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HUSKER
REVIEW
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by
Brandon "Blankman"
Cavanaugh
Going into this game,
a good number of people on and offline had given me reasons why
Nebraska
was going to get slaughtered like an all-you-can-eat buffet by Louie
Anderson, but I just didn’t believe them. There were small pockets of
folks who agreed with my viewpoint, but I understood why they were
small. The mixture was there for
Oklahoma
to absolutely demolish Nebraska in ways that the Cornhuskers did when
John
Blake was at the helm for the Sooners. In
fact, at one point, it looked like not only Oklahoma would cover the
spread, but that Nebraska would be served its first shutout since 1996
when
Arizona State beat NU
19-0…whoops.
I gotta say, honestly,
I was ready to accept that the above was going to become a reality
before
Joe
Dailey chucked the pigskin into the dirt which
caused a grin to creep across my face as I realized what was going to
happen. As
David
Dyches clunked in his field goal to make the
final tally 30-3, I actually laughed out loud. There would be no 69-7
or 73-21 or even 37-0 for Oklahoma even with a Nebraska team in
transition. There wouldn’t be any shutout, heck, they wouldn’t even
cover the spread. As a guy who appreciates the little ironies and funny
nuances of life, this hit me just right.
Now, I do want to say
that I respect Oklahoma a lot. They’ve got a great quarterback, top
notch runningbacks, receivers that just can flat out ball and solid
nucleus of defensive players. It was fun to see Nebraska-Oklahoma
again, even if NU couldn’t pack the punch they normally would. I miss
the rivalry, I really do, but some day soon, it will return, possibly as
soon as next year. I found it interesting, however, that Nebraska was
able to hold
Adrian
Peterson, a guy who I both love and hate at
the same time, to 58 yards, snapping a nine-game span of 100+ yard
days. A tip of the hat goes to both teams as OU showed why they’re one
of the top teams in the nation and to NU, as they never said die.
I’m not usually one to
hand out awards following a loss, but there’s one young man who I feel
deserves to be acknowledged, period. Blankman’s Golden Workhorse Award
goes to
Cory Ross,
a kid who despite having a toe that resembles a pitted plum, bashed and
bullied his way towards 130 yards against an OU defense that he
supposedly had no chance against. Cory went down during the game and
was diagnosed with a bruised sternum. Knowing Porkchop, he will
probably be back in the starting lineup against
Colorado
ready to make life difficult for the Buffaloes. Cory is truly what this
program is all about. He is a kind young man with a can-do spirit who
never gives up. He’s easy to root for because he’s everything that many
of us want to be.
Overall, it’s been a
difficult year for many to adjust to. A lot of people just don’t want
to accept that under the circumstances, good things can be found and
hey, that’s just fine. My job isn’t to push an opinion on you or your
friends, but rather to give you another viewpoint to take a gander at.
Personally, I came away from this loss more encouraged than I have from
some of Nebraska’s wins this year. I’m not a big believer in moral
victories, but, if you’ve read my columns for any length of time, you’ll
know that I am a believer in finding things to take away from losses.
As mentioned earlier, the
team played with fight and spirit. They never said “Let’s pack it up
and get on home” or any such nonsense. As long as a Nebraska Cornhusker
team can go out and fight with the best of them, give it their all and
never quit, then I can accept a loss here and there. Do I enjoy it?
Absolutely not. I’m a sore loser as anyone who’s ever been with me on
the fields of battle can tell you. That said, I felt that this team did
what they could in Norman. Was it fantastic? No, not really, but it
was encouraging, at least to me. I know, that’ll get me flambéed by a
few folks, but I don’t really care. The Cornhuskers are on the right
track; I believe that and will continue to do so as they continue to
improve even in these, the lean years.
Next up is a bye week so
that Cory can rest himself and various other bumps and bruises can be
taken care of. Following that, the Colorado Buffaloes come to town for
what looks to be yet another classic showdown between a team that
gang-tackles and a team that gang…naw…too easy. Anyhow, keep your chins
up, Husker Faithful. Much good is to be seen in the coming weeks. |
There’s No Place like Home
by Brandon "Blankman"
Cavanaugh.
Going
into a game that would determine who had the lead for the Big XII North, The
Battle for the Nebraska-Missouri Bell had very little fanfare nation-wide.
Perhaps what was more important for Nebraska were the questions surrounding
both the team and the fan base. There had been talk of motivation and of a
red-out, but would they prove as useful as intended?
I
think that it’s very important for me to take the time to speak to you, the
reader, as I did mid-week before about the fan participation level at
Memorial Stadium. The ball started to roll at that point as folks in various
outlets called for a red-out and word quickly spread around the state and
the nation that for those in attendance: you had better make life hell for
Missouri. Indeed, I was treated to an atmosphere that I hadn’t seen in a
long time. This was a game that made me proud to call myself a Nebraska
Cornhusker and I owe that, in part, to the crowd. The red clad loons amongst
the throng were as loud as they were during the final three minutes as they
were the first three. It was a treat to be able to call myself a member of
the crowd on October 30, 2004 because they truly made “it’s in Lincoln” mean
something all over again.
