Game Notes:
In a driving rainstorm the home Missouri Tigers appeared poised for victory, holding a 12-0 lead entering the fourth quarter on a night when their defense could do no wrong and Nebraska’s offense could do no right. But then the rain became a deluge and exploiting a blown coverage, Niles Paul hauled in a 56yd. touchdown from QB Zac Lee to narrow the gap to 12-7. On Missouri’s next offensive play, Ndamukong Suh intercepted Blaine Gabbert -- the first pick of Gabbard’s career -- and the deluge became a flood, with Lee and Paul again hooking up for the TD reception. Though the two point conversion failed, the ‘Huskers would not need it as they went on to intercept Gabbert yet again, score two more touchdowns and swamp the Tigers 27-12.
College: Nebraska -- Conference: Big 12
S - Larry Asante, #4 - 6' 0.5" - 210 - 4.60 - 2010: Most improved player on the field on this night; Asante has clearly taken the next step in his development. Displays an ideal skill set for an NFL safety, including size, speed, athletic ability, and most importantly, instincts. Honors his responsibilities yet is around the ball. Comes up hard to force the run, and is a good tackler. Good in coverage and makes plays on the ball. Good open field tackler. Has solid hands, but did drop a pick in this one, and did have a late pass interference penalty. Overall, a very good game. GRADE: Positive
LB - Phillip Dillard, #52 - 6' 0.5" - 245 - 4.70 - 2010: Substituted out frequently in this contest due to Missouri’s spread offense, but played well when called upon. Not the fastest or lightning quick, but smart and can cover inside the hash marks. Good run defender with sound instincts. Plays inside out, negotiates trash and closes on ball carriers. Can take on and shed blocks and is a good tackler. Solid athlete with OK speed. Likely a two-down LB at the next level. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
DT - Ndamukong Suh, #93 - 6' 3.0" - 300 - 5.20 - 2010: Where to start? On the Heisman watch list following this game, and deservedly so. Unblockable interior lineman who must be double-teamed, though Missouri often did not. Even versus two linemen, Suh’s power, quickness and athleticism routinely place him in the backfield and around the ball, and he also looks fluid and instinctual when dropping into coverage. Dropped an easy pick in this game but made a great one, something he has done in the past (no fluke). Tremendous core strength and amazing balance; impossible to knock off his feet. Can’t be cut down or driven off the line. Best hand punch in college football, and is among the most powerful players in the last two decades. The list goes on: great shed, great spin move, excels on stunts, great tackling and hitting ability, great instincts, great change of direction skills -- you get the point. Again leads Nebraska in tackles (led in ’08), a rarity for an interior DL. Of equal importance to NFL scouts is the fact that he is a class act who carries virtually no risk of any off-field issues. Calls his father “Mr. Suh,” a nickname I’m sure fans will hear plenty on Sundays in the future. GRADE: Very Positive, certain top-ten pick.
C - Jacob Hickman, #67 - 6' 3.0" - 295 - 5.20 - 2010: Smart, tough, technically sound player who seems ideally suited to a zone-blocking scheme. Not the biggest or most powerful player, he overcomes his limitations with fine technique and understanding of opponents and schemes. Generally plays with leverage. Sometimes gets too high and can be overpowered, but has long arms and strong hands and generally sticks to blocks. Solid athlete with good balance. Is quick off the ball and can run and get to the second level. Has quick feet and gets into his run blocks and pass sets quickly. Good in combination blocks a displays a good base in pass protection. Mirrors and slides well. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
HB - Roy Helu Jr., #10 - 5’ 11.5” - 215 - 4.60 - 2011: Leading rusher in the Big 12 and 10th in the nation coming into this contest. Was largely held in check until Nebraska’s last possession, when a long run and the subsequent touchdown run iced this contest for the ‘Huskers. Ideal back for a zone-blocking scheme. Has good vision and patience and knows how to press the hole before making his decision. Displays nice explosion when he decides to make his cut, and gets downfield. Runs with good body lean and balance, breaks arm tackles and can move a pile. Has solid long speed but is not a burner. Substituted out in passing situations, so his blocking and receiving skills are in question. Should return for his senior season and should improve. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
DE - Barry Turner, #99 - 6’ 2.0” - 265 - 4.80 - 2010: Linebacker prospect at the next level who lacks the size to play down. Solid athlete with a pass rusher build, long arms and a big lower unit. OK speed, but is not a quick-twitch, off the corner guy. Athletic and keeps his feet. Can jump and looks smooth in zone drops. Solid instincts and plays a disciplined game. Plays too high versus the run and loses leverage. Needs to get stronger. Raw, but has some tools to work with. GRADE: Neutral
FB - Quentin Castille: Kicked off the team for repeated off field incidents; has blown his future.
