Nebraska falls to Virginia Tech in heartbreaker

Virginia Tech flanker Danny Coale (19) looks back as races down sideline 80 yards before getting stopped on the three-yard line by Nebraska late in the second half of an NCAA college football game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. The play set up the Hokies winning score in their 16-15 win. (AP)

Heartbreak.

There is no other word to describe what Nebraska Cornhusker fans were feeling after their 16-15 loss at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

The Hokies were thoroughly outplayed by the Huskers on both sides of the ball, however the story of the day for the Huskers was mistakes — such as penalties while near the goal line  and blown coverage late in the fourth quarter.

The Huskers were dominant on defense — allowing only 194 total yards until 2 minutes left in the game — with the exception of the final drive. On offense, the team moved the chains — playing especially efficiently in the run game (207 yards) — but couldn’t turn that movement into touchdowns.

Nebraska outscores Kansas State

Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz (12) passes to a teammate during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. Ganz accounted for 365 yards of offense and four touchdowns, leading Nebraska to a 56-28 win over Kansas State. (AP)

Nebraska (7-4, 4-3) drove down to Manhattan, KS., and played a good offensive game en route to a 56-28 victory. The Huskers dominated the majority of the game, however, it was still in question with more than 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The Husker defense was constantly in the face of Kansas State (4-7, 1-6) quarterback Josh Freeman and hit him hard over and over again. The Blackshirts gave up two big pass plays – a 63-yard TD and a 51-yard pass that set up a third quarter TD — but otherwise only gave up 133 more yards to the Wildcats.

The Huskers started off on the wrong foot, as Joe Ganz’s first pass was intercepted by KSU safety Courtney Herndon and returned 57 yards for a touchdown. With the Wildcats on top so quickly the Huskers needed a scoring drive, and they got just that on their very next possession.

Nebraska uses big second half to beat Kansas

Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz throws against Kansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008. Nebraska beat Kansas 45-35.(AP)

The Kansas Jayhawks football team hasn’t won in Lincoln in forty years, and yesterday was no different as the Jayhawks lost 45-35 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Huskers used a mix of a potent offense and a timely defense to be able to contain the powerful attack of Kansas and become bowl eligible. The Huskers put up 495 total yards to Kansas’ 422 yards. However, that figure for Kansas is a little bloated with late game yards.

The Husker defense came out aggressive and was constantly applying pressure to Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing — who finished 15 for 30 for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception — and made Reesing leave the pocket. Reesing is quite apt at this, and showed some moxie in gaining his 35 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. However, Reesing was seeing red all day, as the Huskers caused hurries and sacked the Kansas QB five times.

For the Huskers, Joe Ganz had another efficient day — going 28 for 37 for 324 yards, three touchdowns and one interception — and helped lead the Huskers in the cold blustery conditions. The Huskers also

Oklahoma dominates Nebraska

Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray (7) and Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles (85) celebrate following a touchdown by Murray against Nebraska, in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. (AP)

Oklahoma’s offense is lightning quick, and amazingly efficient. This was shown in great detail last saturday as the Sooners manhandled the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Norman, OK., to the tune of 62-28.

The game started off with a great kickoff return by DeMarco Murry that set up a very short field for OU. They were then able to capitalize with a two yard touchdown less than three minutes into the game.

When the Huskers got the ball, their first play from scrimmage resulted in a touchdown … for Oklahoma. Oklahoma cornerback Dominique Franks jumped the wide receiver screen and took the ball 17 yards for a quick 14-0 lead.

On the Huskers’ next possession, Nebraska tight end Dreu Young caught a pass for a first down, but subsequently was hit and fumbled the ball at the Oklahoma 48-yard-line.

50 seconds later, Sam Bradford — went 19 for 27 for 311 yards, five touchdowns and an interception – hit Quentin Chaney for a 48-yard touchdown to put the Sooners up 21-0 with 10:31 left in the first quarter.

The game didn’t end there

Nebraska comes back, beats Baylor

Nebraska's Nate Swift runs for a 53-yard touchdown reception against Baylor in the second half of their NCAA college football game on Saturday Oct 25, 2008 in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska beat Baylor 32-20. (AP)

For the first time since 2003, the Nebraska Cornhuskers rebounded from a half-time deficit to win a football game.

The Baylor Bears came to Lincoln on Saturday and played a heck of a game, pushing Nebraska to the limits. Most of the pregame hype was focused on freshman quarterback Robert Griffin, and it was all well placed.

Baylor's Robert Griffin (10) runs for a 47-yard touchdown against Nebraska in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday Oct. 25, 2008 in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska beat Bayor 32-20. (AP)

Griffin is a great specimen at quarterback, and will be scary once he matures into his role on the Bears football team. As is, his immense athleticism helped him rush for 121 yards — 99 of those in the first quarter — and lead the Bears to a very respectable showing in Lincoln.

