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Steven M. Sipple: NU needs to make big jump to get big win
Posted: Saturday, September 24, 2011 11:40 pm
Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez (3) steps away from Wyoming defensive end Josh Biezuns in the third quarter in Laramie, Wyo., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. (FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star)
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Nebraska's performance Saturday night didn't quite match the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Such an achievement would have been next to impossible, especially in the second quarter, when the sun was setting and creating a pink-peach hue on the rolling hills east of War Memorial Stadium.
This gritty little cowboy town has a gorgeous side.
In contrast, Nebraska's offering against Wyoming was, well, on the clunky side, which isn't exactly what the ninth-ranked Huskers desired in advance of an anticipated tussle next week at No. 6 Wisconsin.
If everybody in scarlet and cream would've played with the controlled abandon and intelligence of Rex Burkhead, Nebraska fans likely would feel much better after the Huskers' 38-14 victory.
If you're a Nebraska fan, you wanted to see the Huskers keep pace with Wisconsin, which played an awful nonconference schedule but looked excellent all the while. The 4-0 Badgers blasted South Dakota 59-10 on Saturday.
Nebraska, also 4-0, played an OK nonconference schedule, and it performed well collectively only in spurts, as was the case in this game. Most folks are picking Wisconsin to prevail next week. Evidence suggests that's a safe pick.
NU did some things well against Wyoming. Burkhead was magnificent from the opening bell, finishing with 170 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, and Husker coach Bo Pelini pointed with pride to improvement "in things you wouldn't see with the untrained eye." Things like better technique and communication.
Even so, it says here Nebraska will have to take a large leap forward to beat Wisconsin. Does that sound harsh, particularly after a 24-point victory in which Pelini, in a classy move, ordered his team to take a knee inside the Wyoming 5-yard line in the final seconds?
Welcome to life in the national top 10. We nitpick incessantly, even after Nebraska outgains a foe 490-305 and averages 7.0 yards per play, as was the case Saturday.
Wyoming (3-1) was plucky in the manner of an overmatched outfit. But let's face it, the Huskers benefited greatly from a series of gifts Wyoming handed them in the third quarter -- gifts that likely won't be forthcoming at Wisconsin.
Plus, you have to give Wisconsin the edge at the most important position. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez's play was spotty. He fumbled twice, and on one second-quarter series, threw behind receivers on three straight plays. He played "OK," offensive coordinator Tim Beck said.
This after Martinez's sterling effort in last week's 51-38 home win against Washington.
Martinez can't afford to be up-and-down at Camp Randall Stadium, especially if Wisconsin senior quarterback Russell Wilson is his typical steady self. The Badgers' balance on offense is striking enough to make them a national-championship contender.
Wisconsin plays solid defense. The Badgers aren't particularly fast or explosive on that side of the ball, a factor that works in Nebraska's favor. The Husker offense will have a speed advantage. But NU could negate that edge with sloppy mistakes.
"It always comes down to the little things once the competition steps up," Pelini said.
Which brings us to an element to watch closely at Camp Randall. You have to wonder how the young guns playing key roles for Nebraska will react in such a charged environment, on such a momentous occasion.
You wonder, because Husker freshmen made some glaring mistakes Saturday night. You saw a wideout jump offside inexcusably on a second-and-5 at the Wyoming 34, which became even more damaging when Brett Maher's 50-yard field goal just missed at the end of the first half.
You saw a freshman offensive lineman false start on a third-and-3 in Wyoming territory. You saw a freshman running back lose a fumble. NU fumbled four times in all, losing just the one.
Ah, we're forever nitpicking. But Pelini is right -- against squads the caliber of Wisconsin, it's often the little things that most matter. Is Nebraska ready for the Badgers?
"Are they ready for us?" Husker defensive coordinator Carl Pelini asked with his usual air of confidence.
Can't wait to find out.
Posted: Saturday, September 24, 2011 11:40 pm
Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez (3) steps away from Wyoming defensive end Josh Biezuns in the third quarter in Laramie, Wyo., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. (FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star)
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Nebraska's performance Saturday night didn't quite match the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Such an achievement would have been next to impossible, especially in the second quarter, when the sun was setting and creating a pink-peach hue on the rolling hills east of War Memorial Stadium.
This gritty little cowboy town has a gorgeous side.
In contrast, Nebraska's offering against Wyoming was, well, on the clunky side, which isn't exactly what the ninth-ranked Huskers desired in advance of an anticipated tussle next week at No. 6 Wisconsin.
If everybody in scarlet and cream would've played with the controlled abandon and intelligence of Rex Burkhead, Nebraska fans likely would feel much better after the Huskers' 38-14 victory.
If you're a Nebraska fan, you wanted to see the Huskers keep pace with Wisconsin, which played an awful nonconference schedule but looked excellent all the while. The 4-0 Badgers blasted South Dakota 59-10 on Saturday.
Nebraska, also 4-0, played an OK nonconference schedule, and it performed well collectively only in spurts, as was the case in this game. Most folks are picking Wisconsin to prevail next week. Evidence suggests that's a safe pick.
NU did some things well against Wyoming. Burkhead was magnificent from the opening bell, finishing with 170 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, and Husker coach Bo Pelini pointed with pride to improvement "in things you wouldn't see with the untrained eye." Things like better technique and communication.
Even so, it says here Nebraska will have to take a large leap forward to beat Wisconsin. Does that sound harsh, particularly after a 24-point victory in which Pelini, in a classy move, ordered his team to take a knee inside the Wyoming 5-yard line in the final seconds?
Welcome to life in the national top 10. We nitpick incessantly, even after Nebraska outgains a foe 490-305 and averages 7.0 yards per play, as was the case Saturday.
Wyoming (3-1) was plucky in the manner of an overmatched outfit. But let's face it, the Huskers benefited greatly from a series of gifts Wyoming handed them in the third quarter -- gifts that likely won't be forthcoming at Wisconsin.
Plus, you have to give Wisconsin the edge at the most important position. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez's play was spotty. He fumbled twice, and on one second-quarter series, threw behind receivers on three straight plays. He played "OK," offensive coordinator Tim Beck said.
This after Martinez's sterling effort in last week's 51-38 home win against Washington.
Martinez can't afford to be up-and-down at Camp Randall Stadium, especially if Wisconsin senior quarterback Russell Wilson is his typical steady self. The Badgers' balance on offense is striking enough to make them a national-championship contender.
Wisconsin plays solid defense. The Badgers aren't particularly fast or explosive on that side of the ball, a factor that works in Nebraska's favor. The Husker offense will have a speed advantage. But NU could negate that edge with sloppy mistakes.
"It always comes down to the little things once the competition steps up," Pelini said.
Which brings us to an element to watch closely at Camp Randall. You have to wonder how the young guns playing key roles for Nebraska will react in such a charged environment, on such a momentous occasion.
You wonder, because Husker freshmen made some glaring mistakes Saturday night. You saw a wideout jump offside inexcusably on a second-and-5 at the Wyoming 34, which became even more damaging when Brett Maher's 50-yard field goal just missed at the end of the first half.
You saw a freshman offensive lineman false start on a third-and-3 in Wyoming territory. You saw a freshman running back lose a fumble. NU fumbled four times in all, losing just the one.
Ah, we're forever nitpicking. But Pelini is right -- against squads the caliber of Wisconsin, it's often the little things that most matter. Is Nebraska ready for the Badgers?
"Are they ready for us?" Husker defensive coordinator Carl Pelini asked with his usual air of confidence.
Can't wait to find out.
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