TGHusker
Heisman Trophy Winner
I've been following Husker football since 1970 - yes most of you weren't even born then. So I have seen many highs and many low points over the years. Fortunately the highs far outnumber the lows. So when thinking of this game, I want to place some things in a positive light. We are all disappointed in this loss - another 'streak' ending but in the midst of one streak ending I see the hope of another beginning. My hope is that within this loss we see the seeds of a future conference championship and others to follow. Here is what I mean:
1. Granted Tommie will never be a NFL type QB, however, I saw a much different Tommie out there than the one we saw last year. The timing was much better, the communication wt the receivers improved, throwing to where the receivers would be, etc. There was enough improvement here (yes room for more improvement is still apparent) to tell me that once we have a QB that fits Riley's system - we should see a vast improvement with the O.
2. Resiliency: last year and preceding years, this team would have caved at half time being down 10 pts. They never gave up, even after the bad ref calls, the injuries, and the missed opportunities. They responded to Gerry's interception and out side of a poor 3rd and one play, would have won the game - against a more experienced team.
3. While the overall running game was not encouraging, one has to realize that we have a very inexperienced line outside of Lewis. There were enough flashes that if we can turn the corner in the running game and tie it to the improved passing game, we will have a good O.
4. We were competitive without our # 1 play maker - DPE.
5. Coaches were coaching/teaching on the sidelines - not yelling and drawing the attention of the cameras. What a relief not having the cameras focused on an angry Bo. That in itself is worth the cost of admission.
6. This is year 1: I don't expect miracles this year. It is obvious that the cupboard was bare on experience OL,RB and in critical areas of the D. Some of those young guys (including Young on D) stepped up and played well. We have to remember that this is a transition year - I still expect 8-10 wins but I see seeds in today's team that will enable us to eventually end another streak - no cc since 1999 and no involvement in the NC discussion since 2001. I expect in year 3 or 4 we will be apart of that discussion once again.
7. Positive Reinforcement - instead of a news conference blaming the players who 'don't execute' we get a forward looking, positive news conference from a coach who is more of a teacher & not a complainer or excuse maker. That attitude will have a long term impact - not only this year but in years to come. We saw evidence of it when the team did not fold at half time.
1. Granted Tommie will never be a NFL type QB, however, I saw a much different Tommie out there than the one we saw last year. The timing was much better, the communication wt the receivers improved, throwing to where the receivers would be, etc. There was enough improvement here (yes room for more improvement is still apparent) to tell me that once we have a QB that fits Riley's system - we should see a vast improvement with the O.
2. Resiliency: last year and preceding years, this team would have caved at half time being down 10 pts. They never gave up, even after the bad ref calls, the injuries, and the missed opportunities. They responded to Gerry's interception and out side of a poor 3rd and one play, would have won the game - against a more experienced team.
3. While the overall running game was not encouraging, one has to realize that we have a very inexperienced line outside of Lewis. There were enough flashes that if we can turn the corner in the running game and tie it to the improved passing game, we will have a good O.
4. We were competitive without our # 1 play maker - DPE.
5. Coaches were coaching/teaching on the sidelines - not yelling and drawing the attention of the cameras. What a relief not having the cameras focused on an angry Bo. That in itself is worth the cost of admission.
6. This is year 1: I don't expect miracles this year. It is obvious that the cupboard was bare on experience OL,RB and in critical areas of the D. Some of those young guys (including Young on D) stepped up and played well. We have to remember that this is a transition year - I still expect 8-10 wins but I see seeds in today's team that will enable us to eventually end another streak - no cc since 1999 and no involvement in the NC discussion since 2001. I expect in year 3 or 4 we will be apart of that discussion once again.
7. Positive Reinforcement - instead of a news conference blaming the players who 'don't execute' we get a forward looking, positive news conference from a coach who is more of a teacher & not a complainer or excuse maker. That attitude will have a long term impact - not only this year but in years to come. We saw evidence of it when the team did not fold at half time.