[Husker] Beward the Messiah Syndrome

[Steve Stone]

I watched only part of the California-Florida All-Star game last
night but recorded the whole thing for later re-viewing, which I did
today.

Young Mr. Beck played an impressive short-pass game although his long
throws often went awry. I don't know the final stats, but at halftime
he had completed eight of thirteen, mostly short ones thrown quickly
and with authority. He completed an arching end-zone fade pass for a
two-point conversion, a real beauty, and showed not only clothes-line
strength but a good touch even on the passes that were dropped or
were slightly off. On several occasions he showed good mobility and
athleticism in dodging pass rushers and seemed to play a level-headed
game in all facets. He has the makings of a good 'un.

I saw no reason to doubt that Beck can play at the highest level of
Division I football, given time and opportunity, and I think him at
this stage a better prospect than Mark Sanchez (committed to USC)
whom I thought Beck clearly outplayed.

However, Husker fans would do well to beware of falling into the
Messiah Syndrome concerning Beck, that is, they shouldn't expect him
to step right into the starting position right out of high school and
carry the team on his shoulders to the championship level. This sort
of thing can and does happen, but only on the rare - - extremely rare
- - occasion as was the case with Tony Dorsett at Pitt several
decades ago.

Most Husker fans secretly - - or not so secretly - - hope for a
Messiah to come and rescue them from the No Bowl Wilderness, but
Messiahs are few and far between these days. Let's be grateful if
Harrison Beck turns out to be a far-better-than-average mortal.

Steve Stone