There have been plenty of things said about last Saturday’s gut-wrenching loss to USC. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned enough, may you recover fully and expediently Dylan Raiola. I know that the lone
sack USC had was because he held onto the ball too long, but the fact remains that a healthy Dylan Raiola would have put Nebraska back in front in the fourth quarter. Don’t believe me? Look at his stats in the 4th quarter. Good QBs can lead their team on game winning drives.
This game was another classic case of Husker football in the last decade. NEBRASKA COULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE AND WOULD HAVE WON… (if only something was different.) That’s the end that everyone tries to conveniently forget. I’m guilty as everyone else. I still feel the sting a little. It’s because I’m still coming up with the last part. There were plenty of “something’s” that could have been different. It all means nothing and that’s what sucks.
Pick your favorite reason as to what drives you mad. The inconsistent O-line play, the lack of a pass rush, the lack of a run defense, the lack of intermediate passing, QBs holding onto the ball too long, the “lack of development” of the players, the bad game management, the “every 4th and 2 or less” we get wrong, and finally the team being too young. All of those are things I’ve read and also argued with plenty of people. All points are valid here.
But I’m going to paint you a different picture, and one I think sums this season up so far and what you can look forward to. For those of you who don’t know, my wife and I were expecting twins. They were SUPPOSED to be due around Christmas Day. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, my wife’s body decided to try to commit mutiny, and the twins were born a couple of weeks ago, at just 30 weeks. That’s approximately 10 weeks early for those of you who don’t know how long babies take.
Today, at just 16 short days later, my son is completely off his oxygen, and my daughter will be following suit soon. They are doing very well on their own, slowly growing in both height and weight. They are still developing many of the functions we take for granted, and it will still be around Christmas before we can bring them home from the hospital. How does this compare with the youngest team in the Big Ten? I’m glad you asked.
Any small step forward is still a step forward. Dylan Raiola’s completion percentage went up this year. Emmett Johnson will more than likely finish as the Big Ten’s leading rusher. Nyziah Hunter and Jacory Barney are having decent years. TJ Lateef is just a fledgling that gets the chance to grow over the last part of the season. The offensive line has played better as of late. The secondary is still the best in the country.
The rest of the season with TJ Lateef at the helm is that of my twins. There are going to be plenty of growing pains. Some of the development you will feel will take way too long. Every offensive play you will probably hold your breath. When good things happen, you will smile and when bad things happen, you will be frustrated. The team itself is learning together, and as it is incredibly young, they are experiencing those same growing pains.
I forget all the time at this is the youngest team in the conference, yet the record is still 6-3. How many “really experienced” teams have we had in the past decade had a way worse record than this one does now? The season is not over; it just has a new quarterback with a newborn career. This team has done a lot of good, and it will still show progress from week to week. Just like my kids. Small steps in the right direction are still steps in the right direction. Slowly but surely, things will get better. Just take it one day/game at a time. Go Big Red!
