Nebraska Football: Regroup and Let’s Go!!

Look, I get it. 400th sellout, Nebraska is ranked again, and there is an air that Husker football could be on track to be its once dominant self. For Illinois to come into Memorial Stadium and look like the better team and win, it’s beyond frustrating on many levels. Illinois and the curse of fat boy Bielema got the better of us.

Blame the officials, blame the defense, blame the offense, blame the special teams, blame the fact Nebraska looked gassed in the 4th quarter and overtime. Point the finger (middle one especially) at everyone else. The biggest failure of them all, however, is failing to learn from it and getting better. That goes for the fanbase as well.

Nebraska loses one damn game, and everyone thinks we are doomed to finish 3-9. It’s amazing to me just how difficult it is for many people to take things one day or one week at a time. Do you seriously feel that doomed when your fantasy football team loses? HELL NO, you figure out a way to make your team better or set the lineup up to take advantage of matchups. No one projects their lives out more than a couple of days in advance, so why are people freaked out if one thing doesn’t go their way? Will it not improve tomorrow or later in the week? Do you not plan on how to make it better? Illinois just looked like the better, more disciplined team on the night, that’s it. Tip your cap and move on.

Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

How hard is it to see this team is an improved version of last year? The Huskers haven’t had a positive turnover ratio this late in the season since the Herbert Hoover days (it’s been a hot minute). The passing offense has looked great. Raiola has only thrown 2 interceptions this season, and both have been great plays made by the defender. Last year, the O-line couldn’t block a wet fart in pass protection, but now Raiola has plenty of time to throw.

I understand completely the defense has looked sluggish the last 2 games and been ill-disciplined when it comes to gap responsibility and penalties. Good news, those are things that can be fixed. Last year’s team got better as the season progressed. It may have seemed slow at times, but most people saw it. Stands to reason the same can be accomplished this season, as the culture and standard was set last season.

Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

What about the special teams you ask? Why can’t our guys kick field goals? Why is the kick coverage so bad? Again, these things take time. You don’t always hit on every position in recruiting, kickers included. Think this is easy? Nebraska has drudged out 4 fans to kick a 30-yard field goal for a smooth $5,000 each game, and NO ONE HAS GOT CLOSE. No pads, no rush, not nearly the same pressure to connect, and not one damn guy has hit the field goal. 3 of them never even hit the net behind the posts. Mix in some swirling wind, and the extra pressure of the game on the line, and it makes it hard. Our next great kicker hasn’t been recruited yet. Give it time people. Slow improvements are still improvements.

Lastly, and most importantly, I want to give a big shoutout to those in Section 38 row 74, a.k.a the people sitting behind me. My brother-in-law (a former professor at Illinois) and I were at the game, when all of a sudden, I was having massive chest pains early in the 3rd quarter. I got really hot, started to shake, and nearly lost consciousness. I managed to tell the people behind me to get help, and within 90 seconds the EMTs had arrived. After a short bout of my brain telling me not to pass out under all circumstances, and me wondering if I was genuinely about to die of a heart attack at the stadium, I was escorted to the medical area below the stadium. Long story short, I had what I believe was a case of heat exhaustion. I want to personally thank those sitting behind me for doing a great job of getting me the help I needed. I know the odds of any of you who sat behind me reading this is slim, but I just want to give a personal testament to the greatest fans in all of college football. Like the team, I’m ready to regroup and go again. Go Big Red!