Losing up front
Sunday, Sep. 2, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
Well, that was fun for about a quarter and a half.
Nevada played pretty much straight up with Nebraska for the first 20 minutes of Saturday’s game. Sophomore quarterback Nick Graziano made some nice throws, the defense held sturdy against the Cornhuskers, and cornerback Jonathon Amaya even gave the Wolf Pack a fleeting hope when he intercepted a Sam Keller pass and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown to give his team a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.
And then the Cornhuskers scored 45 unanswered points for a 52-10 win.
The Cornhuskers responded to Amaya’s touchdown with two quick scoring drives of their own.
The 21-10 score at halftime wasn’t so bad, except it showcased the biggest difference between Bowl Championship Series teams and supposed mid-majors – the front seven.
The media tends to focus on the stellar athleticism of the nation’s great playmakers – the Reggie Bushes and Vince Youngs of the world – but it’s the big ugly’s up front that truly separate the great from the good.
The Cornhuskers line averages more than 310 pounds, and we’re not talking a bunch of fat bodies that simply eat up space.
Those five manhandled Nevada’s defensive front for three quarters, wearing down the Wolf Pack’s smaller players while racking up 413 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
The Cornhuskers dominated the Wolf Pack with their defensive line, too. Graziano started well, but the Wolf Pack couldn’t stifle a run game or allow its young quarterback the time to find a rhythm.
The Wolf Pack does have some size and talent up front on offense and defense, but not enough depth to stand up to the Cornhuskers.
That’s why the second half got so out of hand.
The Wolf Pack did show this program has grown exponentially in coach Chris Ault’s latest run at the helm. Nevada never could have fought with a team like Nebraska for any amount of time four years ago.
Now, for the Wolf Pack to take the next step, it’s a matter of developing size and depth up front.
That way, Graziano and Co.’s skills will have an opportunity to shine.
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