We size up the storylines for Nebraska's clash against Big 12 North foe Missouri.
Posted: Friday, October 5, 2007 7:00 pm
What’s that Grandpa told you? Never trust a guy with two first names? Beware. We present Chase Daniel.
This guy’s no ball of fun. He gives chest pains to defensive coordinators and relishes it. So what do you do about him? Try to keep Missouri’s talented quarterback standing by the Gatorade bucket, that’s what.
As NU secondary coach Phil Elmassian said: “The best defense is sitting on the bench. What we’re hoping is our offense can take the ball and keep us off the field for about 60 minutes.”
OK, 60 minutes might be asking a bit much, but the Husker offense has to do better than last week, when it helped in keeping the defense on the field for 102 plays.
Last year against Missouri, the Huskers had the ball for more than 35 minutes. Result: Frustrated Tigers. A Husker rushing game must emerge Saturday. Turnovers and three-and-outs must be resisted like telemarketing calls.
Call it playground keepaway. Don’t let Chase have the ball.
How to keep the nightmares away: Nebraska’s last two road trips to Missouri have been nightmares on FieldTurf. Both losses, both by scores of 41-24.
Consider that those Husker defenses were probably considered better than this Blackshirt unit.
Cover the kids’ eyes? Maybe.
Anyone selling three-and-outs? The Huskers could use a few. It’ll be hard to knock down Daniel. He gets the ball off quickly and the Tigers almost encourage defenses to bring pressure so they can burn them with screens.
The Huskers will need to be opportunistic. They’ll need batted balls, sure tackles, maybe a few turnovers, definitely a new attitude. Watch the third downs. If Missouri’s converting them, send the kids to bed early.
Matching playmakers: Missouri’s list of playmakers runs long — Daniel, running back Tony Temple, freshman do-everything Jeremy Maclin, tight end Martin Rucker, receiver Danario Alexander.The Huskers are not without skill position guys of their own, but they’ll need to be special vs. MU.
Sam Keller needs to play his smartest game as a quarterback. Marlon Lucky needs to break tackles. Cody Glenn needs to be the Cody Glenn that runs angry.
And Maurice Purify? No one could blame him if he didn’t even play this game, given the death of his girlfriend last Saturday. It makes this football game not seem any big deal at all. It’s expected he’ll play. Whatever he can give, Nebraska can surely use.
Is September finally over?: Heard a song on the radio the other day that reminded me of Husker football. “Wake me up when September ends …”
Talk about an anxiety-filled month of football. Nebraska is 4-1, but it almost feels like 1-4. Rarely do you hear Husker fans hoping to “sneak out” a victory at Missouri, but such talk exists this week.
The game gives the Huskers a chance to change the mood. A loss and a long fall of crankiness potentially awaits. A win and suddenly failures against USC and Ball State seem distant, something that can maybe be forgiven.
The Huskers have not defeated a team as highly ranked as No. 17 Missouri in Bill Callahan’s tenure here. A loss isn’t the end, but it sure could make October feel a lot like September.
— Brian Christopherson