Purdue - What did we learn?

I can think of a LOT of people who frequently post in the game day threads that are not for this.

Rhule is right. We're growing. It's slow. But it's growth.
How hard would it be to buy a proven kicker?  Sure there’s growth, but this one area has been the death of us for more than five years.  Seems like it should be a priority and the simplest of fixes.  

 
How hard would it be to buy a proven kicker?  Sure there’s growth, but this one area has been the death of us for more than five years.  Seems like it should be a priority and the simplest of fixes.  
At this point it is the whole thing snapper, holder and kicker. But as I mentioned in another thread. There have been bad kickers kicking all day. 

 
Actually, watching Illinois play Penn state makes me realize that what Bielema has done in Illinois is really impressive as much as I hate to admit it. I know this will make me a target but I really believe that what Bielema has done in Illinois is way more impressive than what Rhule has done so far given the weapons and resources that Rhule has at his disposal.


I am shocked that you would take a negative outlook about the Huskers.

 
Updated margins through 5 games:

TURNOVERS (Thru 5 Games)

2023

at MINN (-3) -3

at sCUm: (-3) -6

vs NIU: (Even) -6

vs LaTech: (+1)

-5 vs Michigan (-1) -6

2024

vs UTEP: (+1) +1

vs sCUm: (+2) +3

vs UNI: (Even) +3

vs ILL: (+1) +4

@ Purdue: (+1) +5

Cumulative Differential: +11

SCORING (Thru 5 Games)

2023

at MINN: 10-13 (-3) -3

at sCUm: 14-36 (-22) -25

vs NIU: 35-11 (+24) -1

vs LaTech: 28-14 (+14) +13

vs Michigan: 7-45 (-38) -25

2024

vs UTEP: 40-7 (+33) +33

vs sCUm: 28-10 (+18) +51

vs UNI: 34-3 (+31) +82

vs ILL: 24-31 (-7) +75

@ Purdue: 28-10 (+18) +93

'23-'24 Cumulative Differential Thru 5 Games: +118 points

The offense is scoring 12.0 MORE points per game.

The defense is allowing 11.4 LESS points per game.

The numbers are the numbers, in spite of today's first half. The defense played well, and the offense figured out...but Special Teams?

Sky = Falling.

 
At this point it is the whole thing snapper, holder and kicker. But as I mentioned in another thread. There have been bad kickers kicking all day. 
We missed three today.  Maybe it’s bad snaps too, but we have not had a real kicker in years. Remember when Frost picked up a waiter at Leadbelly’s?  He won us a game too.  It’s almost comical. 
 

maybe we need a ST coach? 

 
He did fix the QB position which was a huge reason for those close losses. 
It didn’t work last week. There is no denying that Raiola has been an amazing addition to this team and gives us real hope for the next two years. However, we cannot just rely on the QB to fix things. Raiola needs help. Having a reliable kicker that makes FG when needed helps play calling and takes pressure from the QB. Having a short field created by some nice punt returns can make wins come easier. Having a disciplined team that does not false start at least 3 times a game will make it easier for the QB. Rhule needs to work on these fixes simultaneously and not one at a time. God forbid, if Raiola is injured, I doubt we can win a game. That is not a sign of a resilient team. Next two games will be very telling of how much progress this team has made. I am really hoping we win those games going to Ohio state. Going into that game being bowl eligible for the first time in over 6 years will give this team the confidence they need to compete in that game and play relaxed.

 
- To say the kicking game is a problem is the understatement of the year. Not just the kicker, but the snaps are bad and the holds are bad. Entire unit needs to be re-evaluated pronto.

- The offensive line continues to be really, really disappointing.

- The points eventually came when Satterfield learned to simplify a bit and ride the hot hand. If EJ is getting the yards, keep feed him. If the Barney reverses continue to work, then keep doing them. 

- While that first half was ugly as you will ever see, I was happy to see them finish and get stronger as the game progressed; that hasn't been happening in this era. They are learning to play through baffling officiating.

- Yeah, that officiating. Although to be fair it helped us out quite a bit in the fourth quarter. Purdue will probably complain about those DPI calls but they weren't even making plays on the ball. Still, the called back TD has to be the most bewildering call I've seen in years.

 
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