Real Redemption

Forget the cutesy t-shirts. Forget the slogans or declarations. Real redemption was found in Stillwater, Oklahoma on the second to last Saturday of October.

For at least three Huskers anyway.

Behind another “first-time-for-a-Husker-freshman-quarterback” performance by Taylor Martinez and a pair of big receiving and special teams days for receivers Niles Paul and Brandon Kinnie, the Huskers won a track meet with Oklahoma State 51-41.

It was not picture perfect. The Huskers got some timely breaks from Okie State and their running game seemed to consist of Martinez scrambling, but it’s a win nonetheless.

Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson gave Martinez a winnable game plan. Relying less on the read option and at times putting his QB under center, Watson knew that Okie State’s secondary was highly suspect so he had his quarterback do the one thing that many thought he couldn’t sustain for four quarters. Throw.

An efficient 23 for 35 for 323 yards and five touchdowns along with a solid 8/18 on third downs (6 for 10 in the second half) kept pace with an explosive Cowboy offense that looked like it could score at will. The key moment in the game was with 2:15 to play in the first half. NU was down 3 and had the ball at their own 34. The way the game was flowing, the Huskers would have seemed best just to let the clock run out and give the gassed Blackshirts a chance to regroup and rest. Instead, Martinez came out throwing. They caught a huge break as OSU’s Joe Okafor was caught for a personal foul and turned a 3^rd and 6 into a 1^st and 10 at the Pokes 47.

Martinez then floated a beautiful pass to Mike McNeill that got NU to the Cowboy 24 before he struck for his second TD pass to Brandon Kinnie with 55 seconds left in the half. The Huskers never trailed again.

After halftime, the Huskers were winging it away again. A ten play drive featured 6 passes and turned into 3 points. It was clutch because it gave the Blackshirts an extra few minutes to rest. For one of the rare times on Saturday, they held the Pokes three-and-out and gave their offense a chance to put some much needed breathing room between themselves and Oklahoma State.

Kyler Reed blew past his defender on a post pattern and Martinez laid it right into his hands for a 41 yard touchdown and the score that would leave the Cowboys two steps behind for the rest of the game.

While Martinez was enjoying his first real taste as a dual threat quarterback, two teammates who were in need of comeback performances also delivered.

Niles Paul showed – despite his frustrating poor decisions at time in the return game – why the coaches still believe he should be back deep on kicks as he went coast to coast for his second career kickoff return for a score. Paul would still let some punts bounce past him and fair catch one that he shouldn’t have, but you cannot argue with a team high 9 catches for 131 yards. He caught three straight passes on the opening drive of the second half and made a huge 3 and 11 conversion on the drive that resulted in the scoring strike to Reed.

Kinnie, who dropped the sure touchdown pass from Zac Lee against the Longhorns, made every bit count of his three catches. All three went for scores including the clincher, a beautiful fade pass in the back corner of the end zone that sealed OSU’s fate.

Nebraska/Oklahoma State Stats

Bo Pelini's post game comments

If you were a Packers fan or are currently a Vikings fan, you know exactly how it feels to watch Taylor Martinez play quarterback. There is an element of Brett Favre in Martinez’ game (we trust that Taylor practices proper cell phone etiquette.) From the careless flips of the football trying to save a sack to the slippery way he keeps plays alive, Martinez is going to be the cause for more gray hairs in the next four years than old age.

Saturday, Shawn Watson entrusted his quarterback to execute a game plan that many opposing defensive coordinators would hope for – a strong insistence on the pass. As mentioned earlier, Martinez took advantage of a bad Cowboy secondary but at least he took advantage of it. Last week, he would (should) have had at least two touchdown passes against a much better Texas defensive backfield. So maybe, just maybe Nebraska’s redshirt freshman is getting comfortable as a passer.

He still has to worry Watson and Pelini with his poor ball security. He still fumbles far too many times and I don’t think you can just blame that on “youth.” That issue is going to cost Nebraska a game down the road if it is not cleaned up.

It’s safe to say that Nebraska misses Ndamukong Suh and might as well throw in Barry Turner for good measure. The Blackshirt line was abused by the Cowboys for a good portion of the game. Losing Pierre Allen surely didn’t help, but again the line failed to get pressure without blitzing. They also weren’t able to slow down Hunter.

You will hear Carl Pelini talk about ignoring some of the gaudy stats that some linemen (like Suh) rack up. But look at the comparison from this year to last. All linemen statistics.

