Nebraska Football: Report Card for the Cornhuskers' Second Game

Nebraska beat Fresno State, 42-29, in a game that was far more in doubt than the final score would indicate. To figure out how Nebraska pulled this one out, and to get an idea of what to expect over the next few weeks, let's get our red pens out and give each of NU's units a letter grade. I promise, no pop quizzes afterwards.

Quarterback: B

Like many of these grades, the average takes into account a wide disparity in performance. In the first half, Taylor Martinez was…well, he was the Taylor Martinez we saw at the end of 2010. While he did have an electrifying run, he also was ineffective in directing the offense and had some atrocious passes, including a dreadful interception to a stationary defender. He also, in vintage Taylor Martinez style, failed to protect the ball when being tackled and coughed it up.

But in the second half, Martinez was much improved. Although his mechanics are still dreadful, he was given the option to put the ball in the air deep and let his receivers run underneath the throw. He also ran the offense more effectively and executed the option runs far more effectively. So, overall, a B grade seems appropriate.

Running Backs: A

Really, this grade is for Rex Burkhead, as the rotation of running backs was nowhere near as pronounced as it was against Chattanooga.

The tailback had another solid performance, running tough between the tackles, patiently finding his holes and running downhill. Burkhead was also primarily responsible for Nebraska’s drive to end the game, a time-consuming drive the likes of which hadn’t been seen from a Nebraska offense in some years.

Receivers: B

There were some shining performances from receivers, including the long passes to Kenny Bell, Jamal Turner and Kyler Reed, and the screen pass off the diamond bunch formation to Turner.

But there were some poor performances, primarily from an anonymous Brandon Kinnie, that dragged the overall grade down. The grade would have been a B-, but Quincy Enunwa’s tackle and forced fumble after Taylor Martinez’s interception was the play of the game for NU, and that alone deserves bonus points.

Offensive Line: C+

Again, Nebraska struggled to establish a downhill running attack for much of the game. Until the fourth quarter, NU had to rely on runs to the edge and deep passes to get the offense moving. In the line’s defense, however, Fresno State did have at least eight players loaded in the box. But even with that, Nebraska needs to be able to establish a power running game if the option is going to be effective.

Nebraska’s final drive, consuming over three minutes and consisting almost exclusively of Rex Burkhead runs between the tackles, was a game-winner. The offensive line’s performance in making that drive happen is worth an upgrade to a C+.

Defensive Line: C

No one saw this coming. The Nebraska defensive line was supposed to be the rock upon which the rest of the team was built. But a speedy Fresno tailback and a game plan for a waggling quarterback confounded the defensive line for much of the night, resulting in no sacks and 169 yards for Robbie Rouse. The statistics are unthinkable for a Nebraska defensive line, particularly one with such hype coming into the season.

A lower grade could be argued for, but the line did lead the charge when they needed to, keeping Fresno off the board in the second quarter when they dominated field position and holding them to a field goal on the first possession of the third quarter. If any of those are converted into touchdowns, NU is down two scores in front of a very restless Memorial Stadium.

Those defensive stops don’t make the statistics look any better, but were very important to the outcome of the game.

Linebackers: B

It was the linebackers that really did the lion’s share of the work defensively for Nebraska against Fresno State. Both Will Compton and Lavonte David had 15 total tackles, leading the way for a linebacker corps that held things together while the defensive units behind them and in front of them faltered.

Secondary: C

The Children of the Corn really need to be sending get-well-soon cards to Alfonzo Dennard. With his injury forcing freshman Andrew Green and sophomore Ciante Evans into starting action, Nebraska’s secondary borders on a liability. Dennard's return will bring some much-needed experience and athleticism to the corner position, allowing Evans and Green more time to learn the position better.

Safety was better than corner for Nebraska, and it’s clear that Daimion Stafford has won the starting safety position alongside Austin Cassidy. But it did appear that it was Cassidy’s mistake that gave up the long pass by Fresno late in the game to keep the Bulldogs’ chances alive. 

Special Teams: B+

Again, there’s a lot of good and bad that goes into a grade. Ameer Abdullah’s electrifying 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was certainly the highlight of the game. Brett Maher solidified his role as Alex Henery’s heir apparent with a solid game punting and kicking.

But surrendering a punt return for a touchdown, along with sketchy punt and kickoff coverage, drags the grade down. A second-half improvement of that defense keeps the grade from being a solid B.

Coaching: B-

Offensively in the second half, you could see green shoots of grown in the Tim Beck Offensive Experience, although the offense was pretty ugly at the start of the game. Defensively, Nebraska was befuddled by a waggling quarterback once again and was gashed both in the air and on the ground.

Successful second-half adjustments that fueled Nebraska's comeback is the only think that keeps the coaching staff out of C territory.

Intangibles: A

How does Nebraska get an A in this category? Because a game like this, against an opponent who tests you and makes you earn everything you get, has the potential to galvanize a team and infuse it with confidence. Nebraska finding the ability to close a game out on offense, instead of on defense, gives NU a balance it did not have for the previous two years. That accomplishment, alone, might be the most important outcome from the game.

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