Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Rhule to Husker Fans: Be Patient
Despite Nebraska's sloppy play during Friday night's win over the Fighting Illini, Husker head football coach Matt Rhule asked fans to be patient and enjoy the process. Rhule advised fans: Don't judge us by where we need to be, just enjoy the ride. (I'm paraphrasing.)
How can Husker fans enjoy it when the ride is as bumpy as it was Friday night?
The Ugly Game
This was one ugly game.
How ugly was it?
It was so ugly that had the game been a newborn baby, the doctor would have slapped the mother.
How ugly was it?
Judges are forcing criminals to watch re-runs of the game as a crime deterrent.
How ugly was it?
The game was so ugly that TVs will automatically switch to another channel if it's ever aired again.
Could Have Been Worse
The saving grace was that as bad as Nebraska was Friday night, Illinois was even worse. Had the Huskers capitalized on all their scoring opportunities, they could have easily scored 40 points or more.
The bane of the Huskers in the first two games came back Friday night to haunt them. There were too many unforced errors: an interception, penalties (70 yards worth) and drive-killing fumbles.
But some way, somehow, Nebraska walked off the field with its third win of the season and its first conference win to go to 3-3 for the year.
With six more games, NU still has a chance to eke out another four or five wins. However, if the Huskers don't clean up itheir game, they might not win another one.
Why should Husker fans be patient and enjoy the ride? They've seen a lot of painful Husker football most of the past eight years. Why the call for patience?
Don't look now, but the Huskers have won three out of the past four games. True, the wins have been over some bad teams: Northern Illinois (2-3), Louisiana Tech (3-4) and Illinois (2-4), but still...
The rest of the contests are against teams currently unranked. If ever there were a schedule favorable to getting the Huskers to a bowl game, it's this year.
Maryland might be the Huskers' toughest remaining foe. The Terps visit Lincoln November 11th.
This weekend, the Huskers get a much needed bye week. The Huskers are banged up. An extra week of healing and practicing may be what the Huskers need at this point.
Bill Pogge
Husker Pride Worldwide and HuskerMax.com lost a great friend recently with the passing of Bill Pogge, Husker defensive end during the Devaney era. I had the pleasure of having breakfast with him a couple of months ago while he was visiting the Omaha area. Bill was a true gentleman - one of the nicest people you'd ever hope to meet. Rest in peace, my friend.
How 'Bout Them Huskers
Will and I discuss the Husker win over Illinois. We also salute the 15-0 Husker volleyball team. They are fresh off Saturday night's 3-0 win at Michigan. Although there is no Husker football game this week, we take a peek ahead to the Northwestern game coming up in Lincoln on October 21st.
