This week is the 25th anniversary of the Huskers' heartbreaking 31-30 loss to Miami in the Jan 1, 1984 Orange Bowl. It was a great game, and featured the unforgettable decision by Tom Osborne to go for 2 points and the win with the Huskers behind 31-30 late in the game. The game was a high point in T.O.'s career for that gutsy call.
This week also marks the 20th anniversary of another Orange Bowl versus Miami--the 1989 matchup. You don't hear much about the '89 contest--mostly for good reason. Our Guys lost 23-3 in one of the most methodical beat-downs that an Osborne-coached team ever had. It took a 50-yard field goal from Greg Barrios to avoid a shutout.
But wait, there's more. The '89 clanger was the 2nd straight bowl loss for an Osborne team, and it was the first of 5 straight bowl games where the Huskers went down by double digits. In that run, Florida State and Miami each put the hammer down twice and Georgia Tech once.
In all fairness, these were good teams. (Osborne never really had a bad one.) But there was one important thing missing---that took several years to finally bring to the table.
Speed. Across the field. On both sides of the ball.
You can argue "playmakers"--with in mind Tommie Frazier's and Lawrence Phillips's huge contributions. No argument there. But, when the bowl game losing string was finally broken in the Orange Bowl on Jan 1, 1995, the momentum for that comeback came from the defense.
Which brings us to the last hours before the Gator Bowl between Nebraska and Clemson. And two final thoughts before the guys tee it up:
1) If there's not going to be a playoff in college football, at least let's continue with the regional matchups that bowl games bring. They can indeed serve as a measuring stick for a team and program. We've seen that in several games already, and I think we will for sure in the Gator Bowl.
2) This Old Husker Fan continues to be appreciative of the fact that Bo Pelini is our head guy--this time, because of his experience in the Southeastern Conference--where everyone can pick 'em up and lay 'em down. Having seen firsthand (and reaped the rewards of) the impact that speed can make in a team's profile, I think Bo will always have this characteristic right up there on his shopping list.
Those are the lessons to remember from 20 years ago. They're as important as the T.O. character seminar 5 years before.
GO BIG RED!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Huskers' Gator Bowl Is A Va Tech Do-Over
Getting wild & crazy on New Year's isn't part of this Old Husker Fan's routine much anymore--but fortunately for me and the other go-zillion Husker fans in the universe, New Year's Day will mean something other than just being part of the huddled masses looking over someone else's shoulder when the Jan 1 bowl games start up. Our Guys will be part of the action in the Gator Bowl against Clemson.
[Speaking of watching college bowl games---heard today that the Florida State-Wisconsin Champs Sports Bowl matchup last Saturday pulled in an audience of 4.6 million. 4.6 Mill for what amounts to an exhibition game (the point of the radio rant) on a CABLE network (ESPN). That was only 700,000 fewer folks watching than the 5.3 million that tuned in to the Celtics & Lakers--the NBA's finest matchup--in prime time on ABC on Christmas Day. Are we football fans or what???]
Back to the thought--and by the way, Florida State figures in here.
I'm not alone in this thought, I'm sure---that the Gator Bowl chance against Clemson is essentially the rematch against Virginia Tech that a lot of us have thought about and talked about since the team got re-started after the OU meltdown. Well, here we are, folks. The guys are playing a bunch with some tough D-backs, some speed in the backfield, and a competitive record--one that we came within, oh, about 57 yards' worth of matching (Alex Henery's FG distance against Colorado).
In other words, this game to me doesn't look like a cakewalk. I think we'll have our hands full to come out a winner.
There are 2 big features of the Clemson outfit that worry me:
First is their backfield speed. Their 2 running backs--Davis and Spiller--have over 2,000 yards rushing combined, and Spiller puts out a 4.25 in the 40. That's serious burning. Plus, it sounds to me like these guys have got the capability of doing ball-control and time of possession with their offense just like we've been so proud of since the Texas Tech game.
I'm still leery of the whole Southern Speed factor anyway--I always am during bowl season. It hit home again seeing how Florida State literally ran away from Wisconsin. Was I the only one watching who had a flashback to the late '80s-early '90s when our guys simply didn't have the wheels to match up in the bowl games? I don't think so.
The second facet of Clemson that bothers me is their D-backs' capability. Clemson had 18 INTs during the 2008 regular season. Apparently they can play a little pass defense. It makes me think of the Colorado game, when CU played Nate Swift and Todd Peterson pretty well and limited their production (combined 6 catches for just 54 yards). This concerns me.
So, how do our guys grab the Gator, so to speak? Here's one opinion--first, on defense--own the line big time across the board. Our guys have done that a lot, and it's helped our 'backers to not have blockers in their grilles. And then--numbers around the ballcarrier and no missed tackles. If we let their guys out, I don't know that we've got the make-up speed to catch them.
