Saturday night magic -- winning fixes everything

My mind raced faster than the Memorial Stadium light show ahead of the fourth quarter. 
While Saturday’s 56-7 drubbing of the defending Big Ten West champs Northwestern evoked shock, awe, pride and celebration, I wondered: Is this what it was like to watch Nebraska in the 90s? Was that game similar to kicking in Pacific’s teeth, option after option?
Showing my age here, but I barely missed out on the glory days. I hope that doesn’t bruise any of your age egos. 
My recollection begins with my guy Frank Solich and a guy I stood next to on the sideline before he was honored as part of the Nebraska 2020 hall of fame class -- Eric Crouch.
Yet, Saturday’s game felt different. It felt like, even for a game, Nebraska was back. 
I know, it’s that exact statement that Nebraska coach Scott Frost was talking about postgame as he was much more contained in his comments about the game, as he should be. It’s just one game. But it feels like more than that. 
Saturday’s game was far from a flash in the pan. Guys like native son Austin Allen and his teammates have been saying it since fall camp. The Huskers are much improved than they have been in year’s past. 
Yet, the results didn’t come. 
Nebraska has had this level of performance within themselves all year. They’re more than capable. If you can’t see the improvement and capabilities of the Big Red, you haven’t been paying attention. 
It hasn’t been a lack of effort or ability. Nebraska’s biggest opponent this year hasn’t been Oklahoma, Michigan State or certainly Illinois. Nebraska’s biggest challenge has been Nebraska itself. 
When the Huskers don’t kick themselves in the nether regions, this is what can happen. 
Did you notice on Saturday that the scoreboard operator was much busier than the officials with the yellow flag? No false starts, holding calls, devastating turnovers or brutal third down blunders. 
Nebraska was penalized four times for 19 yards Saturday and most of that came with the second teamers in. 
The offensive line changes were a welcomed sight. I heard someone say, “why weren’t those changes made a week ago?”
While normally I would agree, putting freshman Teddy Prochazka and sophomore Nouredin Nouili in that position, on the road against a top-25 team is risky. Could very easily have been the same result. 
Saturday’s performance is a huge confidence builder, not just for those guys, but for the entire locker room. 
Oz just looked happier on the sideline watching the second teamers. Nate and Ian Boerkircher looked more confident. That’s what happens when a large majority of your backups get snaps in a conference game. 
Not only that, but isn’t it a breath of fresh air to see all those starting offensive lineman as homegrown Huskers?
Prochazka is from Elkhorn South. Nouili, a Germany native, graduated from Norris. Cam Jurgens is the pride of Beatrice. 
We need more of that. Nebraska has missed quite a bit on in-state guys, especially those not far from here. I still wish Aurora grad Gavin Rush, who had a good career, minus the injuries at Wyoming would have wore a Husker jersey. Or, Giltner grad Corey Hoelck, who’s having a tremendous career at UNK and leading a Loper offensive line that rivals any in the MIAA. Honestly, I’d be interested in a direct comparison between Nebraska’s o-line and UNK’s. A lot of Nebraska’s problems would be solved with Hoelck slotted at left tackle. 
But, we’re getting off track here. The point is competition is good, and necessary change is better. Instead of just riding it out, Frost made necessary changes. For those that dog him for not adjusting, you have to commend him for pulling the trigger. 
Along those lines, many are quick to criticize assistant coaches the minute things go awry. We have to give props, too, when things pick up. Offensive line coach Greg Austin had that revamped o-line ready to play Saturday. Now, bring it again against the Wolverines. 
Saturday night was fun, but Nebraska should expect to play like that. The Huskers should expect to lay the wood against teams who don’t match up. 
It’s games like this Saturday against top-10 Michigan that are the measuring stick. 
These are the games Husker fans circled when Nebraska moved to the Big Ten. Nebraska vs Michigan -- two of the blue-blood programs in college football. 
I hope Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was watching that Saturday night Big Red atmosphere. 
Let’s dance, Harbaugh. I hope I don’t have to write an apology next week, either. 
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.