The one thing I took away from the bugeater game

[wellpoke]

I mostly stayed off the boards last week, hoping to avoid the pissing match between the bugeaters and our more vocal fans. After this game I have a lot on my mind, and believe we should have won that game. We didn't, and I've swallowed that at this point. but there's one thing that gives me hope that we've finally turned the corner with this program. And that's this:

This team didn't roll over and die in the second half.

We went into halftime down 17-14, and Nebraska came out and scored twice in the third quarter. The defense was out there for a long time, obviously tired. We punch one in late and start the fourth down 31-21. Had I written that last season, I think most of us know that we would have lost that game, and probably not scored much in the fourth. Not this year. DC and Smith rallied the troops, the defense came up with a few stops, and we were able to score twice, and have the ball with the opportunity late.

I don't know if that's down to coaching, experience, the "want-to" we all see in Smith and a few other players, or exactly what, but I'll take it. Coming back like that in the fourth with an opportunity to win it says a lot about this team. The talent is there, the "want-to" is there, and I think the coaching is there. We've got big things on the horizon, and I'm looking forward to a great season.

GO POKES!

 

[Asmodeanreborn]

This is how I felt about it too. All too many times, we did NOTHING in the second half of games last season. It was as if the other team made adjustments while we tried to just force what had worked before. This time, Nebraska made adjustments, and then after a couple of series, our offense adjusted as well.

 

[WyoBrandX]

I thought the offensive play calling was awesome for the Nebraska game. It was well balanced and very mixed up. I'll catch heat for it, but I could see why he called the trick play, just one more thing the Nebraska defense had to defend against (I still don't think that was an interception).

A few designed quarterback run's against the man defense certainly helped keep the Cornhuskers honest. They had alot to defend.

Once Nebraska got their run game going, you could see the depth of our D-line wear out. I think after we started to rally, the defense got a second wind, but man, they are a beast of a running team.

 

[wellpoke]

If not for a couple of mistakes, I think we win. The goal line INT, the missed field goal, a dropped pick 6, Claiborne's dropped pass on the busted play (probably a TD), there were lots of opportunities. And then there were the mysterious holding calls in the last minute, and Brett's scramble to burn up the clock. Who knows, if he throws that one away maybe the next one works.

Lots of opportunities, and shoulda, coulda, woulda's. but the fact that the team didn't give up has me looking forward to next week and the rest of the season.

GO POKES!

 

[Asmodeanreborn]

And then there were the mysterious holding calls in the last minute

I actually agreed those were holding calls. They were BAD holding penalties because we would've been fine without them (in one case, Smith was already well past the defender who was trying to go the opposite direction still), but there was definitely some serious bear hugging going on.

 

[trouble]

And then there were the mysterious holding calls in the last minute

I actually agreed those were holding calls. They were BAD holding penalties because we would've been fine without them (in one case, Smith was already well past the defender who was trying to go the opposite direction still), but there was definitely some serious bear hugging going on.

IMO there was some serious bear hugging going on a lot of the time from the Wyoming OLine.


That is neither here not there though, Wyoming played tough and didn't roll over in the fourth. It's admirable for sure and is definitely a good sign for the team.

 

[Asmodeanreborn]

And then there were the mysterious holding calls in the last minute

I actually agreed those were holding calls. They were BAD holding penalties because we would've been fine without them (in one case, Smith was already well past the defender who was trying to go the opposite direction still), but there was definitely some serious bear hugging going on.

IMO there was some serious bear hugging going on a lot of the time from the Wyoming OLine.

To be fair, that wasn't exclusive to Wyoming's offensive line. I think Martinez would've been caught a couple of times if not for a convenient wrap-up tackle... on our defensive tackle.

I think the officiating was pretty good, overall, though. It's always difficult to not cater to the home crowd, and I don't think they really did.

 

[stymeman]

think about it this way, a pick 6 that shoulda been, making that field goal and 2 point conversion and that Neb touchdown that truly wasn't....THE POKES WIN THAT GAME....OH WAIT...I know I'm not spozed to like moral victories I am still buzzing from this game, kinda like I was in 1994, when i was hunting and came back to the truck and we were up then that damn muffed punt.....man oh man, WE really have to take care of Idaho from the start and show em who's boss.
I see a good day and now even better season that I originally predicted. GO POKES

 

[trouble]

think about it this way, a pick 6 that shoulda been, making that field goal and 2 point conversion and that Neb touchdown that truly wasn't....THE POKES WIN THAT GAME....OH WAIT...I know I'm not spozed to like moral victories I am still buzzing from this game, kinda like I was in 1994, when i was hunting and came back to the truck and we were up then that damn muffed punt.....man oh man, WE really have to take care of Idaho from the start and show em who's boss.
I see a good day and now even better season that I originally predicted. GO POKES

What Nebraska TD that truly wasnt? Enunwas catch was clearly a TD if you watch the replay. He dragged his toe and had possession of the ball, Same with the Turner TD.