On offense--it's gotta be the Joe & Roy show as in Ganz & Helu--with a dash of Marlon Lucky on the perimeter and Mike McNeill in the seams of the defense thrown in. It'll be hugely important for #12 to not just manage the game, but to make some throws in the pass D holes to McNeill and be on target--same with checkdowns or flat-out fly patterns to Lucky, because I think the "Dabo Demons" (had to break that one out) will make darn sure that they don't get beat by #'s 87 and 17. Joe will also need to make those timely runs that he's capable of when the D flies back in pass coverage.
Regarding Helu--make it happen, Roy. Florida State netted 266 yards rushing when they played Clemson. There's gotta be some of that available for you, too. The 'Noles picked up 7.6 yards per rush--you're almost there with 6.7 per carry. Sounds like a plan to me!
As for the score--it looks like the experts have things pegged pretty well on the spread with the Huskers favored by basically 3 points (2 1/2). Let's go with a 27-23 type game. I'd like to see a bigger margin weighted to our side of course--but I'm also in the camp of "1 point's as good as a thousand", so give me a W and make it an even Happier New Year to finish out what's been a positive start to the Bo Pelini era in Husker coaching.
GO BIG RED!!!
The Old Husker Fan
[Speaking of watching college bowl games---heard today that the Florida State-Wisconsin Champs Sports Bowl matchup last Saturday pulled in an audience of 4.6 million. 4.6 Mill for what amounts to an exhibition game (the point of the radio rant) on a CABLE network (ESPN). That was only 700,000 fewer folks watching than the 5.3 million that tuned in to the Celtics & Lakers--the NBA's finest matchup--in prime time on ABC on Christmas Day. Are we football fans or what???]
Back to the thought--and by the way, Florida State figures in here.
I'm not alone in this thought, I'm sure---that the Gator Bowl chance against Clemson is essentially the rematch against Virginia Tech that a lot of us have thought about and talked about since the team got re-started after the OU meltdown. Well, here we are, folks. The guys are playing a bunch with some tough D-backs, some speed in the backfield, and a competitive record--one that we came within, oh, about 57 yards' worth of matching (Alex Henery's FG distance against Colorado).
In other words, this game to me doesn't look like a cakewalk. I think we'll have our hands full to come out a winner.
There are 2 big features of the Clemson outfit that worry me:
First is their backfield speed. Their 2 running backs--Davis and Spiller--have over 2,000 yards rushing combined, and Spiller puts out a 4.25 in the 40. That's serious burning. Plus, it sounds to me like these guys have got the capability of doing ball-control and time of possession with their offense just like we've been so proud of since the Texas Tech game.
I'm still leery of the whole Southern Speed factor anyway--I always am during bowl season. It hit home again seeing how Florida State literally ran away from Wisconsin. Was I the only one watching who had a flashback to the late '80s-early '90s when our guys simply didn't have the wheels to match up in the bowl games? I don't think so.
The second facet of Clemson that bothers me is their D-backs' capability. Clemson had 18 INTs during the 2008 regular season. Apparently they can play a little pass defense. It makes me think of the Colorado game, when CU played Nate Swift and Todd Peterson pretty well and limited their production (combined 6 catches for just 54 yards). This concerns me.
So, how do our guys grab the Gator, so to speak? Here's one opinion--first, on defense--own the line big time across the board. Our guys have done that a lot, and it's helped our 'backers to not have blockers in their grilles. And then--numbers around the ballcarrier and no missed tackles. If we let their guys out, I don't know that we've got the make-up speed to catch them.
On offense--it's gotta be the Joe & Roy show as in Ganz & Helu--with a dash of Marlon Lucky on the perimeter and Mike McNeill in the seams of the defense thrown in. It'll be hugely important for #12 to not just manage the game, but to make some throws in the pass D holes to McNeill and be on target--same with checkdowns or flat-out fly patterns to Lucky, because I think the "Dabo Demons" (had to break that one out) will make darn sure that they don't get beat by #'s 87 and 17. Joe will also need to make those timely runs that he's capable of when the D flies back in pass coverage.
Regarding Helu--make it happen, Roy. Florida State netted 266 yards rushing when they played Clemson. There's gotta be some of that available for you, too. The 'Noles picked up 7.6 yards per rush--you're almost there with 6.7 per carry. Sounds like a plan to me!
As for the score--it looks like the experts have things pegged pretty well on the spread with the Huskers favored by basically 3 points (2 1/2). Let's go with a 27-23 type game. I'd like to see a bigger margin weighted to our side of course--but I'm also in the camp of "1 point's as good as a thousand", so give me a W and make it an even Happier New Year to finish out what's been a positive start to the Bo Pelini era in Husker coaching.
GO BIG RED!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Huskers vs Clemson Recalls "Conversation" Days
Sports comparison talk is rife with the phrase "...so-and-so is in the conversation." Get going on any "who's best at such-and-such a point..." topic and this line will pop up before the gig is over--
"If (he/they) isn't/aren't the best---he/they are in the conversation." Meaning, of course, that the player or team deserves to be thought of in very high regard.
