UNI preview

Both teams enter the game at 2-0. As everyone on this sub knows, Huskers have beat a bad FBS team with a first year coach in UTEP and a team with talented skill players in CU. UNI has beaten two non-scholarship teams from the Pioneer league (volunteer football) in Valpo and St Thomas. This is a very true statement- this is the best team the UNI panthers have faced and likely the second best team the Huskers have faced.

UNI wants to run the ball with their big backs behind their big OL. UNI has an OL with the following profile: 6’4 280 lbs, 6’4 298 lbs, 6’4 305 lbs, 6’6 338 lbs, 6’5 307 lbs (according to UNI website). It’s a big, somewhat experienced OL. Then they have two big RBs- Tye Edwards is 6’4 230 lbs and Amauri Pesek-Hickson is 6’0 225 lbs. this is a team that wants to run. I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say it’s the best run blocking OL we will see so far this year with very decent RBs. Huskers need to be physical on the LOS and tackle well in 1v1 to keep the panthers off schedule.

Defense also needs to force UNI to pass. The QB Aidan Dunne is the least talented QB we will see in first 3 games. Slight in stature at 6’ and 208 lbs, he has thrown 53 passes in his 3 year career and hasn’t faced much pressure in the first 2 starts of his career. Nebraska wants passing situations and should fluster this guy in those situations. Seems to have a bit of running skill but not threatening.

The husker O really needs to set the tone in the run game. The UNI DL is light but kinda long. The sizes go 6’5 240, 6’3 230, 6’6 261, 6’6 241. Lots of length, not a lot of mass. Assuming these fcs dudes aren’t super slippery (4 sacks in 2 games against volunteer football), huskers should be able to wear them down in the run game and keep Dylan clean. The Panthers have 2 experienced LBs with talent, but not much experience behind them. Then appear to run a 4-2-5 base D. If the huskers don’t establish run early and give Dylan a clean pocket it’s a coaching/focus issue.

If the team can come out with good intensity, they should establish a good first half lead. If they don’t, it will be a tight first half and huskers won’t cover. UNI will have the best run game we’ve seen, but the worst pass game. The DL is super undersized but they have active LBs and an experienced secondary.

Come out serious and establish dominance