Statistically, the running game is the biggest issue the Huskies have. The QB is the easiest problem to focus on, but that's only because of the instability and nature of the position. QB play does have a domino effect on the rest of the O, so it's failures are magnified, but Statistically, it's not as big of a problem as the run game relatively compared to recent years.

PASSING/GAME

'17: 20/34(58%), 219yd, 1.9td,1.0int
'16: 19/33(58%), 224yd, 1.7td,1.1int
'15: 17/29(59%), 208yd, 1.6td,0.7int
'14: 16/28(59%), 192yd, 1.4td,0.2int
'13: 18/30(59%), 222yd, 2.1td,0.6int

RUSHING/GAME

'17: 43/185, 4.3ypc, 1.2td
'16: 45/239, 5.2ypc, 2.3td
'15: 45/190, 4.1ypc, 2.2td
'14: 49/249, 5.1ypc, 2.6td
'13: 43/238, 5.4ypc, 3.1td

The biggest negative from this years passing game is too many attempts with too few yards. But when compared to some of our best years, 13&14, those passing numbers aren't way way off. But compared to 16,14,13, the running numbers are way way down. Of course stats don't tell everything. Bad passing can lead to more difficult running, but NIU is a full 1 yard per carry and 1 td on the ground worse than their recent good years. We could focus on the cluster shuffle at RB as easily as we do at QB and point fingers there. Basically, NIU is throwing too much. Especially with the D it has.

As you say the QB play has a domino effect and I would posit that it's the make-up of the passing attempts that has caused a decrease in ypc. The inability of the QB to connect on a pass over fifteen yards allows everyone on defense to step up and clog the running lanes. So even when a RB gets beyond the LOS the rest of the defense is relatively closer and makes for jammed running lanes and less open space to get extra yards and break a long run. At this point I'm not sure if the corners didn't cover our wideouts if Childers could hit the WR's in stride.

(11-08-2017 02:28 PM)NIUSAE Wrote:  As you say the QB play has a domino effect and I would posit that it's the make-up of the passing attempts that has caused a decrease in ypc. The inability of the QB to connect on a pass over fifteen yards allows everyone on defense to step up and clog the running lanes. So even when a RB gets beyond the LOS the rest of the defense is relatively closer and makes for jammed running lanes and less open space to get extra yards and break a long run. At this point I'm not sure if the corners didn't cover our wideouts if Childers could hit the WR's in stride.

I think this is right. Since we can't throw downfield everyone is in the box to stop the run.

Good point; thanks for doing the leg work.

It is a valid concern about opposing defenses stacking the box. However, shouldn't that result in our WRs being open on deep routes? They sure have not been.

Huff is a difference maker. According to Carey he is available to play against BSU. I hope they use him sparingly; knock the rust off kind of thing and get him ready for WMU and our nemesis CMU.

I think Jones is a good RB; he has had some good runs, but other times he looks just OK. I like what I am seeing from Tre H. and he looks like he could be special. I hope he gets more carries. RBs with his size (and he is pretty quick also) tend to get better and more effective with more carries and when the defense gets run down.

(11-08-2017 03:10 PM)NILAW Wrote:  Good point; thanks for doing the leg work.

It is a valid concern about opposing defenses stacking the box. However, shouldn't that result in our WRs being open on deep routes? They sure have not been.

Huff is a difference maker. According to Carey he is available to play against BSU. I hope they use him sparingly; knock the rust off kind of thing and get him ready for WMU and our nemesis CMU.

I think Jones is a good RB; he has had some good runs, but other times he looks just OK. I like what I am seeing from Tre H. and he looks like he could be special. I hope he gets more carries. RBs with his size (and he is pretty quick also) tend to get better and more effective with more carries and when the defense gets run down.

Good post.

Keep in mind that Childers gets more carries than anyone and hasn't been great. He's the reason the YPC is down, not the RBs.

(11-08-2017 03:26 PM)timxlydon Wrote:  Keep in mind that Childers gets more carries than anyone and hasn't been great. He's the reason the YPC is down, not the RBs.

Eh.

Childers and Graham are averaging 4.5 YPC.
RBs are averaging 5.2
WRs are averaging 5.1

Santa is averaging -1.2 lol

Huff is only playmaker. QB might have a receiver but can't tell with QB Need a touchdown maker. Huff only one and he can't do it from the training room.

I would say the stats Blake put up against Nebraska and SDSU qualify him as a playmaker. We need somebody to get him the ball.

No In depth analysis needed. Anyone can see this offense suffers from 1) no playmakers and 2) horrendous approach from coaching perspective. You can really trace this demise and the white flag approach to the non conf season 2015

(11-08-2017 03:33 PM)7 Wrote:  

(11-08-2017 03:26 PM)timxlydon Wrote:  Keep in mind that Childers gets more carries than anyone and hasn't been great. He's the reason the YPC is down, not the RBs.

Eh.

Childers and Graham are averaging 4.5 YPC.
RBs are averaging 5.2
WRs are averaging 5.1

Santa is averaging -1.2 lol

Why lump Graham and Childers together? Childers is averaging 3.6 YPC with a team high 106 carries.

I didn't post this to say the running game is what's holding the offense back, but more to say the QB isn't the onlything wrong with this offense. Every position on O deserves a C grade. Maybe TE could get a B. A great QB could elevate the entire offense, but this year we needed the entire offense to elevate the QB.

Last years D struggled for 7 games then got it going, maybe this year the O starts clicking late as well.

I hope Tre is that big grinding back we need.
Now it is up to Carey to use him in the second half.

(11-08-2017 07:41 PM)timxlydon Wrote:  

(11-08-2017 03:33 PM)7 Wrote:  

(11-08-2017 03:26 PM)timxlydon Wrote:  Keep in mind that Childers gets more carries than anyone and hasn't been great. He's the reason the YPC is down, not the RBs.

Eh.

Childers and Graham are averaging 4.5 YPC.
RBs are averaging 5.2
WRs are averaging 5.1

Santa is averaging -1.2 lol

Why lump Graham and Childers together? Childers is averaging 3.6 YPC with a team high 106 carries.

I’m not real sure lol