And as the Huskers prepare for the Gator Bowl against Clemson--the first time these 2 teams have met since the Orange Bowl Jan 1 1982--this is the overall memory that sticks with me. You're reading and hearing lots of game-memory comments from coaches and players about Clemson's 22-15 win: the matchup between Nebraska all-time center Dave Rimington and the "Fridge"--William Perry of Clemson; how the Huskers almost pulled it out despite Turner Gill's absence because of a late-season leg injury; the impact of Danny Ford's lone national title as a head college coach on the community of Clemson, SC.
But--for me--the most important angle to this subject is this--the winner of the Orange Bowl would be the national champion of college football for the 1981 season. In other words, the road to the title went through the Huskers. If our guys had won, they would have won the '81 title. The Huskers were in the conversation.
It gets better. This was the start of a 5-year run during the heart of Tom Osborne's tremendous run as the Husker head man--heck, you could even stretch it to 6 or 7--where at one point or another in the season our guys had the title not several time zones away, but right in their sights--as long as they took care of business. And for 3 years running, whoever won the title had to beat Nebraska to get there--Clemson for the '81 title; Penn State in the famous "extended sideline" game in '82 (Joe Paterno's first title) ; and of course the Miami heartbreaker (featuring Bernie Kosar and Howard Schnellenberger) ending the '83 season and the famous Triplets (Gill, Mike Rozier and Irving Fryar) run in the Orange Bowl Jan 1, 1984.
Three years running!!! Raise your hand if you'd take that again.
And this, my fellow Husker fans, is what Bo Pelini & Co are striving for--to be in the hunt. To be in the conversation.
That's what makes this game special--the echoes of what the Husker program's calling card used to be--and how that trademark is being rebuilt, step by step, practice by practice, game by game.
It's perfect. It feels good. And it adds even more glue to the program's legacy with this appointment in Jacksonville Jan 1, 2009.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
"If (he/they) isn't/aren't the best---he/they are in the conversation." Meaning, of course, that the player or team deserves to be thought of in very high regard.
And as the Huskers prepare for the Gator Bowl against Clemson--the first time these 2 teams have met since the Orange Bowl Jan 1 1982--this is the overall memory that sticks with me. You're reading and hearing lots of game-memory comments from coaches and players about Clemson's 22-15 win: the matchup between Nebraska all-time center Dave Rimington and the "Fridge"--William Perry of Clemson; how the Huskers almost pulled it out despite Turner Gill's absence because of a late-season leg injury; the impact of Danny Ford's lone national title as a head college coach on the community of Clemson, SC.
But--for me--the most important angle to this subject is this--the winner of the Orange Bowl would be the national champion of college football for the 1981 season. In other words, the road to the title went through the Huskers. If our guys had won, they would have won the '81 title. The Huskers were in the conversation.
It gets better. This was the start of a 5-year run during the heart of Tom Osborne's tremendous run as the Husker head man--heck, you could even stretch it to 6 or 7--where at one point or another in the season our guys had the title not several time zones away, but right in their sights--as long as they took care of business. And for 3 years running, whoever won the title had to beat Nebraska to get there--Clemson for the '81 title; Penn State in the famous "extended sideline" game in '82 (Joe Paterno's first title) ; and of course the Miami heartbreaker (featuring Bernie Kosar and Howard Schnellenberger) ending the '83 season and the famous Triplets (Gill, Mike Rozier and Irving Fryar) run in the Orange Bowl Jan 1, 1984.
Three years running!!! Raise your hand if you'd take that again.
And this, my fellow Husker fans, is what Bo Pelini & Co are striving for--to be in the hunt. To be in the conversation.
That's what makes this game special--the echoes of what the Husker program's calling card used to be--and how that trademark is being rebuilt, step by step, practice by practice, game by game.
It's perfect. It feels good. And it adds even more glue to the program's legacy with this appointment in Jacksonville Jan 1, 2009.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Huskers' Season Takes Edge Off Winter
Man, woman and child---this winter is feeling a whole lot different--and better--than last winter. A year ago my favorite college football team was a wreck; we had a promise of better things to come but didn't know for sure; recruiting was full of question marks and catcalls; and to top it off, there wasn't another month's worth of practice and bowl-game anticipation to take some of the edge off cabin-fever season. How much suckier can it get??
Jump to this year. The boys won what--4 of their last 5; kicked a little booty along the way; showed some muscle in the run game; made some spectacular plays; got the shake back into Memorial Stadium. And now, to top it off---I'm reading bulletin board chatter with bitching about how one of our guys got screwed by the evil Big XII South in all-conference voting, and I'm getting e-mails about how the Gator Bowl gives us a chance for payback on Clemson after the Orange Bowl back in 1982--26 freaking years ago!!
