H U S K E R
D A N
STINKIN' IN LINCOLN
By the first weekend of November last year, the Huskers stood at 5-4, with blowout losses at home to Missouri (52-17) and at Oklahoma (62-28). In those games, the defense gave up 462 yards to the Tigers while the Sooners racked up 508 total yards and led 35-0 after one quarter.
But with the exception of those two losses, the '08 offense was one of the strong points of the team. In fact in last year's OT loss (37-31) at Texas Tech, the Husker offense was the team's best defensive weapon, racking up an amazing 20 minute advantage in Time Of Possession.
SPANKING
The Huskers regrouped after the spanking by the Sooners, went on a 4-0 run and tied Missouri for the Big 12 North title. The Huskers ended the season at 9-4 with a New Year's Day win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl.
So why am I going on about last year's team?
MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL
Because this year the Huskers are a mirror image of the 9-4 2008 squad. Now it's the Husker defense's turn to carry the load for an anemic Husker offense. To be sure, the offense has managed to score a paltry 44 points against three weak Big 12 opponents, for an average of 14.6 points per game. Take out the fourth quarter of the Missouri game and the Husker offense is averaging a dismal 5.7 points a game.
BODY HEAT
And Saturday, astonishingly, the offense had more turnovers (8) than points (7). Are you kidding me? I saw the body language of the players as they went back to the huddle after each play. They looked as though they were already beat-and this was only in the third quarter.
I've never felt that a two point fourth quarter deficit at home was as daunting as this one.
Ask yourself this? How confident were you in the fourth quarter that Zac Lee would rally the Huskers? I didn't think so.
People piled out of Memorial Stadium like rats off a sinking ship. Two points? Are you kidding me? And at home?
What in the name of Bob Devaney is going on here?
SHOCKER
And were you as surprised (shocked?) as I, not only that Cody Green didn't start the game, but he didn't even get one snap? For an offense that's struggling as badly as this one, what is there to lose by Green getting a chance to play?
Last night I watched a re-run of Saturday's Texas A&M win over Texas Tech. If you'll recall the week before, the Aggies lost big time to Kansas State 62-14.
To get the victory Saturday night, the Aggies used a big, fast quarterback who could run. Time and again, he ran through gaping holes in the middle of the field, keeping drives alive and even scoring on 21 yard quarterback draw play in the fourth quarter. The result was a 52-30 win over the Red Raiders, their first win at Lubbock since 1993.
MILK CARTON OFFENSE?
And speaking of Cody Green...right now, the Husker offense seems to be getting worse. It lacks an identity. A purpose. There are no play makers. No one has emerged as the "go to" guy. The receivers have been consistently inconsistent. So far, there hasn't been any leadership to build on for the rest of the season. I know, Helu is injured and probably shouldn't be playing. Quentin's gone, Burkhead's done for the year and we're throwing some inexperienced running backs into the mix.
To be sure, the Husker didn't lose Saturday's game because of Zac Lee. But they didn't win with him, either. What is there to lose by playing Cody Green?
SOONER OR LATER
If the Huskers are having trouble against weak defenses, what's going to happen later this season? You think the booing was bad at the Tech game? Just wait until the Sooners come to Lincoln, November 7th.
Cody, where are you?
CALLING ALL GARTHS
Saturday, I got the opportunity to meet Garth Glissman, former Husker walk-on quarterback from Waverly, Nebraska. Garth was the Huskers' #3 QB behind Jammal Lord and Joe Dailey. He played in wins over Troy State and Texas A&M in 2003. He actually came to Nebraska to play basketball.
What makes meeting him so special, is that my very first piece I wrote for Huskerpedia, was about Garth. Garth just graduated from law school this year and has begun practicing corporate law in Omaha. Congratulations, Garth!!
STINKIN' IN LINCOLN
By the first weekend of November last year, the Huskers stood at 5-4, with blowout losses at home to Missouri (52-17) and at Oklahoma (62-28). In those games, the defense gave up 462 yards to the Tigers while the Sooners racked up 508 total yards and led 35-0 after one quarter.
But with the exception of those two losses, the '08 offense was one of the strong points of the team. In fact in last year's OT loss (37-31) at Texas Tech, the Husker offense was the team's best defensive weapon, racking up an amazing 20 minute advantage in Time Of Possession.
SPANKING
The Huskers regrouped after the spanking by the Sooners, went on a 4-0 run and tied Missouri for the Big 12 North title. The Huskers ended the season at 9-4 with a New Year's Day win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl.
So why am I going on about last year's team?
MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL
Because this year the Huskers are a mirror image of the 9-4 2008 squad. Now it's the Husker defense's turn to carry the load for an anemic Husker offense. To be sure, the offense has managed to score a paltry 44 points against three weak Big 12 opponents, for an average of 14.6 points per game. Take out the fourth quarter of the Missouri game and the Husker offense is averaging a dismal 5.7 points a game.
BODY HEAT
And Saturday, astonishingly, the offense had more turnovers (8) than points (7). Are you kidding me? I saw the body language of the players as they went back to the huddle after each play. They looked as though they were already beat-and this was only in the third quarter.
I've never felt that a two point fourth quarter deficit at home was as daunting as this one.
Ask yourself this? How confident were you in the fourth quarter that Zac Lee would rally the Huskers? I didn't think so.
People piled out of Memorial Stadium like rats off a sinking ship. Two points? Are you kidding me? And at home?
What in the name of Bob Devaney is going on here?
SHOCKER
And were you as surprised (shocked?) as I, not only that Cody Green didn't start the game, but he didn't even get one snap? For an offense that's struggling as badly as this one, what is there to lose by Green getting a chance to play?
Last night I watched a re-run of Saturday's Texas A&M win over Texas Tech. If you'll recall the week before, the Aggies lost big time to Kansas State 62-14.
To get the victory Saturday night, the Aggies used a big, fast quarterback who could run. Time and again, he ran through gaping holes in the middle of the field, keeping drives alive and even scoring on 21 yard quarterback draw play in the fourth quarter. The result was a 52-30 win over the Red Raiders, their first win at Lubbock since 1993.
MILK CARTON OFFENSE?
And speaking of Cody Green...right now, the Husker offense seems to be getting worse. It lacks an identity. A purpose. There are no play makers. No one has emerged as the "go to" guy. The receivers have been consistently inconsistent. So far, there hasn't been any leadership to build on for the rest of the season. I know, Helu is injured and probably shouldn't be playing. Quentin's gone, Burkhead's done for the year and we're throwing some inexperienced running backs into the mix.
To be sure, the Husker didn't lose Saturday's game because of Zac Lee. But they didn't win with him, either. What is there to lose by playing Cody Green?
SOONER OR LATER
If the Huskers are having trouble against weak defenses, what's going to happen later this season? You think the booing was bad at the Tech game? Just wait until the Sooners come to Lincoln, November 7th.
Cody, where are you?
CALLING ALL GARTHS
Saturday, I got the opportunity to meet Garth Glissman, former Husker walk-on quarterback from Waverly, Nebraska. Garth was the Huskers' #3 QB behind Jammal Lord and Joe Dailey. He played in wins over Troy State and Texas A&M in 2003. He actually came to Nebraska to play basketball.
What makes meeting him so special, is that my very first piece I wrote for Huskerpedia, was about Garth. Garth just graduated from law school this year and has begun practicing corporate law in Omaha. Congratulations, Garth!!
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