Steven M. Sipple: Don't worry about NU's O-line yet
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Tom Osborne was succinct in the first paragraph of his foreword for Milt Tenopir’s 1996 book “Assembly Line.”
“The most important part of an offense and at the same time the least recognized is the offensive line,” the former Nebraska head coach wrote. “Offensive line play is very much like defensive secondary play in that it goes relatively unnoticed until things go badly.”
Things didn’t necessarily go badly for Nebraska’s offensive line Saturday night in a 47-24 win over Western Michigan. However, the game plan on offense evidently didn’t unfold quite as expected.
“We really did want to pound the rock and show everybody that we can run the ball and be physical,” said right tackle Marcel Jones. “We didn’t really do that.”
In other words, Nebraska fans should be thankful for Shawn Watson’s multifaceted offense. You saw Joe Ganz execute play-action passes off the zone read, you saw basic pass plays, effective QB scrambles, stretch plays, zone runs, power runs, two-back sets (with Marlon Lucky and Quentin Castille together on one occasion), one-back sets — an array of formations and plays.
Watson made sound in-game adjustments. Nebraska racked up 483 yards of total offense. However, the Huskers never really found their rhythm in the running game. It’s a concern coming out of game one — probably NU’s most significant concern.
I was among those who wrote and talked repeatedly in the offseason about Nebraska’s offensive line perhaps being the strength of the team. I’m not nearly ready to concede defeat here. Not after one game.
“Western Michigan was loading the box up on us big-time because I think they probably figured we had a good offensive line, good backs,” Watson said. “That’s why we had the play-action game going. If you take something away (on defense), you’ve given up something. That’s why we hit the big passes that we did.”
Even so, if you’re a Nebraska fan, you wanted to see a stronger push from the offensive line. Championship teams typically can run the ball even when the defense knows it’s coming (recall Big Red teams in the 1980s and 1990s). The Huskers at this point need a lot of polish before they’re ready to contend for championships of any kind.
The Nebraska defense lacks experienced depth in key spots, particularly at linebacker. A strong ground game obviously would ease pressure on a developing defense and keep it off the field for longer stretches. That likely was the plan Saturday before it became immediately evident rushing yards would be hard to come by (NU rushed 31 times for 138 yards on the night).
Recent O-line injuries and illness didn’t help matters. Projected starting tackle Jaivorio Burkes missed most of August with high blood pressure. Starting right tackle Lydon Murtha was injured last week and didn’t suit up Saturday (his apparent arm injury isn’t considered serious). Starting left guard Mike Huff limped off the field in the third quarter.
Sophomore left tackle Mike Smith and redshirt freshman right tackle Jones made their first college starts Saturday. Burkes, a sophomore, played in only his fifth college game. Jacob Hickman, a junior, started for the first time as a center. Sophomore Keith Williams filled in for Huff. You get the picture.
Ganz praised the pass protection. He had decent time in the pocket, but he clearly benefits from his ability to scramble and create plays outside the pocket. He said his ability to throw on the run comes from playing shortstop in high school and having to throw from different body positions without having his feet set.
The more you watch Ganz, the more you question why Sam Keller was the starter in the first nine games last season. You question why Ganz never really was even given a fair chance in a game until Keller hurt his shoulder.
I still think Nebraska has three excellent running backs, although they were relatively quiet Saturday. However, it should be noted the Huskers were fairly strong running the ball in the fourth quarter, with 12 carries for 58 yards.
The O-line kept grinding way until the final whistle, Watson said.
Said Ganz: “It’s really inspiring to see those guys play the way they did, knowing we still have Murtha coming back. He’s a dominant football player.”
It also helps to have variety in the playbook if the ground game stalls.
“It’s going to be tough for defenses to stop all of it,” Ganz said.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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