Nebraska Offense Sputters in Loss to Texas Tech
15 comments so far
October 17, 2009 by
The Nebraska offense generated just 10 points (and surrendered a critical first-half turnover) as the Huskers lost to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 31-10 in Lincoln. While much of the hype and discussion entering the game centered on #15 Nebraska and a defense led by Ndamukong Suh, it was the Texas Tech defense, or more specifically the Nebraska offense that caused a chorus of boos to rain down from the Memorial Stadium stands. The loss bolsters the Tech momentum behind new quarterback Steven Sheffield and a lively defense led by Ruffin McNeil. It also leaves Nebraska looking for answers to some very serious questions on offense.
Summary
Flashforward to a rather bleak halftime score to Husker fans, as Nebraska trailed 24-3. How did the game get there? For starters, Texas Tech made plays to open the game. Sheffield looked both strong and accurate and his receivers made great grabs (twice on third and long) on an opening drive that silenced the capacity crowd with a touchdown drive and an early 7-0 Tech lead.
Midway through the first quarter, Nebraska's offensive doldrums proved truly costly. Playing on a field shortened by a good punt return, Nebraska was looking for points. They were un-done when a latteral pass, dropped by Niles Paul, was scooped up and returned for an 82-yard score by the Tech defense. Inexplicably, Husker players thought the play dead and did not pursue the Tech defender down the sideline. It was a microcosim of the day for NU.
Tech got up 21-0 when Sheffield converted a quarterback sneak in to a touchdown midway through the second quarter. On the impending drive, Nebraska was able to drive the ball behind the playmaking of Roy Helu, but had to settle for a field goal. The three point gain by NU was neutralized by Texas Tech, when they drove the length of the field courtesy of a big play from Sheffield to Detron Lewis for 58 yards, and secured a field goal of their own.
After a scoreless third quarter dictated by both defenses, Nebraska finally got the ball in the end zone when Cody Green (playing in relief of starter Zach Lee) hit Khiry Cooper over the middle for a score, to cut the lead to 24-10. Texas Tech would answer the score with 3:30 left in the game on another Sheffield sneak, and put the game fully out of reach 31-10.
Sheffield finished 23-32 for 234 yards and one touchdown throwing. For Nebraska, Lee was 16 of 22 for 128 yards while Green was 7 of 16 for 87 yards with one touchdown and one interception. On the year, Tech moves to 5-2 and Nebraska drops to 4-2.
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Huskerdeck Oct 17 09
The thing that really disappoints me is I thought with Bo coaching that we would play with more discipline and smarter. I just couldn't believe how stupid we play with penalities and things like that backward pass to Paul that you just have to know to get on it if your head is in the game. Just didn't think it was going to happen with Bo.
Robert Oct 17 09
Based off the last 2 weeks I think we are in desperate need of new direction with the offense. The straw that really broke my back with this offense was the end of the first half, first and goal.....3 straight run plays! Then the end of the 3rd quarter beginning of the 4th, we have the ball for what seemed like 5 minutes in the red zone to start and come away with nothing. What is Shawn Watson doing? He should be getting his resume ready that's for certain.
Dustin Oct 17 09
After VT and MU, this offensive staff should have been doing some serious soul searching already. I think it's pretty riddiculous to be talking about canning Watson already, however, it is disturbing that he thinks it's ok to take half the season and a couple of loses to find an offensive identity (assuming they do find one at some point this season). Taking what the defense gives you is all well and good, but at some point to have to make something happen.
Overall, the defense played very well. Get a turnover or two and things may have gone differently.
My biggest dissapointment from the game was the fans. Living in Kansas City, people love to tell me that Nebraska only has great fans as long as they are winning. The boo's that came from the stands certainly strengthen their argument.
Matt Oct 17 09
I was at the game and the boos i heard weren't for either team they were for the refs. Personally I think they were justified the refs were bad but it's not like the refs lost us the game. We had plenty of opportunities we just made too many mistakes on both sides of the ball.
Nate Oct 17 09
I agree with Robert. I think it is way too early to call for Watson's job. He is missing his back up RB and the starting RB does not seem to be 100% for the last two weeks. CU won and hopefully OSU will follow suit, so don't overreact and look to take care of business in Waco. Lee will get better with experiance(and a running game).
