Huskers did not deserve to win

OK, I am a blogger taking on the personality of our head coach.

There’s two things to point to in No. 19 Nebraska’s heartache of a 16-15 loss to No. 13 Virginia Tech. Well, let’s just say Nebraska went from jubilation to deflation like lickity-split.

For starters, there’s Virginia Tech wide receiver Danny Coale running past Nebraska safety Matt O’Hanlon. Coale caught the ball around the Husker 40-yard line before O’Hanlon hustled to tackle Coale at the 3. Unfortunately, two players later, the Hokies scored the go-ahead touchdown with 21-seconds left in the game.

The Nebraska defense that played so incredibly well throughout the game flat-lined. With VaTech taking over at its own 16, what on Earth is O’Hanlon doing letting a receiver get behind him?

Others would lament other missed opportunities by Nebraska – too many to list – over O’Hanlon taking an angle too flat while cornerback Anthony West appeared to have underneath coverage.

As for the missed opportunities:

-- Going 0-for-5 in the red zone in scoring touchdowns (5-for-6 in total scoring opportunities). Do that against a team that’s your equal or superior, you deserve to get beat.
-- There were four penalties (very legit ones at that) that take Nebraska from first-and-goal at the Hokies 6-yard line. First, Zac Lee’s touchdown to Mike McNeill is waved off for a holding penalty. One play later, Menelik Holt cannot maker a clean catch of Lee’s touchdown pass. Three penalties later, the Huskers are backed up and forced to punt at the 36.
-- There was Curenski Gilleylen running wide open down the right sideline that he has to reach for and fall out of bounds instead of running with so much open field even Mark Mangino could have scored.
In a nutshell, moral victories suck. If head coach Bo Pelini thinks so, then dammitt so should we!

OK, O’Hanlon getting beat deep and the offense faltering inside the red zone. Both are responsible for this loss. It’s not an “either/or” argument. You can’t mention one without the other.

I know the defense gave up a big play late, but this loss has to hang on the offense. Five field goals? It’s one thing to have to settle for a field every once in a while but when you have a top 25 opponent on the ropes you have to put them away. Especially when you are playing in their house, you know they are always going to make a game of it if you don't.

The most discouraging aspect of this loss is that special teams was the area most Husker fans, bloggers, message board posters, etc. feared given VaTech’s tendency to be superior. However, Nebraska played the Hokies even if not superior in special teams.

Granted, there was Dyrell Roberts’ 76-yard return on the opening kickoff that set up Ryan Williams’ touchdown but Niles Paul also gave Nebraska a 55-yard punt return to set up a field goal. Alex Henery also got off a 76-yard punt after a high snap. Adi Kunalac kickoff three touchbacks.

In a nutshell, very painful loss. I thought it was a great overall performance, especially by the defensive front seven, the offensive line and running back Roy Helu (28 carries, 169 yards). I don't fault offensive coordinator Shawn Watson for calling a more conservative game, on the road, with a young QB. However, I really wonder why we don't have a full house backfield for short yardage situations with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh lead blocking. The red zone is where you have to establish your physical dominance.

The Huskers are getting closer but still need to be better at closing time.