Huskers End Halftime Futility Streak
27 comments so far
October 25, 2008 by
Over the last decade, Husker fans have seen a number of hallowed and revered streaks come to an end. In 1998, the Huskers saw a 7-year home-winning streak come to an end, as well as nearly 30 seasons with fewer than 4 losses and just as many with wins over Kansas State, not to mention five straight 11-win seasons. In 2000, the Huskers lost their first game by a large margin in 4 years when the Sooners pounded Nebraska 31-14. In 2001, NU gave up the most points in their history in the regular season finale and 2002 brought the most conference losses since before Bob Devaney was head coach. In 2004, we saw a 35-year bowl streak end and in 2005 a long win streak over Kansas came to an end. The 2007 Nebraska defense set all kinds of futility marks for the Huskers, which is why it was so gratifying to see the Huskers end a nearly five-year streak of losses to teams they trailed at halftime.
The game was probably closer than most Husker fans expected or wanted to see, but it was still nice to see an end to some negative streaks for a change. The Huskers also tallied their first safety in three years and their first win over a Big 12 South opponent in two seasons.
There was plenty to concern NU fans. The penalties, the injuries, the fumbles, the big plays given up to the Baylor offense all come to mind. But there was plenty to like. The Huskers tallied nearly 500 yards. They converted 11 third downs and denied Baylor a single third-down conversion. They pitched a shutout in the second half. They came from behind twice to take the lead. They had a two score lead for most of the fourth quarter to help ice the game.
This was a game the Huskers simply had to have. And they got it done. Maybe they didn’t get many style points, but they gutted out a victory that they desperately needed. Scoreboard watchers may have been both delighted and horrified to see Oklahoma, NU’s next opponent, score 55 points in the first half against Kansas State. They also yielded 28 points to the Wildcats in just a quarter and a half. Meanwhile, KU surrendered 63 points to Texas Tech. It makes the Husker overtime loss to the Red Raiders that much more impressive and makes the Jayhawks look like a team that NU could handle at home.
But this week is all about those Sooners. OU is still a national power and a team the Huskers have spent years playing catch-up to. No sane fan would predict a win in Norman. But it seems entirely possible that a tough Nebraska team will once again make the Husker Nation proud.
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Brandon Oct 25 08
One more positive from today's win: NOW IT'S OKLAHOMA WEEK!!!
Greg Morrow Oct 25 08
The difference in the game might've been Baylor's fine young qb tweaking a wheel. He was the offense, then the offense gets shut down. Coincidence, anyway.
Offensively, I'm just savoring the proficiency. That's as veteran a skill set in a highly multiple offense as you could ever hope for. Ganz is giving a continual instructional video, which should be useful for tutoring the young'ns who'll replace him. Even more useful than Zac Taylor's, who too often demo'd how to take a hit, when the pocket collapses and then showed composure when receivers dropped wide open perfect tosses.
The statue of Tom and Brooke in front of the complex shows Tom with his hand behind Brooke's arm and pointing out something nearby, apparently teaching. A fairly emblematic depiction. Not screamin' vehemence and a lurching "dare ya to punch me" move into a 5th year walkon's face... I'm just sayin'. But, Bo seems to have two speeds- normal and apoplectic. This is getting pretty noticeable, pretty much every game. At least he seems to "cut up" behind closed doors.
Well, I guess it's okay. As long as the young, impressionable players know they themselves can't model themselves after that particular attribute.
It's just that, is he actually right that often? Does his review of game video justify that response, every time? With officials and players? You could "blow a gasket" that way.
Josh Oct 25 08
Cody Glenn was out of position badly in the first half - at least three different times - resulting in big plays by Baylor. He cost us about 10 points today.
Swift was money today. Marlon played a really solid game as well. Quentin, DON'T LEAVE YOUR FEET!!!!!!!!!!
Joel Schmidt Oct 25 08
Last time we came from behind to win was five years ago vs Penn St. thanks for breaking that streak, Bo!
We are getting better. This is the exact opposite of the feeling I had when I watched us last year. It turned around so fast, and with the same players. Because of that fact alone, I am completely excited for the OU game. Let's control the clock and make some touble!
