HuskerChik

... Pelini's decision to punt instead of going for it on 4th and 1. Why you would voluntarily give the ball back to a higher-ranked home team that is playing with a minute and a half left on the clock before a sold-out crowd, and which also is led by a dangerous QB who possesses last-second, game-wining abilities is beyond me. By punting, Pelini chose to play not to lose rather than playing to win. For crying out loud, coach, go for it, kick a FG, fake a field goal, fake the punt, do something to show you want win. The following excerpt from today's article in the Omaha World Herald says it all. • Late in the fourth quarter, Nebraska led 15-10 after stopping Virginia Tech on fourth down. NU got the ball with 2:07 to play. The Hokies burned all three timeouts as Nebraska kept it on the ground, trying to burn clock. “You've got to get one first down. You have to,” Watson said. “Make them use those three timeouts and get the first down. Then you've got the game secured.” On third and 5, Watson called the same QB draw that Lee used to gain 17 the last time it was called. “We had a good call,” the coach said. This time, Lee got 4. One more yard, Watson said, and the Huskers would've lined up in victory formation. Instead, Nebraska had to punt, and the Hokies had life. It sure sounds like Watson was confident his offense could get the first down. Makes you wonder, did Watson recommend they go for it but got overruled?