HuskerNative

I don't think the team is distracted. We are. Unless Internet rumors cause turnovers, it wasn't distractions that caused the loss to OU.

Even after the heart-crushing Texas loss, we looked great vs. OSU and Mizzou. Very good wins. After that, we were mediocre and a soap opera. Hopes up, down, up, way down. Ended losing two of three. Hard to take.

My employer, the Detroit Free Press, responds to Suh's fine with a roundup of his badness. Suh

He transferred to improve the level of football he played. When he was done transferring he was in California's top level of football. He then went on to be named, "... the Big VIII League's Most Valuable Player and also earned the Los Angeles Times' Glen Davis Player-of-the-Year Award. A first-team all-state selection, Martinez was the Inland Division Offensive Player of the Year, the Max Preps California Player of the Year and the Golden States Prep Southern California Offensive Player of the Year. " If you're just making stuff up, be more creative. Maybe claim he was in the Witness Protection Program or that he was a super hero and had to move to hide his secret identity. It's still bogus, but it's more entertaining. His dad also went broke, was left by his wife and rejuvenated his career. They moved to a small house then a bigger house, and Taylor was helping get his younger brothers to school. I wish T-Mart had more of Cody's personality, but he doesn't. We know he's a magnificent athlete who was in a crucible Saturday, injured and poorly protected. The Sooners came after him, as they should have. (Wish we'd gone after Jones a bit more, but that's beside the point.) What we don't know about T-Mart is what's going on in his head and what he had to do mentally and emotionally to adapt to having his mom leave the family, having his dad go broke, changing peers in high school, getting a new mom, having money again and, now, being the subject of all these Internet expert fans' expectations and vitriol. Think we took the loss hard? Martinez may be a really cold, difficult, aloof, arrogant guy. He looks that way and comes off that way. Those usually are signs of being really shy and socially awkward. What he knows how to do to compensate for that is do amazing athletic things. Injuries and tougher competition made that difficult the second half of this year, so he has a chance to grow through adversity. Understatement here: It's just as important to his development as a quarterback, as a Husker and potential lifelong representative of the University of Nebraska that he grow personally as that he learn to throw the ball away under duress. I'd hate to be judged by the person I was at 20. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy meeting the person I was at 20.

We called a screen right at the beginning of the game yesterday and the defensive end almost intercepted it... He's not tall for a QB and had several of those kinds of passes batted down through the year. Maybe that's why we don't call them.

I'm trying to put this pain in historical perspective. It's not easy to get over the hump. It took Osborne 21 years to win a national championship, and most years there were only one or two tough games in the Big 8. Tommy Frazier's freshman season was uneven. I look at those factors and say we're still headed in the right direction. Bo should win one more game this year than last, a little improvement each year. In the realm of excuses: Tonight, the Huskers were playing with a hobbled QB. (Yes, I would have liked to see Green in the fourth quarter, when it was pretty clear Martinez wasn't going to get it done.) Blast Niles Paul all you will, he's the fastest guy on the team and, at a minimum, he makes the defense just a bit more honest. That said: Bo let the season become a circus; I think that falls on him. I want to excuse the guy and as a coach I'm sure I'd be more like Bo than Osborne, but he lost control of himself at A&M. We'll never know fully how the team was affected. That meltdown happened after the offensive stall that followed Martinez's injury. Even with T-Mart hurt and Paul out, we had enough weapons to score one stinkin' touchdown in the second half tonight. ISU and KU shouldn't have been so close. We had enough weapons to score one stinkin' touchdown at A&M. There must be an OC out there who can fix this. Play-calling in the fourth quarter was bizarre. We're moving with the Wildcat, at the edge of field-goal range, and we roll the dice with the pass to Martinez. Try the pass to Martinez .... after we have one more first down ... (Now, if Rex hadn't been rushed and he's able to get that off while T-Mart was open, the tenor of this discussion is completely different. But that didn't happen. OU made key plays and we didn't, and had better ball security.) I think the team lacked player leadership. There's clear discord on the team about Martinez, I believe that stuff. He spent the year barely congratulating his mates. The seniors on offense didn't lead. Helu fumbled too much. Maybe Burkhead steps up as the vocal leader next year; he seems to have the character. Maybe Crick steps up on the D side. With such a fiery coach, it seemed like the team lacked a consistent fire. Except Burkhead. While we lost three games by a total of 13 points (though Texas wasn't really that close), we'll never have a weaker schedule. It's way better than the Callahan/Cosgrove years. I just enjoy that we play defense again. But Bo has growing to do in terms of staying even-keeled himself and fostering leadership among the players. And the offense needs fixed, it's pretty clear.