GBR
tom Oct 26 08
Cody Glenn is letting the passion get the better of him by interfering with his focus. I have thought he's been pretty solid so far, but this game it was most obvious that he's been playing linebacker for less than a year (with the penalties and being out of position). Oklahoma has a habit of making opponents lose their focus. This week, Bo needs to cool it a little bit in order to reign in that passion and direct it towards assisting players rather than screaming at them. I saw Mangino do it last week against Oklahoma, following a player around who made a mistake and just yell at them for minutes at a time, and I thought to myself "I'm glad our coach would never do that." I guess I was wrong.
Austin Oct 26 08
Word of the week: composure. The Huskers retained composure throughout the game. There were several times during the game where we could have succumbed to mistakes, penalties, injuries, and no-calls (punt) and fall apart, but, despite our lapses, we retained composure and put the game away at the end. I like that. That's imposing your will even when some things go against you.
It seems like NU plays better on the road than at home. We get kinda over-hyped/complacent at home, but on the road we know we can't make any mistakes and play with a greater focus.
OU, be scared. This team is hungry like sharks at a blood bank. KSU putting up 28 points in a quarter makes you even more vunerable. And you don't have a mobile QB. Please, overlook us... I wonder what Sooner meat tastes like...
Austin Oct 26 08
Ganz, you're a beast! Keep it up playa!... I'm going to call you David Copperfield... just straight magic!
OU7times Oct 26 08
Austin,
Don't worry about OU. Your worries should be about playing K- state.
Bradford will pick apart NU's pass defense, I expect.
NU's best hope is to "take out" Bradford E-A-R-L-Y, and no team has been able to do that yet.
I Look for more than 3 personal (frustration) fouls on Nebraska during the game. Emotions will be riding extremely high and NU will be beside themselves to make a statement. Coach Stoops home record is too phenomonal to blow it against an unranked team.
Coach P will pull ALL of the tricks out of the bag in this game and OU will answer the challange. The home record of OU and the fact that BO coached at OU for one season and that OU is ranked #4 will all be reasons that emotions might just get the best of NU.
BTW, what is Nebraska's W/L record on grass? I'm not sure what it is but it could also play a factor besides you guys fumble tooooo much.
Austin, don't get too "WOW'd" at beating Baylor at home by 12.
You'll have to wait at least one more year to "taste" Sooner meat.
OU- 45
NU- 28
Greg Morrow Oct 26 08
OU7times
Nebraska fans, on a Nebraska blog. On a Nebraska blog, it's all about Nebraska.
Even a vapid, vacuous "doink" know's that.
I don't expect you to, though. You're just trying to be relevant on somebody's (anybody's) blog.
Be you, (anonymous) do what you do!
OU7times Oct 26 08
Greg your comments (always) are VERY BORING!! Can't say that I've eally ever finished reading your comments because you are infatuated with YOU. What you are good at is instagating trouble. Never objective and just a robot,in thinking,and just fall in line with others.
The beauty with that, for you, is that you don't have to do any thinking of your own. You only get along with like minded "people". That's your comfort zone. Greggy, that's what you do best and only that.
You don't like accuracy especially when it's against your team.
Put yor money where your big mouth is, ONCE.
HuskerDeck Oct 26 08
Nothing that I have read so far has mentioned the roughing the kicker call negating a great return by Nate. I didn't get to see it beacause they were interviewing Johnny Rogers and never showed it. It is this kind of lack of control that I thought we would not be having under Bo and it really disappoints me. It just amazes me how many stupid penalties that we get.
Mr. Bump Oct 26 08
The roughing the kicker could be seen a mile away. They cut to Rogers but you could tell the kid was not going to stop. He was 5 yards away when the ball was kicked and he did not let up. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Dwayne Oct 26 08
I am so stoked for this game against OU. It's another benchmark to see where we're at and where we need to go. I love the opportunity it presents. I love the matchup that our offense has against OU's defense. Swift is a gamer. All I can say is that it is zero zero when it starts. Is Bradford very mobile? Anyone can talk about all the talent that OU has but I don't think it is fair to estimate one team's players with another team's. OU is good, but I don't think that they're invincible. And my mind won't be changed if we get hammered by 40.
