Blackshirts Making Excuses :|

[huskeraddict]

LINCOLN - As Nebraska seniors Stewart Bradley and Jay Moore rehashed the Huskers' defensive problems from Saturday, both mentioned something unusual as a possible cause.

 

NU's Adam Carriker reaches out for Kansas quarterback Adam Barmann as KU's Cesar Rodriguez holds Carriker back. Barmann was not sacked in 54 pass attempts.

 

It was too loud.

 

Some defensive calls and checks got lost in translation or were never fully heard above the din of 85,069 at Memorial Stadium. Kansas took advantage of NU being affected by its own crowd to roll up 574 total yards.

 

"We should have had better communication out there," Moore said. "There were a lot of communication errors between the defense, and that really just got guys on different pages. When you've got guys in different defenses, execution's obviously not going to be right."

 

Moore said: "I think the crowd noise had a lot to do with it." Bradley said: "Communication's always easier on the road," because the home crowd is always quieter for its offense.

 

Bradley said NU had situations where a lineman or linebacker didn't hear a call to stunt, and both ended up in the same gap. In coverage, he said, defenders were passing off receivers to other defenders who weren't hearing that they were supposed to pick them up.

 

"We didn't communicate the best," Bradley said. "And we had a scheme where we had a lot of checks and stuff based on what they were running."

 

Moore didn't dispute that it would seem to be an unlikely problem. Especially for a defense that starts six seniors and five juniors, with a half-dozen of those being returning starters who have played their share of games in Memorial Stadium.

 

"It happens every home game, or even away games, where you just don't hear calls," Moore said. "Unfortunately, when we were on the wrong page, they got big plays out of it. I don't know if it was a lack of focus or what it was, but it was just a little too much miscommunication.

 

"We've got some veteran guys out there, so it is kind of rare that it happens. But we'll definitely get it cleared up this week. I know we can't afford to have another game like that."

 

Nebraska returned to practice Tuesday with plenty to work on after the 39-32 overtime win Saturday night. The 574 yards were the sixth most ever allowed by the Huskers, and came from a KU team starting its backup quarterback and ranking in the lower half of the Big 12 in scoring and total offense.

 

In recent years, it would stand as one of the more disappointing efforts coming against a non-Top 25 opponent. Bradley even used the word "horrible" in his description.

 

"I mean, you guys saw it," he said. "We all know what it was. It wasn't our best performance and we all didn't play up to our potential. But you can't dwell on it. As athletes, you've got to have short memories."

 

Bradley said the Huskers' confidence wasn't shaken after watching the game film. They saw mistakes that were correctable. They were relieved to win with a subpar performance.

 

"If you go watch the film and the D-line are getting driven back 3 yards, the linebackers just can't keep up with their backs and the receivers are running over everybody, then there's not much you can do," Bradley said. "But if it's communication and assignment errors, then you know that you can put it on yourself. The Nebraska defense beat the Nebraska defense, really."

 

Kansas, however, seemed to be having its way in the fourth quarter with back-to-back scoring drives of 11 plays for 88 yards and 11 plays for 81 yards. After converting once on fourth down in overtime, the Jayhawks were stopped on fourth-and-5 from the 9-yard line as quarterback Adam Barmann threw incomplete.

 

Moore said limiting KU to 16 yards on eight overtime plays at least was a positive finish.

 

"I think we were just able to put things in the past and make some plays," Moore said. "A lot of guys were saying stuff, you know, 'We're out here messing up too much. We've got to put an end to this right now. We've got to make a stand here if we want to win this game.' Guys were up to the test and got it done."

 

Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said he feels good about the Huskers rebounding against Iowa State. The Cyclones feature some of the best skill-position players NU will see in the Big 12 North.

 

"The great thing about this team, about these kids, is they're very resilient," Callahan said. "They can shift mindsets pretty quickly. They can shift their emphasis quickly as well. That's been a trademark of this football team since I've been here, so I expect them to improve. They'll go to work hard today with the intent to get better."

source

[DaveH]

Today after practice, Cosgrove did place the blame of playing the shovel pass to much squarely on his shoulders. He also mentioned that they will be using more hand signals and they LOVE the homefield advantage.

