Steven M. Sipple: Huskers should feel good after Saturday's showing
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Nebraska’s first three games felt a little like a preseason schedule, like in the NFL, although Bo Pelini would be the first to tell you all college games count.
The Huskers are 3-0 and feeling good about themselves. They ought to feel good about themselves after Saturday night’s 38-7 victory against New Mexico State. Big Red was sharp and focused and hungry in dismantling the Aggies. NU played with a hard edge on defense almost the entire night (all except for the opening drive).
Perhaps best of all for Nebraska fans, the Huskers’ running game came alive to the tune of 330 rushing yards, 211.5 more than their average through two games. Big Red had 100 rushing yards midway through the second quarter. Senior I-back Marlon Lucky started the game and ran with authority, supplying an answer for those fans and media who pushed last week for Roy Helu Jr. to be the featured guy in the backfield.
In game three, Nebraska seemed to take on the hard-edged personality of its head coach — and just in time.
Yes, Nebraska’s “preseason” is over now. It was like a little dance. The Huskers took one small step forward by beating Western Michigan, one step back with an unsatisfying victory against San Jose State, and one big step forward with Saturday’s win. My guess is, Big Red fans are feeling better about their team, and also feeling better about NU’s chances in the next three games — Virginia Tech on Sept. 27, sixth-ranked Missouri on Oct. 4 and No. 12 Texas Tech on Oct. 11 in Lubbock, Texas.
The next three games will go a long way toward defining Nebraska’s 2008 season. Is NU ready for the rugged stretch? Is any defense ever ready for Missouri?
First things first: A well-timed bye week. Nebraska can heal its bumps and bruises and take a deep breath. You have to give the Huskers at least a 50-50 chance to defeat Virginia Tech, although the Hokies have picked up confidence since a season-opening loss to upstart East Carolina. As for Missouri, well, all the Tigers did Saturday was rack up 651 yards in blasting Nevada 69-17.
Against Texas Tech, NU will try to slow the nation’s best wide receiver in Michael Crabtree, who burned Southern Methodist on Saturday for 164 yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions. Quarterback Graham Harrell probably silenced speculation about his arm being tired by throwing for 418 yards and five touchdowns.
As for Nebraska, “I think we’re getting better in every phase of the game,” said Pelini, clearly pleased with his team’s overall effort Saturday. “But like I told our football team, we have a long way to go.”
Put it this way: From here on out, you can’t find a sure “W”on Big Red’s schedule. OK, maybe Baylor. But the Bears evidently have caught lightning in a bottle with true freshman quarterback Robert Griffin.
The thing is, Nebraska showed progress Saturday. Legitimate progress. New Mexico State senior quarterback Chase Holbrook, who had a career 70 percent completion rate entering the night, was 15-for-30 for 142 yards, with two interceptions. Aggies coach Hal Mumme is a proven offensive mind. But his team never found any sort of rhythm.
“I just really have to (hand) it to our linebackers and secondary,” Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “They really came of age today.”
Cornerback Armando Murillo and safety Matt O’Hanlon had interceptions, giving Nebraska five on the season (the Huskers had eight all of last year). NU recorded three sacks to push its season total to nine after coming up with only 13 all of last year. Eric Hagg looks like a budding star at nickel back. Ndamukong Suh is showing signs of living up to his enormous potential. Indeed, Carl Pelini has worked wonders with the defensive line.
No question, the Pelinis have had an impact. The guys can flat-out coach defense. The staff is strong. But you also have to credit players for buying in and executing.
Offensively, Nebraska finally got the ground game going. The Huskers had only 99 yards on 30 carries last week against San Jose State. Saturday, Lucky ran a season-high 15 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He looked energized. He ran with purpose. He also zipped a strike to Joe Ganz on a perfectly executed throwback pass. It was good to see Lucky have success after hearing from fans and media all week that Helu should be getting more playing time (Helu had 32 yards on seven carries).
Lydon Murtha’s return to the offensive line also was crucial.
“It was good to see the big man back out there,” Bo Pelini said. “We’re a better football team with him.”
Some will suggest Nebraska looked like a better team only because New Mexico State was the foe. For the record, NMSU has had only four winning seasons over the past four decades and hasn’t played in a bowl since 1960. The Aggies, 4-9 last season, were making their season debut Saturday.
Nebraska makes its regular-season debut Sept. 27 against Virginia Tech. Just kidding. These first three games only felt like a preseason, at least to me. Yes, a three-step preseason jig of sorts. One step up, one back and — with this triumph — one big step forward.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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