Vincent Genatone has been a secret weapon for the Nebraska football team since last August, but this weekend he finally delivered on that promise. However, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is very unhappy with how the Huskers responded after Genatone’s big first half.
Genatone scored his first career touchdown on a little dump-off pass that he took 12 yards into the end zone just as time ticked down in the first half. The score gave the Cornhuskers a 24-10 lead at the break.
Unfortunately, instead of using Genatone’s score to fuel its attack, Nebraska’s offense struggled mightily in the third quarter. On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen made it clear he was very unhappy with how they followed through when he met with the media for his weekly press conference.
“Guess we spent too much time and energy celebrating Genatone making a spectacular play in a big-time moment,” Holgorsen said. He then added that the poor play in the third period stuck with him far more than the good plays in the 31-13 victory.
Nebraska football offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen demands better execution ahead of Maryland
However, as angry as he was about Nebraska’s approach and execution at times in the second half, he also pointed out that his players can take away some positives and build on them.
“But at the end of the day, it didn’t all suck,” Holgorsen added. “There was some good in there too, right?”
Michigan State also had something to do with the inconsistencies, Holgorsen said. The Spartans’ strength is clearly their defense. The week before they played against Nebraska, Pat Fitzgerald’s team played No. 3 Notre Dame close, trailing just 17-10 at the half.
While the Spartans couldn’t sack the shifty Anthony Colandrea, they did manage to get a hand in his face early and often. In addition to a batted-down pass, it was clear Colandrea wasn’t as comfortable in the pocket as he had been in the Husker’s first three games. MSU’s defensive line also severely limited NU’s run game, especially after true freshman Jamal Rule was injured after just four carries.
The challenge doesn’t get easier this week against a Maryland defense “improved” from last year’s version with big bodies and quick-twitch pass rushers. Holgorsen believes that despite the Terps allowing 54 points to UCLA last weekend.
Holgorsen’s frustration with the offense notwithstanding, he said that there’s a very good chance that Genatone will be a weapon Nebraska goes back to this season. He said the fullback has been working in short yardage behind Rule since the start of fall camp, and that role will continue.
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