Disappointing Cotton Bowl Typifies Season
13 comments so far
January 1, 2007 by
Nebraska missed the chance to finish the season with 10 wins and a win over a top 10 opponent when a mistake and a very poor choice in the first half combined with a failure to score in the second half to equal a Cotton Bowl loss to Auburn, 17-14. The outcome is especially frustrating for many, as once again NU out-gained an opponent (this time, 230-to-178 in total yards) but managed to lose the game. Many of this season's "usual suspects" showed up - interesting coaching choices, a leaky secondary, weak 2nd half, failure to capitalize - and placed a somewhat appropriate ending on this Husker campaign.
Nebraska looked great early. They scored on their on their opening drive. They mixed the run and the pass, converted 3rd downs and completed drives. The Huskers controlled the game. Unfortunately, the half saw a 14-14 tie as Auburn got two scores off of turnovers. One was a good AU defensive play on a tipped ball interception. The other was a very poor coaching choice on a fake punt. In the second stanza, Auburn's offense was good enough to generate the half's only points in the form of a field goal. From there, AU's defense was able to do the rest. They shut out the Huskers to escape Dallas with a win.
There was the polite summary. Now, I have a few things to say. This game was so typical of NU season in four ways.
Callahan's New Affinity for Trickery
Hey, there is place for trick plays and special teams creativity. But this time, Callahan's love of gadget plays bit him right in the butt. He got way too cute. You don't run a fake punt on your own 20-yard line. You...just...don't. I’m stunned by the raw arrogance of it. In a game where both defenses are playing well, field position is especially important. Why NU did that, I don't know. And, almost no explanation is likely to be good enough. It absolutely was just like giving the dang game away. Some will say that if the play worked and they got a first down, then it would be genius. Nope. It would still be arrogance. The Greeks had a word for that - hubris. Show too much pride, and the Gods will smite you. Callahan got smote good. And, it cost these kids the game.
NU played great early. Auburn played poorly early. And we GAVE them 14 points. Everyone in our watch group had a sick feeling that AU would come to play in the second half and that NU had missed out on a golden opportunity to seize control of the scoreboard and not just the stat sheet. I'm sure many people felt that.
Our Secondary
I keep hearing, hoping and believing our secondary will be better next year. Sadly, that meant little in Dallas. Auburn's offense in the second half was what many NU fans feared. They threw to the outside against our corners. They got beat, and lacked much safety help, and AU generated just enough offense to get the lead. NU's Achilles heal all season hurt them again. It's just so frustrating to watch an otherwise stellar defensive effort be somewhat wasted. We heard all about the younger players - Culbert, Thenarse, Young - leading up to the bowl, and didn't see any of them out there. What a tease.
Second-Half Performance
NU was not a good second half team in 2006. And, the new calendar year didn't seem to change that. NU lacked consistency and identity on offense in the second half, after having nice success early. My cell phone has already blown up with calls from friends expressing frustration over the very conservative play calling in the second half.
The only thing I can think of is AU's athleticism in their back seven. After half, Coach Tubberville said that he had made things too complex in the first half and that they would make things simpler in the second. They did. AU often only rushed 4 players, and played with everyone else defending the pass. While Taylor had time to throw, NU's receivers lacked the athleticism to get free against AU's linebackers and secondary.
Callahan tried doing the right things for that situation - shovel pass, draw, swing plays - but AU adjusted to those things that worked early. And, their athleticism overwhelmed NU at the point of attack. The only thing I can think of is to actually go MORE conservative, go two tight ends and just mash it right at AU. Then, go with play action off of that. But, that's really just second guessing. Callahan called pass plays. We just couldn't get open. It might have been nice to be playing with a lead...by the way.
Failure to Capitalize
NU's defense evened the turnover count in the second half. We had opportunities. And, like the OU game, the offense didn't capitalize on the chances. NU settled for punt after punt in the second half. When they failed to convert on 4th down late in the game, you knew it was over. To beat top-tier teams, you have to find ways to make plays in those crucial situations. And, we just didn't. And, by the way, the defense also missed a golden opportunity with Bo Ruud dropped an interception opportunity on which he could have likely scored. Ouch.
