roundegotrip

when did ball security become a exact science that you need to go get specialists to teach it? the teaching of ball security hasn't changed in sixty years. and I love how you think that the coaches don't preach this every practice. I'm sure they've preached ball security until they're blue in the face... and where is it? Either we're the unluckiest/clumsiest team in Division 1 football, or what they're doing isn't working. This is far and away the number one most critical problem that needs to be fixed. Consulting outside expertise seems like a pretty good way to try to improve what they're doing at this point, at least to me.

If I were Bo, I would be scouring the country for coaches who are considered authorities on ball security. I mean, I would call every number in my rolodex asking for recommendations. If I could identify a couple of guys who fit that description, then I would bring them in for a few days this offseason and have them put on a clinic for my coaching staff. We would go over techniques, learn some drills, figure out how to hammer home to the players the importance of taking care of the football on offense and special teams. During practices, I would have GAs, interns, whoever out on the field and their one and only job would be to keep an eagle eye on offensive and special teams players during drills and scrimmages. If they saw any signs of poor ball security, they would then and there pull that player out no matter who it is, tell them what they were doing wrong, and drop them on the ground for some pencil rolls. If Bo could get that one problem fixed, it would drastically improve the fortunes of his teams... the last six years might have been a lot different if we hadn't spent most of them at or near the bottom of the FBS in turnover margin.

I'm not a Nebraska native. I moved here 13 years ago so my wife could live close to her family. In that time, I've come to love Nebraska football. One of the things that really struck a chord with me when I began to develop an interest in the team were these words on the outside of the stadium: Not the victory but the action. Not the goal but the game. In the deed the glory. Good words to keep in mind while bearing witness to the heart and effort of a group of young men who are willing to fight through adversity. It's great to have high expectations, but sometimes you have to remind yourself that those expectations should be tempered by things that are more important than wins and losses. So, yes, I was proud of those boys tonight. Should a fan base famous for standing up and applauding the opposing teams when they leave Memorial Stadium after a hard fought loss not do the same for their own players?

I think for the first time in his head coaching career, Bo realizes that his standard operating procedure is not getting the job done. Didn't you always get the feeling that Bo thought if he just stuck with his plan, let 'the process' take it's course that everything would fall into place eventually? After getting spanked by his alma mater in yet another big game that he should have won, the feeling I get now is that for the first time Bo is embarrassed enough and humbled enough to start honestly evaluating what he's doing wrong. Hopefully that's not just wishful thinking on my part.

Turnovers and dual threat QBs. Turnovers and dual threat QBs. Turnovers and dual threat QBs. Didn't learn anything we don't already know.

That stiff arm was awesome, but Abdullah's two amazing catches on the TD drive after that killer turnover in the third were the offensive plays of the game for me. He saved that drive and that's when momentum really started to swing.

I wouldn't have thought it a realistic possibility a month ago, but with a new AD coming in, if we backslide in a weakened Big 10 this year....

Imani's nickname should be Iron Cross

Oh, come on.

Once Rex is healthy, I'd like to see us in 2 back sets about 80% of the time. Both Rex and Ameer now have a great combination of size and speed, both can block, pass protect, and catch passes out of the backfield. Rex can run a little wildcat. Heck, you could probably motion Abdullah into the slot once in a while if you wanted to... There is SO MUCH you can do with Taylor, Rex, and Ameer in the backfield together to exploit defenses without having to sub.

I don't know if everyone appreciates what our defense did to Ryan Aplin today. Going back to the start of last season, he had averaged 321.5 total yards per game rushing and passing. Today we held him to 156. This is only the third time in his career as a starter that he's been held under 200 yards of offense, and to find the last time it happened, you have to go back to his sophomore season in 2010.

Boneheaded. There was a pretty good angle on replay that showed the ball didn't touch him, at least in my opinion.

The only thing you can knock today was the turnovers... defense was like night and day. Holding a team that came in average what, 570 or something through their first two games to 285 yards (and only 89 in the second half!). Martinez is so much better than he was last season it's scary. Our receiving corps and running backs look as good as anyone in the country. Enunwa is steamrolling people, Bell is a football ninja, Reed is looking like the 2010 version of himself, Abdullah is in beast mode, Cross is a man-child, Heard is running with a chip on his shoulder, and Burkhead will be back soon. Now, all they need to do is bottle their preparation for this game and their attitude during it and repeat it every week....

Yeah, was just gonna post that... the ref threw on awesome block on that run. Seriously, though, it's good to see Taylor flashing that speed again.

That's what happens when you spend half the game trying to cover other guys' blown assignments.