[Husker] Nebraska Season in Review

[rczeranko at juno.com]

I know that we feel the need to vent after a loss, and I know that I am usually in a terrible mood when Nebraska loses. However, the sun will rise tomorrow.

Nebraska had a good inaugural season in the B1G. The worse loss (in deference to you Mike) was to Northwestern. It was the only game this season in which it looked like Nebraska just did not show up. One other thing that Nebraska needs to work on is maintaining intensity for all 60 minutes. There were times that it appeared as if Nebraska relaxed and let the other team back into games.

As I have posted before, a lack of intensity when winning by a large margin is not unusual for a young team. The coaches need to ensure that the team stays focused and maintains intensity. This will come with time, so be patient Husker faithful. Coach Pelini is doing the right stuff. It was nice to see two Huskers as academic all-Americans. Unless I missed it, there were no academic all-Americans for South Carolina. Things a okay in Lincoln.

It looks like Rex Burkhead may have gotten hurt again, as he was missing late in the game. I do believe that Nebraska was still in it until the interference call on a ball that looked uncatch-able. The defense had stopped South Carolina, but got screwed. Nebraska needs to work on their offensive line. I know that they are young with Mike Caputo the most experience player this season. It seems that as the season wore on and during big games, blocking got worse and worse. In addition, the receivers need to make hand catches. There were three dropped balls that were crucial to keeping drives alive. However, the last drop by Kenny Bell was a tougher catch and he did make an athletic move to get to the ball. Over all, Taylor Martinez's passing has not been that bad this season. The receivers need to help their QB out and make the catches.

Nebraska has some things to work on over the off season. They need to get more depth on both the offensive and defensive lines. And they need to get stinger and faster. I would like to see Nebraska recruit in state. In know that talent in Nebraska may not be the same as Florida, or Ohio, or Texas, or California. But most kids will play their hearts out as Huskers. With the red shirt and walk on programs, Nebraska can build some stellar depth.

Think about this true believers, who would have thought that when facing Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, and Penn State that Nebraska would go 4-2. Granted both Ohio State and Penn State had issues this season. But the road game at Penn State was a no win scenario for the Huskers. There were big emotions on both teams. And Nebraska played well. The Ohio State and Michigan State games showed what Nebraska is capable of when they play with focus and intensity. The first half of the Ohio State game was due to the emotional hang over from the Wisconsin game. The loss to Michigan was due to Nebraska being flat after the emotional game at Penn State the week before.

The break down in special teams late in the season was surprising to me. I do not know if they practiced less on special teams later in the season or not. If so, then it is fixable by spending more time on it.

As for the Capital One Bowl, we need to remember that South Carolina was ranked 9th going into the game. If Nebraska had won, it would have been a huge win. And in the 7 seasons that Steve Spurrier has been at South Carolina, this is his first 11 win season. So, again, have faith true believers. Nebraska is on the right track and will be very competitive in the B1G.
 
Have a Happy New Year and here's to a wonderful 2012 (that is until the winter solstice when the Mayan calendar runs out and we are all screwed! Ha Ha Just a little end of the world humor)!

If you live in Lincoln, please head to the airport and welcome the Huskers back and congratulate them on their first season in the B1G.

Go B1G Red!

Rob Czeranko  

____________________________________________________________
53 Year Old Mom Looks 33
The Stunning Results of Her Wrinkle Trick Has Botox Doctors Worried
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f025b524a7c810c9eb8st05vuc