The Season of "Good" Not "Great"
The outcome of this game typifies the season. I'm sure Auburn fans will dispute my next statement. But, NU out-played the Tigers and still managed to lose the game. Combine this with what happened and against OU and UT this year, and I'd call it a pattern. For me, this season is the year we were a good team that could play with but fail to beat the great teams. So, in three years, NU has gone from "poor" (5-6) to "fair" (8-4, with a bowl) to "good" (9-5 with a division title). In the broadest sense, that is progress. But, it doesn't feel too great right now.
Can they go to "great" next year (11 wins, conference title, BCS)? I don't know. But, we'll have an entire off season to stew and speculate about it. My advice to Bill Callahan - find a way to get this team to "great" pretty darn quick. Because, you've got a fan base desperately craving it and some who are willing to hang the recent inability to get over that hump on your shoulders.
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RJ Jan 02 07
It was especially tough knowing that the better team walked off the field the losers. It hurts, sick feelings this morning, pressing on to next year... again.
James Moore Jan 02 07
Be upset. Be very upset. Straight up the coaches lost this game. Besides the fake punt (which made my jaw drop) the last 2 calls of the game were almost as bad. No matter what progress we've made, these last 2 games sit very bitter in my mouth. We blew a golden opportunity to finish the year strong, and instead go into the off-season with serious question marks. The secondary has miles to go before it is even respectable. The entire D-Line is gone. We have no game braker at WR (Sorry Mr. Purify). By Callahan's own admission it takes 3 years to learn this system. Keller has just one. Another thing became quite apparent. We have to put together long drives to get points. The last really big play we got was Purify's opening TD against Texas. This requires a level of execution that we are a long ways from. Callahan lost me on this one. The coaches have to look at themselves in the mirror for a little while. The kids played hard. They did as they were told. Too bad the coaches had to nullify their effort and a great opportunity in a January 1 bowl.
mario moreno Jan 03 07
when is this guy going to be fired?
Jason Jan 03 07
Mario, to what end?
2004: 5-6
2005: 8-4
2006: 9-5
Doesn't that look like progress? This is the first year since Osborne left that we've been able to stay in the game with these top teams.
We're closing the talent gap. Now we need to start winning these close ones.
There were plenty of coaching mistakes this year, but I just don't see what changing head coaches (which means changing everything) will do for us other than set us back another 5 years.
Josh Marshall Jan 03 07
Jason,
I agree; progress has been made. If one cannot see that, then I question their football and atheletic competition knowledge. A "changing of the guard" at this point would do nothing constructive for the NU football program - at least in the immediate future. And, as you know, most Husker fans - myself included - are not very patient. That said, if the staff was dismissed, it would be another 2-4 years before Husker nation would see any "real" progress. I know I'm not willing to wait another 2-4 years. We're almost there Mario, just grant the staff a little latitude. Frank didn't "break" the program overnight, and it certainly isn't going to be remedied overnight either. We can only hope that Bill and staff learn from their coaching errors this year. I think - let me rephrase that - I hope, they will do so.
Josh
CornhuskerZorro Jan 03 07
Why did we recruit and get excited about Jordan Congdon? He was rated number in the country coming out of high school but he can't kick into the end zone, past the 15 and can't kick as far as Texas' walk on kicker.
Z
Scott Jan 03 07
Hey James,
You blame the coaches. But then it sounds like you blame the players?? Believe me, we've had worse defensive backs in this program. I agree with you that we just don't have all of the players yet nor the depth. And Keller hasn't played a down yet. So evaluate him next year after you've seen him play.
While I don't agree with some of the play calling, it isn't my decision. The coaches are the ones that study the film and if they think something is going to work in a certain situation then they'll try it. But I do agree that is not the time or place to do a fake punt.
