[Husker] Random thoughts on the Baylor game

[Steve Reichenbach]

> > On a similar note, is it just me or has the Big 12 officiating  
> > seemed shaky so far this season?  A couple of things I questioned
> > today:
> >
> > 1)  The "Horse collar" tackle personal foul on the Huskers in the  
> > first quarter.  It appeared to me that the NU defender was trying
> > to hold the Baylor runner up and that the Baylor sideline players
> > actually caused the hit.
> 
> These things are driving me nuts. Players now use the sidelines as an  
> area like a grey zone, and officials are throwing the flag too quickly  
> when there is a nasty hit on the sidelines. It was crap.
> 
At the game, watching through binoculors, it appeared that Glenn spun
him to the ground well out of bounds and then tried to help him up
(still holding the jersey).  I said "uh-oh" and figured it was a penalty
as it happened, before the flag.  You throw someone down out of bounds,
you're often going to get a penalty.

> > I know that the NU coaching staff was really questioning (politely,  
> > I am sure:-)) the officials most of the 1st half.  In fact, Bo called  
> > timeout right before 1/2 time and spent the entire time talking with  
> > 3 officials. He also spent 1-2 minutes of 1/2 time talking with the
> > officials.
> 
According to the LJS, he may have been complaining about Baylor's huddles
close to the sideline and running players on and off violating the intent
to deceive rule.

> > Maybe that's part of the issue -- too much complaining and the  
> > officials are tired of it1
> 
> Then maybe they should go get different jobs.
> 
I do think that, as the LJS speculated, riding the officials can become
counter-productive at some point.  You may think that constant abuse is
part of the officials' job, but I hope Bo doesn't, because if so it will
become counter-productive.

There were a couple of calls I questioned, e.g., the face mask and the
punt touching, but none were as bad as the call in the first inning of
the World Series last night.  Officials make mistakes, but it is part
of the game and rare that it matters much in the outcome.  I hope that
NU and its fans don't become obsessed with being "victimized" by officials.
Most of the calls against NU have been correct and the team itself can
correct those problems.

> > All in all, I was pretty happy with the performance of the Huskers,
> > especially in the 2nd half.  It was nice to see the option runs with  
> > Ganz and Lucky.
>
I was surprised that despite the good surge and big holes, NU didn't do
more straight ahead running.  I think that part of the game still could
use some game-time practice.