the 4th. Giving the Cornshuckers first downs, taking MSU out of field goal range, losing on O-Lineman on a DQ. I think that stuff happens when there is a loss of focus, getting sloppy...and you forgot the missed FG by Geiger with 1:30 to go; MSU needed to get 1 first down and couldn't do it.
Luckily Tommy Armstrong ended the game looking like what he did the majority of the game - significantly under/over throwing his receivers. I will give the Fighting Pelini's some credit for never throwing in the towel, and keep taking shots down the field...hopefully the Spartans look at this game and learn to put their foot on the throat of an opponent and get up by 30 or more.

I heard some Nebraska fans say our D was "sucking wind" in that 4th quarter, what?

Wally Fairway wrote:...and you forgot the missed FG by Geiger with 1:30 to go.

Thought it was huge that
1) Langford didn't get stay in-bounds on 3rd down
2) we didn't use our last time out to set up that kick

The problem with the whole conservative play calling debate is that MSU didn't put together any sustained drives in the first have either. The two TD's, came on the bomb and then the 1st play of the possession. The offense was working in spurts and stops all night.

What we did seem to abandon for most of the night was any sort of short passing game. No crossing routes or anything to a back that connected.