And my reaction is---YEESSSSSS!!!! Things are getting back to normal!!!
A few comments here about the Colorado game--because in many respects, the events of that game captured Bo Pelini's 1st season as our Head Coach in one afternoon-early evening thrill ride.
The first point is---we as fans, and maybe the program---underestimated just how hard it is to get that winning vibe back. Before the CU game, I read and heard a lot of talk about how the "Vermin"--as my friend Colonel Mustard describes the Boulderites on Huskerpedia--were basically ripe for a beat-down because of injuries, bad offense, blah blah blah. Well, in many respects, that's kind of how we approached this 1st season with Bo and his staff also. I truly thought we'd have 9 wins in the bag right now.
Then, reality kicked in. And the bad guys scored on the 2nd play of the game.
The second point is---the program is truly welded together on all sides--players to coaches, coaches to players, team to the athletic department, athletic department to team. Time and time again this season, this team has pulled back from going into the ditch (especially after Mizzou and OU crashes)--and teams do not accomplish that if they have a problem.
Consider how that played out in the Colorado game. Time after time--2 easy scores for them, we forge ahead, then the fake field goal fiasco, then ill-time fumbles or penalties, the big sack on Joe Ganz late in the game, all followed by Alex Henery's explosive field goal and the Potter-Suh INT/TD capper--our guys faced circumstances where they could have cashed it in--blamed the coaches for bad play calls--blamed each other for some goof-up--blamed the refs for something--but they didn't. They held it together.
The third and final point is---while he's not perfect, Bo Pelini has done enough to show that he's got it going to the point that I'll bet almost every Husker fan is a "BO-liever" right now. And I offer the reaction of the stadium when Suh gave the Buff QB that great stiff-arm on his way to the end zone as proof. The roar of the crowd after Henery's field goal was loud, but it had a sigh-of-relief element to it as well. Kind of like "Oh, thank the Lord. We're ahead." But when Suh brought that INT into the north end zone, there was a good old spine-tingling rattle to that place!!--a sound of power and belief--or, again in ad-agency lingo, "BO-lief."
What a show. What an experience!
I'll have some more thoughts about the season later. But I'll tell you what--the gray skies, subzero wind chill and icy snow pellet-junk covering the back yard don't look all that troublesome. I'll wallow around in some very tasty memories--with more to come before this run is over with.
GO BIG RED!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Jump to this year. The boys won what--4 of their last 5; kicked a little booty along the way; showed some muscle in the run game; made some spectacular plays; got the shake back into Memorial Stadium. And now, to top it off---I'm reading bulletin board chatter with bitching about how one of our guys got screwed by the evil Big XII South in all-conference voting, and I'm getting e-mails about how the Gator Bowl gives us a chance for payback on Clemson after the Orange Bowl back in 1982--26 freaking years ago!!
And my reaction is---YEESSSSSS!!!! Things are getting back to normal!!!
A few comments here about the Colorado game--because in many respects, the events of that game captured Bo Pelini's 1st season as our Head Coach in one afternoon-early evening thrill ride.
The first point is---we as fans, and maybe the program---underestimated just how hard it is to get that winning vibe back. Before the CU game, I read and heard a lot of talk about how the "Vermin"--as my friend Colonel Mustard describes the Boulderites on Huskerpedia--were basically ripe for a beat-down because of injuries, bad offense, blah blah blah. Well, in many respects, that's kind of how we approached this 1st season with Bo and his staff also. I truly thought we'd have 9 wins in the bag right now.
Then, reality kicked in. And the bad guys scored on the 2nd play of the game.
The second point is---the program is truly welded together on all sides--players to coaches, coaches to players, team to the athletic department, athletic department to team. Time and time again this season, this team has pulled back from going into the ditch (especially after Mizzou and OU crashes)--and teams do not accomplish that if they have a problem.
Consider how that played out in the Colorado game. Time after time--2 easy scores for them, we forge ahead, then the fake field goal fiasco, then ill-time fumbles or penalties, the big sack on Joe Ganz late in the game, all followed by Alex Henery's explosive field goal and the Potter-Suh INT/TD capper--our guys faced circumstances where they could have cashed it in--blamed the coaches for bad play calls--blamed each other for some goof-up--blamed the refs for something--but they didn't. They held it together.
The third and final point is---while he's not perfect, Bo Pelini has done enough to show that he's got it going to the point that I'll bet almost every Husker fan is a "BO-liever" right now. And I offer the reaction of the stadium when Suh gave the Buff QB that great stiff-arm on his way to the end zone as proof. The roar of the crowd after Henery's field goal was loud, but it had a sigh-of-relief element to it as well. Kind of like "Oh, thank the Lord. We're ahead." But when Suh brought that INT into the north end zone, there was a good old spine-tingling rattle to that place!!--a sound of power and belief--or, again in ad-agency lingo, "BO-lief."
What a show. What an experience!
