Capital One Bowl Post Game Notes (South Carolina)

Not the ideal game the Nebraska Cornhuskers had in mind coming up short in the Capital One Bowl. In the loss they may have taken some big steps forward though. They had to deal with a quarter and a half, with out Alfonzo Dennard, and the defensive backs really answered the call. Lavonte David had a much quieter second half than first against a pretty good SEC offense. 

The thing that stuck out the most from the game was the growth that sophomore quarterback Taylor Martinez needs to make. He still watches the pass rush instead of keeping his eyes down field.  He broke off a 36 yard run in the 3rd quarter, then followed it up by running across field and then throwing it backwards across his body. Martinez will need to get more comfortable in Tim Becks offense. He showed how uncomfortable he can get in a pressure situation as he got sacked 3 times on the final 3 offensive plays of the game.

Martinez was a different runner in 2011, then he was in 2010. He ran a lot more timid and shied away from contact. If Nebraska wants to continue to run this spread-option offense, Martinez is going to have to lower his shoulder when he runs, and the coaches are going to have to let him do it.

Martinez finished the game going 10-16 for 116 yards, with 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He averaged only 2.3 yards per carry.  Martinez’s

Junior Rex Burkhead coming back will be huge for the Huskers in 2012. Burkhead finished the season as Nebraska’s leading rusher and their key offensive weapon. I look to Burkhead to be the leader of the team next year. He rushed for 23 times for 89 yards against South Carolina.

Burkhead has 3 younger backs behind him with one year of playing experience behind him in Aaron Green, Ameer Abduhllah, and Braylon Heard. Nebraska let Green and Abduhllah got some playing time in the bowl game, Heard has battled a leg injury all season, but did not see playing time in the bowl game.

Nebraska’s defense gave up 350 yards on defense against South Carolina. None bigger than the 51-yard hail marry pass to end the first half from Connor Shaw to Alshon Jeffery to give the Game Cocks the final lead change of the game.

The Blackshirts gave up 121 yards rushing to a team who didn’t have their leading rusher in Marcus Lattimore. Shaw and Kenny Miles rushed for 109 yards combined against Nebraska.

South Carolina ended the game with a 21-0 run to win the Capital One Bow. Nebraska finishes the season  9-4, and South Carolina finishes the season with it’s first 11 win season in school history. They finish the season 11-2.

By Jimmie Allen 

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