Steven M. Sipple: Huskers take big step to 'get back'
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If you’re a Nebraska football fan, I’m guessing Saturday night felt refreshingly normal.
A sense of normalcy probably never felt so good.
Nebraska 47, Western Michigan 24.
The Huskers weren’t perfect. Far from it. Too many breakdowns on defense. Too few rushing yards. But Big Red was in control most of the game, sort of like the good old days in the tradition-rich program. You know, like the days of Johnny Rodgers juking defenders, Tommie Frazier breaking tackles, Tom Osborne pacing the sideline and getting carried off the field on players’ shoulders. Who knew Osborne looked so good in sideburns?
In pregame festivities Saturday, the stadium videoscreen showed clips of Johnny, Tommie, Tom and a few other Husker legends, with the Beatles’ song “Get Back” blaring into a gorgeous summer night. Yes, Nebraska is trying to get back to where it once belonged, or something like that. And, yes, no question, this was a step in the right direction. That’s partly what this night was about, forgetting the headaches of the last four years. It was about moving past the utter bewilderment Husker fans felt last season as opponents rang up ridiculous offensive numbers.
It was about a fan base feeling unified instead of fractured. It was a celebration of the past, present and future all crammed into one big stadium of roiling anticipation and energy.
Of course, this night was also about Bo.
Bo Pelini’s first game as Nebraska’s head coach — without an interim tag — went about as I expected. As Pelini pointed out, openers can be a little rough. Husker fans have plenty to pick apart this morning, but considering the debacles of last season, I’m guessing nitpicking’s never felt so good.
After finishing 112th nationally in total defense in 2007, we knew Pelini and company faced a long haul to shore up that side of the ball. Yes, that road remains long. Western Michigan moved the ball well most of the night. The Broncos finished with 350 yards and ran 74 plays to Nebraska’s 67. The Huskers played well defensively in the first half, but lost steam in the second.
Pelini disagreed when someone suggested Nebraska lost intensity in the second half.
“We just made a couple mistakes,” he said. “I don’t think it had anything to do with intensity.”
Pelini said Nebraska was hurt by communication problems and missed assignments.
“Not to take anything away from Western Michigan, but most of what they got, we gave them because of our mistakes.”
He said the coaches have to coach better.
This much is certain: Nebraska’s going to need to run the ball better to beat the top 25 teams on the schedule. The Huskers were still throwing the ball in the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead. Why not play keep-away at that point? Sure, NU’s line is banged up right now. That’s a legitimate excuse. What’s more, Western Michigan pushed several defenders toward the line of scrimmage most of the night, daring Joe Ganz to try to beat the Broncos’ strong secondary through the air. He often did.
But NU absolutely needs to get a better push up front on offense.
“We wanted to run more, but it’s kind of tough to go away from what’s working,” said Ganz, who threw two fourth-quarter interceptions but also gunned four touchdown passes.
Plenty was working for Big Red.
Senior Cody Glenn, in his college debut as a linebacker, was jaw-dropping good on the first series. Nebraska produced four sacks after managing only 13 all of last season. The Huskers forced two turnovers after coming up with 11 in 2007. As expected, NU defenders swarmed to the ball in bunches much of the time. Yes, they played with energy and showed passion.
Get back to where you once belonged.
“We love each other so much, and we play for each other,” said defensive end Barry Turner, who had one of the sacks.
Wideout Nate Swift was excellent, and Menelik Holt appears to be coming of age. Ganz can really throw lasers even when rolling out of the pocket.
The senior quarterback didn’t flinch. His team didn’t flinch.
Pelini’s teams will have a harder edge than most. These Huskers will get sharper as the season progresses. Are they Big 12 championship material? Nah. Probably far from it. They looked awfully ordinary at times Saturday night. But they appear to be headed back to where they once belonged. At least it felt that way.
By the way, the “B” side of “Get Back” is “Don’t Let Me Down.”
I’m guessing Nebraska fans weren’t feeling let down after this one.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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