However, the story of the game was Nebraska’s senior wide receiver Nate Swift. Swift entered the game needing 7 catches to tie Johnny Rodgers for first place on Nebraska’s All-Time Receptions list, and Swift caught 11 for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

In the first quarter the Huskers seemed to be lack-luster at best, and allowed Baylor — and particularly Griffin — to put up big plays

Huskers dominate Cyclones

The Huskers stormed into Ames, Iowa yesterday and downgraded the Cyclones to a mere light shower.

Nebraska traveled to face Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium and the Huskers dominated the Cyclones from start to finish. The Huskers out-gained the Cyclones 548-218 in total yards and never looked fazed against this sub-par team.

Nebraska's Quentin Castille (19) is congratulated at the bench after scoring a second half touchdown against Iowa State in an NCAA college football game, Saturday Oct. 18, 2008 in Ames, Iowa. Nebraska beat Iowa State 35-7. (AP)

The Huskers played a nearly perfect first half in going up 21-0 by halftime. Joe Ganz threw for 283 yards on 21-24 attempts in the first half, he also threw for a touchdown to Nate Swift in the first half — Ganz finished the game 27-37 for 328 yards and a TD. While Marlon Lucky exerted his dominance in the second quarter in running for two touchdowns.

Swift, however, was the story of the first half

Huskers take a big step forward

It’s over in Lubbock, and it ended unlike I could have ever imagined. Yes Nebraska did lose to Texas Tech, however they didn’t deserve to lose this game. The Red Raiders finished out the game with a 37-31 win in overtime, seeing the Huskers to a 3-game losing streak.

Nebraska's Quentin Castille (19) scores a touchdown against Texas Tech's Marlon Williams during their college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (AP)

Nebraska was able to drive on the Tech defense all day and actually was able to outgain Tech 471 total yards to 421 yards. However, Tech was able to get the job done in overtime where Nebraska committed their first and only turnover of the game to seal the win for the Red Raiders.

Throughout the game, the story for Texas Tech was the big play – none sticking out in my mind more than in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-four where Armando Marillo let Michael Crabtree get open behind him for a 43-yard pick up that

Close, but so far away

**Disclaimer, this is a pro Husker video … I can’t seem to find one that has highlights of both teams. If you come across one, please let me know.**

Sometimes members of the press can take one subject and run with it. We can beat the dead horse with the best of them, and for a while it looked as though that was what we were doing with the Tyrod Taylor talk before last night’s game.

Instead, we found ourselves to be completely correct, as the Husker defense couldn’t stop the dynamic Taylor on the run. The Husker defense early was focused more on stopping Taylor’s runs and let receivers get open down field – lucking out with two really bad passes from Taylor that could/should have been touchdowns. Later the Huskers switched gears and Taylor took over with his feet.

Taylor connected on nine of his 15 pass attempts for 171 yards and rushed 15 times for 87 yards and a TD. The Huskers just couldn’t consistently stop him and his Hokie offense.

However, the Hokies were having some troubles of their own against the Huskers – who showed true heart til the finish of the game. Some people claimed that Virginia Tech’s special teams would be far superior to the Huskers – which I refuted – and it looked as though

Awakening?

I hate to jump on the bandwagon and so I will gingerly climb aboard for now – because I still have my concerns – but the Huskers are now 3-0 following their 38-7 total dismantling of New Mexico State last night.

The Huskers came out with a passion and fire that I hadn’t seen from a Husker team since Texas A&M in 2006. They focused on the running game on offense – gaining 330 yards – and played fast physical defense.

The story of the game was QB Joe Ganz throwing for a touchdown, rushing for one and receiving a pass from Marlon Lucky for one as well – that marked Lucky’s third career TD toss. However, I think that the real story was the addition of right tackle Lydon Murtha

What was that?

I just got home from the Nebraska-San Jose St game and all I can say is … what was that?! If one were to look at the final score – Nebraska 35-12 San Jose St – they might think that the game was pretty much dominated by the Huskers.

However, the real tale of this game is the fact that the Huskers scored 21 in the fourth quarter, and they didn’t score their second offensive TD until 9:05 left in the fourth quarter when Roy Helu Jr scampered in from 14 yards out. This was a truly concerning game – yet it was also a win.

I remember telling my boss during the game that I would expect games like Ball State – hard fought against teams that should be dominated – where the win is somewhat in doubt. Today was just such a day, and Husker fans must realize that Nebraska is a work in progress.

With Bo Pelini coming to the Huskers, people thought that the defense would suddenly be a power