Mistakes Doom Huskers Against South Carolina

What a disappointment . The huskers suck it up again. This season was not an improvement, but a step sideways. Is this what we are to except as a ” successful season”? Time to step it up huskers!

Disappointing.  Had a lot of chances to win.  I know saying this isn’t going to do any good, but let’s not treat this like the end of the world Husker fans.  Let’s be patient and support our team and coaches.

What seems to be most lacking is on-field leadership on the offensive side of the ball. Martinez and crew have all of the ability that they need but I saw nothing but shrugged shoulders when things started going badly. The worst part of this loss is the “What ifs”. Give credit to SC for the win but give a big assist to the mistake prone Huskers.

GBR Forever

Bob

I put the whole burden on Bo Pelini. It starts at the top. He does not show positive leadership to these young players or demonstrate the qualities Coach Tom did on and off the sideline- self-control, patience, class, respect (for his players, the officiating crew and media). He is an embarressment to the University of Nebraska. Certainly, there is no perfect coach out there but one that lacks character is one that should not be tolerated at our great institution. We started so strong in this game and totally lost it before the half on SC’s Hail Mary TD. At that point, you either motivate your team to fight back or give up. Or in Bo’s situation, probably just threw a temper tantrum and ripped the guys at halftime. We will never be a top 5 team under Belini’s leadership. Better to make the change now. Coach Tom, hire yourself and take back the helm! Husker Nation needs you! I hope I wasn’t too mean in my comments. Just want to be realistic is my assessment. I love Nebraska and long to see the Huskers get back their mojo! Oh, and kudos to Burkhead for playing his heart out. He never ceases to amaze me in his effort, power and perserverance. Definitely a bright star on our team! And what a neat young man!

Pathetic.  Nobody wants to watch that.  No leadership type of coaching.  Kids were not ready.  Mistakes.  Out coached.  No class.  Huskers need somebody like the Ohio State Head Coach, who is now DC under Meyer.

The offense in the second half was like watching a dumpster fire.

MSU, OHS, and MU have NU right where they want it.  NU will be good, but never great under Bo’s leadership.  The B1G got a name brand school that the above can beat more times than they will lose.  They have got to love Pelini.  That pass interference call was just a message to Bo to keep his mouth shut.  With Bo NU will get at least one of those calls every close game.  The officials don’t like him (wonder why) and our boys will pay the price.  NU deserves better and I won’t even say anything about the salary they’re paying that guy.

I am frustrated at Bo Pelini’s tirades and his player’s lack of discipline.  He is definitely an improvement from Callahan in the fact that his teams show fire, they do not know how to control that fire.  I also think that Bo brings a lot of calls against his team because of his lack of control.  We saw that at the beginning of his tenure (VA Tech at home an unsportsmanlike conduct call cost Neb. field position and eventually the game) and continued to see it throughout big12 play, but were able to blame the refs because of bias.  The constant penalties against Pelini teams Nebraska have to point back to a lack of control of the coaching staff.  I fully expect to see Pelini on the sideline next year, but I think Dr. Tom needs to keep him on a short leash and make sure discipline is brought into the locker room.

According to many here, NU just needs to bring back Dr. Tom and Charlie McBride and we’ll be in the BCS mix. So easy, right?

Look, we have a good young team, not a great or elite team. The BobFather and Dr. Tom had their share of them, too. We left the Big 8 a long time ago, it’ll never be that easy again. 9-10 wins every year these days is damn good for any program. And we’ll have our share of great and elite teams, too.

After watching the Huskers so many years of being ‘almost great,’ I think we were lucky that the stars all lined up in our favor (so to speak) in the 90’s.  We just haven’t found that magical combination of coaching and athletes yet. And I am concernd about the future years of recruiting. When you watch Pelini’s tirades, as an athlete, would you feel comfortable playing for him? As a parent of athletes, I would not want my kids subjected to that behavior. Regarding the game, I’m not surprised of Dennard’s ejection when his coach can’t stop from showing his teeth. Disturbing, actually.

The redzone opportunities, Beck got a little cute, with.
I think he grows, from that. Learns to have more confidence in his players, his system.
Tough break for the frosh, Abdullah. Don’t think at the time though, they had to use a play like that.
If only everybody, will match Burkhead’s effort and conditioning, this offseason.
Pelini, though…
Who knows? With his bro up and out, and another year older, possibly he doesn’t lose his composure, to such an extent, that the whole team loses theirs, too. His players need to keep being coached up, in the middle of competition. Encouraged, in other words. I’m confident he’ll learn to do that. By September, would be great.
It’s more important than ever, to be supportive of the program, staff included.
Too easy, to be otherwise.

