We Are Who We Thought We Were
Not to make too much of Dennis Green’s now fairly famous rant after getting beaten by the Chicago Bears…but, it is a testament to the power of advanced scouting. To a large degree, Saturday’s performance against Virginia Tech revealed that Nebraska is who we thought they were – the good and the bad. The question now becomes - what will they do about it?
All things and people are imperfect. They have flaws. The only way to see what those flaws are is to put them on the testing grounds, and see what shakes loose. For Nebraska on Saturday, the testing grounds were going between the lines with a very talented Hokie football team. And what shook loose were the parts we thought might be a bit unsteady.
Big picture – the Huskers are stout on defense and talented but inconsistent on offense.
Nebraska is breaking in a new quarterback. It was very clear on Saturday. Most would agree that Zac Lee is a real talent, and can (will) develop in to one heck of a good quarterback. But, on Saturday he looked like a young man making his first big road start.
Nebraska fans worried about the right side of the offensive line. It proved to be a liability Saturday. The NU right tackles got owned at times by Jason Worilds. Ricky Henry got flagged at the wrong time, and got absolutely blown by on a stunt.
There was worry about wide out play in the pre-season. Ted Gilmore made it clear that spectacular but spotty play is not what he wanted from his unit. But, that’s what they got again Saturday. Their inopportune dropped passes or inability to make a tough catch to help Lee really hurt NU.
The lack of a second proven running back became a concern when Quentin Castille got thrown off of the team. Roy Helu is a stone cold stud. But, when he came out of the game, Nebraska didn’t run the ball. They put it on Lee’s shoulders. It might have been nice to counter with another talented back and keep the running game going to keep pressure off of Lee.
I’m not writing all of this to be harsh. And I am not saying anything the coaches don’t already know and isn’t right there on film for opponents to see. No doubt, Nebraska’s strengths are also the same strengths we anticipated. Suh is a man beast. He leads a tough defense. Helu is a special player. The Huskers have a great kicking game.
But the positives aren’t the things you think of the morning after a tough loss. You look in the mirror and figure out the kind of person you are, and who you want to be. Knowing yourself is a luxury. Self awareness can be an advantage if you understand its obligation. They have to go and do something about it.
Nebraska really is who we thought they would be. None of us – coaches included – know who they can become. And that will be fun to watch.
9/20/2009
No second back? I saw Rex catch a ball, and will himself with three defenders to an extra three yards.
I would of been happy to see him run more, but I have not the same vision as you about the lack of depth at RB as you do.
That was a rousing run after catch to me. I might be blinded by manlove for Rex, but you have to admit, boy has heart and talent.
Omaha, NE
9/20/2009
I think that about sums it up perfectly. Particularly glaring, at least among the group I watched it with, was that lack of a second option at running back. Helu flat out wore down—which was to be expected—and when Nebraska could’ve salted things away with maybe one more first down they couldn’t get it on the ground.
Here’s the good news, we’ve got a nice, fancy little party next Saturday that should be fun and then a long week to get ready for the spotlight again in Columbia.
9/20/2009
I agree, Spiff. Great kid, gonna be a great back. Love the potential and ability.
It’s not a knock on him. Just the hard reality. He had zero *carries*. You said “catches” and that is my point. When Helu came out, NU threw it.
The trust isn’t quite there to keep hammering the run, at least not on the road against VT. It would have helped, b/c NU was able to gash them some.
Omaha, NE
9/20/2009
Spiff,
Since we were posting comments simultaneously and taking different sides of the argument, I thought I’d chime in again.
I don’t think Darren, or myself for that matter, was saying or thinking that NU doesn’t have talent behind Helu but in this particular game the offensive coaching staff either didn’t see fit or wasn’t quite confident enough yet to use it. Only two players had carries in the game: Helu and Lee.
The Burkhead catch you refer to was a sterling example of both the talent and effort that has gotten him on the field as a true freshman, which only makes the fact that he didn’t get a single carry all the more perturbing.
9/20/2009
One more side note - Suddenly the game next year at Washington got a bit more scary / interesting. They seem to be on a track back, just need some recruiting classess in.
9/20/2009
Woke up this morning, read the papers and the posts, and still don’t feel any better. I can’t remember a loss ever affecting me the way this one did. It still really stings. Next Saturday will be a monumental achievement for the program’s faithful. Taking their frustration out on ULL still can’t lessen the loss from yesterday. Maybe if they smack the snot out of Mizzou in their house I’ll get out of my funk. One can only hope they grow and learn from this hearth wrencher. I’ll do my part and keep the faith. GBR!
9/20/2009
NU has to forget about this one. It’s done and the Big XII North has to be the goal which is still indeed attainable. I kept telling my wife when we had the ball and they had 3 timeouts remaining that it was going to be great to beat a team at their own game in their own house (Beamer Ball), but something in the back of my head just wasn’t buying into it at that time. I couldn’t believe that receiver streaking down the sideline uncovered… I feel bad for the staff. Fourth and one, you have to punt that ball. No question about it.
9/20/2009
That headline is the best summation you could possibly come up with for that result. Absolutely perfect.
And I couldn’t agree more with Dwayne. On 4th and 1 the punt was absofreakinlutely the right call. VT hadn’t shown they could go 20 yards much less 90. You fail at the 50 and they can at the very least make some chucks into the end zone.
