Look, it did not go well the few times CFP talk would start popping up among overexcited fans and folks looking for clicks and snappy headlines. No, that has been dead and buried for weeks now, so no danger of going down that road again. But I’m gonna lay something out here before the bell strikes CST midnight, which simply reeks of daring another hex, curse, whatever. Because to not do so would be a disservice. And quite frankly, I think he’d spit in its face anyway.
If the season ended today, Emmett
Johnson deserves a seat at the table in New York City on December 13th at 6pm CST. It will be held at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, but most remember the ceremony as being held at the Downtown Athletic Club.
The Heisman.
Two weeks ago he was the first to 1000 all-purpose yards (non-QB’s) and after the USC game was one of only two 1000-yard rushers in D1. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see all the updated totals, but I’m guessing 129 yards rushing plus 103 yards receiving will not dull his numbers when they tack on those 232 yards.
It should also be added he scored 3 of the 4 Husker touchdowns on the night. A 56-yard screen pass on which he ran for all of those yards. A 1-yard blast for a 21-7 halftime lead. And then a nicely dropped 40-yard pass on a wheel route to extend the lead to 28-7 on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter which would also close the scoring for the Huskers on the night.
The Blackshirts wobbled twice as the Bruins quickly struck back on their first drive of the 2nd half – a short toss from Nico Iamaleava to Anthony Woods with which he then streaked 45 yards to close the Husker lead to 28-14. The second time was in the 4th quarter when the Bruins began on their own 4-yard line after an Archie Wilson punt was fair caught at the 8, followed by a 4-yard unsportsmanlike flag.
12 plays and 6:39 later, the Bruins had driven 96 yards to bring UCLA within a touchdown of sending things to overtime – not a great prospect for Nebraska after punting twice following touchdowns on their first four drives of the game. What would they do – pound Emmett and hope for the best or let T.J. Lateef, whose hot start had cooled down somewhat, put the ball in the air as a surprise to help lock things down with 4:47 to go?
How about both?
Emmett for 8 and then 2 – first down. Then it was Lateef to Dane Key for 7. They would go back to Emmett then…except they didn’t. Lateef rolled out and with the short route covered, he found Nyziah Hunter for 17 and moved the chains again. Then it was back to Emmett as UCLA burned their final timeouts. 9 yards. 1 yard – first down.
Time for the kneel downs with their 7th victory wrapped up.
Although he would have liked another score or two to remove the drama of the 4th quarter, things seemed to play almost exactly to the script I imagine Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen designed for a true freshman’s first start. Put the ball in Emmet’s hands by land and by air and let him and the resurgent offensive line do their thing.
As for Lateef, keep things short and manageable and limit his touches. For the first start, he didn’t need to go out and win it. But give him plays which would give him the best chance for success and stress protecting the ball and not LOSING the game.
Mission accomplished.
Lateef had 20 touches and made the most of them. He had 5 carries for 31 yards, a snappy 6.2 YPC average. In the air, he was 13-15 for 205 yards with most of his throws being of the short variety. Coach Matt Rhule preached everyone doing their jobs just a little better to give T.J. the best chance at success. How does 135 yards after catches from the Husker receivers score in accomplishing that goal?
One could argue – fine, I’m arguing it – that the early success with the short stuff ratcheted up his confidence when it came time to drop the dime on Emmet’s wheel route in the 3rd quarter and the 17-yard second read to Hunter on the game-finishing drive. I’d have to check for sure on Hunter’s, but I believe those were his two longest throws of the cool California evening.
The defense had a solid night allowing 348 yards to the Bruins, 277 of them (191 by air, 86 on the ground) courtesy of Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the CFP last season before NIL issues led to his leaving the team and landing in L.A. He seems to have found a home there, and, despite the loss could be seen in the post-game getting a picture with and hugging Lateef. The night wasn’t all fun and games for Nico – he was stopped cold on a crucial 4th down and the Blackshirts managed 3 sacks for the second straight week.
Speaking of sacks, the offensive line allowed none and the UCLA defense was not credited with any QB hits or hurries and Lateef was seldom threatened. Yes, I did call the offensive line resurgent. I know the defensive rating rises greatly in the final two regular season games, but I’m giving credit where it’s due.
The Huskers move into their second bye week with everything suddenly feeling like it’s breaking their way. With Penn State and Iowa ahead, is there a better time for Lateef to have an extra week to prepare? And Emmett to get an extra week to recharge for what’s going to be a couple of physical efforts against defenses determined to slow him down?
You know what? Those are questions for another few days from now. Let’s take a couple beats to allow our Heisman contender and rookie quarterback and their teammates enjoy their big nights – on a night when many questioned if they could pull it off.
And while we’re at it, let’s credit Matt Rhule for challenging everyone to step up and do everything just a little better. They did.
