The Nebraska football faithful are celebrating today after a win over Indiana that was cathartic for a number of different reasons. Not the least of which was that it was the first win over an FBS school in almost a year.
Defense was a big reason why the Huskers are now 2-3 and in a six-way tie for first place in the Big Ten West. Tackling was a massive part of the Cornhuskers‘ success but they also only allowed 71 yards in the second half.
While the Huskers are coming off an impressive win, really since last year’s game against Northwestern, there are still some questions that are facing the Nebraska football team as we move further into the season. Defense is right at the top of the list
Is the Nebraska football defense fixed?
Only six missed tackles and 71 yards allowed in the second half. Hoosiers only had 67 yards rushing and averaged just 2.9 yards per carry. Those were all season lows. So was the 14 points allowed (the Hoosiers’ other touchdown came from their defense.)
Connor Bazelak completed just 50 percent of his 44 passes and he only had 223 yards. Those were both season lows against FBS teams. (North Dakota only managed 131 yards passing).
Everything points to a massive defensive turnaround. The question now is whether or not this was one very good game, or whether Bill Busch has really fixed the defense.
There are signs that the defense is going to be better as the season goes on. The new defensive coordinator and his players have all talked about how he’s simplified the play calls. He’s also instituted more tackling in practice.
Yes, it helps that Indiana’s 3-1 record seemed to be more smoke and mirrors than a sign the Hoosiers were actually good. It’s unlikely that the Blackshirts are going to have this kind of dominant performance every week. But there is a real question as to whether the Nebraska football defense might be back. To some degree, we’ll get a hint at the answer next week.
Is Trey Palmer about to have a record-setting season for the Nebraska football team?
It’s true that when the Nebraska football team landed LSU transfer wide receiver Trey Palmer, there was quite a bit of excitement. However, if the last two games are any indication, it looks as though Palmer could have one of the best seasons ever, for a wide receiver.
Palmer has managed to show up game in and game out, with four receptions being the lowest catch total of the season, but he’s really broken out the last two games and he’s now on a pace that could see him put himself in the Nebraska football record books.
The school record for catches in a season is Marlon Lucky’s 75 receptions in 2007. Palmer already has 36 catches less than halfway through the season. Should he manage to continue to be the go-to receiver he’s looked like this season, it seems like that record could fall.
Against Oklahoma and Indiana, Palmer has taken it to another level, catching 18 passes for 249 yards. He’s also had his first two touchdowns of the season. Of course, last night Palmer easily had his best game of the year with 157 yards, including a 71-yarder.
There was a question coming into the season about just who would be the Huskers’ go to man when they needed a first down, and Palmer has certainly stepped up. Wins are going to be key this year but now Nebraska football fans can also start watching Palmer to see if he can put up one heck of an individual accomplishment. For those wondering, Stanley Morgan has the most catches by a Huskers wide receiver with 70.
What’s up with the Chubba Purdy decision?
Ok, we’ve got to talk about Mickey, Mark, and Chubba. Yes, I understand that the Nebraska football team wants to get Chubba some playing time. It appears that from here on out he’s going to get at least some playing time in every game.
But it would certainly be neat if the coaching staff picked the moment a bit better.
With the Huskers up 7-0 and on their own nine-yard line, Casey Thompson was lifted and Chubba came in. I can think of better places for the backup quarterback to enter the game than when his team is pinned deep in their own territory. I’d say up 7-0 isn’t quite a bit enough lead either.
On the third play of the drive, Purdy was sacked and fumbled and Indiana returned the ball for a touchdown. It’s safe to say that Nebraska football fans’ stomachs sank as they wondered whether or not this was the moment where the wheels were going to come off the wagon.
After the game, head coach Mickey Joseph was asked whether or not Casey was hurt and that’s why Chubba came in. The coach made it clear that wasn’t the issue and that they just needed the latter to get some playing time.
There were other play calls and decisions that had fans scratching their heads at times. That’s going to happen every now and then as the staff tries to gel after the firing of Scott Frost. But it’s safe to say that decision could have been disastrous.