[Husker] Nebraska vs Northwestern

[rczeranko at juno.com]

I remember a time during the 80's when Nebraska was not doing so well, heck even up to 1994 Nebraska lost 7 bowl games in a row. There was a lot of grousing that Tom Osborne had stayed in Lincoln too long. Then came the greatest 5 year run in college football history. So patience is the key.

Personally, I don't understand all the grousing about Coach Pelini. This is his fifth season and only the second in a new conference. Tom Osborne was 1-1 in conference championships in the Big-XII. How long as Coach Solich been at Ohio? As for Coach Bohl, he was let go for off the field issues and not his coaching.

It looked to me that the second punt fumble was caused by a miss reading of where the ball was going to drop. He was simply out of position to make the catch. I thought he tried to make the best of a bad situation. If he let it go, it still may have bounced around and touched him with the same result.

At times the offense has been the defense's worst enemy. There are too many three and outs that keep the defense on the field too long. This is typical Nebraska though. I remember Nebraska going three and out quite a lot when playing Oklahoma. Nebraska needs to sustain drives and get a couple of first downs each series to give the defense a rest.

I have never liked when a team 'chases points'. I would rather see them get the extra point and go for 2 when it is absolutely necessary. Also, there were several times when Nebraska should have attempted a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down. A field goal and extra point would put Nebraska in a better situation later in the game. And nothing changes momentum more that stopping a team on fourth down.

It also looked like Nebraska was different team when Rex Burkhead left the game. It really seemed to take the wind out their sails. I don't really understand this because Ameer Abdullah has done a good job at running back. Does anyone on the list think that with his re-injuring his knee that his season may be over?

I do think that the offense is a little too predictable. I don't know if that had anything with Rex Burkhead being hurt. I would like to see more crossing patterns and slants. I also don't know why Nebraska does not dink and dunk their way down the field. I'd like to see more no huddle to keep the other team's defense on their heels.

All that being said, it was a good road win for Nebraska. They overcame adversity and ended up with the win. They have kept themselves in the hunt for a division win. It may all come down to the Michigan game this weekend. Who ever wins, has the inside track to play for the conference championship.

Go B1G Red!

Rob Czeranko

  

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