[Husker] Some Comments

[Steve Stone]

Scott Lawson wrote:

>Did the last 2 posters to the list watch the same game tonight or 
>what? Call me crazy (or just really tired) but those 2 posts are 
>about as opposite as can be...
>I too am absolutely perplexed as to why the Huskers did not at least 
>attempt to throw the ball more. I will have to watch the game tape 
>(hopefully it will show a bigger field than the tv coverage) to see 
>if USC was shutting down the NU receivers or what, but that is my 
>guess. Taylor was flushed out of the pocket quite a bit too, but 
>there are several things that can at least be attempted in that 
>situation.
>Maybe we didn't want to show too much for the Troy game?


Scott is correct in saying that the two posts are about as opposite 
as can be, and the difference probably stems from the matter of 
perception.

Viewed as a single event, the USC-NU game was pretty much a disaster.

Viewed as one episode in a series of, say, thirteen, it was a misstep.

Viewed as a portion of a continuum, it had several short-term 
negative aspects but more positive aspects:

1) This Trojan team is not Podunk JC but possibly the best team in 
the nation against which the Huskers played hard the whole game.

2) Defeat, not victory, is the great teacher. The coaches and players 
alike will craft the balance of the season in light of this game - - 
as will Husker opponents.

3) Husker exposure on national TV fell far short of catastrophe; in 
fact, many if not most college fans (and recruits) saw a game but 
outmanned Husker crew give it their best shot.

4. The opening paragraphs of the LA Daily News's lead story read as follows:

As the game ended, Ryan Kalil crumpled to the ground on one knee. The 
USC center was joined by the rest of the starting offensive line, 
oblivious to the outcome and in a state of exhaustion.

"We were tired," offensive tackle Kyle Williams said. "It was run 
after run out there at the end. They were some big boys, bigger than 
what we usually face."

Judging from the players' expressions, it was hard to tell No. 4 USC 
comfortably disposed of No. 19 Nebraska 28-10 in front of 92,000 at 
the Coliseum on Saturday night.

"Some teams submit and give up against us," Kalil said. "They were 
physical and they play their hardest. That was a pretty rough game."

The URL is found at:

http://www.dailynews.com/usc/ci_4351656

In other words, the Trojans didn't waltz to victory but were forced 
to extend themselves to the ultimate.

That in and of itself is a highly promising outcome for future Husker 
endeavors.

Steve Stone