Emotions running high in Lincoln

[n.e.husker]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=5687147

 

LINCOLN, Neb. -- It is just another game, Bo Pelini said, conveniently going amnesiac since those few seconds in December when Nebraska had defeated Texas 12-10 to win the Big 12 championship. Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy's pass sailed out of bounds, and the clock ran to :00. One of the game officials turned to Pelini and said the game was over.

 

 

 

 

Bruce Thorson/US Presswire

Nebraska was devastated when :01 was put back on the clock.

 

 

There are great advantages to amnesia. It avoids heartache and other human qualities that coaches consider anathema to winning football, such as revenge and retribution.

 

 

 

Official Nebraska has made its peace with what happened after those happy few seconds before the striped shirts huddled and returned :01 to the Cowboys Stadium clock. Texas kicker Hunter Lawrence, needing every one of the 18 feet, 6 inches between the goalposts, made a 46-yard field goal and the Longhorns won 13-12.

 

 

 

"Disappointing," Cornhuskers athletic director and resident legend Tom Osborne said Thursday, "but at the same time, we don't feel we were badly treated there, either. We just didn't win the game."

 

 

 

"I don't think they are any different this week than they have been every other week," Pelini said after practice Thursday, referring to his players.

 

 

 

The stance of Official Nebraska is not shared by Unofficial Nebraska. The world has shifted on its axis in the 10 months since the loss to Texas. Nebraska accepted an invitation to join the Big Ten Conference next year, removing a hefty political counterweight to the Longhorns in the Big 12.