9/20/2009
Loved the comments from spaceman spiff. I think you have to give Burkhead some touches, he had shown the ability to hang on to the ball in the first two games. Sometimes I think coaches out smart themselves. Use the same damn offensive plays just as if Roy was in the game. Wish we would get rid of dumb penalties. Also I thought we would see more of the tight end game. Put one of those tight ends in a full house backfield and let them block down by the goal line.
9/20/2009
Now would be the time to have Tommie come in for about a 1 hour talk to the team, to tell them about finishing. That’s what separated the great Husker teams of the 90’s from everyone else. Now I know how my Uncle Bill felt, a longtime booster of the Missouri program after Davidson’s catch all those years ago. It took 2 Scotch and Waters (more Scotch) to be able to talk to relatives who were visiting from Nebraska. We almost dared not talk to him!
9/20/2009
What I don’t understand is why we didn’t spell Helu with Rex more? Rex had shown himself to be capable before, and if he’s the second string running back, then we need to put him in and let him earn his keep there.
As for the offense, I put it at a 50/25/25 mix between the wide receivers, the offensive line, and Lee himself.
What did folks think of the officiating? I personally found it uneven and spotty at best…
Chicago, IL
9/20/2009
The officiating was spotty, but you can’t blame the refs for the outcome. Tech had a drive killed in the 4th quarter when they didn’t call an obvious pass interference on us.
The thing that makes this a heart breaker is that there were so many instances where one play could have sealed it for us. 4th and 1. A TD called back by holding. Another catch that was 6 inches from being a TD. Tyrod’s pass to the flats that was close to a pick-six.
But, there is a lot to be optimistic about. We hung with a good team on the road with a young QB. And many of our issues with penalties and defensive positioning are easily fixed given more time and coaching.
9/20/2009
I also had another thought to add on the 4th and short at the end of the game. Why didn’t we line up and try to draw them offsides? If it didn’t work we would not been out much and if it did work it would have been huge. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
9/20/2009
Huskerdeck,
Very good point and take the penalty. That didn’t even cross my mind. I would’ve liked to see the staff try to draw them off with a hard count. 10 to 1 our o line would’ve jumped. I can’t take another game where we leave a double U out there. I disagree with those that think Va Tech isn’t that good. That’s a darn good defense and their special teams are very solid with a suspect offense. They’ll go far this season.
9/20/2009
If Lee payed like we know he can and know he will we would have destroyed VT but he was nervous and that why he had too much mustard on his throws. That will go away if he does not take it to heart!
9/20/2009
Zach Lee looked like a man on a mission in the second quarter and Burkhead came in on one series (at least) also in the second quarter and looked great. After the 2nd quarter I felt we could pass or run at will on this team. So what happened?
It was like the offense went into a shell and decided to play NOT TO LOSE instead of PLAYING TO WIN in the 2nd half. And that is what really frustrates me.
We have the weapons! Albeit imperfect at times. Ricky Henry is weapon, but he is known for holding and he got caught it a critical moment. Holt is a huge target and a play maker. So, he dropped a pass, it happens, it wasn’t an easy catch AND he redeemed himself by catching another difficult end zone pass that somehow the refs chose not even to review. Zach Lee in the past two games has passed with pin point accuracy, but in the second half he couldn’t hit simple crossing routes to the tight ends and quick out routes. Maybe at that point, you bring in another weapon, Mr Cody Green and start running zone read and doing it on your feet? We have the weapons, but they need to learn to make plays when the game is on the line.
I am also convinced that fresh legs at running back (a one two punch) would have easily delivered the win. My god, Helu with 170 yards! Imagine what a fresh legged Burkhead could have done in the 4th quarter against a warn out defense. We have the weapons, but I’m sorry to say, some of them were sitting on the bench and maybe we should have called on them to help deliver the win.
In the spirit of learning from this game. I think there is really a few key lessons. Play the game to win. Don’t be afraid to take some chances. Go for it on 4th and one. Play your freshmen if they can contribute. And most of all, play with attitude and confidence.
This team is very very close to putting it together. So, we cant get down on them as fans. Ultimately, I think this team needs a boost of confidence. They have the guys with the talent to make plays, they just need the confidence that they can make it happen…even against tough opponents. At the same time, fans can help by expressing confidence in these guys. And maybe, next time Wats will express some confidence in some of his younger guys, when we need them to help support the starters.
9/20/2009
I felt that nebraska should have been in a 5-under man, three deep zone prevent at that point in the game (when the deep pass was thrown). Credit the fear that the Hokie QB generated with his running and passing ability that we were concerned about only rushing three men. We were afaid to give up a first down and ended up giving the big play.
9/21/2009
In any close loss like this, there’s endless ‘what ifs.’ All I know is I haven’t felt like that after a loss since Arizona St. beat us in 1996. And that was coming off two+ seasons of not losing. I just hope they play with a chip on their shoulder the rest of the season and play flat-out pissed off!
9/22/2009
These guys played their butts off and didn’t intentionally lose, and the refs didn’t lose it for them. Holt needs to maintain control AFTER hitting the ground…check the rule book.
I was sad and upset that they lost, but that’s the way it goes but I can’t fault the effort. There are a lot of games left and this game won’t define the season. The beatings we took last year didn’t define how we felt about the finish to the season.
This team has talent and they just have to put it all together. I’m anxious and excited for the rest of the season as should all true Husker fans!