Nate Oct 17 09
Sorry, I meant I agree with Dustin
Hank Oct 17 09
If you listen to the Husker radio guys today you would be sick - i guess is great if your a Husker fan - constant bias in reporting - can't the game be broadcast so everyone can enjoy it - I am glad i had my Tv on so I could see all the corrct calls and not have to listen to the constant complaints about the refs - bottom line - who cares about the blackshirts - Nebraska "D" looked mediocre at best - once again over-rated at 15 and probably shouldn't be ranked unless you count padded stats against inferior opponents (ecption Missouri game) and where was the heisman joke "Suh" after the fist two series - a ghost on defense or someone from Texas tech was doing a helluva job that wasn't reported
Bill in Iowa Oct 18 09
Hank, have you even looked at the stats man? Seriously, the blackshirts held T-Tech to a season low 250 yards total offense. That's getting it done. And sticks had to be scraped off the field a time or two because of Mr. Suh. Nebraska has a top 10 defense no doubt, but the offense is probably doing good to rank in the top 50. They do not seem to have any fire or focus. I am not happy about the lack of creativity in play calling. Helu, simply is not 100%. The receivers must have droped 5 passes to today. Two that could well have been td's (if you count Niles P. toss as a pass). And unfortunately, Zach really is disapointing in his decision making. He seems to be hessitant and second guessing himself. I think he has the tools, but he's not getting it done. Without Helu and Burkhead, this offense simply has NO offensive weapons. I have to confess, I watched Georgia Tech dismantle V Tech later in the afternoon with the trilple option and really was jealous. The blackshirts are back, but the offense has no identity. They pose no physcial threat. They instill no fear. I mean really, if you don't have a QB that can threaten a defense with a zone read, the why the h--- run it? Where is the play action pass? And why can't are recievers catch the freak'in ball?
DJ Oct 18 09
I blame the offense 100%. What is the strength of the offense? Too disappointed to speak.
Jon Oct 18 09
With all the hype and expected momentum coming into this game, it was just a shell shock to the likings of disappointment. I'm not a coach nor a player but merely a fan who loves HUSKERS and the game.. It just looks like we were dead... There was no urgency on Lee's part and we seen it when Green came in.. I think with Iowa State and Baylor coming were going to be seeing alot of changes in all 3 phases of the game... Especially on offense...
AustinHusker Oct 18 09
Major disappointment. Can not believe the way we played, offense, questionable calls. But one thing that hasnt been talked about lately and I think it adds as much to our losses as anything is the Special Teams. I am a firm believer of 1/3, 1/3, 1/3. And yes a 0 for the offense but the ST are even worse. Punts, kickoffs, kick coverage, FGs, punt returns, etc it all adds up to a complete game. At Mizz we couldnt field a punt, dont talk to me about rain, it rained on them as well and they killed us on punt returns.
Bo has work to do. Hopefully two weeks to get healthy. OU certainly will hold their own and now KU and CU look to be very interesting games.
Still crying
James Moore Oct 18 09
Dustin,
I thought the same thing. In all probability I will never make it to Memorial Stadium for a game (I'd give an arm and a leg to do so but I'm in the immediate Washington, D.C. area so distance and ticket availability) and when we were down 14-0 and Texas Tech was on our 2 or 3, man you could've heard a pin drop. Those are young men out there and they need to know that The Sea of Red is behind them. To boo those same young men, well for me was a little embarassing. For any and all who do have the HONOR of being in Memorial Stadium please don't boo those young men. . .
My apoligizes if I offended anyone with this post. . .
Dwayne Oct 18 09
In my opinion, I don't think the boos were directed toward the players. I think it was a combination of the penalties and play calling.
Austin Oct 18 09
Dump Lee, go with Green. Run more option plays. After the season is over, fire Watson and Ted Gilmore.
Overreacting? No, last year's offensive success was all Ganz, Swift, and Peterson. It took Watson the whole offseason and half the regular season to come up with an offensive identity last year. We can't afford that... to only start get going offensively halfway through the season.
Gilmore has not developed players like Holt, Brooks, Henry, etc. who have all been in the program for several years. Callahan couldn't develop players, and neither can his former assistants (Waston and Gilmore).
O-line sucks and shoots NU in the foot with its constant redzone penalties. Mike Smith stinks. Our guards commit too many penalties. Move Hickman to guard and Caputo to center. Take Ricky Henry out. remember, our O-line is very inexperienced... one of the most inexperienced units in the Big 12.
Thank go Mizzou and Kansas lost.
Austin Oct 18 09
Dump Lee, go with Green. Run more option plays. After the season is over, fire Watson and Ted Gilmore.
Overreacting? No, last year's offensive success was all Ganz, Swift, and Peterson. It took Watson the whole offseason and half the regular season to come up with an offensive identity last year. We can't afford that... to only start get going offensively halfway through the season.
Gilmore has not developed players like Holt, Brooks, Henry, etc. who have all been in the program for several years. Callahan couldn't develop players, and neither can his former assistants (Waston and Gilmore).
O-line sucks and shoots NU in the foot with its constant redzone penalties. Mike Smith stinks. Our guards commit too many penalties. Move Hickman to guard and Caputo to center. Take Ricky Henry out. remember, our O-line is very inexperienced... one of the most inexperienced units in the Big 12.
Thank go Mizzou and Kansas lost.