There’s No Place Like Home
You didn't have to watch tonight's game between Nebraska and Missouri for more than thirty seconds to know that you wanted to be watching it on a Hi-Def screen versus being drenched by cold water for 3 hours or more. It brought back memories of the 1993 contest with Oklahoma where the windchill was below zero. Even if you had a ticket for the big game between ranked teams, you'd just assume watch it on TV.
Like the Sooners in that game, Missouri drew first blood. The safety on special teams was probably as self-inflicted as it was due to Mizzou, but it put the Tigers in front on a miserable night. That's certainly not what you want to sit and watch when you're freezing, particularly with Missouri fans in your face.
Beyond that is the emotion involved. You hate to see your opponent score first in such a big game. At home, the way to cope is with a drinking game called "drink a beer whenever the bad guy's score". You can't do that in the stadium, but thankfully you can do it in the comfort of your own living room. Of course, there's a price to pay when you do it on a school night.
But then it began to remind you of another game - 1990 Colorado. In that game, the Huskers held tough at home for three quarters and clung to a 12-0 lead. Then the fourth quarter happened. The Buffaloes scored four touchdowns to claim victory. A painful way to lose. But tonight it happened to the other team. Niles Paul went Eric Bienemy on Mizzou. Helu showed his heart. A gutty, perhaps program-defining moment and one we can enjoy for a long time or at least a long week until Texas Tech comes to town.
All in all, a great game. I wish I'd been there.
10/8/2009
It wasnt pretty, but its a win, and a big one at that. GBR
10/8/2009
THIS is what a team led by it’s defense looks like.
Stout defensive play keeps NU in every single game, and the offense does enough to win. Heck, the defense basically won the game with those two turnovers to start the 4th.
Suh is an amazing player. And, it’s not just Suh. Lots of other defensive players emerged. Say hello to Mr. Gomes….
I *heart* Helu, and always will. Gosh, I hope he’s healthy. Burkhead made some quality runs while he was out.
The thing I will take from this game more than any other - they stared in the face of adversity and DID NOT BLINK.
10/8/2009
Great win for NU. This one is going to help the psyche of the team go a long way I feel. A couple of points of my concern is long snapping and I felt the offense should’ve worked the deep ball earlier… very suspect offensive play calling. Overall though on a nasty night like that, any time you can secure a win is awesome. If this team gets a few more wins like this, it is really going to build some momentum.
10/8/2009
Give ‘em the BLACK SHIRTS! They earned it tonight! I hope that Helu is not hurt very bad. Sure was holding shoulder on TD?!?!?!
10/8/2009
Tonight, this bunch learned how to win. Mentally we’ve turned the corner. . .
10/8/2009
I have not said this for awhile, “We can win any game on our schedule.” We will see, the way he held is shoulder looked like an AC joint separation, (see Sam Bradford).
10/8/2009
My Suh man-crush knows no bounds, but I have to say he would not be nearly as good this year if the guys to his left and right weren’t working their butts off, too. Game Ball to the front four for getting after the QB on their own. Let’s hear it for Barry Turner, Pierre Allen, and Jared Crick, too!
10/8/2009
Dare I say it… We played some classic “Beamerball” tonight, with the exception of special teams play. The defensive line was brilliant, but so was the secondary. Gnomes and Denard were everywhere. I thought Helu looked like the flu bug had sapped his strength a little. I think that’s probably why Burkhead got 1/3 of the snaps throughout the game. Zach didn’t have great numbers, but he showed leadership and composure and came through when we needed him.
10/9/2009
Suh.
That guy is really incredible.
10/9/2009
I totally agree with Bill. Has anyone heard anything further with what ESPN was reporting about the dark halftime fiasco?
10/9/2009
Suh for Heisman.
10/9/2009
PSW—I’m right there with you. Suh is playing at a level even higher than last year, and he was easily the MVP for the team as well.
My question is, why hasn’t Dr. Tom, et al, jumped on the Suh for Heisman bandwagon? If anything, having our fourth Heisman winner be a defensive player would be incredible and a significant boost to the program.
And if the reports of Helu being sick when playing are accurate, then you have to give your hat off to this kid as well. Most of us would not want to be in that slop in front of the ‘Sea of Pee’, and not only did Helu show up, he turned it on when he needed to and made yardage that wasn’t there at times…especially with that tough two yard run for a first down in the 4th quarter to keep the clock going.
Dare I say it…okay, I will—this group of kids is easily the second-best team in the Big XII right now, and if the defense keeps it up, they will easily be the first and have the hardware to prove it.
10/9/2009
Did you notice on Missouri’s last drive, we stopped going after Gabbert. We did the same after we took the lead against VT. You can’t play not to lose. Keep going with what got you there. I don’t care if the QB can run. Make him beat you with his feet. Go after him. Gabbert was a lame duck anyway. He wasn’t going to get huge chunks of yards with his legs. That being said…GIVE THEM THE BLACKSHIRTS!!! And SUH FOR HEISMAN!!! That kid truly is the best player in College Football. His supporting cast on the D-Line played awesome as well.
10/9/2009
Wasn’t pretty? You’re right! It was down right beautiful. Dominating defense and just enough offense to win. Give me that kind of effort every game from the defense while the offense gets its act together. Watson, bring in a FB for a lead blocker and run the darn ball. One pop through the crowded box and its a foot race. Huskers have done it for decades, go look at the film dagnabit! MU special teams looked less affected by the weather than our not so special teams. Gotta get that fixed. Don’t they have a fire suppression systems in the Hawks center? Turn it on and practice in the rain. That was just butt-ugly. Dry off boys and get ready to pound TT. GBR!
10/9/2009
Like the Madden Curse there is now “The Nebraska QB De-commitment curse.” It’s real. Victim No. 1 was Josh Freeman and No. 2 Mr. Gabbert. . .