Observations: The First Two Quarters and The Final Two Quarters....

[Chaddyboxer]

This is what I saw from the game with my own perspective and opinion added in:
1.) For the first two quarters, we were gashing a top 5 ranked SEC defense
2.) In the final two quarters, I saw a team meltdown. We were still gashing them intermittently, but penalties highly dictated the play-calling which cost us the game big-time. 

*Football is not only a game of consistent execution, winning football games comes with a bit of luck. The teams that most often succeed take advantage of those lucky opportunities. Was NEB overmatched in this game? No, not by a long shot. NEB did not get dominated whatsoever in this game. I am honestly proud of this team at the end of the day, but the meltdown was uncalled for. NEB had a damn good chance of beating this Gamecock team, not to take anything away from USC, but I personally thought NEB looked like the better team for a large portion of the game. If NEB cleans up the penalties and turnovers, this game could've easily went the other way. I am actually quite optimistic about next season with such a young team coming on board for 2012. This game reminded me of the BIG12 championship game last year....we went into complete meltdown mode in the second half. Is it lack of focus? Coaching? Accountability? I believe the issues lie with a combination of the three. I honestly think NEB has a chance to make it to the Rose next year, but this meltdown mumbo jumbo needs to stop! I wasn't actually all that angry at the result of the game because I saw a NEB team that was running at will against a very solid SEC defense (even passing against them for that matter as well). Even our defense was playing solid if you take out about 6-7 BIG PLAYS that USC had against us (they took advantage of fortunate opportunities). After the first half, I was very confident NEB had this game in the bag....my assumptions were wrong. I hope very good things next season and I'm already jumping the gun and saying NEB can and will only lose 1 to 2 games next season, and they may set themselves up for a Rose Bowl game. Count it.

[Chaddyboxer]

I might add...USC played a damn good game and took the momentum right out of us. They deserved the W.

[Wingback Reverse]

This is what I saw from the game with my own perspective and opinion added in:
1.) For the first two quarters, we were gashing a top 5 ranked SEC defense
2.) In the final two quarters, I saw a team meltdown. We were still gashing them intermittently, but penalties highly dictated the play-calling which cost us the game big-time.  

*Football is not only a game of consistent execution, winning football games comes with a bit of luck. The teams that most often succeed take advantage of those lucky opportunities. Was NEB overmatched in this game? No, not by a long shot. NEB did not get dominated whatsoever in this game. I am honestly proud of this team at the end of the day, but the meltdown was uncalled for. NEB had a damn good chance of beating this Gamecock team, not to take anything away from USC, but I personally thought NEB looked like the better team for a large portion of the game. If NEB cleans up the penalties and turnovers, this game could've easily went the other way. I am actually quite optimistic about next season with such a young team coming on board for 2012. This game reminded me of the BIG12 championship game last year....we went into complete meltdown mode in the second half. Is it lack of focus? Coaching? Accountability? I believe the issues lie with a combination of the three. I honestly think NEB has a chance to make it to the Rose next year, but this meltdown mumbo jumbo needs to stop! I wasn't actually all that angry at the result of the game because I saw a NEB team that was running at will against a very solid SEC defense (even passing against them for that matter as well). Even our defense was playing solid if you take out about 6-7 BIG PLAYS that USC had against us (they took advantage of fortunate opportunities). After the first half, I was very confident NEB had this game in the bag....my assumptions were wrong. I hope very good things next season and I'm already jumping the gun and saying NEB can and will only lose 1 to 2 games next season, and they may set themselves up for a Rose Bowl game. Count it.

And just how does that Kool-Aid taste, Chaddy  

[Chaddyboxer]

This is what I saw from the game with my own perspective and opinion added in:
1.) For the first two quarters, we were gashing a top 5 ranked SEC defense
2.) In the final two quarters, I saw a team meltdown. We were still gashing them intermittently, but penalties highly dictated the play-calling which cost us the game big-time. 

*Football is not only a game of consistent execution, winning football games comes with a bit of luck. The teams that most often succeed take advantage of those lucky opportunities. Was NEB overmatched in this game? No, not by a long shot. NEB did not get dominated whatsoever in this game. I am honestly proud of this team at the end of the day, but the meltdown was uncalled for. NEB had a damn good chance of beating this Gamecock team, not to take anything away from USC, but I personally thought NEB looked like the better team for a large portion of the game. If NEB cleans up the penalties and turnovers, this game could've easily went the other way. I am actually quite optimistic about next season with such a young team coming on board for 2012. This game reminded me of the BIG12 championship game last year....we went into complete meltdown mode in the second half. Is it lack of focus? Coaching? Accountability? I believe the issues lie with a combination of the three. I honestly think NEB has a chance to make it to the Rose next year, but this meltdown mumbo jumbo needs to stop! I wasn't actually all that angry at the result of the game because I saw a NEB team that was running at will against a very solid SEC defense (even passing against them for that matter as well). Even our defense was playing solid if you take out about 6-7 BIG PLAYS that USC had against us (they took advantage of fortunate opportunities). After the first half, I was very confident NEB had this game in the bag....my assumptions were wrong. I hope very good things next season and I'm already jumping the gun and saying NEB can and will only lose 1 to 2 games next season, and they may set themselves up for a Rose Bowl game. Count it.