[DJR313]

Today after practice, Cosgrove did place the blame of playing the shovel pass to much squarely on his shoulders. He also mentioned that they will be using more hand signals and they LOVE the homefield advantage.

 

I'd hope so. Geez, that's the home field advantage, how can they not be prepared for the noise? Maybe this game was an eye-opener for all involved to re-focus going out on the road and be better prepared. Better right now than in 4 games. Get em straightened out Cos.

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

(one for each defender)

[Eric the Red]

(one for each defender)

 

 

 

 

It's called hand signals for crying out loud

[CENTEXHUSKER]

Excuses are like _______s, everyone has one and they usually stink..............

 

Come on, crowd noise? What is next? Their cleats are too short, grass too green..........

 

Its a college football game in Lincoln, it going to be a bit noisy

 

Come on boys

[Huskerballz]

For Real! That kinda chaps my ass a lil' bit! I mean, have you ever heard a blackshirt in the past give any kind of excuse about the home crowd being too loud?! Going along with what Centex said. It's a f**kin home game...in L-I-N-C-O-L-N, I hope the blackshirts go deaf every home game we have from here on out!! Just as long as they learn how to throw up some sign language!

 

Sorr if I sound like I'm rantin, I just got a little mad when I read that article...that shouldn't ever be an excuse when you're playing at home...

 

 

...*whew*...Ok, I'm done!

[vwaldoguy]

First time poster, long time reader. I just saw this on the Omaha World Herald website as well. Wow. I can't believe it. I was at the game, and yeah, at times, on 3rd downs, the crowd would go crazy. But it didn't seem that loud too me at other times. Hmm. Sounds like some of the defense are wanting to play the blame game and not take responsibility for not doing their jobs. It's a catch 22 really, in that they can blame the crowd if we're "too" loud, they can't communicate. But if we're too quiet, they'd blame us for not being "in" the game to get them pumped up. Come on guys, have the hutzpa to admit when you made a mistake and take responsibility for it.

[gamecocks]

I have heard other teams say that they have had this same trouble in the past. Not at Nebraska but other places. There should be presnap hand signals already in place, but I don't know what they do when they need to talk during a play.

[HSKRNOKC]

First time poster, long time reader. I just saw this on the Omaha World Herald website as well. Wow. I can't believe it. I was at the game, and yeah, at times, on 3rd downs, the crowd would go crazy. But it didn't seem that loud too me at other times. Hmm. Sounds like some of the defense are wanting to play the blame game and not take responsibility for not doing their jobs. It's a catch 22 really, in that they can blame the crowd if we're "too" loud, they can't communicate. But if we're too quiet, they'd blame us for not being "in" the game to get them pumped up. Come on guys, have the hutzpa to admit when you made a mistake and take responsibility for it.

 

 

Welcome to the board.

 

That sounds like an excuse to me as well. These guys have played in Lincoln before. Are they trying to say they were unprepared??????????

[Washusker]

(one for each defender)

 

 

 

 

It's called hand signals for crying out loud

 

 

Just don't tell Brent Musburger what those signals are...

 

[BIGREDIOWAN]

That's a stupid excuse............I would have figured that they would have hand signals already figured out in case something like this came up!!!! I hope the crowd stays just as loud!!!!

[HSKRNOKC]

(one for each defender)

 

 

 

 

It's called hand signals for crying out loud

 

 

Just don't tell Brent Musburger what those signals are...

 

 

 

 

Brent the stool pigeon Musburger.

[Huskerfan55]

I have a real problem with these guys saying the crowd was to loud!!!!!! They should have been around during some of the OK - NE games when it was never quite. It was deafening before, during and after games. This is a total garbage, maybe Bradley should cut his hair so he can hear!!!!! Oh yeah the girls wont like him as much then!

[FriscoTXHusker]

I have a real problem with these guys saying the crowd was to loud!!!!!! They should have been around during some of the OK - NE games when it was never quite. It was deafening before, during and after games. This is a total garbage, maybe Bradley should cut his hair so he can hear!!!!! Oh yeah the girls wont like him as much then!

 

Strange excuse to say the least. I thought sports was all about entertaining the fans. I would hope the fans would be enthusiastic.