The DN’s soccer protection is introduced by Celerion.
Quarterback: C
Even with a brand new offensive coordinator, struggles continued for freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Raiola threw the ball 38 occasions however solely tallied 191 yards and one landing with a 71% completion price. That’s not a horrible mark, however his two interceptions in vital moments of the sport actually damage Nebraska, with the second ending the sport.
The Huskers couldn’t push the ball downfield, with solely two of Raiola’s completions going for over 20 yards. The true freshman did a pleasant job of checking the ball down within the flat when nobody was open, however he couldn’t join on the massive performs to show the momentum round.
Raiola was questionable coming into the sport, so it is arduous to understand how a lot his again damage compromised him on Saturday. Nonetheless, he’s beginning to turn into a legal responsibility for the offense. At occasions he seems overwhelmed, like a deer within the headlights.
Operating Backs: A-
Whereas the rating wasn’t what the workforce wished, the working backs have been an enormous vibrant spot.
This was probably the greatest performances of the season for the tailbacks, with sophomore Emmett Johnson having a profession day. He led the workforce with 10 carries for 55 yards whereas additionally making a big impact within the receiving recreation, hauling in seven receptions for 36 yards alongside along with his first profession receiving landing. Dowdell additionally had a pleasant efficiency, recording eight carries for 52 yards, together with a 20-yard run.
Even with the working backs posting stable outings, new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen didn’t lean on the run recreation. Raiola threw 38 passes in comparison with simply 18 dashing makes an attempt from the RBs. That’s not an indictment on the working backs, nonetheless.
Receivers: C-
A narrative that has been all season continued, because the receivers struggled to get separation downfield.
Senior Jahmal Banks had a bounce-back recreation, recording 5 catches for 55 yards. Sophomore Janiran Bonner had a breakthrough afternoon in Holgorsen calling the performs, ending with three catches for 21 yards, together with a key third and 10 conversion that led to the Huskers’ first landing.
Whereas Banks and Bonner have been very energetic, freshman standout Jacory Barney Jr. struggled to make an influence, mustering simply two catches for 9 yards. He was focused downfield late within the recreation with Nebraska needing a landing however was unable to haul it in.
The perimeter blocking regarded a little bit higher, however the distinction within the recreation was USC’s broad receivers making performs 1-on-1 and the Huskers’ receivers failing to take action.
Offensive Line: B
The offensive line continues to take quite a lot of strain, however the cross safety was stable on Saturday.
Raiola was sacked two occasions, however he had time to undergo his progressions for essentially the most half. The run blocking helps this grade, as the bottom assault continues to look higher. It nonetheless has a methods to go, however the offensive line has positively improved in that space from the start of the season.
It wasn’t an important day within the trenches, however it was serviceable sufficient for Nebraska to get the win. Different aspects of the workforce simply didn’t observe go well with.
Defensive Line: C+
The line of defense for a second week in a row regarded very strange in opposition to the Trojans, a matchup that Nebraska ought to have been in a position to win within the trenches.
The veteran line of defense made performs at occasions within the recreation. Seniors Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher together with junior Jimari Butler all recorded a deal with for loss, however it wasn’t constant sufficient manufacturing to get the Huskers off the sector in vital moments. The road additionally obtained pushed round, permitting senior working again Woody Marks to hurry for 146 yards with a median of seven.7 yards a carry.
This group is taken into account the power of the workforce, and they will should step up in a giant method if Nebraska has any shot of profitable yet one more to clinch a bowl recreation.
Linebackers: C
The tackling has been subpar many occasions this season, and it got here again to chew them as soon as once more.
USC was working the ball all around the Huskers. Not solely was the normal run recreation discovering success, however Nebraska had no reply to the choice run recreation. An enormous a part of that was a scarcity of gang tackling, but additionally simply poor contact on the whole. The linebackers additionally struggled to fill gaps.
Senior John Bullock had a pleasant recreation with seven tackles within the recreation, however nobody else was notably productive. Junior Stefon Thompson had a foul pointless roughness penalty within the first quarter that ultimately led to a Trojan landing.
This group didn’t play effectively, however they weren’t the primary offender for the loss.
Secondary: D+
One man I need to take away from this harsh grade is junior nook Ceyair Wright, who had a profession day in opposition to his former workforce. He had a pick-six to provide Nebraska an early 7-0 lead and in addition blocked a discipline objective. Nonetheless, the remainder of the group leaves rather a lot to be desired.
Nebraska gave up 259 yards and three touchdowns by means of the air. Senior Tommi Hill, who was touted as a possible first-round choose heading into the season, didn’t look nice in opposition to USC. On the Trojans’ first landing drive of the sport, Hill had back-to-back performs that have been inexcusable. He misjudged a deep cross, permitting the ball to sail over his head for an enormous completion. He then made a poor effort on a deal with by the endzone, permitting USC to tie the sport 7-7.
Junior Malcolm Hartzog was picked on all afternoon USC head coach Lincoln Riley made a degree of emphasis to focus on the small defensive again, and the taller Trojan receivers had a discipline day on Hartzog. Hartzog had a number of occasions the place he was inches away from making a giant play, however his top performed in opposition to him.
This group has struggled all season, however Saturday was the icing on the cake in a recreation the Huskers actually wanted to win.
Particular Groups: A-
Particular groups have actually turned it round for the reason that starting of the season.
As talked about earlier, Wright made an enormous play blocking USC’s discipline objective try within the fourth quarter, which might have pushed the result in 4 factors. Freshman kicker John Hohl made each of his discipline objective makes an attempt, and senior punter Brian Buschini punted 5 occasions for a median of 46 yards.
Nebraska continues to be struggling to return punts and kicks, however the discipline objective and punt operations are each working very easily, which is a constructive.
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