College: Missouri -- Conference: Big 12
LB - Sean Weatherspoon, #12 - 6' 0.5" - 235 - 4.75 - 2010: Butkus finalist in 2008 hopes to build on his success in 2009. At times displays all the necessary tools, including athleticism, explosion and a big play mentality. Fluid in space and can drop and cover. Has fine range and is a good tackler and hitter. Can stack the point vs. TE’s and FB’s, but is not big enough to take on linemen. Penetrates the backfield, pressures the QB and makes tackles for loss. Loses focus at times and fails to play within the defense. Occasionally will blow a coverage or over pursue ball carriers, or will be a step late. Plays on special teams, a real bonus for a collegiate star. Future is in his hands. GRADE: Positive
WR - Jared Perry, #4 - 6' 0.5" - 180 - 4.40 - 2010: Lean, athletic receiver who will go over the middle and take a shot despite his frame. Has fine body control, adjusts well to poor throws, and will make the spectacular grab or catch in traffic, but is inconsistent and will drop some too. Has solid speed and can get deep. Needs to become a better route runner; doesn’t always sell it. Can be an NFL WR, but must get stronger and needs to work on the nuances of the position. GRADE: Neutral
WR - Danario Alexander, #81 - 6' 4.0" - 210 - 4.50 - 2010: Big, tough wideout who once was ahead of Jeremy Maclin on the depth chart before three knee surgeries knocked him down. Might not be as fast as he once was, but has sufficient speed and quickness to compete on the next level. Great hands. Excellent athlete with range; can go high or low to come up with errant throws. Tough and willingly goes over the middle. Turns and gets upfield quickly and runs well after the catch. Will be interested to see his athletic numbers. GRADE: Somewhat Positive
OT - Kurtis Gregory, #78 - 6' 4.0" - 305 - 5.30 - 2010: Super-smart lineman who can play both tackle and guard and is a second-year graduate student. Has an ideal physique, is a good athlete, and plays with sound technique and leverage. Can pull and run and hit a target on the second level. Drops quickly into his pass set and displays a nice base. Might be an ideal swing lineman/backup on the next level, or might be a starter. Hard to tell. Problem is Gregory was matched up one-on-one with Mr. Suh in this contest, a job no lineman in college football can be asked to perform. In an effort to control Suh, he was given help from time to time and even substituted out. Need to watch him against a mere mortal to effectively scout him fairly. GRADE: Incomplete
C - Tim Barnes, #62 - 6' 4.0" - 305 - 5.10 - 2011: Quick battler with solid athleticism. Good balance and moves well. Not overpowering, but mirrors and slides and plays with leverage and a good base. Problem? See Kurtis Gregory, above. When Gregory was overpowered by Suh, Barnes’ responsibility was to join the fray, and as he does to everyone in college football, Mr. Suh made him look bad. Not fair to judge Barnes in this contest. GRADE: Incomplete
NT - Jaron Baston, #96 - 6' 0.1" - 305 - 5.20 - 2010: Solid player who has the look of a backup/rotational guy on the next level. Big lower unit and long arms, and plays with leverage. OK quickness and gets some penetration on occasion, but is not a pass rusher. Keeps his feet and displays some power. Is not a playmaker but does a nice job of tying up blockers. GRADE: Neutral
HB - Derrick Washington, #24 - 5’ 11.5” - 225 - 4.65 - 2011: Power back off to a slow start in 2009. Not very quick or explosive, but breaks tackles and can move a pile. Has good vision and runs downhill, and has good agility and balance. Can catch. Must improve if he’s to get a shot in the NFL, but has another year to do so. GRADE: Neutral
Other Players of Note:
Junior QB Zac Lee gives Nebraska hope, as he seems to possess the “It” factor, though he lacks ideal measurables. He’ll win lots of games. The defense’s future looks bright with potential future stars in DL Jared Crick (So) and CB Prince Amukamara (Jr). Junior OL Ricky Henry is powerful and mean and leads a talented young group. Missouri’s secondary, despite a collapse in the fourth quarter, appears as though it may be the best group in the Big 12 a year from now, led by juniors Carl Gettis (CB) and Jasper Simmons (S). RS freshman DE Aldon Smith and sophomore LB Will Ebner display fine talent. Junior QB Blaine Gabbert may prove to be a better pro prospect than Chase Daniels.