I'll have some more thoughts about the season later. But I'll tell you what--the gray skies, subzero wind chill and icy snow pellet-junk covering the back yard don't look all that troublesome. I'll wallow around in some very tasty memories--with more to come before this run is over with.
GO BIG RED!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Monday, November 10, 2008
Husker Win Over KU Is A Classic
I started smiling on the 1st play of the 4th quarter Saturday afternoon and I haven't stopped yet. The Huskers' 45-35 win over the Jayhawks felt that good. And it was a classic game, too. By that, I don't mean perfect--Lord knows, there were mistakes and missed chances all over the field. But, this game featured big plays by the featured stars, smart plays by the "supporting cast", gadget plays that made sense, and the hallmark of this program we've all come to know and love---lots of hits and lots of guts.
Let's go through some of those things. And, make no mistake about it---Nebraska WON this game. KU did not lose the game by some goofy mistake or screwed-up strategy. Our coaches and players did indeed put the OU game in the closet and made it happen against a KU bunch that is not as good as last year, but that still has some talent, a heady QB, and large, tough coach. (Had to make an obligatory Mangino reference somewhere, didn't I?)
Now the fine points:
Big plays by big stars---
#1-- This is headed by everyone in red's favorite big guy, #93, Ndamukong Suh. Hoe-lee smoke! 12--TWELVE--tackles??!!! By a D-LINEMAN??!!! Folks, that's Peter brothers or Danny Noonan or Larry Jacobson/Rich Glover performance caliber. You just don't see that by a D-LINEMAN! I can't get over that. Add in his sacks (2.5) and of course the TD catch (which was also big), and you have your player of the game.
#2--The entire D-line. I was going to put Zac Potter in there, but Steinkuhler and Allen were great, too. Even though the game featured 80 points total, the NU D-line set the tone for the game with their hitting and harassing of KU's offensive game plan. And I could hear it from the crowd, too. Mid-3rd quarter on, the crowd was roaring. That's what a Husker home game should sound like!
#3--The O-line. I had them farther down the list, but--sorry, the line's gotta go higher than that. They made it happen. I think Barney Cotton's style is starting to soak in. These guys did some major league work on Saturday. And Roy Helu's long run? Well, yes--he made a couple guys miss. But by the same token, he had a pretty good seam at the line to go through to get his magic act underway. Looking good, guys!
#4--Roy Helu. His 2 TDs--especially the 50-yarder--WOW!!! He reminded me of Roger Craig the way he was running. And then, KU coach Mangino talked about his "high knee" style after the game--that's vintage Craig.
#5--QB Joe Ganz. He ticked me off with that INT late in the 2nd qtr--but he played a clean 2nd half and led by example--playing with a sore foot after getting hit in the 2nd quarter. Vintage gutsy Husker QB action. He brought an image to me of another #12 from 30 years ago--Tom Sorley. Bo Pelini said it best after the game: "Joe is a man."
#6--The Nate Swift/Todd Peterson duo. Yeah, Swift fumbled. But the team had his back, so whatever. And he and Peterson are just so solid--so dependable--we're going to miss these guys.
#7--Alex Henery. What? He's a big star? Well, yeah. We all know who the FG kicker is, right? And that FG he made into the wind in the 3rd quarter was huge to give NU the lead early in the 2nd half. I know KU got the lead back, but still--that drive was messed up by a sack, yet we still got points. And then, of course, Henery pulled off the fake FG play in the 4th qtr.
Now--some standout smart plays by "supporting cast" types:
1) Tyler Wortman. He stayed home on a KU reverse in the 3rd quarter and stuffed it for a 7-yard loss. That play swung the game. KU had a 3-and-out and was forced to punt. We got the ball close to the 50, and then Helu took it to the house. How long, O Lord--how long have we prayed for someone to STAY HOME on a reverse? No Wake Forest--no Ball State from last year--nope, this wide receiver reverse had a much different ending.
2) Hunter Teafatiller. Maybe it's just me--but after a KU score in the 4th quarter, their kickoff was short. There have been times in the last few seasons when that's been a horror show for our side--but Teafatiller caught the thing clean and ran it ahead for what he could get--plus, hung onto the rock at the end. Set us up in good field position instead of giving the bad guys the momentum. That's another sign of how tuned-in the whole team is to what's going on.
3) Chris Brooks. He's had a rough time of it since Kevin Cosgrove pulled him away from going to either Illinois or Missouri a few years ago. He was supposed to be All-Everything. It hasn't worked out. But on Saturday, when he was needed, he made a big play to tie the game up with his TD catch.
#4) Jake Wesch. The guy's been a great holder and sometime punter--and showed how smooth an operator he is with the blind pitch on the fake FG Saturday to Henery. I know they've practiced it, but still--the game is a WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT than practice.
