re: fact is, the offense is not explosive right now

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Nuss isn’t throwing across the middle of the field because the coaches refuse to call any pass plays across the middle. I promise you it’s not because Nuss is scared to throw over the middle. It’s because Kelly and Sloan are scared to death he’s gonna try to fit it in tight windows and get it picked off. But you can’t coach scared or we won’t win many games against good competition.

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Where does crap like this come from? There is at least one route across the middle on most passing snaps. Nuss has thrown a few crossers to Taylor and had a big one to Anderson after he cleared on the other side of the field vs USC. Nuss has also thrown a couple of slants.

Just because Nuss doesn’t throw the ball on those routes as often doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Other than a handful of plays, it’s Nuss’ call who he’s throwing to, so the staff isn’t avoiding the middle of the field.

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Chris Hilton is going to open up the passing game deep once he gets healthy, however, we need to get some deep shots sent to CJ Daniels. Zay Thomas also has 4.4 something speed.

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Speed is certainly a factor, but it’s not the only one. The ability to sell a route is very important to getting behind the defenders.

Does anybody know when or if Kyle P will be back?

Nuss if good but

610 yards on 76 passes is 8 yards a pass. thats not explosive.

OP is talking about big chunk plays, long runs and deep passes that take the top off the defense.

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but with Hilton, Parker, and Emery all out, you've basically lost most of your explosive players with experience.

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Is Parker explosive? I haven't seen enough of him to see that. Hilton has always been fast, but we haven't seen a guy who is a consistent threat. And, Emery has never been consistently explosive although he had that big run in game 1.

I think the bigger issue is that we are very one dimensional and teams know that if they limit the big plays, we will have trouble (relatively) converting on 3rd down.

Here's a little explosive play breakdown. All 10+ yard gains this season, and 20+ yard gains/TDs are in bold:

USC
1st Quarter
15 yard pass to Lacy
15 yard pass to Lacy
13 yard pass to Taylor
12 yard run by Williams
2nd quarter
10 yard run by Williams
11 yard pass to Zavion
12 yard pass to CJ
11 yard pass to Taylor
19 yard pass to Lacy (TD)
26 yard pass to Lacy
3rd quarter
15 yard pass to Taylor
39 yard run by Emery
10 yard run by Emery
13 yard pass to Anderson (TD)
10 yard pass to Emery
4th quarter
14 yard pass to Pimpton
41 yard pass to Anderson
12 yard pass to Zavion

18 10+ yard gains

Nicholls State
1st quarter
18 yard pass to CJ
2nd quarter
12 yard run by Nussmeier
11 yard pass to CJ
32 yard pass to Lacy (TD)
34 yard pass to CJ
26 yard pass to Anderson
12 yard pass to Zavion
3rd quarter
17 yard pass to Taylor
12 yard run by Williams
13 yard pass to Lacy
17 yard pass to Zavion
14 yard pass to Zavion
14 yard pass to Taylor
4th quarter
12 yard pass to Zavion

14 10+ yard gains

Spot on. Brian Kelly literally stated in yesterday’s press conference that Nuss checks out of runs to throw 5 yard outs when the box is stacked. This is a QB focused offense and Nuss just completed his 3rd start in which he’s thrown for 1,000 yards and 11 TDs. We need one more threat besides Lacy to step up. Lots of new people on the field and the opponents are not going to let our strength beat them. We will improve with experience. Nuss trusts Lacy and Taylor to be in the right place when he throws to them. Give it a little time everyone.

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I understand that Nuss needs to settle the nerves and hit some deep shots,

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Its not Nuss. He had not trouble hitting deep shots when Nabers and Thomas were running routes.
He has to have guys he can depend on to finish the route. So far he only has one.

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Speed is certainly a factor, but it’s not the only one. The ability to sell a route is very important to getting behind the defenders.

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So is also being able to fight off a bump at the line and go up over a CB or Safety. Hilton is 6-0 190. That’s taller and a good bit bigger and stronger than Thomas and Anderson. That also plays a role in why he’s the bigger downfield threat.

We are so lucky to have NUSS! Without him, this team can't win.