Saturday's Result In Monday Morning's Glow
4 comments so far
October 23, 2006 by
No doubt about it, NU's loss to Texas stings for a lot of fans, myself included. "Disappointing" isn't the right word for when a game literally slips from your grasp like that. So many things were going through my head Saturday evening and Sunday, it was hard to make it cohesive. I didn't want to say something regrettable. Thankfully, Jason hit the post-game thoughts right on the head. And Steve was the first of many outlets to express support for Nunn.
Now, in the glow of Monday's sunlight and after huge cup of Starbucks, enough time has gone by to create the proper perspective on the game, and how NU and Husker fans can move on with a positive outlook.
About the game...
I'm not going to sit here and drone on and on about the same things I'm sure so many fans saw and said during and after the game. If NU holds on to that ball, we probably win. It hurts. Face it and roll on. Here are other things of note:
- Texas recovered three of their own fumbles on Saturday. Jeez...talk about twisting the knife. It wasn't just one play that decided the game. It was a lot more than just that one.
- If UT's first kicker makes any of those kicks, NU isn't in the game late. I'm just saying...
- Following the Taylor interception, credit UT with going up top to Sweed for a score. That's the aggressive play calling of a championship team.
- I'm extremely proud of the way our offensive and defensive lines played in the second half. After that second quarter, I was afraid UT might manhandle us. NU's offensive line gave Taylor time, and it showed. And, the front seven played an extremely physical game.
- It's time to give our corners a break, folks. Grixby and Jones played some of their best ball of the season. Yes, Sweed had that huge TD catch against Jones. But, he was running right with him. And Grixby made an outstanding play in the end zone, too.
- I'm pleased that Callahan and his staff didn't hold back. That pass off of the toss play was a great call. Call of the year by them, for sure. Perfect place, perfect time.
- But...I am completely mystified by the use of timeouts at the end of the game. Chalk it up to pro coaching style and trying to ice the kid. Personally, I'd rather he use two of his time out earlier, to save some time for the offense. Then, keep one in his pocket for Taylor to use on the final desperate drive. But, frankly, that is nitpicking.
Game Balls
Mo Purify, you are a man. From the long touchdown early to the diving catch late in the game, you were a tough match up for a very good UT secondary. Brandon Jackson, it is obvious why you are the starter. Great cuts and guts on what could have been the play of the year for NU. Steve Octavien, where have you been all my life? Wowza...10 tackles on a day when you were all over the field. Seriously, it is good to see play makers emerging late in the season like this. Because, the remaining stretch of games may be NU's toughest.
Moving forward...EARN the rematch
A lot of media types and fans are talking about a rematch in the Big 12 title game. Well, that is no sure thing. NU needs to shower this one off, and get back to work. The remaining schedule -- at OK State, Missouri, at A&M, Colorado at home -- is tougher than the schedule that preceded it (UT excluded). NU can't afford to let Texas "beat them twice" by heading down to Stillwater with their heads down.
All of their goals are still intact, and they found out a lot about their heart and their talent level on Saturday. Now they must show mettle and go earn a division title. Nobody is going to give it to them just because they played UT tough. Go get it, guys.
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AustinHusker Oct 23 06
Cant agree more with you observations. I was at the game so I missed most of the commentary and since I live in Austin I get most of the UT perspective. As I was sitting at the game in the last few minutes, I ( and everyone else around me) was totally baffled regarding the use, or nonuse of the timeouts. Had Callahan used his first timeout with 1:45 left we would have saved 45sec. 45 sec when we were done at the 40 would have looked like a lifetime. I cant for the life of me understand what they were thinking. And icing the kicker from the 12 yard line, come on we could have used that time out much better.
Overall I was happy with the play but the timeouts were mystifying. If you have any insight that the rest of us missed we would love to hear it.
Also before we pack our bags for KC, we might want to look at what OK St, Mizz and Texas A&M are doing, 18-5 combine record with two of them away looks like a tall order.
Just saying …
Keep up the great work.
darren Oct 23 06
Thanks, AustinHusker for the post and the props.
We totally agree about the use of timeouts. The only thing I can think of to explain it is the NFL influence on BC. Think about it. That is exactly what they would do in the pros. And, I think we all know...this is college. Though, the parity is making it look more and more like pro ball.
Another example of how the "pro" mentality hurt NU, badly - directional kicking on kick offs. What in the world were we doing trying to short directional kick with at 20-yard wind at our back. I get why that works in the pros (further kicks, more returns, better athletes). But, for pete's sake, that opening kickoff should have been in the 5th row. This is college and you have the wind. Just boot it out.
Doug Williams Oct 23 06
I was at the game as well. What a game to get to see in person! Living in Minnesota and not being independently wealthy I typically only get to see one Husker game in person each year. Last year was Wake Forest. The year before was Iowa State (in Ames - and a loss). So not only are the Huskers looking better each year - so are my personal experiences seeing them live!
The thing that jumped out at me that I haven't seen commented on enough is the Huskers line play. Granted, our offensive line was roughed up in the 2nd quarter, but they adjusted beautifully at half time. And while we didn't get many sacks on McCoy, we pressured him all day. Heck, that beautiful throw he made to Sweed was all the MORE amazing because he was crunched HARD by Adam Carriker a micro-second after releasing the ball. That kid is the real deal at QB. SCARY to think he's still a redshirt freshman.
People are saying that Texas won the line on both sides of the ball. And they probably did. But those are lines that most consider at or among the very top in the nation (Personally, I can't think of a better O-Line). And the Huskers were beaten now and then, but not overwhelmed. And they were giving some great shots along with taking some.
That's the thing that gave me the most hope. I see the line progress as the REAL key to "being back." And compared to last year's personal eyewitness account... well Wake Forest was awfully early and they looked much better later. Still... WAY improved. These guys can flat out PLAY. And the talent pool is deepening along the line with each recruiting class.
If our line can hang with the modern Texas they can hang with ANYONE. And they're dang close to hanging with Texas... on equal if not superior terms.
AustinHusker Oct 25 06
Ok I finally found a comment from BC regarding the TOs.
TIMEOUT: Callahan gave a general response of “we can always be better” when asked about Nebraska’s use of timeouts in the final minute of the Texas game. With three timeouts remaining, coaches waited until after a second-and-goal play to use their first timeout, then used their second timeout after the clock had already stopped on an incompletion. “I think we can always go back to that game,” Callahan said. “We can coach it better, we can play it better. We can do a lot of things better. It’s in the past.”
Lets hope they do.