Greg Morrow Oct 26 08
OU7times
"What you are good at is instagating trouble. Never objective and just a robot,in thinking,and just fall in line with others."
That's whats makes you vapid. You don't know what things mean. How could I be a instigator and fall in line with others? Others, you "doink", are Nebraska fans on a Nebraska blog. Typically, Nebraska blogs are for "like minded" people, no doubt like Okie central's blog. You need to go back to the kiddie pond, skippy.
On Nebraska blogs, topics are either about the team, or about an opponent and how Nebraska will do against them. Anything that has to do with Nebraska.
I mean, really. OU7times? OU7timesatool!
OU7times Oct 26 08
Greggy,
I thought I already told you "what's up".
Besides, some of the other BRN bloggers already told you the same, previously.
"Dude", I know you've already been told (by your own family, no doubt) that you don't play well with others.
Now, hit us with another 4 "paragraph "blah,blah..."
Try your next "novel" starting with "Four score and seven years ago.... Heh, heh...
Greg Morrow Oct 26 08
OU7timesatool
Now, hit us with another 4 "paragraph "blah,blah..."
Which is why your comfort zone is the kiddie pool, skippy!
Thin skinned, weak minded, and anonymous. That's what you've got to work with.
You can't hang, skippy. Why frustrate yourself?
Myles Goble Oct 26 08
OU7times:
I've seen you post multiple comments over the months (years?) and they've always been pretty darn objective considering you're an OU fan. And I don't see today's original post any different. I may not speak for everyone, but I always welcome your comments here, coming from a relatively respectful fan of our #1 rival. Even during Oklahoma week.
tom Oct 26 08
Well, let the games begin. OU's just another team to prepare for. If Pelini treats in any way other than that, he's going to be in trouble. OU7, I'd be angry at your comments if I didn't think that you're probably somewhat right about next week's game. Greg, he's a passionate fan of his team but also has an opinion that's been accurate in the past. So everyone, it's a long week til Saturday, please keep a cool head.
Dwayne Oct 26 08
NU struggles a bit with Baylor. OU toys with K State. Everyone is picking OU. The game is in Norman. The game is at night. Everyone knows that if OU and NU played 10 times, OU would probably win 9 of them. I hope Saturday is that 1 time and I love our chances. Look back to what I think was 1978, OU was probably favored, didn't play well and lost the game because they couldn't hold onto the football. Anything can happen.
OU7times Oct 26 08
Dwayne,
You are absolutely right. Anything can happen but statistically, even with a pourous defense, I like OU's chances here.
NU fans have to love their position because the experts don't give them a chance to win. Nothing to lose for Nebraska, really.
We'll just have to wait and see how it pans out.
Dwayne Oct 26 08
That's right. NU totally has nothing to lose. We haven't beaten a top 10 team in years but I have the hunch it's going to be coming pretty soon. My concern going into this game is our o line against OU's defensive front. If they don't play well, game over right now. I like what Lucky has shown receiving and I'm not sure what OU has to match up with that. I'm sure OU's lb's are talented but it could create a mismatch. NU has looked really really good at times and sometimes they look like last year. It's still a transition but I like where it's going. NU doesn't need to run the ball like a lot of fans think. NU needs to move the chains like they did against TT. If NU plays like that, it could be very interesting. If they play like Baylor, the beer could be flowing freely very fast. I like NU's position to get back the North in another year or two based on how the cookie crumbles. OU may have it's hands full in the South in the next few years so that matchup in the title game that many people here would like to see, may not happen any time soon.
BlowCornChunks Oct 26 08
OOOHH - you guys came back to beat Baylor at home. I'm pretty sure they're going to the BCS title game. Have fun getting blown out vs. OU!
Jonathan Oct 26 08
I saw Bo get in Matt O'Hanlon's face after he blew a couple tackles and I worried about how the kid would respond. Anyone else notice O'Hanlon make two great open field tackles in the second half? That tells me Bo knows what he's doing. He lit into the kid, the kid took it from a man he respected, and went out and made a couple great plays.
