Sunday, September 04, 2005
Thoughts from my couch
If you read my previous post about the five important things we need to know about the team, we may need to re-visit them a bit earlier than I suggested (after the Wake Forest game). That said, the Huskers win last night was no better or worse than any other team in the North. Quite frankly, Colorado may have had the best win of any Big 12 team and OSU only beat Montana St. at home 15-10.
Defense - Let's face it. This crew had it's way with the Bears all night. They scored as much as our offense did and were able to control the game in it's entirety, save for Bryan Wilson's little mistake that momentarily got the Black Bears back in the game. I was certainly excited by the play of Steve Octavien and that will be a tough loss. The play up front of freshman Barry Cryer was a great highlight. He should get more time as the season progresses.
Offense - This was an interesting study in average line play and mishandling the football. To be honest the output from the Nebraska offense was good enough to put up at least three more touchdowns (Ross fumble at the one, Taylor interception, and Hardy drop). The thing we learned though is that Taylor will make much better decisions that will keep us in games -- we may, however, not blow people out all the time. His 15-for-35 night was quite decieving, considering I can count at least seven balls off the top of my head that should have been caught. Marlon Lucky will continue to see more playing time and if Ross can't hang on to the ball, he will be watching. Frantz Hardy was a pleasant surprise and I expect Taylor to lean on him for a bit here in the earlier part of the season.
Special Teams - A much improved unit that will help tremendously with field position this year. Congdon was solid in his first performance, save the missed extra point. Nunn (who I thought was horrible on offense) needs to learn how to carry the ball in the open field or his big returns will mean nothing.
Overall, I expect this team will be able to get buy scoring in the low 20's for a few games before the offense really begins the gelling process. I would think the coaching staff would like to see some improved line play and to mix up the run calls a bit more (how many times can we run draw and toss in the same game??).
On a Saturday that saw Tennessee beat UAB 17-10, Oklahoma lose as home to TCU and Texas A&M lose on the road we can be happy we are 1-0.
Defense - Let's face it. This crew had it's way with the Bears all night. They scored as much as our offense did and were able to control the game in it's entirety, save for Bryan Wilson's little mistake that momentarily got the Black Bears back in the game. I was certainly excited by the play of Steve Octavien and that will be a tough loss. The play up front of freshman Barry Cryer was a great highlight. He should get more time as the season progresses.
Offense - This was an interesting study in average line play and mishandling the football. To be honest the output from the Nebraska offense was good enough to put up at least three more touchdowns (Ross fumble at the one, Taylor interception, and Hardy drop). The thing we learned though is that Taylor will make much better decisions that will keep us in games -- we may, however, not blow people out all the time. His 15-for-35 night was quite decieving, considering I can count at least seven balls off the top of my head that should have been caught. Marlon Lucky will continue to see more playing time and if Ross can't hang on to the ball, he will be watching. Frantz Hardy was a pleasant surprise and I expect Taylor to lean on him for a bit here in the earlier part of the season.
Special Teams - A much improved unit that will help tremendously with field position this year. Congdon was solid in his first performance, save the missed extra point. Nunn (who I thought was horrible on offense) needs to learn how to carry the ball in the open field or his big returns will mean nothing.
Overall, I expect this team will be able to get buy scoring in the low 20's for a few games before the offense really begins the gelling process. I would think the coaching staff would like to see some improved line play and to mix up the run calls a bit more (how many times can we run draw and toss in the same game??).
On a Saturday that saw Tennessee beat UAB 17-10, Oklahoma lose as home to TCU and Texas A&M lose on the road we can be happy we are 1-0.
Comments:
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Second to last paragraph. I expect this team wil be able to get "buy".. should be "by". Can't use spell check only. You have to read the work.
In all the reviews of the game and wonderful talk of the defense one needs to remember that the other team was... MAINE. What kind of game would it have been if NU was playing TEXAS?? That is the question. Someone needs to see that Husker king Callahan has no clothes on.
In all the reviews of the game and wonderful talk of the defense one needs to remember that the other team was... MAINE. What kind of game would it have been if NU was playing TEXAS?? That is the question. Someone needs to see that Husker king Callahan has no clothes on.
Stephen--These are blogs. Spelling and all that are out the window (just like in my columns).
The key point here is that Nebraska WASN'T playing Texas. It was playing Maine, and although I'm sure they were excited about the season opener, they're level of intensity couldn't have been what it will be when they play a team that they believe can actually beat them.
Give the offense another game or two before passing judgement. There was some flashes of potential there. If they're bad against Wake Forest and Pitt, then everyone can come to the realization that it is indeed going to be a long year.
The key point here is that Nebraska WASN'T playing Texas. It was playing Maine, and although I'm sure they were excited about the season opener, they're level of intensity couldn't have been what it will be when they play a team that they believe can actually beat them.
Give the offense another game or two before passing judgement. There was some flashes of potential there. If they're bad against Wake Forest and Pitt, then everyone can come to the realization that it is indeed going to be a long year.
Posted by 
Terry Douglass : 10:01 AM
Terry Douglass : 10:01 AM
THANK YOU, TONY AND TERRY AND RASPBERRIES TO STEVIE J. I TO
THINK THE LEVEL OF PLAY WILL CONTINUE TO RISE. YOU KNOW A ROLLER COASTER HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS. ALTHOUGH THEY AREN'T ALWAYS
WHAT YOU EXPECT THEM TO BE, THEY'RE STILL FUN TO WATCH AND
RIDE. BY THE WAY STEVIE DID I
MISPELL ANYTHING BESIDES YOUR
NAME
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THINK THE LEVEL OF PLAY WILL CONTINUE TO RISE. YOU KNOW A ROLLER COASTER HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS. ALTHOUGH THEY AREN'T ALWAYS
WHAT YOU EXPECT THEM TO BE, THEY'RE STILL FUN TO WATCH AND
RIDE. BY THE WAY STEVIE DID I
MISPELL ANYTHING BESIDES YOUR
NAME
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