He was still a threat to run in the OSU game. Without that threat, his ability to make plays in the passing game is severely diminished. Plus if his tow and ankle are still bothering him it will really hurt his footwork in the passing game, which we saw against A&M. Guy ran for 112 yards against OSU. However, when he's in the defense needs to account for him, at least early on. Maybe we can hit 'em with a long run like we did against Mizzou before OU is sure that he's gimpy. If he is. I, for one, hope that having him start doesn't take Rex running the Wildcat out of the game plan. It did at A&M.

Well, and that poor guy was defenseless.

So it was just a way to insult Nebraska fans and try to fuel the kinds of Big 12 South columns that have been written this week. If ever a team has had plenty of motivation to be focused on every play, this one does. Top players have been injured. The coach is under fire. The fan base has been insulted. The character of the entire program was disparaged by the conference commissioner, who has been biased in his assessment of what merits suspension. Maybe in the end we will be able to thank Beebe for giving our guys extra incentive. This kind of motivation, if turned into focus, can make all kinds of difference in a college game. If we were 100 percent healthy, our talent level would easily be on par with OU. As it is, with some key guys out or at less than fully well (Besides Paul and T-Mart, Vegas bookies think Helu is hurt, then there's the locked thread that is the scariest of all), we need a very focused team that hangs onto the ball when we have it and forces a couple turnovers.

The University of Oklahoma president has sent this to Nebraska newspapers: “Dear Editor, “It is very appropriate that the last Big 12 Championship game is between Nebraska and Oklahoma. The rivalry between the two universities is one of the greatest in American football history. All of us in Oklahoma have always appreciated the warm hospitality we have received over the years from Nebraska fans. The deep mutual respect between fans of these two special universities is an example of what sportsmanship should be all about. “As the University of Nebraska begins new traditions in a new conference your friends at the University of Oklahoma wish you well.” OU prez letter

I was thinking that the bright side of the Pelinis' meltdown at A&M was that other schools wouldn't want them for a while. But, heck, I suppose some other schools want to win.

No. He's the oldest of three brothers and is close to his dad. Best story so far about his upbringing and family: My link How does his dad get around to so many places? Hey, it's Martinez Magic. Obviously.

Nice Guys Finish Last -- Green Day Listen to it before 5Ks to remind me to elbow the slowpokes out of my way who line up too far to the front. Perfect for the Pelinis, E-Mart and the Blackshirts who have to score or set up two touchdowns (IMO) for us to win this game.

It's super hard to believe Pelini would let him hang out on the sideline just for appearances for Martinez's sake. How would that help get the team ready and keep them motivated? Can't believe Pelini would do that. He'd boot him and use it to rally the team.

It was Oklahoma State running it against NU. thank you!! right i know we won that game but it did put us in some spots that made us all a little uneasy..... dont want us to lose lead or fall into a hole just cause arent prepared... but i trust the defensive coaches will get us more prepared than what we say in that game..... another thing is with the speed of the okalahoma offense i hope we can sustain some long drives and limit the 3 and outs to give our guys some rest..... Iowa State ran no-huddle against us and did as much damage as anyone but Okie State. Their QB, Austin Arnaud, not exactly a Heisman candidate, was better than anyone against us: 21 of 32 passing for 203 yards. (Weeden was 18 of 35 for 283, with 80 of that on one play.) Dennard was out the ISU game and they picked on his subs. Still, OU destroyed ISU.