Now to the gadget plays:
1) Marlon Lucky's TD pass to Mike McNeill. My neighbor Mark, who was at the game, said the play had him fooled. EVERYONE expected Lucky to just plow ahead. Great call #1.
2) The TD pass to Suh. Boy, was he open on that play! And great execution by Ganz to give him a catchable ball. You know what my first thought was when Suh made that TD? "Wow--this is the type of stuff that Oklahoma does."
3) The fake FG move. Terrific timing on this call. We had a lead--not insurmountable, and we were down deep in the other team's end with our defense playing well. What a time! What a call!
4) Saturday's weather. It was cold, windy and miserable. Hot damn!!! Shades of the old Big 8 days.
Folks, you've gotta like the way things are moving. Guys are playing hard and smart, playing for each other, and playing for their coaches. You can't ask for anything more.
I won't get the 9-3 that I thought, but by gosh, 9-4 is certainly possible.
Go Big Red!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Let's go through some of those things. And, make no mistake about it---Nebraska WON this game. KU did not lose the game by some goofy mistake or screwed-up strategy. Our coaches and players did indeed put the OU game in the closet and made it happen against a KU bunch that is not as good as last year, but that still has some talent, a heady QB, and large, tough coach. (Had to make an obligatory Mangino reference somewhere, didn't I?)
Now the fine points:
Big plays by big stars---
#1-- This is headed by everyone in red's favorite big guy, #93, Ndamukong Suh. Hoe-lee smoke! 12--TWELVE--tackles??!!! By a D-LINEMAN??!!! Folks, that's Peter brothers or Danny Noonan or Larry Jacobson/Rich Glover performance caliber. You just don't see that by a D-LINEMAN! I can't get over that. Add in his sacks (2.5) and of course the TD catch (which was also big), and you have your player of the game.
#2--The entire D-line. I was going to put Zac Potter in there, but Steinkuhler and Allen were great, too. Even though the game featured 80 points total, the NU D-line set the tone for the game with their hitting and harassing of KU's offensive game plan. And I could hear it from the crowd, too. Mid-3rd quarter on, the crowd was roaring. That's what a Husker home game should sound like!
#3--The O-line. I had them farther down the list, but--sorry, the line's gotta go higher than that. They made it happen. I think Barney Cotton's style is starting to soak in. These guys did some major league work on Saturday. And Roy Helu's long run? Well, yes--he made a couple guys miss. But by the same token, he had a pretty good seam at the line to go through to get his magic act underway. Looking good, guys!
#4--Roy Helu. His 2 TDs--especially the 50-yarder--WOW!!! He reminded me of Roger Craig the way he was running. And then, KU coach Mangino talked about his "high knee" style after the game--that's vintage Craig.
#5--QB Joe Ganz. He ticked me off with that INT late in the 2nd qtr--but he played a clean 2nd half and led by example--playing with a sore foot after getting hit in the 2nd quarter. Vintage gutsy Husker QB action. He brought an image to me of another #12 from 30 years ago--Tom Sorley. Bo Pelini said it best after the game: "Joe is a man."
#6--The Nate Swift/Todd Peterson duo. Yeah, Swift fumbled. But the team had his back, so whatever. And he and Peterson are just so solid--so dependable--we're going to miss these guys.
#7--Alex Henery. What? He's a big star? Well, yeah. We all know who the FG kicker is, right? And that FG he made into the wind in the 3rd quarter was huge to give NU the lead early in the 2nd half. I know KU got the lead back, but still--that drive was messed up by a sack, yet we still got points. And then, of course, Henery pulled off the fake FG play in the 4th qtr.
Now--some standout smart plays by "supporting cast" types:
1) Tyler Wortman. He stayed home on a KU reverse in the 3rd quarter and stuffed it for a 7-yard loss. That play swung the game. KU had a 3-and-out and was forced to punt. We got the ball close to the 50, and then Helu took it to the house. How long, O Lord--how long have we prayed for someone to STAY HOME on a reverse? No Wake Forest--no Ball State from last year--nope, this wide receiver reverse had a much different ending.
2) Hunter Teafatiller. Maybe it's just me--but after a KU score in the 4th quarter, their kickoff was short. There have been times in the last few seasons when that's been a horror show for our side--but Teafatiller caught the thing clean and ran it ahead for what he could get--plus, hung onto the rock at the end. Set us up in good field position instead of giving the bad guys the momentum. That's another sign of how tuned-in the whole team is to what's going on.
3) Chris Brooks. He's had a rough time of it since Kevin Cosgrove pulled him away from going to either Illinois or Missouri a few years ago. He was supposed to be All-Everything. It hasn't worked out. But on Saturday, when he was needed, he made a big play to tie the game up with his TD catch.
#4) Jake Wesch. The guy's been a great holder and sometime punter--and showed how smooth an operator he is with the blind pitch on the fake FG Saturday to Henery. I know they've practiced it, but still--the game is a WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT than practice.