 

[Wyovanian]

The big takeaways-

POSITIVE:

Potent offense. Smith is a threat to make a big play whenever he's on the field and the O-line and WR's ensure that. The running game we saw against Nebraska enables him. A few snap issues that should be easy to resolve. Madden got 'er done.

Great punting. Wood killed it- best in the country this week.

Defensive Team Effort. It was evident more so than anytime in the past three seasons. Got good pressure on Martinez. Good hits on Abdullah.

Secondary. Allowed one completion for 20 yards or more (26 yards).

NEGATIVE:

Kick Coverage. Gave up 46 yards on KO returns.

2 Point Conversion- poorly executed. Obviously needs work.

Defense on crucial downs. Everyone wants to point at Smith's INT on the Nebraska goal line or a dropped INT, but those are low-probability plays. I see three 3rd down conversions allowed on Nebraska's second drive of the 3rd quarter and two more in their third drive, both drives resulting in Husker TD's. This happened in the typical post-half lull that seems to plague us out of the locker room. Had just one of those third-ands (2, 4, 10, 4, and 4, in that order) not converted, we either win the game or go into OT. We missed five opportunities to win this game right there. We only needed one.

The mysterious post- half-time locker room syndrome. Still plagues us. It cost us this game and will cost us more, no matter how much we're favored. It was good to see them shake it off and rally, but if we'd've come out of the locker room fired up (a lead or tie going in would've gone a long way to lighting that fire), we would have won the game. We have to play four quarters of football against every single opponent.

 

[McPeachy]

think about it this way, a pick 6 that shoulda been, making that field goal and 2 point conversion and that Neb touchdown that truly wasn't....THE POKES WIN THAT GAME....OH WAIT...I know I'm not spozed to like moral victories I am still buzzing from this game, kinda like I was in 1994, when i was hunting and came back to the truck and we were up then that damn muffed punt.....man oh man, WE really have to take care of Idaho from the start and show em who's boss.
I see a good day and now even better season that I originally predicted. GO POKES

What Nebraska TD that truly wasnt? Enunwas catch was clearly a TD if you watch the replay. He dragged his toe and had possession of the ball, Same with the Turner TD.

You guys need to give it up. Both sides had their share of coulda-woulda's. Bottom line, home field advantage came out on top.

 

[McPeachy]

The mysterious post- half-time locker room syndrome. Still plagues us. It cost us this game and will cost us more, no matter how much we're favored. It was good to see them shake it off and rally, but if we'd've come out of the locker room fired up (a lead or tie going in would've gone a long way to lighting that fire), we would have won the game. We have to play four quarters of football against every single opponent.

It is like DC turn's on 70's soft porn, dims the lights, and gives the team Xanax enimas.

We have a reputation of coming out flat in every single game he has coached. Every. Single. Game.

 

[fromolwyoming]

The mysterious post- half-time locker room syndrome. Still plagues us. It cost us this game and will cost us more, no matter how much we're favored. It was good to see them shake it off and rally, but if we'd've come out of the locker room fired up (a lead or tie going in would've gone a long way to lighting that fire), we would have won the game. We have to play four quarters of football against every single opponent.

It is like DC turn's on 70's soft porn, dims the lights, and gives the team Xanax enimas.

We have a reputation of coming out flat in every single game he has coached. Every. Single. Game.

Border War 2010?

 

[McPeachy]

The mysterious post- half-time locker room syndrome. Still plagues us. It cost us this game and will cost us more, no matter how much we're favored. It was good to see them shake it off and rally, but if we'd've come out of the locker room fired up (a lead or tie going in would've gone a long way to lighting that fire), we would have won the game. We have to play four quarters of football against every single opponent.

It is like DC turn's on 70's soft porn, dims the lights, and gives the team Xanax enimas.

We have a reputation of coming out flat in every single game he has coached. Every. Single. Game.

Border War 2010?

OK, maybe. There is that ONE. But not really...it was 23 - 0 at half, and then AA goes on a mission - a personal mission, with 3rd quarter TD runs of 21 & 29...sprinkled in with a few more good yardage runs for 5 - 8.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=303242751&period=3

 

[BeaverPoke]

The mysterious post- half-time locker room syndrome. Still plagues us. It cost us this game and will cost us more, no matter how much we're favored. It was good to see them shake it off and rally, but if we'd've come out of the locker room fired up (a lead or tie going in would've gone a long way to lighting that fire), we would have won the game. We have to play four quarters of football against every single opponent.