2010 through 7 games (estimated stats for 14 games)

DT Jared Crick – 6 TFL, 3.5 sacks (12 TFL, 7 sacks)

DT Baker Steinkuler 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks (8 TFL, 7 sacks)

DE Pierre Allen 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks (6 TFL, 3 sacks)

DE Cameron Meredith, 4 TFL, 0.5 sacks (8 TFL, 2 sacks)

DT Terrence Moore, 1 TFL, 1 sack (2 TFL, 2 sacks)

2009 (14 games)

DT Ndamukong Suh – 24 TFL, 12 sacks

DT Jared Crick – 15 TFL, 9.5 sacks

DE Pierre Allen – 12 TFL, 5 sacks

DE Barry Turner – 16 TFL, 5.5 sacks

DE Cameron Meredith – 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks

DT Baker Steinkuler – 1 TFL

The Huskers are on pace for literally 50% of their production from last year. Say what you want about stats, but that is a staggering loss of productivity in one year.

Did Suh make that much of a difference? It certainly appears so. The Blackshirts are certainly bolstered by the arrival of Lavonte David and the secondary has lived up to its reputation (though turnovers have been harder to come by.) You could also say that the offense is far better than last year, so the Huskers are at the very least at break even but likely better than last year’s team. But are they conference championship material? 

I know this. It doesn’t take over-analysis to know that this defense is not in the same league as last year’s and it all starts up front.

Before Saturday, seven opposing runners managed to clear the 200 yard barrier against the Blackshirts. In all seven cases, the Huskers lost. Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter was on pace at halftime to reach nearly 300 yards, but only gained 55 after the half and finished with 201.

Strangely, Okie State got away from Hunter in the second half giving him just 9 carries when he was averaging nearly 9 yards per tote. He got only one carry on the Cowboys first series and then back to back incomplete passes gave the ball back to Nebraska.

If you would have told me that Hunter would clear 200 AND Jordan Blackmon and Josh Cooper would gain 100 yards receiving, I would have told you the Huskers lost by 20. They won by 10. Go figure.

Top Opponents Rushing Games vs. Nebraska

The football topic dujour since last weekend has been on the violent helmet-to-helmet collisions that have led to several concussions in the pros and the sad injury to Rutgers’ Eric LeGrand. On Niles Paul’s 100 yard kickoff return, the controversy was brought close to home when Nebraska’s Eric Martin blasted Oklahoma State’s Andrew Hudson. Fortunately, Hudson didn’t appear to be seriously injured – at least not to the level of LeGrand – but it did open the door for ESPN commentators Ron Franklin and Ed Cunningham to join the chorus of those calling for strict reform.

First, let me disagree with Cunningham’s assessment that Martin hit a “defenseless” player. Hudson was coming downfield on a kickoff, where the most violent collisions take place. Hudson was no more defenseless than the next guy racing down the field.

It was a helmet-to-helmet collision and certainly one that is dangerous to both players. Remember, LeGrand’s injury came as he was the tackling player, not the ball carrier. But it is impossible to legislate such plays consistently through penalties and you cannot fine college players. Some, like Cunningham, suggest going back to leather helmets. Sure, nobody will lead with the head if they have less protection, but there is a reason we evolved from the leather helmet in the first place. Because football is a violent game that involves violent collisions on every play. The only way to eliminate the danger is to eliminate the violence. Then you have touch football and nobody will want to watch that.

After watching Missouri take out BCS #1 Oklahoma, the Tigers appear poised to take back the North Division title and may be ready to win their first conference title in 41 years. Strange how two weeks ago, the north was Nebraska’s to win and Missouri was only characterized as a mildly dangerous, but still negotiable obstacle.

Now, it appears clear that Missouri is the team to beat and it is Nebraska that should be the underdog this week at home.

That’s right, the underdog at home.

I don’t expect the Vegas bookies to listen to my advice, but let’s consider this. Missouri is a better team than they were last year. Defensively, they have speed and yield the fewest points of any team in the conference. Offensively, Blaine Gabbert is having a solid year and even though they miss RB Derrick Washington, the Tigers can still move the ball. They have momentum and they have Nebraska right where they want them.

In Lincoln.

Want to comment?  Complain?  Compliment John on his awesome upset special picking Iowa State to beat Texas?  Email John at jbishop@klin.com.