NebraskaI’m not really sure where to start off with the game recap today to be honest. You go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in a matter of seconds and sometimes you are lost for words. Anytime you lose in overtime it sucks, but this could have been a very big win for the rebuilding of the Husker program. Hopefully the team can grow from this 37-31 loss.

The coaching staff had a great gameplan for the game and that was to keep the ball away from Graham Harrell and the Texas Tech offense. The Huskers had the ball for 40 minutes and 12 seconds compared to the 19 minutes and 48 seconds that the Red Raiders had the ball. That part of the game plan worked however some players still don’t know how to not hold or have false start penalites.

Penalties on the offensive line are the reason the Huskers lost this game in my opinion. The offense pretty much moved the ball at will against the Red Raider defense but penalties always seemed to push them back. One case of this was right before halftime after a huge kickoff return by Niles Paul. The Huskers were already in field goal range, but back-to-back holding calls on Mike Smith pushed the field goal attempt back to 53 yards which fell just short by Alex Henery. Those three points right there cost the Huskers the game.

Some people will put the blame on quarterback Joe Ganz. Yeah he threw the interception in overtime when he held onto the ball to long and then tried to throw it away but he also kept the offense moving the entire game and put points on the scoreboard to push it to overtime. Ganz finished the game 36 of 44 for 349 yards. He threw two touchdowns and threw the one costly interception. Dreu Young and Todd Peterson both caught touchdown passes from Ganz.

Marlon Lucky, Menelik Holt, Nate Swift and Peterson all caught atleast six balls from Ganz as the receiving corps had a great game. Lucky also added 16 rushes for 66 yards as he got most of the work load in the game.

One huge play that allowed the Huskers to get back into the game was the fake field goal in the fourth quarter. Jake Wesch hit Mike McNeil who was dropped near the goal line however it was a first down for the Huskers. Ganz then ran it in on the following play to make the score 24-17.

The Husker defense could not stop the Red Raiders offense in the first half but once the second half hit they played pretty good. There were the mistakes like Murillo allowing Michael Crabtree to get behind him on the fourth and four but overall the defense stepped up and got a couple of stops in the second half that gave the offense time to put points on the scoreboard.

It’s a tough loss to take Husker fans that is for sure. I would rather lose like this then be blown out and show nothing on the field however.  The team will now be flying back to Lincoln and will start preparing for Saturday’s game against Iowa State.

What’s everyone’s feelings about the game? Did you like what you seen with the game plan? Are you mad like I am with the bonehead mistakes (penalties) that the offensive line is making?

Leave us a comment and let’s talk about the game.


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2 Responses to “Huskers come oh so close but fall to Texas Tech 37-31 in OT”

  1. Tom Christensen Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:28 am

    You’re right penalties are Killing us. Also, the defense is not yet clicking. I mean we had a T.O.P. of 67% and still let them score 31 points in regulation. Getting better but not there yet. It is hard to be patient while rebuilding since we’ve been rebuilding for five years already. But I’ll hang in there and give Bo his due because I know we’ll compete again.

  2. Eddie O Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

    The reason we lost the game is because they scored more than we did with far fewer playing minutes. Do you all know what that means?? It means we cannot even attempt to pretend that we will win ANY conference game with a defensive performance like that!! Please explain to me this: If you were a Defensive coordinator, and WR Crabtree was the “stud” all american on the team…why wouldn’t you play him like the All-American that he is?? That’s where we failed. Please check the film!! If I were Bo, I’d say your fired… Brother!! Let me sum it up this way so it is crystal clear….THE SECONDARY HAS FAILED THE TEAM. I don’t giva a crap what coverage anyone calls. What part of “Never let anyone behind you” doesn’t these guys know. Failed, Failed, Failed!! Can we talk about our awesome “arm tackling” too?? Is there no embarrasment on behalf of these players?? Because if there were…THEY WOULDN’T BE MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN (ON NATIONAL TV) GAME AFTER GAME AFTER GAME!!!! Dear Nebraska Coaching Staff: Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting different results.” Chew on that!!

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