I apologize for taking so long to comment on the state of affairs regarding Husker Pride Worldwide. Yup. I'm still alive and kicking. Let's get on with it.
The Foster Farms Bowl
First of all, I loved the idea of the Huskers playing in a bowl game that has the word "farms" in it. How apropos. And in Levi's Stadium? How Nebraska can you get?
As I wrote earlier, I still don't think 5-7 teams should get bowl invitations. Having said that, the FFB was sanctioned by the NCAA and the Huskers took advantage of the invite. And IMHO, got the prize bowl of all three 5-7 teams that went to bowl games. San Francisco is a great city; the game was on prime time and was the only bowl game in that time slot. And the stadium is a state of the art, new billion dollar venue that will be home of next month's Super Bowl. Levi's Stadium ain't chopped liver, my friend.
(And BTW, wasn't it ironic that all three 5-7 teams that went to bowls this year -- San Jose State, Minnesota and NU -- all won their games?)
Kudos go to Danny Langsdorf and Mike Riley for devising an offensive game plan that played to Tommy Armstrong's strengths: Don't try to make Armstrong into the next Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Just run the dang ball right at 'em. All night. And win! And that's what the Huskers did. What a concept!
And as a result, Armstrong played perhaps the best game of his Husker career. He let the game come to him. His throws were on target (how about the TD pass to Stanley Morgan Jr.?). If only the coaches would use that game plan (when appropriate) next year. The Huskers overcame a 14-point second-quarter deficit to win and Tommy won himself the game MVP award. Not bad. Not bad at all.
RIPPLING EFFECT?
The question is, what effect will the 37-29 win over UCLA have going in to next fall? Don't know for sure, but there should be an extra zip in the step of the players and coaches as they enter next month's signing date, spring ball and fall camp.
September 3rd can't get here fast enough.
TOMMY'S Play of the Game
Here's my take. Tommy's best play didn't involve his running for a TD, scrambling for a first down or even his pinpoint pass to SMJ.
So what am I talking about?
With about 5 minutes to go in the 4th quarter with the Huskers clinging to an 8-point lead, it was 3rd and long on about the Husker 30 yard line. Everyone on the planet knew Nebraska would be passing. So the Bruins called a blitz. Tommy was pressured and ran to his right, then reversed to his left where he was tackled for a loss.
So why is a QB sack of Tommy Armstrong his best play?
Simple. It wasn't because of what he did. It's what he didn't do.
The "Old" Tommy would have tried to make an ESPN highlight play by lobbing one up in the stratosphere that likely would have been intercepted and may have resulted in another Pick Six. The "New" Tommy took the sack. NU punted and hung on to win. Whew.
HUSKER FANS SALUTE THE TROOPS GOLF SCRAMBLE
Mark it down on your planner. Our Third Annual Husker Salute Golf Scramble will be:
DATE: Friday, July 22nd
PLACE: Platteview Country Club, Bellevue, NE
TIME: Registration at noon, Shotgun start at 1:00
There will be former Husker football greats. Awesome door prizes, great food and lots of fun. Plus the money made at this event will go toward supporting our fall Husker Fans Salute The Troops event which will be held the weekend of October 15th and 16th. We will be honoring wounded warriors, several Gold Star Families as well as troopers, veterans and their family members. Salute is a 501(3)(c) foundation. A portion of the cost of the scramble is tax deductible.
Help us to say thanks to these great people, some of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
For more information and to donate to Salute, go to our web site at www.huskersalute.org. God Bless you for your support!
You may contact the writer at HuskerDan@cox.net.
The Foster Farms Bowl
First of all, I loved the idea of the Huskers playing in a bowl game that has the word "farms" in it. How apropos. And in Levi's Stadium? How Nebraska can you get?
As I wrote earlier, I still don't think 5-7 teams should get bowl invitations. Having said that, the FFB was sanctioned by the NCAA and the Huskers took advantage of the invite. And IMHO, got the prize bowl of all three 5-7 teams that went to bowl games. San Francisco is a great city; the game was on prime time and was the only bowl game in that time slot. And the stadium is a state of the art, new billion dollar venue that will be home of next month's Super Bowl. Levi's Stadium ain't chopped liver, my friend.
(And BTW, wasn't it ironic that all three 5-7 teams that went to bowls this year -- San Jose State, Minnesota and NU -- all won their games?)
Kudos go to Danny Langsdorf and Mike Riley for devising an offensive game plan that played to Tommy Armstrong's strengths: Don't try to make Armstrong into the next Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Just run the dang ball right at 'em. All night. And win! And that's what the Huskers did. What a concept!
And as a result, Armstrong played perhaps the best game of his Husker career. He let the game come to him. His throws were on target (how about the TD pass to Stanley Morgan Jr.?). If only the coaches would use that game plan (when appropriate) next year. The Huskers overcame a 14-point second-quarter deficit to win and Tommy won himself the game MVP award. Not bad. Not bad at all.
RIPPLING EFFECT?
The question is, what effect will the 37-29 win over UCLA have going in to next fall? Don't know for sure, but there should be an extra zip in the step of the players and coaches as they enter next month's signing date, spring ball and fall camp.
September 3rd can't get here fast enough.
TOMMY'S Play of the Game
Here's my take. Tommy's best play didn't involve his running for a TD, scrambling for a first down or even his pinpoint pass to SMJ.
So what am I talking about?
With about 5 minutes to go in the 4th quarter with the Huskers clinging to an 8-point lead, it was 3rd and long on about the Husker 30 yard line. Everyone on the planet knew Nebraska would be passing. So the Bruins called a blitz. Tommy was pressured and ran to his right, then reversed to his left where he was tackled for a loss.
So why is a QB sack of Tommy Armstrong his best play?
Simple. It wasn't because of what he did. It's what he didn't do.
The "Old" Tommy would have tried to make an ESPN highlight play by lobbing one up in the stratosphere that likely would have been intercepted and may have resulted in another Pick Six. The "New" Tommy took the sack. NU punted and hung on to win. Whew.
HUSKER FANS SALUTE THE TROOPS GOLF SCRAMBLE
Mark it down on your planner. Our Third Annual Husker Salute Golf Scramble will be:
DATE: Friday, July 22nd
PLACE: Platteview Country Club, Bellevue, NE
TIME: Registration at noon, Shotgun start at 1:00
There will be former Husker football greats. Awesome door prizes, great food and lots of fun. Plus the money made at this event will go toward supporting our fall Husker Fans Salute The Troops event which will be held the weekend of October 15th and 16th. We will be honoring wounded warriors, several Gold Star Families as well as troopers, veterans and their family members. Salute is a 501(3)(c) foundation. A portion of the cost of the scramble is tax deductible.
Help us to say thanks to these great people, some of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
For more information and to donate to Salute, go to our web site at www.huskersalute.org. God Bless you for your support!
You may contact the writer at HuskerDan@cox.net.
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