ChicagoB1GRed,  the real record is 5-4.  Those 1st 4 games are just exhibition games.  NU might as well play UN-K, Chadron or Wayne St.  The real games are in the B1G.  Nobody would be upset if we played hard, looked competent, and the coaches had their acts together.  But unfortunately, not very much of that is occurring.  It’s just a question of how long the money people (supporters) will tolerate this slow moving train wreck.

After being at the game today, I really wanted to comment on this, but after reading “I hate Pelini, and he must be the worse coach that we could have hired” comments, I really don’t want to.
I mean come, he was right to get after the refs, there were some horrible calls made.  So many holding calls not called.  No excuse for the loss, but come on.  The crowd really got after them as well, and of course that is when the flag for the interference came out. 
Plus, sorry, it still holds true, you can only lead a horse to water, he can’t make him drink.  Pelini doesn’t step out on the field and touch the ball, the players have to do what needs to be done.
In the first half, there was nothing holding the Huskers.  One lucky play be USC, and they had the lead.  The second half, the players gave up after getting inside the 10.  They put anything together from that point on.
Burkehead is a beast, and when he is the only one that is taking care of the ball, then yes ride on his back, that is where you want to be.
It’s not always a coach’s fault that a team loses, just as it isn’t him that wins the game.  Does Pelini have some growing to do in this position, absolutely, and he will get there.
Does players want to play for him, yes they do. 
This team didn’t play a great second half today at all.  I do believe that the calls for the offense were right, I believe for the most part our defense was in the right place.  They just didn’t make it happen.  That is why USC won today.
On a side note, I really though that the stadium was bad.  If this is the largest bowl game outside of the BCS, then they need to start spending some serious money!

GBR!

peteyhusker,
we were 5-3 in the B1G with by far the hardest conference schedule. We convincingly beat last year’s champ/this year’s division champ MSU. We played for the Big XII championship game the two previous seasons. There were only a handful of programs in all of CFB that have won 9+ the last four years.

There were plenty of easy OC and Big 8 games under DV and TO, too, and it took TO while to win the Big 8 which was a far weaker conference the the XII or B1G.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t like the second half either, we looked awful shooting ourselves in the foot. I’d like a B1G championship and a NC trophy. But it sounds like a lot of people can’t handle 9-10 wins, nothing less than a conference title or a BCS game will do.

Darren, are you calling Rex an Ass?  Just kidding, you know how I feel about that guy!  Just another ho-hum effort today by our favorite team.  I will query you one further…who DROPPED balls today at critical times?  Lets see…Reed, Kinney, Marlowe…all in situations where the ball hit them square in the hands and was dropped.  As has been said in the past, and you stated today, back to the drawing board once again.  Just wondering how many more years of going back to the drawing board, and not even competing for the conference championships the Husker faithful will put up with?  And then not travel as the vaunted “Sea of Red” to lower tier bowl games?  Just wondering?  I tried calling Cameron Meredith today, but did not know if he was still playing or not…hmmmmm?

I just laugh at all the folks who want to get rid of Pelini.  It takes awhile to learn how to be a complete leader.  I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and it took me a few years to properly lead soldiers and I see Bo as a First Lieutenant put in a company commander’s position and is still learning how to lead. I like his fire and hope he finally figures out how to harness it properly.  I trust Tom’s judgement.  GBR!!!

Bo’s teams play with Tremendous effort! Bo’s kids will run through a brick wall for the guy! Beck’s play calling is getting better( to be Expected for first year) , but the receivers are very average at best( Bell and Turner where are you?) Kinnie and Quincy are terrible! Need a serious upgrade there! Bout had enough of Barney C! Too inconsistent! Defense must carry this offense with David and Dennard only real studs! Kudo’s to T-MOoor for a great rescue after Crick went down! slow LB’s have killed us all year. Backs and Safeties are Excellent in coverage! T Magic is not the answer at QB , but all we have now? Heavy doses of Burkhead is smart with excellent Back Ups who need to help,carry the load( hang on to Ball issues!) .Bo and his sideline behavior does NOT bother me at all! ( watch Kelly at ND) . The “Bo Must Go ” group is not productive , and need to Support the Huskers or Please go elsewhere! Try to upgrade the overall Talent w recruits , and keep the HUSKER Faith and we WILL be Back!!!

