Pitchin with Pritch: Which is worse—COVID test or watching Huskers?
Last Saturday about this time, I was writing last week’s column and thinking that the Husker’s football team made some errors in their game with Penn State but overcame them. In the end, they picked up their first win of this goofy season.
I actually thought that things could get turned around with Illinois coming to Lincoln this week. And, IF the Huskers cleaned up the penalties etc., the season could get a lot better as far as wins and losses were concerned.
Well, now I wonder if one game is all the Huskers will win this season.
There were other people who thought somewhat like I did because the Huskers were 16-point favorites in the game with Illinois.
The Husker coaching staff handed out the Black Shirts during the week because the defense did a decent job against Penn State especially towards the end of the game. Then out came the Huskers in their alternate uniforms, all black, so in effect the entire team got black shirts for this game.
Not only did the uniform change, the play on both sides of the ball changed and it didn’t get better.
Cool Hand Luke, started the game off with a fumble and the Fighting Illini recovered and quickly scored.
Illinois had only led in a game this season for three seconds. That was when they kicked a field goal last week to win against Rutgers.
This past week, the Illini score was followed by the Huskers fumbling a couple more times, Cool Hand Luke throwing three interceptions, and the “Black Shirts” giving up close to 500 yards of total offense.
Coaches might want to pick those Black Shirts up this week and put them back in the equipment room.
Illinois ended up winning 41-23 and won on the scoreboard, on defense, on offense, and on special teams.
The game was never in doubt even though I kept thinking, the Huskers are going to get it together,—I know they will—but it didn’t happen.
The loss left the Husker’s season record at 1-3 and at the bottom of the Big 10 West division.
The game lit up social media with most of the statements blaming Coach Frost for all the problems.
That was about the only thing that was a little surprising to me because that is an easy thing to do, but there were numerous posts.
Patience is a virtue I have been told, but having patience is everyone’s practice. Fans love the coach if they win, and win a lot.
The best quote I read today on social media was this: “I watched the Huskers and took a Covid test today. Guess which one was more uncomfortable.”
Congrats DCS
Congratulations to one of the area football teams that brought home a state championship trophy.
Dundy County Stratton traveled to Burwell Friday and pulled out a 42-36 double overtime thriller for the win. That capped an undefeated season for the Tigers.
PCS played them this season and it was very noticeable that DCS has a lot of talent. They had size, speed, and played hard. That is a pretty good trifecta to have with any team.
It takes talent and sometimes a little luck to win it all and if you go undefeated and win the championship in double OT, you probably used all those things to get it done.
It isn’t easy to win a state championship and those players will always remember the 2020 football season as being a great one even if the rest of the year was not. Good job!
Other winners were Omaha Westside in Class A, Elkhorn in Class B, Pierce in C1, Ord in C2, DCS in D1 BDS in D2 and McCool Junction in Six Man.
Winter sports and COVID
Basketball practice has started and games will be starting before you know it. It’s hard to type this line because I have my fingers crossed on both hands.
I hope COVID-19 can leave us alone so that the kids can get their season in also.
Hopefully, the vaccine will become available and work well and school will continue to be at the schoolhouse and no one gets infected.
A lot to ask for in 2020 but I hope it happens.