2 Average Guys

Nebraska defeated UCLA 28-21 Saturday to push their record to (7-3) overall and (4-3) in conference play. This was a game that didn’t feel as close as the score says, but left us feeling somewhat comfortable.  It was the official debut for TJ Lateef as he took over the reins for the remainder of the season from an injured Dylan Raiola.  In a game that the Bruins, with a (3-6) overall and (3-3) in conference play, and favored to win by a couple points, the Huskers stuck to their game plan and executed on offense to take the victory ride back home to Lincoln.  Both teams were almost identical in passing, rushing, and total yards, with special teams not playing much of a factor in this one.  So why did it feel like Nebraska was the more dominant team even with the defense struggling to stop the run and why did this game feel so good overall?  Nebraska focused on the basics and execution, taking things simple for a change and playing to TJ Lateef’s strengths as a runner and a better passer when he can move outside of the pocket. 

 During the broadcast Damon Benning made the suggestion that although they want to do something huge, don’t do it.  Keep this game as boring as possible.  Slow, boring, patient and methodical,  are the recipe for winning football in Lincoln, Nebraska.  It was like a warm blanket that brought us peace and reminded us what Nebraska football should be, which is hard working, gritty, and honest.  Rhule has preached this since he first got to Lincoln and is teaching the team to embrace the farming culture that makes up the entire state.  He nailed it when he said that we are like an old southern mansion that has been neglected and needs to be refurbished.  When you’re doing that kind of work, there’s always one problem after another after another that keeps coming up.  It’s expensive and labor intensive but to be able to salvage as much as you can and also add new amenities, make it worthwhile in the end.  

The defense seemed to struggle, as usual against a mobile quarterback, but they still haven’t given up 400 yards in a game all season.  That’s a big win considering what they’ve done in the recent past. Things are changing, not in the time frame we would hope, but let’s be honest, in the current landscape of college football,  we’ve been conditioned to feel it should happen sooner.  Things are changing as they should because slow and steady does achieve what our hope is, not just to win one championship, but build a program that brings us back to glory and lasts for a lifetime, like it once did and should be again.  It is frustrating, however, when all units can’t seem to click at the same time which is what the team is going through right now and it makes us insane as a fan base.  We’ve all been there though, when overcoming our biggest hurdles and growing in our own lives….it’s always one step forward, two steps back for awhile.  Eventually, it becomes one for one and then we finally get over that hurdle, only having to revisit occasionally, because that’s how life goes.

When Joe Maddon led the Cubs to the NLDS in 2015, their motto was, “We don’t suck”.  That’s where our Huskers are right now, they struggle and are learning, but they don’t suck anymore.  The key is for this team to stop the backsliding, and stick to the fundamentals;  be a disciplined team from here until forever.  Rhule truly believes that the standard should never be low here and he’s right.  This past game should be the lowest they ever get, having to go back to the basics, because  that’s what ultimately works.  We’ve all seen this before, when they have a good win and give us all the answers we want to hear and then they lay an egg the next week, reverting back to who they were.  Anybody can all talk the whole day long about how they’ve overcome and will never backslide, only to screw up the next chance that comes along, but it’s best to take quiet pride in the victory and go right back to work without announcing it. That’s the expectation for this team from a fan base that has shown up for 404 consecutive games, and those that have to plow the fields, listening on the radio. They need to continue to get after it and not look back.  Here’s to hoping these next two weeks are hard, vicious, and determined leading up to an incredible environment in Happy Valley during a white out. And here’s to hoping Penn State has to see Red.