Eagles Efficient in Embarrassing Huskers

Blackshirts blasted in a Southern shootout

Jim “ThotDoc” Childerston | Sep 11, 2022

Kenny Larabee, KLIN

In this story:

On a pleasantly cool fall evening in Memorial Stadium the Georgia Southern Eagles outlasted the Nebraska Cornhuskers 45-42 in a game that featured five ties, five lead changes and 1,217 yards of total offense. It was the second time a Scott Frost-led team lost to a Sun Belt foe, after losing to Troy in 2019. On a day in which Sun Belt teams knocked off No. 8 Notre Dame (Marshall) and No. 6 Texas A&M (Appalachian State), if the Big Ten doesn’t work out for the Huskers, moving to the Sun Belt doesn’t look like a good option either.

Every week we repeat the same old litany as ten of the Husker’s last 11 losses have now come by one score or less and Frost’s record in one-score games is now 5-22. But the embarrassment continues as Nebraska lost for the first time in 215 games when scoring 35 or more points at Memorial Stadium. That happens when your defense (and I use that word advisedly) gives up 642 total yards, only 14 shy of the all-time high allowed by a Nebraska defense (656, Oklahoma in 1956) and the third most yards EVER given up by a Husker team. EVER!!

During the fourth quarter, the “Fire Frost” chants began to resonate around the stadium. Again, because of the buyout clause negotiated in the off-season, it won’t happen before October 1, but it is all but a certainty at this point as Frost is approaching a Bill Jennings level of futility. Widely considered the worst coach in Husker history, Jennings compiled a 15-34-1 record (.310) in five seasons between 1957-61. Frost is now 16-31 (.340) in his fifth season and is just five more losses from eclipsing Jennings woeful record. I’m not sure he will get the chance. I applauded his hire and was joined by nearly all the Husker faithful in hoping that he would be the answer to turn around the struggling program. It was not to be.

All respect to Georgia Southern who as Frost said in his presser “out-schemed Nebraska on one side of the ball.” No kidding. The first-year coach and first-year quarterback executed nearly flawlessly as they spread out the defense and found all the holes available. The Air-Raid offense ran for 233 yards on just 30 carries (a 7.8 yd average) and had runs of 67, 47 and 26-yards in the first half alone. The Nebraska defense stubbornly stayed in a dime package with one middle linebacker who could not successfully stop the running back play after play.

Georgia Southern wide receiver Khaleb Hood makes a diving catch against Nebraska's Isaac Gifford during the fourth quarter.

Georgia Southern wide receiver Derwin Burgess Jr. is defended by Nebraska defensive back Tommi Hill during the third quarter.

Nebraska running back Anthony Grant carries ball during the second quarter.

Nebraska running back Ajay Allen runs with the ball during the third quarter.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watchs from the sideline during the second quarter.

Nebraska's Brody Belt celebrates with offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka after making a touchdown catch during the second quarter.

Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease passes the ball during the second quarter.

Georgia Southern running back Jalen White catches a pass against Nebraska's Garrett Nelson during the second quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson runs for a touchdown during the second quarter.

Nebraska receiver Marcus Washington catches a pass against defensive back Anthony Wilson during the second quarter.

Georgia Southern wide receiver Sam Kenerson catches a pass against Nebraska defensive back Jaeden Gould during the second quarter.

Nebraska running back Anthony Grant (10) celebrates with offensive lineman Turner Corcoran (69) and wide receiver Oliver Martin (89) after a touchdown run during the second quarter.

Georgia Southern running back Gerald Green tries to break free from Nebraska defensive back Jaeden Gould during the fourth quarter.

Casey Thompson gets ready to throw a pass during the first quarter.

Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease looks for a receiver during the first quarter.

Georgia Southern running back Jalen White runs for a touchdown during the first quarter

Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson runs for yardage in the third quarter.

Nebraska wide receiver Trey Palmer runs with the ball after making a fourth-quarter catch.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost smiles while watching a video review of a play during the fourth quarter.

Georgia Southern running back Jalen White dives forward with the ball during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska's Casey Thompson makes a throw against Georgia Southern defensive lineman Isaac Walker during the third quarter.

Georgia Southern wide receiver Derwin Burgess Jr. runs with the ball during the fourth quarter

Nebraska coach Scott Frost exits the field after the Huskers' loss.

Georgia Southern head coach Clay Helton celebrates the victory with an assistant.

Georgia Southern Eagles mascot Gus the Eagle waves the school flag after the game.

I’m not a defensive coach, but I have to wonder what Eric Chinander was thinking (or perhaps he wasn’t). Eagles QB Kyle Vantrease used a quick release and a myriad of receivers who made several highlight worthy catches to move up and down the field. The couple of times when he was significantly pressured, he threw two balls that were picked off by Marques Buford. Tackling continues to be an issue and in the Eagles game-winning drive, the Huskers had at least two or three chances at interceptions but could not seal the deal. Tommi Hill, in particular had a great shot near the endzone if he would have played the ball and kept his hands off the receiver. And what was Brandon Moore doing reaching across the line and slapping the receiver on a 3rd and 5 before the snap?

I usually highlight the defensive standouts, but after tonight’s performance, it would be a waste of ink. The defense had no sacks, no three and outs, and despite the two picks, were dominated physically by a team from Statesboro, Georgia.