I'm sure the bloggers that think Callahan should be fired are the same ones that thought Tom Osborne should have been fired after a lot of his Orange Bowl poundings. I can remember a few 3rd and longs and Osborne would run a fullback give or a sweep. That is unheard of these days. I'm really not sure what my point is on this. I think it's that TO had some not-so-popular calls in his time. Callahan will get better, just like Osborne got better. Didn't some fans want Gill to be Offensive Coordinator??
This is a process. We're getting better. We'll get there. Be a true fan and get behind the program. The younger players will learn, and they'll be the first to tell you that they are going to learn how to finish games. If you don't like the team or the games or the coaches, go watch the MAC game of the week.
darren Jan 03 07
Time has brought me some added perspective on the game. Here are the positives. NU was the most physical team on the field. It is always good to see a team control the line of scrimmage. We also started fast. Again, those things typified this year's team.
One new thing I enjoyed seeing was the play of Marlon Lucky. He was explosive, as usual. But, he was a more patient runner - waiting for and setting up his blocks. That's the mental development of his game. Looks like our little boy is all grown up. Look out...he could be in for a monster 2007 season.
Scott Jan 03 07
I know it doesn't help that we gave them a short field on the fake punt, but who is to say that had we punted that they could have returned it for a touchdown and scored just as easy.
Let's not forget that Auburn played and won this game like the other 10....with a little bit of luck and some good defense. NU just didn't have the luck this time.
Eric Jan 03 07
I understand we don't quite have the talent to win these close games, that will come with time. What is not acceptable is Callahan's decision-making mistakes. Sure, he's only in his third year, but that's no excuse for making decisions that a fourth-grader knows better than to make. Callahan is horrible when it comes to critical calls and time management, which, last time I checked, is the role of the head coach. It's also apparent he knows nothing about the most important element of the game, FIELD POSITION. A fake punt in your own territory? Most high school coaches know better than that.
The program is improving. But it doesn't matter what kind of talent we have in the future, if the decesion-making doesn't improve, drastically, we'll never win a national championship with this guy. Poor decesion-making trumps talent, every time.
I ask you this, for those who say getting rid of Callahan means five more years before we are contenders, what's the alternative? I guarantee giving him five more years means five more years of not winning national championships. Then it takes four or five to rebuild. Are we willing to wait ten years? Get rid of him soon, get someone who knows something about football, and we swallow our pride a few more years.
dallas Jan 03 07
bill callahan is a good coach....i just hate those "true nebraska fans"...they give him so much shit n go credit to what he has accomplish so far..it will take time but just think , we used to b an option running team for years n now weve only been in the WCO for years ...come on ppl > PATIENCE!! look at TO for instance when he took over the team ppl wanted him fired but it took him time n now look at him hes one of college football all time greats...ill tell u what husker nation..nebraska should b in the top 10 preseason by the 2008 season
James Moore Jan 04 07
Scott,
Not blaming the players. They came out ready to play, of that nobody can question. These guys have been through so much. Carried themselves with so much dignity and class. We've come soooo far since what I consider the absolute low point (70-10 at Texas Tech 2 yrs. ago). You can't have the progress (yes there has been a substabtial amount) without getting %110 percent from the players. For the record, Bill Callahan should NOT be fired. We are way better off than everyone in the North and knocking on the door to the conference penthouse. As for Keller, fantastic talent, the question remains how soon does the light go on for him? I just question whether he'll be as comfortable as Zac was. It tearms my heart out to watch games this year like Texas and Auburn, and to a much smaller degree Oklahoma. To all that encourage patience, this is right. With this histeria Dr. Tom would've never made it to the 1994 Orange Bowl.
K. Abbey Jan 16 07
True NU fans might want to consider these things: Do you hunger the old days so much that you are willing to ride Callahan for, lets say, three more years hoping that he and the staff will stop making fundamental errors? Are we really willing to do that with some big name coaches out there that can be had? Do you think that the college game is so much different than the pro game that coach is really struggling as to use his talent on hand? I think that we start over and get a coach that won't make us look like fn "hillbillys" and quit losing to fn "hillbillys" year after year!
p