Now to the gadget plays:
1) Marlon Lucky's TD pass to Mike McNeill. My neighbor Mark, who was at the game, said the play had him fooled. EVERYONE expected Lucky to just plow ahead. Great call #1.
2) The TD pass to Suh. Boy, was he open on that play! And great execution by Ganz to give him a catchable ball. You know what my first thought was when Suh made that TD? "Wow--this is the type of stuff that Oklahoma does."
3) The fake FG move. Terrific timing on this call. We had a lead--not insurmountable, and we were down deep in the other team's end with our defense playing well. What a time! What a call!
4) Saturday's weather. It was cold, windy and miserable. Hot damn!!! Shades of the old Big 8 days.
Folks, you've gotta like the way things are moving. Guys are playing hard and smart, playing for each other, and playing for their coaches. You can't ask for anything more.
I won't get the 9-3 that I thought, but by gosh, 9-4 is certainly possible.
Go Big Red!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Huskers--Again--Not Ready For Prime Time
Call it buck fever. Call it deer in the headlights. Call it stage fright.
How about overmatched and knowing it?
That's the way I look at the Huskers' reaction---demeanor---and thus very bad start to the OU game to get the month of November underway. Our guys knew they were going up against an outfit that has its ship in shape from top down--and they got spooked early.
"Now just a minute there, Chuckles. Okay--so the guys from the school with the one-strain fight song that has only two words to it are good. What's the difference between them and Texas Tech? And look how we hung in there with that bunch a month ago!"
To that, I respond this way: You'll find out the difference between the guys in crimson and the dudes in red and black in 3 weeks when the Leach Boys leave the friendly confines of Buddy Holly-land and venture onto Owen Field. And--as for that tussle in Tech-land that we got involved with--the mid-October heartbreak--remember that we DID SOMETHING NEW at that game--which we failed to follow up on in Norman.
Think about that. What did the Husker offense do against Tex Tech? For the first time all season, our guys featured the short, quick passing game--especially the wide receiver screen. Tech wasn't ready for it--and it worked great. This game plan worked against Iowa State and Baylor as well--2 teams with serious talent, speed and experience deficiencies. Cool!
But there is one thing lacking in the starting Husker receiving corps this season--and that is pure, flat-out, take-it-to-the-house speed. And if there's one thing that OU D-backs have been over the years in my memory (except for the hiccup in the mid-90s), it's FAST. And when they broke on top, their guys DARED us to go deep. On our first play, when Joe Ganz threw that pick-6, their guys matching up on Todd Peterson and Nate Swift were easily within 5 yards of our guys. That play was doomed from the start, because there was no "bubble" in the coverage.
In other words, OU had seen that quick pass to the wide receivers from 3 weeks' worth of video. No surprise there. And it was all downhill from there.
Even before that disaster, it was evident on the opening series that OU's plan was to bring pressure, pressure, pressure early and often on both sides of the ball. You can do that when you're on the top side of a physical mismatch.
How'd they do it? OU went no-huddle TO START THE GAME--didn't even give our guys time to completely get used to what was going on.
Here's the Husker reaction after stopping the OU running back on the first play of the game for no gain (after which OU immediately lined up):
"Okay. Play's over. WHAT? They're lining up AGAIN??!! Oh $&*%!!!!!" The result of that play was, of course, a long pass completion down to the 4-yard line.
So OU did something unusual to mess our guys up early. And then, when we got the ball, we went to a play that we'd shown for almost a month. So who got who out of their comfort zone?
I'm not going to rag on players too much from here on. Yes, our guys are overmatched at this point. They're still learning. Friends, it takes a he11 of a long time to get things set up on a football team. But there are some points I have to make:
1) Is Ricky Thenarse really that bad on lining up that he isn't pushing for a starting safety spot?
2) Running back should be a Lucky-Helu combination. Quentin Castille just cannot hang onto the ball.
3) I know it was against backups, but I like the looks of Patrick Witt at QB. It's evident that he is taller than Joe Ganz for one thing. And if Witt's TD run was a true option--where it was his decision to either hand off or keep the ball--wow, what decision-making! I could sure see more of that. (Remember--Witt is a smart kid--graduated from high school in Texas early. )
4) I'm not going to gripe about Bo Pelini's outbursts on the telecast. He'll get through that. But, I would like to see him toss the sweatshirt look for something a little more "head-coachy" for lack of a better term. He's in good shape--certainly not like Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, who can only wear a hoodie--anything else would be out of the question. I'd like to see Bo either do the cool jogging-suit look a la Pete Carroll, or the collared polo shirt routine like he did at the first NU game against Western Michigan. He's a head coach now and I'd like to see him look the part a little more.
