Steven M. Sipple: Huskers’ hard edge diminished
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Bo Pelini’s critics, in one sense, had to be pleased Saturday.
For what it’s worth, Pelini was a picture of poise at the postgame news conference. Angry Bo never materialized. He was calm and composed. He didn’t throw questions back at reporters. Didn’t raise his voice. It was almost like he underwent a personality transplant.
Trouble is, it appears his team has undergone a similar procedure.
Nebraska’s hard edge has diminished considerably since last season. I thought Pelini’s teams always would have a hard edge. I thought his teams would consistently be razor-sharp and generally reflect the persona of swashbuckling, bad-you-know-what Bo. But the Huskers’ fire has been lacking noticeably the last two games, and I can’t put my finger on a reason.
Whatever the case, Nebraska had better sharpen up soon, or its 9-7 loss to Iowa State won’t be the last embarrassment this season for a tradition-rich program that Saturday seemed light years from rediscovering past glory.
Glory days have degenerated into gory days — days I thought had passed with the arrival of Pelini.
“I’m disappointed in our football team,” Pelini said after Nebraska’s second straight loss dropped its record to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12.
“I’m just disappointed,” he added, his voice trailing. “It starts with me.“
Pelini disappointed in team
You might call this loss a fluke. After all, Nebraska committed eight turnovers, including four that occurred inside the Iowa State 6-yard line!
But calling it a fluke is letting Big Red off the hook too easily. Plus, give Iowa State credit. The Cyclones went hard after the ball. They tipped passes. They made plays. Bottom line: Much of the time, ISU’s defense was the aggressor, and NU was soft — very un-Pelini-like.
Of Nebraska’s eight turnovers, only Niles Paul’s second-quarter fumble would be considered flukish. In other cases, Husker players weren’t strong with the ball. In one case, Cyclone safety James Smith flat-out pulled the pigskin from Dontrayevous Robinson’s hands.
It often was a matter of want-to. Iowa State (5-3, 2-2) showed by its actions it wanted this win more than Nebraska — again, very un-Pelini-like.
Nebraska’s defense, stellar as usual most of the day, failed to force a turnover and allowed three first downs on a fourth-quarter drive to let Iowa State escape the shadow of its end zone and burn clock. A backup quarterback, Jerome Tiller, made clutch plays with his arm and running a smooth read option.
Nor does Nebraska get a pass on special teams. If it doesn’t surrender a 20-yard gain on a fake punt, perhaps the Huskers escape with a 7-3 win.
Whatever happened to the hard-edged Nebraska team we saw in the Gator Bowl?
You wonder about leadership among players. Is there enough fire in the locker room? Joe Ganz, for instance, was a roiling inferno at times last season. He got in teammates’ faces if it was needed. I don’t see that from anyone on offense or defense.
I was misguided in thinking Pelini’s energy and passion might always be enough in that regard.
On the bright side, Nebraska showed life offensively. Blocking was decent. The Huskers perhaps found a viable backup running back in freshman Robinson (15 carries, 77 yards). Or maybe he’ll become the starter. Roy Helu isn’t running with the same abandon he showed back in mid-September. He lost two fumbles. His injured shoulder has to be affecting him. Trouble is, it’s an injury that won’t suddenly go away.
Zac Lee started at quarterback and played OK. You can’t pin the loss on Zac, although his last two interceptions, as Nebraska tried to mount a last-ditch rally, won’t inspire confidence among teammates.
I’ve written more than once that freshman Cody Green should be the starting QB. Coaches this week contemplated making a change. Although Pelini said it was ultimately an easy decision to start Lee, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson sang a slightly different tune, saying Green continues to gain ground on Lee.
“Cody’s getting better and better and better,” said Watson, adding Lee’s edge is mostly in game-management issues, such as the two-minute drill.
Given Green’s steady improvement, and what we’ve seen from him and Lee in games, I don’t think going to him now should be regarded as a panic move, as some might suggest.
Lee does a lot of good things, but he doesn’t provide a spark for the offense. He’s not that type of player. Not that type of personality. Now, it appears Nebraska’s entire program needs a spark, which is why I’d give the keys to the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Green, a gifted runner and developing passer. It’s definitely worth a try, because something’s missing.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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