Husker Football08 Nov 2009 :: Posted by: Administrator
A defensive battle on both sides of the ball, but the key stat of the game – other than posting the Win – is that Nebraska managed only 180 yards of offense. The Blackshirts gave up 325 yards of offense, but kept the Huskers in the game with 5 interceptions.
This was an ugly win, but still a win. I’ll withhold a few issues about this offense until another day, but I will point out that if you take away Helu’s two long runs (of 63 and 25 yards), Nebraska would be sitting with just over 90 yards of total offense for the whole game.
Think about that, as we celebrate the win and realize that going 2-1 over the next three games puts the Huskers in the Big-12 Championship Game
November 8th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Wow what a defense. Special teams played well. I think more end around and misdirection plays on the offense would have help. I believe in this coaching staff and think the future look brite for Big Red football
November 8th, 2009 at 8:09 am
The defense was stellar. I still can’t understand why we only had 2 first downs. Watson needs to borrow offensive playbooks from 2001 and before to get some ideas on how we can offensively move the ball.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:03 am
The game was electric and as everyone says the defense was spectacular. I wonder if Shawn Watson has actually taken another job because he seems to have checked out on this one. But, what I think is really the issue- we need to get back to being an option team. There was nothing wrong with it when we were one and things started going wrong when we stopped being one. Being King of the Option means being able to do it all. The offensive line will like playing the option better than just being a post in the way of someone throwing the ball most of the time which has not worked well for us this season. Defense: Awesome, keep it up. Offense: Keep working hard boys we know you have the heart and abilities…. COACHES- WAKE UP AND BRING BACK THE OPTION… GO HUSKERS!!! I LOVE NEBRASKA!!!!!!!!!
November 9th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Can Watson.
Lee Rife
Omaha Benson ’58
St.Paul
MN4NU
November 10th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I don’t agree with throwing Watson under the bus yet. He was spectacular in his first two seasons with the Huskers (One under Callahan and the rest under Pelini? I might be wrong on the number with Callahan…).
The problems I see with this year’s offense:
1. No leadership or experience in the “key” positions (QB, WR, RB)
2. Having trouble establishing a good running game through some games (Castille gone; Helu Jr. injured; Burkhead injured)
3. In the 3 losses, the Huskers had many drive killing penalties, a lot of turnovers, and a lot of dropped balls.
You can’t blame Watson completely for these Bonehead mistakes. It’s hard for any offense to establish rhythm when nobody on that side of the ball steps up and holds their teammates accountable. Look back to the Joe Ganz and Sam Keller offenses; Ganz was a true leader and got things done (even though Lee and Green are better athletes).
Leadership is hard to coach; it’s gained through experience and repetition and confidence. With inexperienced WR’s, and the injuries at RB; it’s hard to gain confidence within that system.
Who else can coach QB’s like Watson in the country? If we bring someone else in to revamp the system, it’s going to be a long 4 years to try to turn things around. I mean, we only have a few seniors on the offense; Period.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Well said Mr. Coffee.
Players need to play up to (and beyond) their ability. That’s why they came to Nebraska. To be great.
You’re also right that we had true leadership in Joe Ganz. He was a great Husker, one of the best of this decade.