I have to say, Northwestern took some steam out..

[Bugeater]

of this team last week, it was a tough game. And then Illinois comes in with a "nothing to lose" attitude and plays solid for nearly 3 quarters. But what we saw for the last 20 minutes was a team that didn't get rattled, took some chances (4th down) and dominated again in the 4th quarter.

I knew it would be a tough game, just had that feeling all week. And despite mistakes that looked like they might cost them the game, again, they settled down and really impressed. I still think they have some matchup problems against the likes of Wisconsin and Ohio State along the lines, but this game gives you pause to think that they will hang around with both and have a shot.

Thankfully they have a week off, time for some rest and rehab for quite a few of them. Very proud of the players and how they kept fighting and totally controlling when the game was on the line. Their dinner was earned today.

 

[saltsdogg]

First half was rough but second half we came back, made adjustments and Newby and that oline took it to Illinios. Love watching our Huskers win and watching Iowa get beat, AGAIN.

 

[barney44]

They were pretty much in complete control of that Northwestern game short of killing themselves, I don't see the NW game taking any steam out of them.

 

[Bugeater]

They were pretty much in complete control of that Northwestern game short of killing themselves, I don't see the NW game taking any steam out of them.

I meant it more in a bit of physical and mental. You're right, Nebraska controlled a lot of it and left two big td's on the ground. But sometimes it's tough to come back home and ratchet up the emotion. It was a bit of a slugfest against Northwestern, and Nebraska took some dings in that game. I like how Northwestern came back and won today, good for them.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

I look at it more like after Nebraska scored and midway during their second drive, the team started thinking about what they were going to do this evening. It really looked like a loss of focus to me. Hell, I was losing focus and figuring out what I was going to do tonight.

 

[bigboxes]

You called it bugeater. We were beat up on the line, in the backfield and also our wideouts. You said run the damn ball. Riley listened and gave the ball to Newby and said, WIN THIS GAME! Loved it. You almost knew it was going to happen. We owned the 4th. Illinois is one tough D. That should prepare us for Wisky should we heal in time. Wow.

 

[redfanusa]

They were on their way to going up 14-0 when penalties put a screeching halt to things. The missed 54-yard FG attempt didn't help either. Why hand the opponent great field position when you don't have to? Maybe a bit early in the game to take a risk like that. It really seemed to take the wind out of their sails, and put sweet baby momentum back in the Illini's hands.

What I like about this team is that they don't just fold when things aren't going their way. You don't see players hanging their heads, going into panic mode, or fighting among themselves.

 

[bigboxes]

They were on their way to going up 14-0 when penalties put a screeching halt to things. The missed 54-yard FG attempt didn't help either. Why hand the opponent great field position when you don't have to? Maybe a bit early in the game to take a risk like that. It really seemed to take the wind out of their sails, and put sweet baby momentum back in the Illini's hands.

What I like about this team is that they don't just fold when things aren't going their way. You don't see players hanging their heads, going into panic mode, or fighting among themselves.

Pelini would have lost this team. He would have also pissed his pants.

 

[Bugeater]

You called it bugeater. We were beat up on the line, in the backfield and also our wideouts. You said run the damn ball. Riley listened and gave the ball to Newby and said, WIN THIS GAME! Loved it. You almost knew it was going to happen. We owned the 4th. Illinois is one tough D. That should prepare us for Wisky should we heal in time. Wow.

Thanks, Boxes. I don't mind the passing, you have to in this day and age and it mostly works, but the run really sets the tone with this team. Sure, it took some time to get untracked, but the last 20 minutes was Nebraska doing what it does best. Newby and the O-Line really shined in the 4th quarter. And I liked how Tommy was unfazed and just kept it going. Hats off to the defense as well, huge 4th quarter for them as well.

 

[Hoosker Du]

They were on their way to going up 14-0 when penalties put a screeching halt to things. The missed 54-yard FG attempt didn't help either. Why hand the opponent great field position when you don't have to? Maybe a bit early in the game to take a risk like that. It really seemed to take the wind out of their sails, and put sweet baby momentum back in the Illini's hands.

What I like about this team is that they don't just fold when things aren't going their way. You don't see players hanging their heads, going into panic mode, or fighting among themselves.

Yup. I thought our coaches were done making stupid play calls, but once again, a dumb call gave the opposing team momentum in the game. You're up 7-0 early in the game, and you try a 56 yard FG that if missed, gives them a shot in the arm???? Seriously, WTF Riley??!!

