NU Notes, 11/14
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NU loses, but stays in North race
NORMAN, Okla. — Another loss, another explanation of how Nebraska still remains in the hunt for a Big 12 Conference North Division championship.
Yes, Nebraska needs a little help. But despite their 30-3 loss Saturday night to Oklahoma, the Huskers have a chance of a rematch with the Sooners in the Dec. 4 Big 12 championship game in Kansas City, Mo.
Oklahoma clinched the South Division title with Saturday's victory.
"We'd like to get our chance to get back at 'em," Nebraska linebacker Ira Cooper said. "I know that we can beat them. Today just wasn't our day."
Nebraska (5-5 overall, 3-4 Big 12) remains alive, thanks to Kansas State's last-second loss Saturday at Colorado.
In the least-complicated scenario for Nebraska, the Huskers need to beat Colorado (6-4, 3-4) the day after Thanksgiving and have Iowa State (5-4, 3-3) lose to Kansas State and Missouri (4-5, 2-4). Iowa State beat Nebraska and would win a head-to-head tiebreaker.
"There's no doubt," Cooper said. "We know we can beat Colorado. We have a bye week, everybody's going to get healed up, and we'll get back to it."
Nebraska would also stand a chance in a three-way tiebreaker. If Iowa State beats Kansas State, Missouri beats Kansas, Nebraska beats Colorado and Missouri beats Iowa State, that would leave NU, Iowa State and Missouri in a three-way tie with 4-4 records. Nebraska would win that tiebreaker.
Kansas State (4-6, 2-5) and Kansas (3-7, 1-6) are the only teams eliminated from North title contention.
Love for Bo
Former Nebraska defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, who's now the co-defensive coordinator at Oklahoma, met with some of his former pupils after the game. Some Husker players hugged Pelini on the field before heading to the locker room.
"A lot of people are close to Coach Pelini, so it was good to see him," Cooper said. "Went out there, gave him a hug."
No Pilkington
Ross Pilkington, the junior wide receiver, didn't see any action Saturday. He's been battling foot and hamstring injuries and hasn't caught a pass since the Texas Tech game.
"He's banged up real bad," Nebraska receiver Grant Mulkey said. "He's been banged up for a long time. It's just sad to see him not be able to be full-speed."
Adams progressing
Jordan Adams, the junior college transfer quarterback who had surgery to remove his spleen before the season started, suited up Saturday night. It's the first time he's suited up for a road game this season.
Adams has yet to play in a game this season, as he's recovered from his surgery and tried to regain strength.
"I've been getting more snaps in practice," Adams said.
Does that mean there's a shot of him still playing?
"Probably not, since it's so late in the season," Adams said. "I'm just getting a jump (in practice) on the spring season."
Reason to smile
Chad Sievers was eager to get home. More eager than your average Husker player.
That's because awaiting Sievers in Lincoln were his wife, Jessie, and newborn daughter, Jaci Jean, who was born Wednesday. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces.
"I've been able to hold her a few times, help Jess feed her and stuff," Sievers said. "It's a big life change, but I tell you what, it's the biggest blessing in the world. It's an unbelievable miracle, and I watched the whole thing, so I was pretty proud of that."
Jessie Sievers, formerly Jessie Runty, was originally due Saturday.
Don't do that
Oklahoma was penalized 15 yards on Nebraska's lone scoring drive in the final minute because Oklahoma fans threw oranges on the field. The stadium announcer had warned fans throughout the game that throwing objects on the field could result in a penalty "against your Sooners." They didn't listen. One stadium official pointed at an Oklahoma fan who'd just thrown an orange on the field and yelled ‘Don't throw oranges!' That was the extent of the punishment. The official said he didn't have authority to eject the fan.
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