Let’s start in Nebraska, where they aren’t sure whether to blame Bill Callahan or the weather for only winning by 7. Honestly, I know the situation in the ‘Burgh in general was bad, but the field looked in good shape and game day weather was perfect. And if you want to blame the field for the slippage by the Nebraska team, then aren’t you also giving excuses to Pitt’s first half performance? Homers.
Disturbingly enough, even Smizik saw some positives in this game, albeit with some backhand smacks.
But this is not necessarily a sad story — not for Palko, not for the Panthers.
In what is clearly a rebuilding year for the Panthers, this game can be a building block for the team’s young quarterback and the host of inexperienced starters that surround him.
Palko rallied in the second half, not to brilliance but to a level of play that gave hope for the future, particularly against a schedule where opponents the likes of Nebraska seldom will be seen.
Palko will get better and while he improves the Pitt defense will win some games by itself, if necessary, in the weeks ahead.
The defense was the surprise of the game. It never gave ground to the vaunted Nebraska rushing attack, giving up only 123 yards on 43 attempts.
The Cornhuskers had only one drive of substance during the game and their second-half drives went something like this: 5 yards, 19, 25 , minus-2, 16 , minus-2 and 13. Small wonder they didn’t score a point in the second half.
Makes you almost think that Smizik thinks that Harris may survive the year, so he has to start straddling. What am I saying? Give it a week.
Mike Prisuta, at the Trib., is even more willing to see the positive. Plus, Prisuta, actually seems to have attended the game. He captures some of the feel including the waves of fans who bailed in the late 3rd quarter and early 4th quarter. (Confession time: I probably would have been among the 2nd wave if Pat hadn’t been in the bathroom — he had the keys to the car holding our beer.) There is a lot of talk about how Palko got abused, but kept getting back up. Like I said earlier, it’s like something finally clicked (something to be said for getting smacked around?).
I’m absolutely fascinated by the two versions I’m seeing about the game. In Pittsburgh, there is little talk about the weather and conditions. Yes, lots of rain the night before and plenty of damage, but the field was hardly looking torn up. With the natural/hybrid turf and pro football drainage, the field looked fine, and there wasn’t nearly the slipping and troubles the Nebraska writers seem to claim. Pitt was willing to blame themselves for the loss.
It will be interesting in the rematch in Nebraska next year. You have to believe, that by next fall, Nebraska fans and writers will have convinced themselves that the game was played in 6-12 inches of standing water, and that the rain only stopped 5 minutes before kickoff. Good thing the game was televised on ABC for all to see.
