When BYU converted the 4th down in their own territory I called the game as over and that BYU would win. When they set up for the hail mary I still called they would win. How do I know this? I do because Nebraska has played at this mediocre level for so long...it is now our culture. The culture is not championships and kick a$$ defenses...it is bleck.
Would Bo Pelini have won today? Maybe, maybe not. We gave Pelini a fair shot and he had several years. I supported him for a long time. But I was in favor of going a different direction. I am not stupid enough to call out and say after one game that Mike Riley is not the right guy. He might be or maybe he won't be. But what I know is that it is up to him and his staff to change this culture. I'll give them time to do that.
I saw some good things from this team today.
Tackling was more sound
Coming back in the second half...wow, pretty good
Pretty good throws and receptions
Young or new players made some good contributions
But what remains are problems like
DL can't get to the QB when it matters
Offense can't get the first down when it matters...no one on this team has a nose for the first down marker (no Abdullah or Burkhead...someone please step up now)
Can't get the 4th down stop
Can't kick FGs
OL could not protect
Stupid penalties
And all this culminates with a big fail at the end giving up a hail mary play which everyone knows is coming but I can still call that BYU will make that play
After a tough loss like this I used to come on this board and rip certain players, etc. I can't do that anymore...it's a team game. The bigger problem is a team that doesn't know how to win and to do the things you need to win consistently. I mean how many of our players are hot and cold? I saw some great things from players today but then saw those same players not know how to win the game when it mattered.
I'll be looking for consistently better play from the team throughout this season. I think that's all we can do and I hope Riley can do it (just like I hoped Pelini could do it prior). We shall see. #GBR #GetBetterRiley
So are you saying we have a culture of mediocrity? If so, did we take a step forward or backward today? Also, good post, I think most of us are looking for the same things from the team as you.
I think we are still stuck in it as evidenced today. But at the same time I'd like to give the new staff time to get this thing moving forward.
If we make 1 out of these 3 plays it is game over and we win.
1) Stop the BYU 4th down conversion in their own territory which they convert with a busted crazy big pass play. If we had stopped that we'd have put up more points and taken more time off the clock. Game over.
2) Convert the 3rd and short and run out the clock. Game over.
3) Defend the hail mary. Game over.
We had to go 1 for 3 and could not. BYU had to go 3 for 3 and did. They win. Game over.
My point is the mediocre culture gives life to these plays going against us. Great teams do not whiff on 3 opportunities to win the game. We have our work cut out for us.