Filed by Mitch Sherman at 2:02 p.m.
Some thoughts assembled on the road home, and yes, the the sun finally returned to the skies above Missouri:
- There may not be much clarity to come on Roy Helu's injuries until Monday. The junior I-back hurt his right shoulder when tackled on the 41-yard run that set up the Huskers' final touchdown. Helu tried to leave the game, but NU couldn't substitute in time before he rushed for a 5-yard TD.
Helu wore an ice wrap on the shoulder during interviews after the game but declined to answer a question about the injury. He also appeared to be dealing with a hand problem and was ill since midweek.
- An overlooked but hugely important play was Rex Burkhead's 4-yard reception on the final snap of the third quarter. Burkhead made a few shifty moves to get the first down on third and 3 – the Huskers' second first down of the second half; the other came by penalty.
Three plays later, Zac Lee hit Niles Paul for a 56-yard TD. Without that Burkhead effort, Nebraska would have punted to start the fourth quarter. And most likely, the giant swing of momentum set into motion by Paul's first touchdown never would have happened.
Burkhead finished with five carries for 34 yards, again getting nearly everything out of each attempt. The true freshman continues to show impressive poise and ability. If Helu needs to sit for a week, he'll be sorely missed against Texas Tech. But Burkhead has shown he's ready to handle a more significant load.
- Ndamukong Suh was credited by Mizzou with six tackles, including just one assist. He had more than that, but NU cannot review the numbers and adjust as the NCAA formerly allowed. Stats kept in the press box are final. It's too bad, because accurate figures could impact Suh's fast-rising candidacy for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.
It's hard to imagine a defensive player anywhere more dominant than Suh right now.
He continues to display incredible power. It will be interesting to ask Bo Pelini or defensive coordinator Carl Pelini next week if they believe Suh gets called for more penalties because of that freakish strength.
When Suh makes a hit, the ball carrier often moves violently in a way you just don't see – almost as if he's been hit by a truck. Officials seem to react more quickly to a Suh tackle because it just looks different.
Case in point: He didn't deserve a 15-yard personal foul for tackling Blaine Gabbert illegally in the fourth quarter. The call was for a horse-collar tackle. Replays showed Suh grabbed all jersey with his powerful hands, but you simply don't expect a 6-foot-5 QB to fall so hard in that spot.
- The Huskers are set to run conditioning drills today and Sunday before starting practices for Texas Tech on Monday. They'll get Saturday off.
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