Almost

There was quite a bit of turmoil as the Nebraska Cornhuskers headed west to San Diego to face the rising Southern California Trojans in The National University Holiday Bowl.  The Huskers had melted down the stretch, getting torched by Wisconsin, losing at home on senior day to Minnesota before rallying from a deficit at Iowa to win in overtime.

These events, all too common over the tenure of Bo Pelini as Husker head coach, led to his dismissal at the end of the regular season. Many notable players were quite hurt by the firing of Pelini, and this no doubt created a high level of turmoil within the program. While Mike Riley was promptly hired as head coach, it was offensive line coach Barney Cotton, a former Husker player with three sons having played for the Big Red, who would coach the bowl game.

How would the Huskers respond?  Nebraska, a touchdown underdog, played better than most expected and could have won the game, falling 45-42 in a wild game which saw several big plays.

It was much like Husker fans have witnessed all season.  On occasion, the Big Red looked like a team that would struggle to win games, unable to stop the opposition when it counted.  On the other hand, the Huskers looked like a team, that when clicking, could defeat anyone who showed up.

On this night, the Trojans, who are emerging from the shackles of NCAA probation, looked much like the young talent loaded who will be a sure fire top ten team to start 2015, using their excellent skill position players to score points.  RB Buck Allen ran strong, and talented QB Cody Kessler led the offensive unit. The SC OL did a good job, WR Nelson Agholor was as advertised and freshman sensation WR Adoree Jackson looks quite special.

Nebraska was strong early, and led a lead slip away just before the half. But the Big Red continued to battle, even after falling behind by 17 points.  Ameer Abdullah had a 20 yard touchdown run, but was held under 100 yards rushing, and the Huskers only generated about 3.5 yards per carry.

Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah
Photo/Omaha World Herald

Tommy Armstrong
Photo/Huskers.com

However, on this night, with All America DE Leonard Williams owning the line of scrimmage, the Big Red would have to win the game through the air. While he has his usual ups and downs, Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong has his best game as a Husker.  Considered by many to have his position as the starting signal caller in question with the new staff coming in, Armstrong put in quite the performance, going 32/51 for 381 yards and three touchdowns.

Armstrong had some very poor throws, one pick and a few others that could have been picked, but overall, he was exactly the type of field general you want out there ballin for your team.  Runs and throws were mixed well, and Armstrong utilized his full compliment of weapons.

Kenny Bell had a strong game, as did Jordan Westerkamp, but the star on the field was DeMornay Pierson-El, who is a threat to go the distance with every touch. Abdullah, held in check for the most part on the ground, was mixed in well as a receiver as having the ballin his hands was a clear cut objective.

Nebraska had some good plays on defense against the strong Trojan offense, noting an interception by Josh Mitchell, but USC seemed in control of the line of scrimmage, balanced and effective on offense.

The effort was strong all night, and for the seniors, I am glad they let it all hang out.  However, the game seemed a microcosm of the Pelini era; a loss with a handful of sound excuses that pulled a defeat from the hands of victory.  The 'Huskers almost won, but did not.

The Cornhuskers finish 9-4, the seventh straight year with four losses.  The Mike Riley era cannot start soon enough.

Runzaway Victory

The Nebraska Cornhuskers, reeling from getting nothing short of embarrassed in the Big Ten Championship game by Wisconsin, were selected to make a return trip to beautiful downtown Orlando to face the highly ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Bowl.

Would Nebraska limp down and absorb another beating at the hands of Georgia, who was four yards away from facing Notre Dame in the BCS Championship?

In watching the practices, the Big Red seemed to embrace the challenge.  Kenny Bell and Taylor Martinez, although enjoying the trip, were very focused come practice time.

All the fanfare associated with the game was well attended by the fans, including a pep rally.



After a shaky start, which included a blocked punt for a safety and a touchdown pass leading Nebraska to fall behind 9-0, the Big Red seemed to be ready to win the game.  The 'Huskers led 24-23 at the half as Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead kept the Junkyard Dawgs off balance.



Taylor Martinez on the scramble

Nebraska stormed out of the half to build upon the lead 31-23 and were poised for more when Ameer Abdullah fumbled the ball away after securing a short yardage first down at the Georgia 39.  From the vantage point of the stands and the Husker sideline, it appeared Abdullah was down, and if he was not, Nebraska recovered the ball. The play was not reviewed, and Georgia got the ball.

From that point on, Georgia and quarterback Aaron Murray, from nearby Tampa Plant, made plays when it counted coming from behind to beat Nebraska 45-31.

There was some kind of officiating going on out there by the crew from the Big XII (really?), absent consistency and collectively perhaps the worst I have seen.  From seeing highlights of other games on the day, the Capital One Bowl was not alone in poor officiating.

 

Unlike last year, with Nebraska ahead as quarter four began, the Big Red could have won the game.  Georgia is every bit as good as advertised, and in the end, took control with their superior talent stepping up and making plays.

 

Nebraska, as usual, had plenty of offense to win the game.  The Big Red is hard to defend with a strong running attack, a fleet footed quarterback who is much better than most everyone give him credit for and a group of receivers who are quite good.  Even the much maligned offensive line performed well.

 

It is on the stop side where the problems for Nebraska begin and end.  This is the strong suit of NU Head Coach Bo Pelini; therefore, the lack of execution by this unit cannot be further tolerated.  In the 2012 losses, the highly touted Blackshirts gave up zip codes of yardage and pinball machine points.  In fact, in each of the losses, Nebraska put up over 30 points, and when you do that, you fully expect to win.

 

I happen to like the defensive staff, and maybe it is a lack of talent that is the main issue.  The secondary has been strong most of the year, but they looked awful against Aaron Murray, no RGII to be sure.  With players playing out of position, the defensive line played better than I anticipated.

 

As the Omaha World Herald points out, there is some sunshine peeking out of the clouds, and 4 loss seasons getting punked in bowl games against I don't care who are dark clouds.  The 2013 offense could be special behind Martinez and the schedule is very forgiving.  If Pelini can get a handle on the defense, and his history says he can, Nebraska may have a Rosey season.

 

If not, with Tom Osborne having retired, some real hard questions will demand answers, not time.  I am hopeful those questions will not need to be asked.