Thoughts on Texas A&M...WAY After the Fact

15 comments so far November 13, 2006 by Darren K. Carlson

Big Red Network's loyal readers know my habit is to post my after-game thoughts Sunday or Monday morning at the very latest. This week - in the wake of NU's biggest win of the season, no less - my posting took a back seat to a number of things. They included: 1) A hangover. ("Honey, we won. Call the sitter. We're going out!") 2) Family obligations, hey new car seats don't exactly purchase themselves, and 3) actual work. I know you all love BRN. But, it's not exactly paying the bills. We bloggers have day jobs that sometimes interfere with our posting duties. Anyway, hopefully it is not too late to offer these thoughts on an enormous win for the Huskers. And, I'll try to keep from pounding home the same points you have no doubt read in the papers. That's just how BRN rolls.

About that drive - It was the stuff of legend. Taylor is just a blood and guts quarterback who will be missed next year. Purify is a freak of nature who will be awesome the rest of the year and next. But, most importantly, how about that catch by Erickson? Okay, seriously, the point is that a lot of things went in to that drive. Great, gutsy effort by the whole unit.

When Barry Turner blocked that field goal all of the usual suspects I had assembled in the den had a feeling NU could make a comeback. I don't think we were alone in that feeling. Husker fans around the country were holding out hope, I'm sure. And, I think 83,000 Aggies had that "Oh, crap, we left the barn door swinging wide open." feeling too.

I've re-watched the game and I can say that nearly every point scored by A&M can in some way be attributed to our safety play. Green and Shanle were either out of position or didn't make the play when they were in position. Seriously, I'm sure they are good kids who would do anything for the team. But, it's time to look at some other options at that spot. Where were Wilson and Culbert?

Todd Petersen straight up represented the 308 with his 7-catches, 82-yards and TD. He's a GICC Crusader. He has a big lance. I started to doubt him with that one dropped ball. But he showed walk-on pride in that last drive. 3-0-8, baby.

How bad did it suck to be an A&M fan this season? Sure, they won some close games...over Army. But, their three losses are by a TOTAL of 6 points, all in the conference, and all at home. Ouch. Losing at home close is a special and ugly kind of pain. In fact, the NU game felt like an absolute repeat of their loss to Texas Tech. Tech dominated early, A&M roared back to take the lead late, and Tech scored the deciding points with seconds to play. Sound familiar?

I know I'm a huge Husker homer. But, seriously, if you listened to the announcers on ABC, it was pretty obvious they were rooting for the home folks. I know it is hard not to get caught up in the environment, I'm sure. But they were shouting when A&M got a first down, and sounded downright disappointed when NU converted on 4th down at the end of the game. I miss Mike Tirico calling college games.

Could we hear a little more about Javorsky Lane, please? Yeah, he threw that (very poorly defended) pass and later scored from 12 inches outside the end zone. But, really, I've never heard more said about a back who got like 13 yards on 6 carries. I get that he is a freak of nature. But, Cody Glenn was clearly the better "power back" on Saturday. Because he can, you know, pick up his feet.

A&M fans look like dorks. There, I said it. Let the comments rain down on me. Any school where you get kissed after touchdowns must be full of nerds. You need the football team to help you out with the ladies? Really? Maybe it's the crew cuts on the corps of cadets. I don't know. They just seem like dorks. I know that is coming from a team whose mascot wears overalls and that has fans wearing corn cobs on their heads. I don't care. Let it rain...

Defensively, I'm running out of ways to think about this team. We look flat-out dominant at times in the first half, and then look like we can't tackle anybody in the second half. I will say what a blessing it is to have Steve Octavien and Corey McKeon back in the lineup. Young talented players like Suh and Turner have a chance to be downright special next year. NU just absolutely MUST get that backend fixed. And, please for the love of Pete, stop coaching kids to try and strip the ball. It isn't fundamentally sound because it attributes to poor tackling. Just hit them with your pads. Hit them hard, and the ball pops out.

Offensively, Taylor was Taylor - showing crazy guts after throwing a bad pick late in the game. I'm so glad he gets to hold some important records...at least for a while. Our offensive line full of sophomores is so much better at run blocking than pass blocking. That will need to come around for NU to be very good. Good to see Cody Glenn again. Lucky is a special talent. Purify could play on the basketball team. The tight ends all but disappeared.

Spinning it forward, I'm so glad NU finally gets a chance to rest for a week. Colorado will bring everything the can to Lincoln to try and bring meaning back to a dismal season. Thankfully, NU has some momentum, seniors who don't want to go out like that, and a coach who is very tough to beat with two weeks to prepare. Beat CU and get 9 wins. Regular-season wins going from 5 to 7 to 9 in three years looks like progress to me. Just beat CU, guys. Grind 'em up.

How crazy is it that NU clinched their division before Texas did? Nobody saw that one coming. While it almost makes me ill to say something positive for KSU, their win over Texas sent a statement and made a good day for the North even better. Colt McCoy would have beaten them, by the way. I'm just saying...

Nebraska - Champions, officially, for the first time since 1999. That feels darn good to write. I'm looking forward to a trip to Kansas City.

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