 

[timnsun]

Yup. I thought our coaches were done making stupid play calls, but once again, a dumb call gave the opposing team momentum in the game. You're up 7-0 early in the game, and you try a 56 yard FG that if missed, gives them a shot in the arm???? Seriously, WTF Riley??!!

Huh?

What's wrong with trying to show confidence in your kicker against an inferior team? If he makes it, think how much that's gonna help him down the road... if he doesn't (which obviously was the case) then it's the defense's turn.

You can find dumb play calls in every game ever played... looking forward to watching the game (have it dvr'ed), and I'm sure there will be some play calls I don't like. But that's part of football.

 

[Hoosker Du]

Huh?

What's wrong with trying to show confidence in your kicker against an inferior team? If he makes it, think how much that's gonna help him down the road... if he doesn't (which obviously was the case) then it's the defense's turn.

You can find dumb play calls in every game ever played... looking forward to watching the game (have it dvr'ed), and I'm sure there will be some play calls I don't like. But that's part of football.

Riley has already said he made a poor call on the FG attempt, and that he wished he had the call back. Why give momentum to a team early in the game, by missing a long FG and giving them good field position? It was a stupid call and he has already owned it.

 

[timnsun]

Riley has already said he made a poor call on the FG attempt, and that he wished he had the call back. Why give momentum to a team early in the game, by missing a long FG and giving them good field position? It was a stupid call and he has already owned it.

That's fine but the point I'm making remains... there are dumb calls in every game. That's football. And its not just husker coaches who suffer from this.

 

[bigboxes]

That's fine but the point I'm making remains... there are dumb calls in every game. That's football. And its not just husker coaches who suffer from this.

Yup. And we won. Dominated in the end. Illinois played us tough. Got to love the grit of our boys. Three cheers for Newby! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray!

 

[NikkiSixx]

Riley has already said he made a poor call on the FG attempt, and that he wished he had the call back. Why give momentum to a team early in the game, by missing a long FG and giving them good field position? It was a stupid call and he has already owned it.

I also interpreted it as coach wanting to give our guys the early momentum. It was probably not the right call this time around, but Riley is taking some chances to show his team that he has confidence in them. That's an important distinction. It's not the same as what happened last year. At least to me, the intent is crystal clear this year.

 

[Hoosker Du]

I also interpreted it as coach wanting to give our guys the early momentum. It was probably not the right call this time around, but Riley is taking some chances to show his team that he has confidence in them. That's an important distinction. It's not the same as what happened last year. At least to me, the intent is crystal clear this year.

We already had the momentum. The potential downside was much greater than the upside that early in the game. It's not an indictment of Brown's abilities if Riley punts the ball there. Not many kickers can hit from that distance. Riley was disappointed with himself for making that call.

 

[TruHusker]

We already had the momentum. The potential downside was much greater than the upside that early in the game. It's not an indictment of Brown's abilities if Riley punts the ball there. Not many kickers can hit from that distance. Riley was disappointed with himself for making that call.

In retrospect he was, not at the time. Everyone becomes brilliant after the fact. He made an in-game decision in about 5 seconds max. He probably was thinking all along and calling upstairs, how long a FG from here if we don't get anymore yards? There is no reason our D has to give up the yards they did either. The D shows up and no one thinks a thing about it and it was just another point in time. If that is the end of the game we either needed a first down or to make the kick to win, what do you do? Quick, you only have seconds to make the call. I know you get stuck on something you never let it go but sheez, if this is all you can hang your hat on, that ain't too bad. Overall, I would be much more concerned about how the D played. They are still giving up way too much. I guess the macro isn't as important though.

 

[Red I 73]

Yup. I thought our coaches were done making stupid play calls, but once again, a dumb call gave the opposing team momentum in the game. You're up 7-0 early in the game, and you try a 56 yard FG that if missed, gives them a shot in the arm???? Seriously, WTF Riley??!!

I bet you wanted Riley to kick the field goal on 4th and 3 instead of going for it. Granted 56 yard kick is tough, but at least Riley shows belief in his players to succeed.

 

[Hoosker Du]

I bet you wanted Riley to kick the field goal on 4th and 3 instead of going for it. Granted 56 yard kick is tough, but at least Riley shows belief in his players to succeed.

Good grief, our own head coach called it a stupid call after the game. It was a bad call, but we still won the game, but calls like this are what can cost us wins in close games. You guys need to give it a rest, because our own head coach called himself out on the call.

