Another win by the offense-challenged Huskers.

Full recap to come.

My, my. It is a great thing we have a defense this year.

Without the 3 touchdowns scored by the defense (2 interception returns, 1 fumble return) this game sits at 10-3.

On defense, the Huskers looked solid, although they seemed to get bit on some misdirection plays and left some gaps open on underneath passing routes. But with 3 defensive scores, I give the effort an A+.

On offense, it is ripe for a D grade. Here’s what I see:
- the rare times we run the ball to the outside, the WR & TE need to hold their blocks. A nudge and move on just doesn’t cut it. I saw at least a half dozen plays where Ross was tackled at, or behind, the line by a guy who should have had a blocker stick on him.

- Receivers: Catch the damn ball when it hits your hands.

- Zac Taylor looked much better this week once he settled down. I think in the second half he’d probably take those two corner passes to the south endzone on 2nd & 3rd and goal back, as well as the interception.

- The O-Line: Yeah, you guys need to figure things out and get with the game. You are getting pushed around by guys 25-40 lbs lighter.

- Callahan: I’m not out to wage a war on whether or not he should be the head coach, but the grumbling I heard towards the end of the game is that “he needs to start showing some results on offense” sprinkled with a few “or else’s.” I found it a bit ironic considering that is pretty much what I heard two years ago…

Next week will be interesting against Pitt – who was knocked off by Frank Solich’s Ohio Bobcats in a great defensive game Friday night. I have a feeling the naysayers will be out in force if the Huskers don’t walk away with a solid win.

In summary, thank goodness the BlackShirts are back. To further clarify, the Blackshirts scored more points than the other team and the Husker Offense combined.

Okay, let me preface this rant with that fact that I am a die-hard Husker and I am rooting for them to be great again no matter what the coach’s name is. Got that?

Good.

Now.

If the Huskers go down in defeat or even win the proverbial “close one”, and they do it looking good and playing their hearts out, I can live with that. But really… c’mon … sloppy play and a mediocre win against a team they should have slaughtered. Not good. I can’t place all of the weight on the players. They must be put in situations that will help them succeed. Fumbles within 10 yards of the promised land. A red-zone series from mere yards out nets the team nothing because Calla-Han Solo decides to be a rebel with a cause and prove that his new offense can pass their way into the hearts of the Husker faithful. Just run the damn ball in there and live to wow us with the throw another day (which I am SURE will happen, but until it does work, it’s ugly!). This brings up another worry about the strength of the smash-mouthed running game that should gain the team those rough yards, but we’ll discuss that later.

Again, don’t take me for some Husker Hater…I was a Husker athlete myself and I was born and raised to know that one day I would be at the “U”. But this was Maine people … Maine! *sigh* I’ll cheer until I can do no more, but it would be nice to have something to hang onto in the meanwhile.

Until later, my Husker babies,
Out

A quick welcome to new HuskerZone contributor, Steve G.

Nebraska beat Maine 25-7. It wasn’t pretty – at least from the highlights I’ve seen (I was called on an out-of-town emergency Friday night and have the PPV recorded to watch tonight).

From the bits I have seen of the game, I’ve come to the following conclusions:
1. At least we didn’t lose to TCU or Clemson.
2. Taking the first-game jitters out of the equation on offense, turnovers are the problem, not execution.
3. The BlackShirts are looking extremely good.
4. Losing Steve Octavien for the year hurts.
5. Special Teams are vastly improved over last year’s debacle.
6. The Big 12 North is wide open. Kansas State, Colorado, and Iowa State all looked shaky.

Of course, all of the above are subject to change after I watch the full game.