1. When you disrespect your opponent, no matter how much of a mismatch you think it is on paper, then you will get punished. This is how college football is now. It's become apparent that the team was not prepared, not motivated, and did not feel like they had to work hard in practice.... that everything was just gonna be laid out all nicely for them.
The game is over, and there's nothing you can do about it now, except go hard at it and get yourself ready to play again. We know Nebraska football is better than this.... much, much better than this. Today is no reason to write off the rest of the season. There's a reason why we play the games.... and that applies to Nebraska vs. Michigan State as much as it does to Nebraska vs. McNeese State. Go practice, go get better, and remember why this happened today.
2. Tommy Armstrong is a confidence player at this point, and was clearly not the same after his mistake.
Honestly, if the pick six doesn't happen, this is an entirely different football game. I believe it. We take a 21-7 lead, everyone feels good about themselves after a solid drive, and we probably win the game going away.
That one single play changed the entire complexion of the game.... Tommy lost his composure. Then, Tim Beck panicked, the offensive line panicked, Tommy panicked some more, and then the defense panicked. Then the 90,000 people in Memorial Stadium panicked. And McNeese State said "they're panicking. We can win this."
3. The injuries to Bell and Turner hurt a lot more than perhaps we realize. The backup receivers were running poor routes and causing some confusion in the passing game, which, coupled with an already flustered quarterback, caused a heck of a lot of problems.
4. The offensive line is really, really, REALLY disappointing.
5. Michael Rose is badly missed.
6. Special teams was outstanding and probably won us the game as much as anything. Piersen-El is going to be exciting.... especially when we figure out how to block for him. Drew Brown solid. Was also very happy with kickoff coverage.
7. Tim Beck called perhaps the worst game of his career.