The
challenge is still out there, though, folks. Today was a great foundation
that was lain down. What we have to do is continue to build on it. When
Colorado comes knockin’ in late November, we must do to them what we did to
Brad Smith and company on this day. Again, it is time to take back the crowd
from the bitter and put it in the hands of the willing, able and prideful.
Today was a huge step in that direction and I salute all in attendance for
it. Truly, I felt I was amongst 77,616 of my best friends.
As far
as the game goes: Wow, where to start? I know a lot of people are going to
harp on the number of yards (or lack thereof) gained by the Nebraska
offense. Well, that’s all well and good if you really, really like yardage.
I guess the question you have to ask yourself is this: Would you rather be
out-gained and win (big, I might add) or have a great day as far as yardage
goes and lose (Southern Miss, anyone)? I felt that the play of the O-line
really dictated the offensive performance today as, when they did click, you
saw things like Cory’s runs early and late in the game. However, I was
rather disheartened by seeing some of Missouri’s linemen flow free into the
backfield a little more often than I’d like (which is never, but I digress).
The offense did just enough to garner a “Well, yeah, but…” from me.
Defensively, sweet mother of Zanzibar! I don’t know what Charlie McBride
told those kids before the game, but he’s really got a future as a
motivational speaker when he’s done with football. Brad Smith was getting
sacked more times than a coach at UTEP and hurried more often than a Frank
Solich offense to the line of scrimmage. Really, the entire unit played
absolutely inspired and before you even dare to pull out the yardage card,
they held Missouri to three points. THREE POINTS! Also, I find it rather
interesting that Kevin Cosgrove could accomplish what the Great and Powerful
Pelini couldn’t. That’s just something to think about.
Special teams even decided to make an appearance with Adam Shanle’s antics
on punts and Sam Koch’s leg. I mean, even Santino Panico got a wild hair and
decided to attempt to run the ball back on punts, JUKING a Missouri player
at one point, yes Santino JUKED someone. How is this even possible? Suffice
it to say that while the offense wasn’t nearly firing on all cylinders, the
defense did what it needed to do to make the game winnable. With a dash of
excellent special teams play, Nebraska not only wins but wins by 21 points.
Blankman’s Career High-Five Award goes to Cory Ross. Ross accumulated 194
yards on 19 carries for a whopping 10.2 yards per carry average coupled with
two touchdowns. 86 of those yards came on a run that produced so much
kinetic energy, I felt my fillings melt. Honestly, Cory’s got more moves
than Darren Sproles on a Slip N’ Slide. He continues to excel where,
honestly, many probably didn’t expect him to. The offensive line has been
your classic example of the overachiever thanks in large part to Coach
Wagner. Cory’s career-high total shows that they’re capable and on this day,
were serviceable enough to make things happen just enough.
Blankman’s Charlie McBride Memorial Award goes to the Blackshirts. Not one
individual, per say, but the entire unit. After taking such harsh criticisms
and a few beatings, the ‘Shirts reverted back to their old form today.
Barrett Ruud had 17 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, half a sack, a
quarterback hurry and a pack of gum to average everything out for shipping
purposes. Benard Thomas had 3 tackles for loss and 1 ½ sacks, so much love
for the dread-head with the golden smile. Wali Muhammad and Adam Carriker
also contributed to the cause with three quarterback hurries a piece.
Really, it goes beyond that, though, as this bunch played like a true unit
and if they continue with this trend, the games in the future are looking
much, much brighter.
Blankman’s Boot N’ Loot Award goes to Andrew Shanle and Sam Koch. Koch
contributed 10 punts for 395 yards and believe me, the kid helped in a
tremendous way today. The field position battle was won today on the leg of
the gent from Seward. Andrew didn’t do much aside from causing mass hysteria
and confusion on the part of the Missouri special teams units. Shanle’s
blocked punt and recovery of a bobbled one helped Nebraska to 14 of their 24
points and showed us all why the coaches have taken to Scott’s little bro.
Honestly, folks, it was a game that gave me chills from the start to the
finish and made me, as I said, generally proud to be a Cornhusker fan.
Having the 1994 team there with Tom and Charlie, the flyover, the fireworks,
all of it, it just was so special, so right. It might not be a day that was
greeted with a lot of hype, but really, it didn’t need to be. Everything
came together for Nebraska: the crowd, the team, the unity was there again.
Despite the complaints and negativity that some have taken to in this
season, today was just a day in which we could all take a breath, let it out
and smile. Nebraska controls its own destiny in the Big XII North Division
and is one step closer towards their goal of the Big XII Championship Game.
Questions, commentary and anything that won’t drop my IQ can be sent to
Blankman71@cox.net
===Brandon a.k.a. Blankman #71===
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