Friday Flakes: I Stand By What I Said — The Season Is Far From Over

Last week I published an article, No, the Northwestern Game is Not a “Must Win.” Click on the link if you didn’t read it.

I thought I was in the minority when I wrote it, but after last Saturday it feels even more so. This is particularly, in my opinion, a result of the bad on-side kick decision. If Northwestern gets the ball at their 20 yard line and runs it 18 straight times (like they did to finish the game) and scores the touchdown then the conversation is different.

Well it’s a little different.

Regardless, we lost and there is still 92% of the season left. The season is far from over.

Now, if the offensive and defensive lines can’t figure things out then it is over for sure.

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SPORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS!

Los Angeles Clippers guard John Wall says he contemplated suicide while dealing with injury, family tragedies
John Wall says he considered taking his own life during a time in the last three years when he was dealing with a torn Achilles and the deaths of family members at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 31-year-old guard joined the Los Angeles Clippers this summer and is eager for a return to form this coming season. Wall has played just 40 games over the last three years because of injuries, COVID-19 and his former team, the Houston Rockets, not playing him before he joined the Clippers.

Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos agree to 5-year extension worth $245 million, including $165 million guaranteed, sources say
The Denver Broncos and star quarterback Russell Wilson have reached an agreement on a five-year, $245 million contract extension that includes $165 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Sources - CFP board of managers to meet, with 'momentum' toward playoff expansion
The College Football Playoff's board of managers will hold a virtual meeting on Friday that could accelerate playoff expansion as early as 2024 if the 11 presidents and chancellors who comprise the sport's most powerful group vote on a format and unanimously agree to it, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.

Serena Williams works magic again at US Open, upsets No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit in Round 2
Serena Williams' expected retirement was put on hold yet again after the 23-time major champion pulled off a 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-2 upset of No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the US Open on Wednesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald on swinging helmet at Cincinnati Bengals players - 'It was just a practice'
Aaron Donald downplayed swinging a helmet at Cincinnati Bengals players in a brawl at a joint practice between last season's Super Bowl teams this past Thursday.

"It was just a practice. It was football," Donald said Wednesday in an interview for an upcoming episode of the AP Pro Football Podcast. "I don't really want to go back to nothing negative that happened and talk about something that happened in a practice. My main focus is Buffalo."

Banned BYU fan does not appear to be person who yelled slurs at Duke volleyball player, police say
Upon further review, the man who was banned from all BYU athletic venues does not appear to be the person who allegedly yelled racial slurs at Duke volleyball player Rachel Richardson, a BYU police spokesperson told the Salt Lake Tribune on Tuesday.

In an incident that has grabbed headlines nationwide, Richardson and her family complained of a fan yelling the N-word at her and her Black teammates from the BYU student section during a match in Provo on Friday. After the match, they said the fan approached her and told her to watch her back as the Duke players returned to the team bus.

Lamar Jackson needs to hire an agent, now
I’ve said it before. Hopefully, I won’t say it again. Other than right now.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson needs to hire an agent.

Not just any agent. A good agent. Someone who will know how to get Jackson the contract he wants. Someone who will, if the agent can’t get Jackson the contract he wants, give him the advice he needs regarding whether to accept or reject the bottom-line best offer the Ravens make. Whatever the Ravens put on the table, is it better to take it or to play for $23 million in 2022, with no guarantees for 2023?

Applewhite discusses his Husker backs after Week 1 and not staying down after a setback
Bryan Applewhite didn't sleep on the way back home. Granted, he did hit the hay hard on Sunday night after the trip back from Dublin. But his body was going to adjust back quickly anyway, he figured.

Alberts on tickets still left for Husker football games and staying focused amid the noise
The next three Husker home football games are sold out, which will take Nebraska to 385 consecutive. Beyond that, just like the Husker football program itself this season, there's plenty of work to do if the sellout streak will last through this season.

North Dakota expert shares predictions, thoughts on NU home opener - On3
Nebraska hopes to bounce back on Saturday after its second consecutive Week 0 loss. The opponent, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, is coming off a 5-6 campaign in 2021.

Brian Shawn covers North Dakota for Midco Sports and HuskerOnline caught up with him for his thoughts on the Huskers’ home opener.

Thursday nuggets: Huskers wrapping up final prep for home opener - On3 ($)
Here are some quick notes to pass along from what head coach Scott Frost had to say following Nebraska’s practice on Thursday morning…

Thursday Hits: Frost focused on working hard with Husker squad, not outside opinion as home opener approaches
It's not a short week but maybe has felt like one just a bit to the Huskers, who are looking to bounce back at home after the trip to Dublin last week.

Husker head coach Scott Frost said after Thursday's practice he likes how his team has found its footing throughout the week prior to meeting North Dakota at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

“STICK TO SPORTS!” Nah.

The Best Way to Cook Salmon
After trying 5 different methods for cooking salmon, the winner is clear. Thoughts?

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You’re Weekly Shel Silverstein Poem

The Toy Eater

You don’t have to pick up your toys, okay?
You can leave ‘em right there on the floor,
So tonight when the Terrible Toy-Eatin’ Tookle
Comes tiptoein’ in through the crack in the door,
He’ll crunch all your soldiers, he’ll munch on your trucks,
He’ll chew your poor puppets to shreds,
He’ll swallow your Big Wheel and slurp up your paints
And bite off your dear dollies’ heads.
Then he’ll wipe off his lips with sails of your ship,
And making a burpity noise,
He’ll slither away—but yet, that’s okay,
You don’t have to pick up your toys.