 

[kaz36]

I bet you wanted Riley to kick the field goal on 4th and 3 instead of going for it. Granted 56 yard kick is tough, but at least Riley shows belief in his players to succeed.

It wasn't 4th and 3 was it? I was listening on the radio and I was thinking they were saying 4th and 13, or something like that.

 

[Red I 73]

It wasn't 4th and 3 was it? I was listening on the radio and I was thinking they were saying 4th and 13, or something like that.

4 & 3 at goal line was what I was referring to. I believe the field goal was 4th & 13. Field goal was risky yes, but Riley has made some calls this year that were just as risky and the results were games won by Nebraska. If we as fans are willing to take the W because of his gamble's we shouldn't be critical when they don't work. I'm sure Riley would not have tried the kick if Brown had not demonstrated his ability to be successful

 

[kaz36]

4 & 3 at goal line was what I was referring to. I believe the field goal was 4th & 13. Field goal was risky yes, but Riley has made some calls this year that were just as risky and the results were games won by Nebraska. If we as fans are willing to take the W because of his gamble's we shouldn't be critical when they don't work. I'm sure Riley would not have tried the kick if Brown had not demonstrated his ability to be successful

OK gotcha. I thought you were talking about the long FG. I will try to pay attention from here on out.

 

[rrthusker]

OK gotcha. I thought you were talking about the long FG. I will try to pay attention from here on out.

It happens to all of us, its onset sparkyitis.

 

[Hoosker Du]

In retrospect he was, not at the time. Everyone becomes brilliant after the fact. He made an in-game decision in about 5 seconds max. He probably was thinking all along and calling upstairs, how long a FG from here if we don't get anymore yards? There is no reason our D has to give up the yards they did either. The D shows up and no one thinks a thing about it and it was just another point in time. If that is the end of the game we either needed a first down or to make the kick to win, what do you do? Quick, you only have seconds to make the call. I know you get stuck on something you never let it go but sheez, if this is all you can hang your hat on, that ain't too bad. Overall, I would be much more concerned about how the D played. They are still giving up way too much. I guess the macro isn't as important though.

I'm not complaining much here. I think for the most part, our coaches have done a very nice job calling games. I corrected myself when I was incorrect when I thought it was a double pass during the Oregon game. Langsdorf made a good call on that play with a swing pass, IMO. But Riley knows it wasn't a good call going for that FG. We had moved the ball well on both of our drives, and the call opened the door when we were in control of the game. Given the down and distance, a punt made a lot of sense.

Our defense gave up 270 total yards and 16 points. Sure, they struggle at times, but they are #18 in scoring defense and #30 in total defense. After losing 4 very good players on the DLine, I'll take those numbers.

Edit - We're 5 - 0, so a person can't complain too much right now. But the competition is going to stiffen quite a bit coming up, and the margin of error is going to be slim.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

While attempting the FG was not optimal and I was steamed about it at the time, an even worse decision IMHO was Lovie Smith punting with three minutes left turning the game over to his exhausted defense. If I were an Illini fan, I would have been REALLY steamed about that.

 

[nebcountry]

of this team last week, it was a tough game. And then Illinois comes in with a "nothing to lose" attitude and plays solid for nearly 3 quarters. But what we saw for the last 20 minutes was a team that didn't get rattled, took some chances (4th down) and dominated again in the 4th quarter.

I knew it would be a tough game, just had that feeling all week. And despite mistakes that looked like they might cost them the game, again, they settled down and really impressed. I still think they have some matchup problems against the likes of Wisconsin and Ohio State along the lines, but this game gives you pause to think that they will hang around with both and have a shot.

Thankfully they have a week off, time for some rest and rehab for quite a few of them. Very proud of the players and how they kept fighting and totally controlling when the game was on the line. Their dinner was earned today.

I see our team as doing well in some areas, not so well in others. Here's the B1G overall stats. If a team comes in to play a good clean, error-free football game, then we will have our hands full. We are not dominant in areas. But we are good in a lot of areas. Combine good and limit mistakes, it puts us in a position to win a lot of games.

So, I don't see it as lost steam, to me it's more, we're seeing who we are.

 

[kaz36]

While attempting the FG was not optimal and I was steamed about it at the time, an even worse decision IMHO was Lovie Smith punting with three minutes left turning the game over to his exhausted defense. If I were an Illini fan, I would have been REALLY steamed about that.

The announcers called that a decision an NFL coach would make.