This week’s 28-25 loss to Northwestern, now 4-5 and 2-4 in B1G play, astounded Husker Nation at home. We are left with few words but one: embarrassed.
Embarrass: to cause confusion or shame to; make uncomfortably self-conscious; disconcert; to become disconcerted, abashed or confused.
Just one week ago, we swelled with pride over the lights out performance of our beloved Blackshirts. This week, despite Martinez’s best game EVER, we are left confused, shamed, and disconcerted. Yep, embarrassed pretty much sums up the silence that fell over Memorial Stadium as 86,000 fans filed out with heads held down.
This week, I tailgated and sat with my family in what my mom calls the “big seats” on the West Stadium Club Level. With an incredible spread of food, we were well prepared to cheer our Huskers to an easy victory on our march to the B1G Championship. By the end of the game, it was clear we had removed ourselves from the Legends Division lead just as quickly as we had earned it. I realized just today that my family forgot to touch our “game ball,” a good luck charm that is part of our pre-game ritual. Mom and I even switched seats when we sensed our alignment was not helping the Huskers; it worked, but it was too little too late. The 40 mph wind gusts roared, and my hair swirled in a frenzy almost as bad as the loss on the field.
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| Our Neighbor's B1G Trailer at the Champions Club |
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| B1G Flags on display along the sideline. |
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| The "flyover" above us in the West Stadium. |
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| Cornhusker Marching Band spells out "H-U-S-K-E-R-S." |
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| Tunnel walk! |
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| After Nebraska's last Touchdown with 18 seconds left for the onside kick. |
We are left asking why. A few plausible explanations:
1. Northwestern is just that good of a football team.
The B1G is full of talented teams, and we are now finally seeing firsthand how difficult it is to become dominant in the conference. We knew Northwestern was a difficult team, and every week of B1G play is difficult. While this is partially true, Northwestern is not as good as other teams we have beat (Ohio State, Michigan State, Minnesota), so there’s something more.
2. We did not execute.
Bo believes this is the real reason for the debacle. Two fumbles that should have been TDs, a failed drive that resulted in a FG, dropped passes that hit the hands of Kinnie and Bell (twice), missed tackles, a complete lack of blocking by the O Line to allow for any rushing yards, and confused defenders watching the purple and white jerseys fly for 470 total yards allowed; I agree! Northwestern, ranked 95th nationally in rushing defense, was able to do what no other opponent has yet: stop Burkhead and limit the Huskers to a season-low 122 rushing yards. We could not break free. Despite the lack of execution across all areas of the game, Taylor Martinez was a defiant exception to the lackluster performance. In fact, Martinez looked just about perfect, completing 28 of 37 passes that really should have been 31 had Bell and Kinnie wrapped their hands around the balls that hit them square on. That’s over 80% accuracy. Sure, he had a couple of long bombs threw long, but he threw them where nobody could have a chance to intercept. Had the rest of the team followed suit, Martinez could have led us to a victory. With his efforts, an INCREDIBLE TD-saving interception and return by Austin Cassidy, and some decent plays on D by David, Thorell, Steinkuhler (finally!) and Dennard, execution is certainly not the only place to lay blame this week. Those Blackshirts had to feel awkward wearing them this week.
3. We were not prepared.
Taylor Martinez said it best: “We didn’t come out to play. Maybe we overlooked Northwestern and were getting ready for Penn State.” Since most of the Husker’s play is based on coaching schemes (not just brut athletic talent like we were in the 90s), poor preparation and lack of adjustment is the difference between a W and a L. Three weeks ago, we saw the same thing happen against Ohio State in the first half. The difference in that game? We adjusted our scheme with a well prepared alternative. Last week’s W over Michigan State was due to a BRILLIANT defensive scheme and really smart, tricky moves in a coordinated offensive scheme. Even with a well prepared coaching scheme, though, you have to execute it; so, #2 becomes that much more important. I think it was both in this game.
4. The fans checked out.
Yes, I think the lackluster performance by the sea of red was pretty embarrassing, too. I have taken so much pride in Nebraska’s fans this season, especially as we travel to and welcome new friends from new locales. We show up in droves, cheer LOUD, cheer often, and bring the heat against our opponents’ offenses. Home game advantage is all about the fans. The crowd was silent. At one point, I could hear every word of the Northwestern cheerleaders’ chant, and I was 5 rows up the overhang nearly 40 rows away! You could hear a pin drop. When the Wildcats lined up for their last drive of the game, Memorial Stadium should have been roaring. We still had a chance at that point. Instead, we quietly watched Northwestern march down the field in 13 plays, convert 3rd downs, and ultimately end up in our end zone to clinch the game. Heck, they even converted a 4th down on that drive. We need to step it up in the next three weeks if we intend to help our Skers finish this season strong. Breaking out my pom poms.
5. It’s par for the course.
This marks the 5th year in a row that Nebraska has lost at home to an unranked opponent. Memories of Texas, Iowa State and Texas Tech losses reminded us that we have been here before. The classic choke. Less of a reason and more of a trend, the unexpected loss each season is what keeps us out of the major BCS bowls each year. As one of my friends and a passionate college football fan advised post-game, sometimes it’s just not your day (thanks, Dave!).
Regardless of the reasons, though, the team is left with more questions than answers. “They outplayed us,” safety Austin Cassidy said. “They wanted it more than we did. It’s embarrassing to say that.” All of Husker Nation agrees, Austin.
There is always a lesson to be learned. Veterans Day tributes to the soldiers who flanked the team on the sidelines reminded us that we will prevail. In my opinion, the lesson is that we need to recruit and develop a stronger team across the board. With more talent, the issues of execution, scheme preparation, and tough opponents become less important.
The Nation saw this firsthand in the epic LSU-Alabama game last night in a clash of the titans that put the two best teams in the country on display. They executed. They adjusted. They came to play, as expected. This is what happens when you have the most talented, well coached players come together as a team: a performance for the ages.
We have had fleeting moments of excellence this year, but they are just that: fleeting. As we strengthen our team, we will gain consistency. This is the goal.
Next week is one of my most anticipated games of the season. Happy Valley. Joe Paterno’s home. A group of 10 in weekend mansion rental. After this week’s loss, I will board the plane on Friday with nerves in the pit of my stomach as we head into a historic battle, one that we have not faced since we lost badly to Penn State in 2003. We have a history, and the following article, posted on my birthday last year, reminds us that Nebraska is behind the all-time series 7-6:
We have the chance to tie it up next week. I just hope our Huskers are ready and that the Nittany Lions fans treat us with a bit more hospitality than the last time we came to State College.
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