Look, I understand. You lose your starting QB to a broken leg, and it’s really easy to fold up for the rest of the season. A lot of the season aspirations have either been accomplished already or dashed.
Now, it’s all about everyone else staying healthy and making it to a bowl game.
Except rolling over isn’t what happened. Nebraska came out against a UCLA team that admittedly isn’t all that great, but has a darn good QB, and for 3 quarters kept him under wraps. The offense looked like it picked up a gear with TJ Lateef. Emmett Johnson quite honestly is having a Doak Walker/Heisman trophy worthy campaign. If you think records really matter, RG III and Lamar Jackson each won it with a 3-loss team. It’s not always about being undefeated.
When UCLA brought the game back to 7 points, there were still 5 minutes left in the game. We weren’t sure if the offense could pull off the “4-minute drill”. They did, with flying colors. So, while most Husker fans (myself included) starting to reach for the panic button, the team showed great resolve in closing out the game.
In years past, that is a 3 and out, followed by a punt, the defense gives up the tying score, and then Nebraska promptly loses in OT without scoring…again. Outside of the USC game, if Nebraska has faced adversity, it has found a way to get it done. Winning close games is an art form of culture, talent and poise. You can see just how much this group has turned the corner.
There are still plenty of baffling things that happen from week to week, but the overall feel of this entire season to this point has been positive. Nebraska at bare minimum has matched last year’s win total. They have three more chances to add to it. If the Huskers finish 9-4, that’s still a darn good year. That’s two more wins than last season. Factor in all of the one score wins, and it really feels like Nebraska has turned a corner.
The bye week could not have come at a better time. This will allow the horribly banged up offensive line to finally get a chance to recover. Emmett Johnson will get to rest his back from having to carry the offense. TJ Lateef will only get better with more reps. It gives the backups and younger guys (I know, this is a young team) a real opportunity to show how they have grown throughout the year in practice.
It gives Matt Rhule an opportunity to show this team how their resolve has gotten them to this point, and how they can carry that into these last 3 games. Nebraska will have an opportunity to keep Penn State from bowling and finally take back the Heroes Trophy. Coach Rhule will remind the guys to enjoy the grind. Then remind them what the extra practices will do before bowl season.
There is a lot of good to be seen in this team. It starts and ends with its mentality. This team is a young and hungry group who has proven themselves to be better than the doom and gloom fans thought they would be. I expected us to be 8-4 this season, and they are right on track. What has impressed me the most is how every time a lead has disappeared, they did not roll over and quit. They just found a way to win. That’s resolve. Go Big Red!
