Huskers Swift(ly) defeat Baylor 32-20 Sooners on the Horizon

One of the longest standing Husker records was broken Saturday as the Huskers beat the young, up and coming Baylor Bears 32-20. Nate Swift broke former Heisman trophy winner Johnny Rogers career reception mark and in outstanding fashion, by catching a 9-yard go ahead touchdown late in the 3rd quarter for his 144th career reception, one more than Rogers recorded in his 3 year career. Then a few minutes later, Swift put the game out of reach with a 53 yard touchdown catch to stretch the score to 30-20. So far this season Swift has grabbed 44 passes for 607 yards and six touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. He's also helped put some danger back into the Husker return game, having given the Big Red their first punt return for a touchdown since DeJuan Groce in 2002. He had one taken back this game on a roughing the kicker penalty that we got no re-run of as the announcers were talking to Johnny "the jet" Rogers about Swift breaking his record, but in the end it did not matter in the outcome of the game. Marlon Lucky had his best game of his senior season gaining a total of 165 yards (83 rushing, 82 receiving) to help balance out Swift. Joe Ganz was once again outstanding throwing for 336 yard passing and no interceptions and for the third straight game controlled the ball to the tune of 38 minutes. There were some very outstanding stats again in this game. Take for example the fact that the Huskers only gave up 116 yards in the second half and two plays in the 3rd quarter set the tone for the game. The first came early in the 3rd quarter with the Bears ahead 20-17 and inside the red zone on 3rd and goal from the 1. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin was stood up at the 2 yard line and then the Bears were pressured into missing the "gimme" field goal attempt. The second came right after the Huskers had just taken the 24-20 lead on Swifts catch, the Bears had been driving the ball and were facing a 4th and 4 on the Huskers 31 yard line. Junior safety Larry Asante came on a blitz and sacked freshman sensation Robert Griffin. That stop led to Swifts 53 yard catch 4 plays later. Once again the Huskers played close to a perfect half of football, and fortunately it was again enough to get a win. Griffin and the Bears torched the Huskers for 234 yard and 20 points in the first half; with Griffin alone accounted for 168 of those yards. Then in the second half the Huskers adjusted and only gave up 116 yard and no points. Another telling stat was on 3rd down conversions. The Huskers were 11 for 17, while Baylor was 0-10. Unlike last season this team does not panic or throw in the towel when things get tough. Right now we sit in a 3-way tie for first place in the Big 12 North and at 5-3 are only one win away from being Bowl eligible. However there is no way this team can put out this type of effort this Saturday November 1st against Oklahoma and expect anything other than a blowout. The Sooners are just too good, as are most of the teams in the Big 12 South. The Sooners put up 55 of their 58 points in the first half against Kansas State, and if they do that again Saturday it will be a very long painful game. However the Sooners also gave up 35 points. This game will be another one where Watson and the Huskers offense will need to control the ball and the clock to have half a chance. The one very noticeable fact with this Husker defense is its lack of speed. Griffin pointed this out after the game, saying that we were very tough and solid defense but could not stick with us running up and down the field. This game is a reunion of the "game of the century" from back in 1971 when the Huskers, led by Johnny Rogers and Jerry Tagge defeated the wishbone attack of the Sooners 35-31. No way we have anything close to that sort of game, and I don't see the Huskers winning this one not in Bob Stoops back yard, not this year, GBR!!