 "Photo:")
I blame Troy.
It's the Trojans' fault many Nebraska fans woke up Sunday with a bittersweet taste in their mouths following the Cornhuskers' 39-32 overtime win over Kansas.
After watching NU shut out a road-weary Troy squad 56-0 a week ago, many who bleed Husker red were left dreaming of an unstoppable offense and a lock-down secondary, with a spot in the Big 12 Conference championship game included.
The Huskers obviously still have a very legitimate shot at winning the North Division. It just looks like it's going to be tougher than most expected.
That means no more looking ahead to Nebraska's next home game, against Texas, on Oct. 21. It also means don't be shocked if the Huskers trip up next week at Iowa State or at Kansas State after that.
After Saturday's win, it looked like many of the Husker players were beginning to understand the divisional dogfight (or pillow fight) they will be in during the next two months.
One popular post-game theme was the "character" angle, the belief the close win means the team showed grit and determination.
"To show the resiliency to hang in there when times got tough and to take the lead then take it into overtime and win, I think that shows a lot of character by these kids," NU Coach Bill Callahan said.
There's probably something to that. But if having character means giving up 574 yards of total offense (the sixth-most given up all-time against a Nebraska defense) and 32 points, I'm sure the Huskers could go without that quality.
That's not to take any credit away from Kansas. The folks in Lawrence definitely have something going for their football program, and KU has shown progress in its quest to become a conference contender in something other than basketball.
Still, coming into Saturday's game, the Jayhawks hadn't won in Lincoln since 1968, spanning 18 games. Most of those games weren't close either, so it's easy to understand why a thrilling overtime win over Kansas won't exactly mean celebratory rioting in the streets.
But how should Husker fans (and the team itself) feel? Disappointed that NU blew a 17-point advantage at home to a team that barely won 13-7 against South Florida a week ago? Be refreshed by the fact the Huskers could cough up three turnovers while allowing the KU offense to run amuck and still pull out the victory?
"You're relieved when you won a long game like that and fought hard," NU senior quarterback Zac Taylor said. "You obviously want to come out with the victory, so it's a relief."
But those words came with an edge of disappointment in Taylor's voice, similar to the angry edge senior defensive end Adam Carriker had after most of the media had left Nebraska's locker area.
Carriker began the short interview with a few straggling reporters by mentioning NU's ability to bounce back from adversity, yada yada yada.
But it didn't take long for the 295-pound NFL prospect to express his real feelings about such a close game against a seemingly average team.
"It makes you very mad. We were up 17-0, 24-7," Carriker said. "They're a good team, and they fought their way back, but they shouldn't have been back in the game like that. It's definitely frustrating."
Frustration will be a relatively mild emotion if many of these Big 12 games go against Nebraska. If not for a flurry of early Kansas turnovers and three long pass plays from Taylor, the Huskers would be sitting at 0-1 in the conference.
NU did show poise in winning its second overtime game in as many years, but if the Huskers hope to translate their resurgence into a division title for the first time since 1999, consistency is the name of the game.
You know, the kind they showed against Troy.