Also-Cody Glenn made some mistakes. That's for sure. But he made a huge play late in the 3rd Quarter. On 1st and 10, Baylor ran option left to the short side. NU did a great job stretching it out, but Griffin reversed his field and took off right. All I could see on the TV were two DL lugging after him and my heart sank as I thought, "Griffin's going to break off 30 yds on a play we had stuffed". But Glenn came sprinting across the field and knocked him out of bounds for a 5 yd loss. This was the series that we roughed the punter. But no one would have made that play last year for us. It was a microcosm of the changed attitude of the Nebraska defense: playing hard to the whistle.
James Moore Oct 27 08
OU7Times is a cool guy and always has some good things to contribute here. I might even add that he comes pretty darn close to being a Husker backer at times, so we all know him here and know that he's OK. He's not trying to throw any bombs here. . .
Hey, we're 5-3, and 2-2 in the conference. A win is a win, and I'll take a win over Baylor. Obviously you'd like to see a pattern of forcing turnovers, and gosh when are the penalties ever going to stop, but these guys are getting better week by week. It's all we can ask for. Griffin is a special talent and giving up plays to him, although not desirable, is hard to prevent. I thought that our guys sucked it up, kept coming, stayed patient, and turned a halftime deficit into a good conference win. How many times under the previous regime did we turn a halftime deficit into a win? Against anybody? I don't care if it's Baylor, we're 5-3, and 2-2 in the conference. . .
Well the trip to Norman. You can get the Sooner LB's and Secondary out of position. As a fan of the game and the optimum utilization of talent the Sooner defense has been taking steps backwards these past 3 weeks. Too many big plays in the passing game and the push by the defensive front has gotten a little light. We should be able to score points. We've got to throw some slips, middle IB screens, and some flares early. Get the D-Line not tuned in to pinning their ears back and going. If ALL the Oklahoma D-Line has to account for is getting upfield then we will have BIG problems. . .
What to do with the Oklahoma offense? Well they are going to make plays, the guys have to know that they will, and more than once throughout the game. I hope that Potter, Steinkuhler, Suh and Allen can keep their pace and not get worn down. They will not only have to get upfield to put pressure on Bradford BUT be able to deal with perhaps the most physical run blocking Offensive Line in the country. Add the no-huddle and no subs and this is the area where we must not break. Keep your composure, key on Murray (you've got to try, somehow, to make them one-dimentional), get some hits on Bradford, Asante don't let ANYTHING get behind you, and no matter what, tackle, tackle, and tackle!!! Finally, DO NOT make ANY mistakes in Special Teams!!! Scoring 55 points at halftime is scary. A frightening testament to what this bunch is capable of. What I like the most about (as a fan of the game of football), and what simultaneously scares me the most, is that although this is a no-huddle attack Oklahoma will line it right up, walk under center, and boom, a hard iso-blast. It's hard enough to be running all the time without break, but when you're running all the time AND you have to physically get back up because of the previous inside power play, THIS will add up. . .
Scott Oct 27 08
I think it's safe to say that blowcornchunks is a CU fan.
I think OU7times is pretty dead on. Yes, I'm a Husker Fan but OU should win this game. NU will need to play absolutely perfect and OU needs to stumble. Pretty badly I might add. This is why they play the games. OU has an outstanding team and this game could very well be as ugly as the K-St. game. For the sake of the OU-NU series, I hope not.
Good Luck OU, we're hillbillies sometimes too.
James Moore Oct 27 08
OU7,
Do you think we can cover? Yall are starting out as 21 point favorites. . .
Again, you're a good guy and I always look forward to hearing from you here. Curious to see what you think regarding the above-listed question. . .
OU7times Oct 27 08
Hello James,
I DO think NU will cover. This game will really depend (my opinion) on IF OU starts out of the gate fast.
Oklahoma is not a second half team AT ALL. Someone had asked OU's D-Coach (Brent Venables) about the second half slumps and he said something like "we just coasted in the second half" and that OU was far enough ahead.
To me, I think that's just an excuse and that these players are spoiled rotten and have bought in that they are great and that they should coast through the Big 12 schedule.
There are MAJOR problems with the defense and I hope it gets rectified by next season. Venables might just be gone after this season, buddies or no buddies.