Casey Thompson, Oklahoma Football News: Draft Scout Player News

08/29/22 - QB Casey Thompson, rSr/2025, Oklahoma

All of the pieces were there for Nebraska's offense early in the game against Northwestern. A clean pocket? Check. Quick, accurate passes from Casey Thompson? Check. Tough yards on the ground when they needed it? Check. But, the challenge in all of those arenas is doing it consistently for all four quarters, something that failed Nebraska's offense in a 31-28 loss to Northwestern on Saturday. Head coach Scott Frost turned over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, and a pass-heavy opening drive might have been the result of Whipple's typical offensive system. However, second-half struggles led to an interesting response from Frost after the game. "I think we're going to have to learn as an offensive staff that you have to be a little creative in this league," Frost said. "So, we have some things that we can work on. I thought we did a lot of good things, but it's got to be more of a complete game."

In the run-heavy Big Ten, creativity can mean finding the right moments to pound the rock and the right moments to air it out. When the pocket held up, Thompson showcased the arm talent that helped him land NU's starting job in the offseason. Thompson completed eight passes to Trey Palmer and six to tight end Travis Vokolek, who would have played a big role in the second half if he wasn't forced from the game due to an injury. Thompson's pair of fourth-quarter interceptions were certainly game-changers, but so was a controversial fumble call on Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda. The wideout appeared to have a knee down at the same time a Northwestern defender ripped the ball out, and a video review upheld the call of a fumble on the field. - Lincoln Journal Star

rSr/2025