Well Stated gbaker!! The Bogoers need to chill or get off the Bus! Don’t need they’re whining! Bo brings the passion back after the Callihan Disaster!! I hope TO gives Bo another Raise and extends his contract ! Stop the go Bo BS!!
We will be fine!!

Again, just like in the late 70’s & 80’s here come all the “fire this coach” folks. Yes, the 90’s were great. But what was the cost? Thugs, steroids, prop 48 kids who didn’t graduate. LadyHusker, what parents you ask want their kids learning from Bo? Rex Burkheads. Kenny Bells. Brion Carnes. Etc., etc.. Kids of charactor who want to get their degrees.
This is a YOUNG team. Only a handfull of seniors 2 deep. The toughest schedule in years. Be patient Husker Nation! Go Big Red!
And stop with the refs hate Bo crap. It’s getting a little lame.

Rugged I couldn’t agree with u more. I was also at the game and if pelini didn’t get after the refs he wasn’t doing his job. The fans at the game had pelinis back on that one. True fans back their coaches and players not throw them under the bus. Go seers!

I was a proud athlete at Nebraska, I had several friends and relatives play football for Nebraska since the 70’s and my son is going there next fall on an athletic scholarship. I love the Huskers and I wouldn’t support his choice if I felt negative about the school or athletic programs. And I agree that at times, Husker fans are not the most patient when we aren’t winning 10+ games a season. Heck, Solich was fired after a 9-3 season if my memory serves me correctly. But I back up my comments about Pelini and his public conduct. It’s hard not to notice when there’s a camera in his face every opportunity, which is a little unfair. But he still hasn’t learned how to be a good example or embassador. And he certainly hasn’t won any points with the media. He could be much more tactful and diplomatic in his responses- even if his point is right on. Of course, if you can still win with a crusty look on your face, then this chatter would probably go away and all is well (with most). But when you are losing games you should win, then the negative things are magnified. I guess we just have different expecations from our leaders. And no, I’m not on the Pelini bus, but I am on the Husker bus. I do hope next year will be a great leap forward for us and that they make the necessary adjustments. That’s all I have to say.

Part of me thinks some Husker fans just want a stoic head coach who never shows emotion. 

Tom Osborne was that to the point where he rarely smiled.  Win the National Championship and TO cracked a smile.  Otherwise TO was pretty much stone faced, not angry or excited.

Bo Pelini is not the silent or stoic type of coach.  I think this is the cause of many gripes I read.  Just my 2 cents.

The huskers competed with one of the better SEC schools they are not that far away keep with the process huskers and brighter days will come

My bad the huskers dominated one of the better SEC schools in the first half but when USC hit that hailmary pelini and the team lost their composuer live and learn i’d rather have pelini as the head coach then at another b10 school his future is very bright hopefully we stick with him through the growing process

We’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.

Just wanna say a few things. I am a little disappointed in the season but I think we as fans have to recognize that we have a lot of young talent and young coaches. Combine with a tough schedule and new conference it makes it hard to win a lot of games. As we progress and the schedule gets easier in year 3 of the B1G experience we have a real good chance to make waves. Already excited for next year and to top it off I give much credit to USC and even more to their fans who I was surrounded by at the game because they were awesome.

Great comments, NOLA_SKER.

NOLA_SKER, I would agree with you about USC fans.  I had several around me as well, and they were great to be around.  They supported thier team and stayed respectful for ours, which is how it should be always!

GBR!

thank y’all for the kind words about our fans..

GOOO USC FIGHTING GAMECOCKS !!!

Jake is going to be a very good player here. I can’t wait to see what a cuople years more in winter workouts will do with this guy. On the darker side, I too really wish that Bo would stop taking the bait. He needs to hold back a bit. Especially here in Nebraska. At some point he may bark at a guy that HAS years of football experience and maybe 50 lbs on him and he could end up in a head lock and become ESPN’s picture of the decade or something. Still I really like his honesty and him standing up for the guys. I just don’t want him becoming the new woody Hayes We all remember the Clemson melt down of coach Hayes. Tragic way for a great coach to end his career. Now on to the game. NU 27, OSU 10. I think OSU will do a bit better at qb and NU will cut down on mental missques. NU gets a cuople field goals in this one, perhaps having some trouble in the red zone against a pretty good defense. What say you?