Nebraska Football: Position Grades Vs OSU

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Post on Oct 27, 2024

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Nebraska Football: Position Grades vs. OSU - A Mixed Bag of Performance

The Nebraska Cornhuskers faced off against their rivals, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, in a game that saw both highs and lows. While the final score was a disappointing 37-32 loss, certain positions showcased glimpses of promise while others struggled. Let's dive into a position-by-position breakdown, grading their performance against the Cowboys.

Offense:

Quarterback (B+): Casey Thompson delivered a solid performance, completing 21 of 33 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. He showed good mobility, scrambling for 53 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his ability to extend plays and create opportunities for himself. However, a few crucial interceptions hampered his overall grade.

Running Backs (C): The run game struggled to establish consistency against a tough OSU defense. Anthony Grant led the way with 50 yards on 13 carries, but the lack of explosive plays and a tendency to get bottled up in the backfield hampered their effectiveness.

Wide Receivers (A): Trey Palmer had a breakout game, hauling in 7 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda also had a strong outing with 5 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. The receivers provided a consistent threat in the passing game, stretching the field and creating opportunities for Thompson.

Offensive Line (C): While the offensive line did a decent job of protecting Thompson, they struggled to create consistent running lanes. A few missed assignments and penalties hindered their overall effectiveness.

Defense:

Defensive Line (C): The defensive line generated some pressure, but struggled to consistently disrupt the OSU offensive line. Garrett Nelson had a solid outing with 5 tackles, but they lacked the dominant presence needed to stifle the Cowboys' running game.

Linebackers (B): The linebacker corps showed flashes of brilliance, with Luke Reimer leading the way with 9 tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Nick Henrich also had a strong performance, making key tackles and contributing to the run defense.

Secondary (D): The secondary struggled mightily against the Cowboys' passing game. Spencer Sanders threw for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns, exploiting the Nebraska secondary with big plays. The lack of communication and missed tackles led to several crucial plays for Oklahoma State.

Special Teams (C):

Punter (A): Brian Buschini had a strong performance, averaging 46.7 yards per punt with 3 punts landing inside the 20-yard line.

Kickoff Returns (B): The Huskers didn't have any major returns but did manage to consistently get good field position from kickoffs.

Kickers (C): Timmy Bleekrode hit both his field goal attempts but had a disappointing 2-for-4 performance on extra points.

Conclusion:

The Nebraska Cornhuskers demonstrated a mixed bag of performance against Oklahoma State. While the offense showed flashes of brilliance with strong performances from Thompson and Palmer, the defensive struggles ultimately hampered their chances. The secondary needs significant improvement, and the running game must find more consistency to compete at a higher level. However, the overall effort and fight displayed by the team provides a glimmer of hope for the future.