And just how does that Kool-Aid taste, ChaddY 

lol just trying to stay optimistic man. I saw some very good things out of the team yesterday....and I also saw some concerning things. I hate to see the "meltdown modes".........it needs to get cleaned up.

[CoeSker]

I agree with you Chaddy!  I am on board with the Kool-Aid!  I think next year is going to be a good one.  I am calling for 11 wins, if the Huskers don't get to 11 next year I might start looking a little bit closer at the coaching and locker room issues.  All I have ever asked for Nebraska is that they are competitive and I can live with 9-10 wins a year with an occasional 11 coming at least once out of 10 years.......and next year will be the 10th year.

[Chaddyboxer]

I agree with you Chaddy!  I am on board with the Kool-Aid!  I think next year is going to be a good one.  I am calling for 11 wins, if the Huskers don't get to 11 next year I might start looking a little bit closer at the coaching and locker room issues.  All I have ever asked for Nebraska is that they are competitive and I can live with 9-10 wins a year with an occasional 11 coming at least once out of 10 years.......and next year will be the 10th year.

I can deal with that as well

[Sexy Leather]

This is what I saw from the game with my own perspective and opinion added in:
1.) For the first two quarters, we were gashing a top 5 ranked SEC defense
2.) In the final two quarters, I saw a team meltdown. We were still gashing them intermittently, but penalties highly dictated the play-calling which cost us the game big-time. 

*Football is not only a game of consistent execution, winning football games comes with a bit of luck. The teams that most often succeed take advantage of those lucky opportunities. Was NEB overmatched in this game? No, not by a long shot. NEB did not get dominated whatsoever in this game. I am honestly proud of this team at the end of the day, but the meltdown was uncalled for. NEB had a damn good chance of beating this Gamecock team, not to take anything away from USC, but I personally thought NEB looked like the better team for a large portion of the game. If NEB cleans up the penalties and turnovers, this game could've easily went the other way. I am actually quite optimistic about next season with such a young team coming on board for 2012. This game reminded me of the BIG12 championship game last year....we went into complete meltdown mode in the second half. Is it lack of focus? Coaching? Accountability? I believe the issues lie with a combination of the three. I honestly think NEB has a chance to make it to the Rose next year, but this meltdown mumbo jumbo needs to stop! I wasn't actually all that angry at the result of the game because I saw a NEB team that was running at will against a very solid SEC defense (even passing against them for that matter as well). Even our defense was playing solid if you take out about 6-7 BIG PLAYS that USC had against us (they took advantage of fortunate opportunities). After the first half, I was very confident NEB had this game in the bag....my assumptions were wrong. I hope very good things next season and I'm already jumping the gun and saying NEB can and will only lose 1 to 2 games next season, and they may set themselves up for a Rose Bowl game. Count it.

Count me in the group who was very surprised we were able to run the ball so well early.  But yeah, that 2nd half collapse was frustrating on all levels.

[Wingback Reverse]

Observations on the second half versus the first half?  South Carolina's defensive staff made some solid adjustments.  Nebraska collapsed.  It's all pretty simple!

[NIdahohusker]

"Aside from 6-7 big plays"  That is about like saying aside from the final 35 minutes of the game, NU played well enough to win. They wilted under adversity. With all the talk from the coaches and AD this team has great leaders and chemistry,I wonder why there is no composure and focus.

[Mohusker]

I agree with you Chaddy!  I am on board with the Kool-Aid!  I think next year is going to be a good one.  I am calling for 11 wins, if the Huskers don't get to 11 next year I might start looking a little bit closer at the coaching and locker room issues.  All I have ever asked for Nebraska is that they are competitive and I can live with 9-10 wins a year with an occasional 11 coming at least once out of 10 years.......and next year will be the 10th year.

I can deal with that as well

So you both are going to call for coaching changes if NU doesn't win 11 games next year--right??  That's what you said.....

[Chaddyboxer]

Observations on the second half versus the first half?  South Carolina's defensive staff made some solid adjustments.  Nebraska collapsed.  It's all pretty simple!

I just re-watched the game. It looked like the Gamecock defense was taking out the run to the outside. Was it half-time adjustments? Nebraska not blocking well? Both? I think it was a bit of both. Also....with the key drops in the second half....that really seemed to take the wind out of NEB's sails...

[Chaddyboxer]

"Aside from 6-7 big plays"  That is about like saying aside from the final 35 minutes of the game, NU played well enough to win. They wilted under adversity. With all the talk from the coaches and AD this team has great leaders and chemistry,I wonder why there is no composure and focus.

They folded...that's for sure. This team needs to get that killer-instinct, never give up mentality. I saw the never-give-up attitude during the Ohio St. game, but other games say otherwise...

[Chaddyboxer]

I agree with you Chaddy!  I am on board with the Kool-Aid!  I think next year is going to be a good one.  I am calling for 11 wins, if the Huskers don't get to 11 next year I might start looking a little bit closer at the coaching and locker room issues.  All I have ever asked for Nebraska is that they are competitive and I can live with 9-10 wins a year with an occasional 11 coming at least once out of 10 years.......and next year will be the 10th year.

I can deal with that as well

So you both are going to call for coaching changes if NU doesn't win 11 games next year--right??  That's what you said.....

No....that is not what I am implying....what are you smoking man? lol