Incredibly Proud

Not only did the Huskers gut one out on Thursday night in Columbia, but GT capped off a perfect weekend with one of the grittiest performances you'll ever see on a football field.

First off, I won't complain about any win or loss as long as the effort is there. And this Jackets team showed more heart and fight despite all the adversity in Tallahassee. You knew FSU would give their best effort because of all the circumstances regarding embattled coach Bobby Bowden. You knew they had talent (see Miami and BYU games). GT had never won at FSU and they were going into one of the toughest places to play in the country. Despite the defensive woes (will get to that later), 1 hour lightning delay and adversity of playing a night game at Doak Campbell, it was the heart of Josh Nesbitt and Co. that won in the end.

Make no mistake, this GT team is full of fighters and warriors and Nesbitt is the biggest warrior of them all. He willed this team to win last night. The team's fighting personality is a direct reflection of CPJ's tougher than nails mentality that he's brought with him from Navy.

Now about the defense-let's be clear about what is happening here. First off, FSU is not chopped liver. Ponder is a good and experienced QB and he has some good talent around him. That being said, I'm going to borrow an old phrase from former Husker coach Bill Callahan: "It is what it is."

CPJ is dealing with some major personnel issues up front on the DL (and on the OL). Izaan Cross and Tongo forced to play because of injuries to Robert Hall and Egwubine. Peters, Anderson and Walls will battle you but nobody is going to mistake them for

TJ Barnes is going to be a good one but he's young and inexperienced and still learning to play the position.

Bottom line, you could have the '85 Bears linebackers and secondary and they'd get torched the same way with the GT line in front of them. Luckily, help is on the way. JC Lanier would definitely be playing as a true freshman this year if not for shoulder surgery. Cross is getting valuable time now. And these issues are only going to be addressed through recruiting with players like Denzel McCoy, Shawn Green and Anthony Williams on the way.

Games are won in the trenches and there are some major talent and depth issues on both sides of the ball in that department. Despite it all, this team continues to will itself to win.

A huge game now sets up next week on the Flats against VT and you couldn't ask for a better stage. ESPN, night game and payback on the minds of a sky high GT team. I would rather be any other coach in the country right now than Frank Beamer and Bud Foster.