Nebraska football's wide receiver blocking is a 'deficiency' says Matt Rhule
There are many reasons why the Nebraska football offense has struggled this year, despite more talent at the wide receiver position, more talent at the running back position, and, of course, more talent at the quarterback position. But it appears there is one reason Husker head coach Matt Rhule has pinpointed as a problem.
“Our perimeter blocking has been a deficiency for us the entire year, and continues to be,” Rhule said Monday during his weekly press conference, which kicked off Ohio State week.
It didn’t take long for Nebraska football to show that off on Saturday against Indiana.
Early in the first quarter, with the Huskers down just 7-0, the pass blocking by the receivers showed the problem. Dylan Raiola dumped off a pass to tight end Thomas Fidone. And then three defenders walloped him. It was because at least in part, Janiran Bonner missed his man.
Nebraska football perimeter blocking, is a real problem moving forward
Bonner is usually a good blocker. It’s a big reason why he sees the field. But he missed his man badly. Later in the game, with NU down 21-7 there was a little screen to Jacory Barney that would have gotten a few yards. But Alex Bullock, another player who sees the field in large part because of his blocking, missed his man. Another short gain. Another drive killed.
There have been many games where the blocking has been less than good. Sometimes the block in the back or the holding or offensive pass interference are bad calls. Other times, they weren’t.
It’s possible the Huskers have left as many as 28 points on the field because of missed blocks or bad blocks leading to penalties that wiped out big plays.
“To me, anytime something doesn't show up we're not going to just throw it on the kids, like ‘Hey, you guys got to execute, we have to go to execute,’” Rhule said. “We have to rep it until it's good enough.”
So far, it’s not good enough. Not nearly enough. The Nebraska football needs to find an answer.