6 days Ago
An up-and-down start for both the Nebraska Huskers and USC Trojans has both teams tied at 14 heading into halftime. It's hard to make massive system changes in-season, even during a bye week. After one half with Dana Holgorsen coordinating the Huskers' offense, it's been a mixed bag.
Follow us on Facebook There have been some quicker throws to help true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola find some rhythm and avoid pressure, more short and underneath work in the passing game, more screens and swing passes — albeit with some better results — and a mixed bag on the ground. It's hard to judge the offense much after just five drives under Holgorsen but, as Matt Rhule alluded to earlier in the week, early calls suggest a little more simplified operation with a focus on getting the ball out of Raiola's hand, involving tailbacks more in the receiving game and more one-on-one chances for playmakers to make plays. Raiola finished the first half 12-of-18 for 105 yards with a touchdown and an interception, completing at least one pass to seven different receivers.
On 11 running plays, the Huskers totaled just 33 yards, basically right in line with their season average. Nebraska's defense has had some mixed results against USC, too. Related: Huskers CB Ceyair Wright delivers pick-6 vs.
former team USC The Blackshirts shut down USC on new quarterback Jayden Maiava's first two drives, finishing the second with a pick-six by former Trojan Ceyair Wright. However, on the following two drives, the Trojans tore right through the Nebraska defense. Maiava went 9-for-9 for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns on those drives, and USC also had eight runs for 46 yards on those possessions.
Missed opportunities played a key role on both of those, with Nebraska cornerbacks Tommi Hill and Malcolm Hartzog Jr. each missing a chance at an interception right before each touchdown, and safety DeShon Singleton just flat-out missing a tackle on the first score. Overall, Maiava was 16-of-24 for 131 yards with two touchdowns and a pick-six in the first half.
There have been some missed opportunities on offense for the Huskers, too, with Raiola accidentally sliding just short of a first down on a third-down scramble, forcing a one-on-one ball for wide receiver Isaiah Neyor that was picked off, and a couple of other apparent miscommunications resulting in incompletions. The good news is it's a tied game and the Huskers are playing hard. If they can make a few more plays in the second half, this game is there for the taking.
Courtesy: Nebraska Athletics.
