Can Coach Riley fix the Husker Interceptions & Fumble-itis dilemma?

We know that Husker Quarterback Tommy Armstrong is the number one QB so far, but A.J. Bush is causing quite a stir as a possible back-up. We know that no running back has stood out above the rest, so will one break out as the top dog or will we have more of a running back by committee system? We know the tight end position is not very deep and is somewhat lacking experience. We know the wide receivers are looking good and have plenty of experience. What we don’t know is will these players who handle the football be able to protect it better?

Oct 4, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) attempts to hand the ball off to Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MSU won 27-22. Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

When Coach Riley was at Oregon State, his offense really utilized their tight ends and running backs into the passing game as well as using wide receivers in the running game. It would appear that although Riley said he would create an offense that played to the Husker personnel strengths, all indications are the offense will look more similar to Oregon State’s offense than that of Tim Beck’s offense.  So if we look at Coach Riley’s offense compared to the offense that Bo Pelini ran, Oregon State had more players with their hands on the ball. Does this translate to more turnovers?

When we look at rushing the ball, last season the Huskers only utilized the wide receivers 5 times in rushing attempts, while Oregon State had 25 rushing attempts by wide receivers (which was actually a low number compared to previous seasons). When we look at receiving, Husker running backs caught passes 30 times, while Oregon State running backs caught passes 82 times.  Tight ends caught 10 passes last season for the Huskers while at Oregon State, tight ends caught 55 passes. When passing this much it certainly helps have a QB that can get the ball to their receivers.

How did the 2014 Huskers compare to Oregon State in the turnover department last season? Last season the Huskers fumbled 27 times losing 13 while Oregon State fumbled 13 times losing 6. The Huskers threw 12 interceptions last season (which translates to interception for every 30 passes) and Oregon State threw 8 interceptions last season (which translates to one interception for ever 59 passes). The Huskers ended the season with a turnover margin of -2 while Oregon State ended their season with a turnover margin of +4.  When it came to turnovers Oregon State seemed to be the more disciplined team with fewer fumbles and fewer interceptions.

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So does having Mike Riley in charge rather than Bo Pelini mean we will have fewer turnovers? That’s tough to say because there are so many factors that go into why someone loses the ball and most coaches will tell you that most turnovers are more of a mental thing and are random events making them hard to prepare for. That being said, I would be happy with Mike Riley’s turnover numbers last year at the end of this coming Husker season. One of the biggest ways to stop players from fumbling is by repetition. We will assume that those players running with the football are getting plenty of reps and these reps will continue throughout fall camp and the season. But what else can be done?

Oct 20, 2012; Evanston, IL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Kenny Bell (80) gestures as he catches the ball and runs it in for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

How many times have you witnessed a Husker ball carrier running into traffic carrying the ball with one arm? I would imagine player adrenaline has something to do with this but the coaches need to get in their ear when they see this. Teaching the players to fall to the ground while holding a ball without extending their arms towards the ground is also something coaches can teach the players. Ball security is most important and these players need to wrap the ball up in traffic as there is always someone trying to strip the ball away. There is also the center to quarterback fumble off the snap that we may see frequently. Those tend to be covered up before defenders can get them, but not always. I suppose a coach could make a player with fumble-itis carry the ball with him everywhere outside of practice and have other players try to unsuspectingly strip the ball from him, much like Darnell Jackson from the movie “The Program.”

I am sure the Husker coaches have drills they practice to work on preventing and causing fumbles so we will just need to have confidence that they are doing so. Turnovers are drive and game killers; do you remember the 2009 Iowa State game? Yeah we all tried to forget that one! There is one type of fumble I would love to see come back though, the Fumblerooski! Go Big Red!