Huskers vs Spartans - One More Good Look At A Whippin'

by Jon Johnston on Nov 1, 2011 12:58 PM CDT in 2011 Nebraska Huskers Football

Michigan State remains winless against Nebraska in six tries, although this one has to burn a little extra because the Spartans were ranked in the top ten at the time of the butt kicking.

We'll review the game one more time before moving on to Northwestern.

Photos by Dennis Hubbard. Click to embiggen.

Let's start this off with Jermarcus Hardrick. At the start of the season, there was reason to be worried about the offensive line. Even though they're young, the offensive line has played well enough to be ranked eighth nationally in rushing offense. No one expected that this season, did they?

Rex Burkhead - now with 882 yards on the season, 12 TDs and a 5.35 yard per carry average. That's third in the Big Ten in both per game average and total rushing yardage. Not bad for a guy who didn't get many carries in non-conference play.... i.e., when we were playing the fluff.

Taylor Martinez has grown a lot this season. He's making better decisions. His pitches are an adventure, his throwing motion atrocious, but who else would you trade him for if you could right now?

Walk-on guard Spencer Long. If you love offensive line play you have to love this photo. Defender is off-balance and most likely was pancaked on this play. If Long can play this well as a sophomore - what does the future hold?

Kenny Bell is another young player that's really broken out this year. Bell has two carries for 86 yards and one touchdown. That's 43 yards a carry! Of course, one was the 82-yard reverse against Minnesota, but still....

Something else to think about - Martinez hasn't broke nearly as many long runs this season as last. On the other hand, the Nebraska offense seems less reliant on him than it was last season. Not that you want to find out what happens if he's injured, but the offensive line is better, and the offense appears to have a number of playmakers. Do you feel better about our offense this season than you did before?

The Husker crowd reacts to a touchdown.

You can never get enough Burkhead. You're not alone. Tim Beck can't either. 35 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns against the Spartans. That's one helluva work load. Hope we don't see that again this week, but nice to know Burkhead can handle it when it's needed.

Daimion Stafford - yet another new guy. Some might wonder if there's something wrong with Courtney Osborne, but it looks like Stafford has simply taken over the starting position because of his aggression and athleticism, not because Osborne has gotten worse. P.J. Smith is another player we haven't heard from so much this season, but this season is far from over.

Lance Thorell with an interception. Heading into the Wisconsin game, Nebraska was ranked 10th in the Big Ten and 63rd nationally in pass defense. Heading into the Northwestern game, the BLACKSHIRTS are ranked 5th in the Big Ten and 12th nationally. Some may attribute that to the return of Alfonzo Dennard, but I think that'd be a little insulting to the rest of the secondary, and, honestly, Corey Raymond, who got a little singed with all of the comments about a young secondary early in the season. Can they keep up this level of play?

Would a photographic retrospective be complete without at least one Husker cheerleader photo?

Or for that matter, one angry Bo Pelini photo. Pelini as appeared much calmer on the sideline this season. I've made several jokes on twitter about him taking the same anti-depressants as I do, but maybe it's more of a comfort factor than anything else. And a conscious effort to not look like a complete jackass on TV. We probably have his wife to thank for that.

What's that Spartan dude grasping at? Air?

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Comments

That Picture of Pelni is awesome.

It looks like he is about ready to attack that ref.

In the deed, the glory.
Corn Nation!
Follow @Aaron_Musfeldt

by Aaron Musfeldt on Nov 1, 2011 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

He's merely proposing a dance-off. Nothing aggressive, unless the ref can't handle that much Pelini.

A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 1, 2011 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I do wish Neb had a grass field...

Those unis would have been nothing but grass/mud stained and awesome. Fieldd turf looks so…false.

On this

“but who else would you trade him for if you could right now?”

on the team or in CF? If the latter, then there would be around 20 different college QBs I would take, some of which without a moments pause. Topping that list would be Robert Griffin.

Google's homepage celebrates too much shit.

by meatybob on Nov 1, 2011 1:21 PM CDT reply actions

I have to give it to Barney and his line

I’d wanted him fired for two years running before this year (and for about the opening month of this year as well). But our offensive line is really, truly, legitimately good this year. They took over in the second half against Fresno, Washington, Ohio State, and MSU. And how about that first half against Sparty? Zero passing threat, Sparty loaded the box and they pound out 110 yards in a half against a team that had been giving up 80 a game. Again, with zero passing threat.

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Nov 1, 2011 2:35 PM CDT reply actions

He has the help he needs and the players. It's obviously working.

The defensive line has had two coaches since Pelini was hired. Why shouldn’t the offensive line?

A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 1, 2011 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

The best part is

There is a lot of young players that are going to be really good in a couple years.

In the deed, the glory.
Corn Nation!
Follow @Aaron_Musfeldt

by Aaron Musfeldt on Nov 1, 2011 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Amen to That!

"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"

by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 1, 2011 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I think the scheme has helped too

Watson’s 500 page playbook that was some sort of ineffective mix of every offense known to man seemed to be too much for Cotton’s O-line. Also, let’s not forget he has some help there (John Garrison). I hope this line gets better with more experience.

Look me up on youtube sometime...if you're really bored.

by Billgrip on Nov 1, 2011 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions