[Husker] heartbroken but encouraged

[Steve Stone]

I sent this email on Saturday and again on Sunday, but it bounced 
with the notation "husker-tssi.com" unknown!
__________________


Jay wrote:

>It's going to take a while for the sting to go away. I can't help 
>but feel we had those guys and let it slip.
>The decision to kick the PAT at the end of reg. will be debated for 
>some time. In the moment, I didn't mind the call. The more I think 
>about it, I wish we'd have gone for two. Better to lose it that way 
>than in OT.

I have to disagree. Losing one way is definitely not better than any other way.

>
>On the TT 4th down play, I want to blame Murillo.

I thought this List had gotten past the point of blaming named 
individual players. You could blame a large number who made mistakes 
and or committed penalties at critical moments, but the flat truth is 
this: you win as a team, you lose as a team.

>It is obvious (now, after seeing it 7 times) the defense was in a 
>zone. But you still can't let the best receiver in the country blow 
>by you without even bumping him. You have to disrupt the route and 
>go after him if need be; better to get beat with a five-yard gain 
>than a 50-yard gain.

Good principle but impossible to execute every play in every game.

>The thing I like best about this game is that the Huskers didn't 
>quit - and they had a game plan for four quarters. Even down 14 
>points the Huskers stuck to the plan - to play ball control offense 
>and wear down the defense.

Now this is where we agree. This week's Husker team underwent a truly 
remarkable improvement after the Missouri game but, naturally, must 
continue to get better. This was the first "Pellini game" of the 
season against a ranked team.

Yep, definitely headed in the right direction.

>It is encouraging to see the Huskers stick to a plan and almost get 
>the 'W'. This team, unlike many teams under Bill C. played for 60 
>minutes. There are no moral victories, but I do like what I'm seeing 
>under a Bo-coached team.

It's probably going to be a lot easier for NU fans to show Bo the 
patience he needs and deserves over the next, say, three seasons.

Steve Stone