It is like DC turn's on 70's soft porn, dims the lights, and gives the team Xanax enimas.

We have a reputation of coming out flat in every single game he has coached. Every. Single. Game.

Border War 2010?

OK, maybe. There is that ONE. But not really...it was 23 - 0 at half, and then AA goes on a mission - a personal mission, with 3rd quarter TD runs of 21 & 29...sprinkled in with a few more good yardage runs for 5 - 8.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=303242751&period=3

Wyo @ SDSU 2009?

 

[whyoh]

The mysterious post- half-time locker room syndrome. Still plagues us. It cost us this game and will cost us more, no matter how much we're favored. It was good to see them shake it off and rally, but if we'd've come out of the locker room fired up (a lead or tie going in would've gone a long way to lighting that fire), we would have won the game. We have to play four quarters of football against every single opponent.

It is like DC turn's on 70's soft porn, dims the lights, and gives the team Xanax enimas.

We have a reputation of coming out flat in every single game he has coached. Every. Single. Game.

hey....we're not penn state

 

[whyoh]

The mysterious post- half-time locker room syndrome. Still plagues us. It cost us this game and will cost us more, no matter how much we're favored. It was good to see them shake it off and rally, but if we'd've come out of the locker room fired up (a lead or tie going in would've gone a long way to lighting that fire), we would have won the game. We have to play four quarters of football against every single opponent.

It is like DC turn's on 70's soft porn, dims the lights, and gives the team Xanax enimas.

We have a reputation of coming out flat in every single game he has coached. Every. Single. Game.

Border War 2010?

OK, maybe. There is that ONE. But not really...it was 23 - 0 at half, and then AA goes on a mission - a personal mission, with 3rd quarter TD runs of 21 & 29...sprinkled in with a few more good yardage runs for 5 - 8.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=303242751&period=3

Wyo @ SDSU 2009?

2009 New Mexico Bowl?

 

[kansasCowboy]

We have a reputation of coming out flat in every single game he has coached. Every. Single. Game.[/quote]


You really can't blame a coach when a team does this. Every play a coach calls has the potential to go the distance. Have I seen games where our play calling slowed and we got a little too conservative? Yes, but really not that many. Have I seen games where players come out and don't bring the same intensity that they had earlier in the game? Absolutely. And as a coach you can talk to your players and motivate them to keep the intensity till your blue in the face. But most times players will become passive. It happens. I'm not going to place our slow second half starts solely on DC.

 

[McPeachy]

The mysterious post- half-time locker room syndrome. Still plagues us. It cost us this game and will cost us more, no matter how much we're favored. It was good to see them shake it off and rally, but if we'd've come out of the locker room fired up (a lead or tie going in would've gone a long way to lighting that fire), we would have won the game. We have to play four quarters of football against every single opponent.

It is like DC turn's on 70's soft porn, dims the lights, and gives the team Xanax enimas.

We have a reputation of coming out flat in every single game he has coached. Every. Single. Game.

Border War 2010?

OK, maybe. There is that ONE. But not really...it was 23 - 0 at half, and then AA goes on a mission - a personal mission, with 3rd quarter TD runs of 21 & 29...sprinkled in with a few more good yardage runs for 5 - 8.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=303242751&period=3

Wyo @ SDSU 2009?

2009 New Mexico Bowl?

Ya, true, that 3 points in the 3rd quarter really was a statement of fire. /sarcasm

 

[McPeachy]

You really can't blame a coach when a team does this. Every play a coach calls has the potential to go the distance. Have I seen games where our play calling slowed and we got a little too conservative? Yes, but really not that many. Have I seen games where players come out and don't bring the same intensity that they had earlier in the game? Absolutely. And as a coach you can talk to your players and motivate them to keep the intensity till your blue in the face. But most times players will become passive. It happens. I'm not going to place our slow second half starts solely on DC.

I am not sure where else the responsibility lies other than the HC though. I have watched a ton of college football in my life, sure mostly UW, but the pattern and habits are highly evident that we are flat and uninspired as a team in the 3rd quarter (start of the second half) for every game we have played in, with the exception of AA's CSewe breakout in 2010.

And on that note...(especially speaking of conservative) it pisses me off that we don't ever drop the hammer on teams, and keep the foot on the gas. We play the numbers games, and it has backfired on us plenty.