It's pretty clear through our first two games that our identity on offense is Drew Hare's arm. We have tremendous weapons we are not utilizing nearly enough. Golladay is getting plenty of touches obviously, but we can still throw a lot more to Beebe and Brescasin. Right now we are just wasting Turner. He should be thrown to at least 10 times per game. We all saw how well he played at the end of the year last year. If TLL comes back we also have to throw him the ball. With Hare so accurate and trustworthy we should get our main weapons the ball as much as we can. The TEs need some more touches as well. This is the week to establish that identity.

I agree. It almost seems that Carey insists on running a balanced attack with an unbalanced offense. Of course, it could also be because of the caliber of the Huskie opponents over the last two weeks, that Carey has been emphasizing the Huskie run game, when this could be the strongest passing attack the Huskies have had in a while. Look for the Huskies to pull out all the stops vs the OSU and BC.

There's only one ball. Throw to the open man.

(09-14-2015 09:05 AM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  I agree. It almost seems that Carey insists on running a balanced attack with an unbalanced offense. Of course, it could also be because of the caliber of the Huskie opponents over the last two weeks, that Carey has been emphasizing the Huskie run game, when this could be the strongest passing attack the Huskies have had in a while. Look for the Huskies to pull out all the stops vs the OSU and BC.

I have a feeling the offense has been paired back a bit, I know a few others have mentioned that and I tend to agree. Huskies will be pulling out everything they have Saturday.

Seems like we have this come up every year..."he should get at least 10 targets", "that guy needs at least 8 carries"....there are only so many plays in the game folks...if you want someone to see 10 more touches, who do you want to take the away from? And no...you can't say throw it 80 times and run it 5 times total.

Yes, the offense has improvements to make, but I'd prefer we keep throwing to Golladay a lot.

This is a good problem to have, but there are only so many plays in a game.

Have we switched from a run-centered O-line to a pass-blocking O-line? For one thing, they're bigger than they used to be. I'm not sure they're as mobile. They've done pretty well pass blocking, but it seems not as well run blocking (I'm not counting late in the games when the other team is worn down).

I think Carey has said this line is more athletic than last years.

(09-14-2015 09:06 AM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  There's only one ball. Throw to the open man.

True that. We have a lot of weapons in the passing game. They can't cover it all, so I'm hoping our coaches recognize what Ohio State will give us and exploit it. Whether it be the quick slants or outs to our WRs, quick seams or misdirection to our TEs, middle screens or slip screens to our RBs, or deep outs or crosses to our WR (don't think we'll have time for those until they are tired). Hare has been tremendously accurate and trustworthy. Give him a chance to make it a game for us. Don't run twice and get us in a third and long and punt like we started against Arkansas the entire first quarter. Dont be stubborn and try to run up the gut of the best defensive line in the country like we tried 30 time against Florida State. Showcase Drew's talent. If he can't do it we can always run three times and punt the rest of the game. Let's not start that way.

When TLL was in, the offense was centered around him, so I'm not worried about him getting the touches. I think when he's back, we are going to see a much more dynamic offense. If we can run the ball, having TLL underneath and out wide and Kenny G over the top, the offense is going to be deadly.

Should be noted:

Rush attempts 85
Pass attempts 67

They're still a run first offense.

(09-14-2015 12:45 PM)17Huskies Wrote:  Seems like we have this come up every year..."he should get at least 10 targets", "that guy needs at least 8 carries"....there are only so many plays in the game folks...if you want someone to see 10 more touches, who do you want to take the away from? And no...you can't say throw it 80 times and run it 5 times total.

Yes, the offense has improvements to make, but I'd prefer we keep throwing to Golladay a lot.

If Golladay has a mismatch like he did the first two games, then yes throw to him every play. But I don't anticipate Ohio State to allow us to beat them with our best receiver. Which is fine. I trust Beebe, Brescacin, Turner, and TLL just as much based on what they have done in the past. Our TEs have also looked impressive in the first two games. Our RBs have caught the ball well out of the backfield in the past but I don't know if Bougie, Huff, or the freshmen are as capable as Akeem or Spencer. Based on the lessons from the Wisconsin, Florida State, and Arkansas games, I don't trust our OL to move the chains for us with the running game.

(09-14-2015 01:31 PM)7 Wrote:  Should be noted:

Rush attempts 85
Pass attempts 67

They're still a run first offense.

If we can have success running the ball down Bucky's throat I'm all for it. I think we have a much better chance of moving the chains by throwing quick passes to our WRs, TEs, and RBs.

(09-14-2015 01:39 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 01:31 PM)7 Wrote:  Should be noted:

Rush attempts 85
Pass attempts 67

They're still a run first offense.

If we can have success running the ball down Bucky's throat I'm all for it. I think we have a much better chance of moving the chains by throwing quick passes to our WRs, TEs, and RBs.

Too much speed to try to beat Ohio State sideline to sideline. Think Florida State.

The good news is, NIU can be much more conventional on offense and still have success with Hare.

(09-14-2015 01:31 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 12:45 PM)17Huskies Wrote:  Seems like we have this come up every year..."he should get at least 10 targets", "that guy needs at least 8 carries"....there are only so many plays in the game folks...if you want someone to see 10 more touches, who do you want to take the away from? And no...you can't say throw it 80 times and run it 5 times total.

Yes, the offense has improvements to make, but I'd prefer we keep throwing to Golladay a lot.

If Golladay has a mismatch like he did the first two games, then yes throw to him every play. But I don't anticipate Ohio State to allow us to beat them with our best receiver. Which is fine. I trust Beebe, Brescacin, Turner, and TLL just as much based on what they have done in the past. Our TEs have also looked impressive in the first two games. Our RBs have caught the ball well out of the backfield in the past but I don't know if Bougie, Huff, or the freshmen are as capable as Akeem or Spencer. Based on the lessons from the Wisconsin, Florida State, and Arkansas games, I don't trust our OL to move the chains for us with the running game.

The difference between Ohio State and Vegas/Murray State is, in all likelihood, Ohio State isn't going to have to put 9 in the box to stop the run. They can play a much more base defense and still probably contain the NIU run game. So you're not going to see Kenny seeing man coverage outside.

The good news is, Hare rifles those balls in there pretty good. At least, when he has time to set his feet.

(09-14-2015 01:59 PM)7 Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 01:39 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 01:31 PM)7 Wrote:  Should be noted:

Rush attempts 85
Pass attempts 67

They're still a run first offense.

If we can have success running the ball down Bucky's throat I'm all for it. I think we have a much better chance of moving the chains by throwing quick passes to our WRs, TEs, and RBs.

Too much speed to try to beat Ohio State sideline to sideline. Think Florida State.

The good news is, NIU can be much more conventional on offense and still have success with Hare.

Never said bubbles or jet sweeps. Won't work against Ohio St., but worked well against Florida State the four times they ran it. The defenses have definitely caught up to the bubbles for the most part.

I'd like to see how Hare does scrambling. After option one and quick option two create with your legs then GET DOWN!!!!

JL was amazing scrambling although he didn't do it much... The Ball State game comes to mind.

You have to get the OSU linebackers thinking about something or NIU will not move the ball at all. I suspect that the jet sweep will have to become somewhat of an option again to keep the Ohio State somewhat honest defensively because NIU will not be able to run up the middle against Ohio State. Maybe that is one thing NIU has held back in terms of game film these first two weeks, Turner in motion has really never been an option and mainly just window dressing which I suspect will change somewhat this week. Not saying Turner will be able to outflank the defense but you almost have to run that a few times to at least try to loosen things up inside.