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!!
Send your
comments to huskerdan@cox.net.
For past Husker Dan columns, click here.
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