Football Stat of the Week

**Wesley** · 10-06-2006, 11:19 AM

Since Bret (39 team sacks allowed for 243 yards) and Zac (38 team sacks allowed for 253 yards) essentially led the nation in being sacked last year while Nebraska was the sack leader on defense (50 defense sacks for 381 yards) versus ISU ( 27 defense sacks for 182 yards), it is time to see who has where we are at five games into the season:

ISU...........9 sacks for defense for 59 yards
Nebraska....7 sacks for 60 yards in losses

ISU...........14 sacks allowed for 83 yards
Nebraska....5 sacks allowed for 40 yards

Looks like improvement on offense for both especially in yardage and declines on defense for both. Hmmmmm?

Looks like both teams need to use linebacker blitzes.

**JCloned** · 10-06-2006, 11:30 AM

I wouldn't say improvement for ISU in Sacks allowed. The pace since Toledo and UNLV is actually higher than last year!!!

**Wesley** · 10-06-2006, 11:33 AM

The Cyclones began the season having to replace starters at eight positions. Apparently, depth also was an issue. Despite the inconsistent play, McCarney has made just one change in the lineup.

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/...e373907346.txt

“The obvious one is after leading the Big 12 in takeaways last year, we’re way off of where we should be,” said McCarney, noting that in last week’s 28-27 win against Northern Iowa, the Cyclones had three turnovers and got none in return. “That has got to improve, because you can’t win in the Big 12 Conference going minus three on Saturdays.”

In regard to the poor defensive numbers, McCarney says everyone’s to blame. The Cyclones’ front four hasn’t been able to apply consistent pressure on quarterbacks. Linebacker blitzes have been ineffective. And the secondary has had plenty of fundamental breakdowns.

**Wesley** · 10-06-2006, 11:55 PM

In regard to the poor defensive numbers, McCarney says everyone’s to blame. The Cyclones’ front four hasn’t been able to apply consistent pressure on quarterbacks. Linebacker blitzes have been ineffective. And the secondary has had plenty of fundamental breakdowns.

I did not know we even had our linebackers blitz!

**iccyfan** · 10-07-2006, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley

the secondary has had plenty of fundamental breakdowns.

The secondary figures prominently in my personal "stat of the week". Opposing passers have compled 131 of 176 pass attempts (74.4%) against ISU thru five games. Zach Taylor set the all-time Nebraska SG passing yardage record against ISU last season (480 yards? or something in that vicinity). If we can't generate some pressure today OR display tighter coverage in the secondary OR BOTH, it could get ugly.