Offensively, Nebraska piled up 575 yards with 257 yards on the ground and 318 in the air. They were 5 for 5 in the red zone and scored on six of eleven possessions. On their penultimate drive, they went 98 yards in 15 plays and took 5:58 off the clock to score and lead 42-38 with 3:05 remaining. In hindsight, they probably scored too fast, and the 27-yard catch by Marcus Washington at the 1-yd line may have been better to not have been reversed. With the way the defense was playing, the Huskers needed to spend more the remaining three minutes to go.

Washington totaled six catches for a career-high 123 receiving yards, his second career 100- yard receiving game and first at Nebraska. Washington also totaled 45 of his receiving yards after the catch. He looks like he may be that necessary second go-to option to complement Trey Palmer who had six catches for 81 yards. This was Palmer’s his third straight game with at least four receptions. In all, nine different Husker receivers had receptions with Brody Belt (2 catches for 24 yards) nabbing a 21-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter for his first career TD reception. What has happened to Isaiah Garcia-Castenada? After catching 4 passes for 120 yards in Ireland, he has been shut out since, even though he was targeted twice tonight.

Quarterback Casey Thompson went 23-34 passing for 318 yards and rushed for 31 yards scoring a career high three times on the ground. He threw the ball well all night and scrambled at the right times to pick up necessary yards. I’m concerned about his health, however and wonder if he will be able to survive the season as we get into Big Ten play. Logan Smothers was incredibly fortunate to have a fumble reversed on his 10-yard carry in the fourth.

It looks like we may have a decent one-two punch at running back with Anthony Grant and Ajay Allen. Grant rushed 27 times for 138 yards and a touchdown. It was his third straight game to open the season with more than 100 rushing yards and he is the first Husker with three straight 100-yard rushing games since Devine Ozigbo in 2018. He is also the first Husker running back to rush for 100 yards in the first three games since Dan Alexander in 2000. The last time a Husker running back topped 100 yards in each of the first three games of his career was Bobby Reynolds in 1950. Freshman running back Ajay Allen rushed eight times for 76 yards and a touchdown averaging 9.5 yards a carry. His 76 yards bettered the 58 yards last week against North Dakota.

Special teams played decently tonight and had Timmy Bleekrode converted on the 52-yard field goal attempt as time expired, they would have been much more noteworthy. Punter Brian Buschini had a 65-yard punt on his first punt of the evening, the longest of his collegiate career, and averaged 50.5 yards on four boots. Brendan Franke continued his fine work on kickoffs with 5 touchbacks out of 7 attempts. Why our kickoff receivers insist on returning the ball when the rules give a team a free start at the 25-yard line baffles me.

The season is only three games old and is already a dumpster fire. It was expected by most pundits that this squad would be 3-0 at this point and have a decent shot and upsetting Oklahoma. Instead, it is almost impossible to find a path to six wins and bowl eligibility unless we start witnessing multiple miracles at Memorial stadium. It’s frightening to think about this Husker defense against the Oklahoma offense, but that’s why college football is so intriguing. You just never know what may happen. After all, Georgia Southern just upset Nebraska in Lincoln. Despite the consternation being experienced among the Husker faithful, let’s not turn on each other. Most of us still love the scarlet and cream and want to see the team succeed (even if it seems most unlikely). Go Big Red!!

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Nebraska WR Marcus Washington gains 33 yards on this reception during the first quarter.

Nebraska RB Ajay Allen rushes for 8 yards on a fourth-quarter carry.

Nebraska RB Anthony Grant evades a defender on his way to a 14-yard gain during the third quarter.

Nebraska WR Marcus Washington catches a 27-yard pass from QB Casey Thompson during the fourth quarter

Nebraska QB Casey Thompson rushes for an 8-yard TD in the first quarter.

Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts looks at the video board following a play during the first quarter.

Nebraska WR Trey Palmer picks up eight yards on a third-quarter reception.

Nebraska RB Anthony Grant rushes for a short gain during the first quarter

Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost looks out on the field during the second quarter

Nebraska WR Brody Belt catches a 21-yard TD during the second quarter

Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts walks off the field following an awards presentation during the first quarter

Nebraska RB Anthony Grant scores on a 4-yard TD run in the second quarter

Coach Scott Frost leads the team onto the field.

Nebraska RB Ajay Allen rushes for a short gain in the first quarter.

Nebraska QB Logan Smothers takes off on a 10-yard run during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska kicker Brendan Franke boots a second-quarter kickoff.

Nebraska RB Anthony Grant runs for 8 yards during the second quarter.

Nebraska QB Casey Thompson fires a first-quarter pass.

Nebraska QB Casey Thompson rushes for an 8-yard TD in the first quarter.

Nebraska DB Marques Buford Jr. intercepts a pass intended for Georgia Southern's Amare Jones during the second quarter

Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost on the sidelines.

Nebraska RB Ajay Allen picks up 11 yards during the second quarter.

Nebraska RB Ajay Allen runs for 23 yards during the third quarter.

Published Sep 11, 2022

JIM “THOTDOC” CHILDERSTON

Jim Childerston is a lifelong Cornhusker fan who was born and reared in Omaha, Nebraska. He is old enough to have experienced the best of times and the worst of times as a Nebraska fan. Currently living in Hagerstown, Maryland, Dr. Childerston is a clinical psychologist specializing in a broad spectrum of psychological disciplines including individual and couple therapy, as well as medical and pharmacological consulting. He is a nationally known author and a widely sought speaker who has led seminars and retreats across the United States. His username on the HuskerMax bulletin board is ThotDoc and he has been posting his “Brain Droppings” there since 2010. You can reach Dr. Childerston at jchilderston(at)gmail.com.

Eagles Efficient in Embarrassing Huskers

Jim “ThotDoc” Childerston | Sep 11, 2022

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