[Husker] Good News

[3aoo-cvfd at dea.spamcon.org]

Steve Reichenbach wrote:
>
> If the coaches think the offensive line can't get two
> yards in the power game, 

Actually, I'm sure the coaches were hoping for more than 
two yards.

> then why is NU's game plan to run the ball?

I believe the plan was to "pound the rock" for the first 
half in order to:

(1) wear down the USC defense

(2) reduce the number of possessions for the USC offense

(3) reduce the ability of USC to make adjustments at halftime

> Yes, the game wasn't out-of-hand until USC's fourth TD.

That was the plan.  Hold the line for the first half; open
up the playbook in the second half.

> Yes, the game could have been different if NU had had 
> the advantage on turnovers. 

Let's be more specific.  The crucial turnover was at our
first possession of the second half (Lucky fumbled the ball).
That was the killer.  Until that point the gameplan was
working.  The first half went according to plan (except for
the fake punt, which was supposed to be 7 points).  We had
pounded the USC defense, we had given USC little to adjust
to at halftime, and the game was still close.  We were
ready to make our move.

I am sure that BC was optimistic at the beginning of the
second half.  The gameplan was working and victory was
possible.  The Huskers were ready to rumble.

A perfect start to the second half.  USC gets the ball at 
their own 14 (hoorah).  Pass incomplete (hoorah).  Penalty 
USC (not a good start to the second half for USC ).  Pass 
incomple (hoorah).  Pass incomplete (hoorah).  3 and out.

Put yourself in BC's shoes.  The foundation has been laid.
The gameplan is working.  Nebraska ball at the 36.  Here we
go. The real game starts now!

The very first play of our very first possession, Lucky 
fumbles the ball.  Game over.  The gameplan is dead.

That one mistake made the score 21-3 and obliterated the
game plan.  It could be argued (and I won't disagree) that
at that point BC gave up hope for victory.

Things could have been oh so different if Lucky had held on
to the ball.  IIRC, when he fumbled, there was a nice hole
for him to run through.  Probably a first down at mid-field.
Then a still-optimistic BC could have opened the playbook
and taken the score to 14-10.  Momemtum Huskers.  

That was the gameplan.  That was our chance to beat USC.
  
> this team didn't really accomplish much against USC.

What did you expect to accomplish against the number 2 team
in the country?  We had, maybe, a 30% chance for victory.
Most commentators gave us no chance.  I believe that the
BC gameplan gave us the best chance.  It failed because
of an unforced fumble.  After that the stats don't matter.

You simply can't beat a superior team at their house when
you gift them 7 points (and the momemtum).

> I didn't see anything in the USC game that gives me 
> confidence that NU will dispose of Texas 

Reason 1: It's at our house.
Reason 2: The Texas coach is not a good game planner.
Reason 3: "Pounding the rock" is making us stronger.
Reason 4: Our young team is learning from every game

> I was disappointed by the USC game 

I was disappointed by the loss, but I was pleased to see
how close we were to victory.  I genuinely believe that
the Lucky fumble was the turning point.  Without that lapse
in execution, we could have ridden the momentum to victory.

Cheers,
Steven