[Husker] Alamo Bowl and Season...

[Sean McGrath]

<* Thankfully Zack Bowman finally lived up to his hype and played a
great game. Way different ballgame without his monster effort. Green and
Grixby still have a long way to go. >

Hey give Green a break, for this being his first year at CB he'll only
get better. I also thought that Grixby did a good job and he'll also
only get better. I have to say, the Wolverines seemed to try to go after
Bowman more than Grixby from what I saw. 

<* Thankfully the Blake Tiedtke era is over. I will try to remember him
by his forced fumble on Navarre that led to the winning score and not by
the endless number of times he was beaten, out of position, missed
tackles or just generally was horrible throughout his career.>

First of all, it was Henne not Navarre who was QB and I'll say that
seeing a walk-on senior make one of the bigger plays of the game and
season says a lot for his heart. He easily could have just given up but
he went on and fortunately he made winning plays for us in the MU game
that we desperately needed. Same goes to Ickes!

<* Thank goodness for Zach Taylor. I can't imagine this season with Beck
at the controls. It certainly wouldn't have been an 8-4 campaign. Say
what you will about Taylor, but when given time he looks as good as any
QB in the nation. Unfortunately there can be large spans of the game
when he has no time. That is one tough kid who took some incredible
shots this season. My favorite replay of last night was the sack on
Taylor where you see his mouthpiece go flying about 10 yeards. >

I saw the same play and it was nuts. Hopefully we can keep from letting
that type of pounding beat up Taylor. Taylor is a man, period!

<* Unfortunately the Cory Ross era is over. I said earlier in the season
that Cory's legacy amongst Husker fans in general won't be anywhere near
where it should be. Nevermind that he is the only Husker in the Top 10
all-time in rushing and receiving, but he was the player that bridged
the gap over the troubled waters and instability of the last 4 seasons.
I can't imagine how ugly it would have gotten without him. On a recent
business trip to Lincoln I had the opportunity to meet and spend some
time with Cory and his girlfriend and he is just a remarkable young man
and I wish him nothing but the best in the NFL. In a league that is all
about physical stats, the team that is smart enough to overlook his 5'6"
frame will get one heckuva football player.>

If Corey can have a good combine he'll get a good shot. I'm sure most
NFL GM's have seen how he can catch the ball out of the backfield.  

<* I hope that the Colorado and Michigan wins can start to make
believers out of the remaining naysayers, not just on this list, but
across the Husker Nation. Time heals all wounds so as we get further and
further away from the controversy of the Solich / Callahan situation I
think that more of the focus will be on the football and less on the
ancillary b.s.. I know I am as guilty as anyone for sometimes fueling
that problem, so I for one will try to stay away from it in 2006 and
beyond.> 

I think everyone can agree with you on this but I will say Pedersen will
always be a dividing figure in Husker nation. I think it could get
compounded if he comes out with an 'I told you so attitude'. Hopefully
he will abstain from this!

<* The outlook of Husker Football is bright going into next year. If
Carriker comes back our defense should be tough once again and if we can
find some OL to give Taylor consistent time the offense should continue
to improve as well. The schedule is definitely more difficult next
season, but I for one think ending the season in the Top 15 is a
realistic expectation even so.>

You're not alone in this thinking as one of the writers for the Lincoln
Journal Star is predicting a MNC for the Huskers next season. He bases
this on OU and their run back in '00.

Sean