5) Fan talk here. Just to say it--I hope that I don't see a bunch of BS comment about the crappy coaching job, or how players can't get it done, during the next couple weeks. Yes, I've made some comments here and I hope they don't fall into that category. Our guys did run into a better team, got pressured early, and saw the game get away. That happens. But I still think they have a chance to go 8-4, and obviously I definitely want them to get to a bowl game, and to do that they've got to take some lessons from this game and use them to give it their best shot starting this next Saturday. And they need, at the least, fans to let them sort it out without a lot of excess griping.
Second--send 'em packing jive regarding the coaches can do nothing but hurt the recruiting effort. Getting to the point of having solid units on offense, defense and special teams means we need more than one or two good guys--and I for one don't want the fans to make things worse by sniping at what's gone on. This is--in many respects--still a shake-down cruise for coaches and players (and fans, too). Let's let this thing play out and watch the guys respond. I think we'll be impressed by what we see!
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
How about overmatched and knowing it?
That's the way I look at the Huskers' reaction---demeanor---and thus very bad start to the OU game to get the month of November underway. Our guys knew they were going up against an outfit that has its ship in shape from top down--and they got spooked early.
"Now just a minute there, Chuckles. Okay--so the guys from the school with the one-strain fight song that has only two words to it are good. What's the difference between them and Texas Tech? And look how we hung in there with that bunch a month ago!"
To that, I respond this way: You'll find out the difference between the guys in crimson and the dudes in red and black in 3 weeks when the Leach Boys leave the friendly confines of Buddy Holly-land and venture onto Owen Field. And--as for that tussle in Tech-land that we got involved with--the mid-October heartbreak--remember that we DID SOMETHING NEW at that game--which we failed to follow up on in Norman.
Think about that. What did the Husker offense do against Tex Tech? For the first time all season, our guys featured the short, quick passing game--especially the wide receiver screen. Tech wasn't ready for it--and it worked great. This game plan worked against Iowa State and Baylor as well--2 teams with serious talent, speed and experience deficiencies. Cool!
But there is one thing lacking in the starting Husker receiving corps this season--and that is pure, flat-out, take-it-to-the-house speed. And if there's one thing that OU D-backs have been over the years in my memory (except for the hiccup in the mid-90s), it's FAST. And when they broke on top, their guys DARED us to go deep. On our first play, when Joe Ganz threw that pick-6, their guys matching up on Todd Peterson and Nate Swift were easily within 5 yards of our guys. That play was doomed from the start, because there was no "bubble" in the coverage.
In other words, OU had seen that quick pass to the wide receivers from 3 weeks' worth of video. No surprise there. And it was all downhill from there.
Even before that disaster, it was evident on the opening series that OU's plan was to bring pressure, pressure, pressure early and often on both sides of the ball. You can do that when you're on the top side of a physical mismatch.
How'd they do it? OU went no-huddle TO START THE GAME--didn't even give our guys time to completely get used to what was going on.
Here's the Husker reaction after stopping the OU running back on the first play of the game for no gain (after which OU immediately lined up):
"Okay. Play's over. WHAT? They're lining up AGAIN??!! Oh $&*%!!!!!" The result of that play was, of course, a long pass completion down to the 4-yard line.
So OU did something unusual to mess our guys up early. And then, when we got the ball, we went to a play that we'd shown for almost a month. So who got who out of their comfort zone?
I'm not going to rag on players too much from here on. Yes, our guys are overmatched at this point. They're still learning. Friends, it takes a he11 of a long time to get things set up on a football team. But there are some points I have to make:
1) Is Ricky Thenarse really that bad on lining up that he isn't pushing for a starting safety spot?
2) Running back should be a Lucky-Helu combination. Quentin Castille just cannot hang onto the ball.
3) I know it was against backups, but I like the looks of Patrick Witt at QB. It's evident that he is taller than Joe Ganz for one thing. And if Witt's TD run was a true option--where it was his decision to either hand off or keep the ball--wow, what decision-making! I could sure see more of that. (Remember--Witt is a smart kid--graduated from high school in Texas early. )
4) I'm not going to gripe about Bo Pelini's outbursts on the telecast. He'll get through that. But, I would like to see him toss the sweatshirt look for something a little more "head-coachy" for lack of a better term. He's in good shape--certainly not like Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, who can only wear a hoodie--anything else would be out of the question. I'd like to see Bo either do the cool jogging-suit look a la Pete Carroll, or the collared polo shirt routine like he did at the first NU game against Western Michigan. He's a head coach now and I'd like to see him look the part a little more.
5) Fan talk here. Just to say it--I hope that I don't see a bunch of BS comment about the crappy coaching job, or how players can't get it done, during the next couple weeks. Yes, I've made some comments here and I hope they don't fall into that category. Our guys did run into a better team, got pressured early, and saw the game get away. That happens. But I still think they have a chance to go 8-4, and obviously I definitely want them to get to a bowl game, and to do that they've got to take some lessons from this game and use them to give it their best shot starting this next Saturday. And they need, at the least, fans to let them sort it out without a lot of excess griping.
Second--send 'em packing jive regarding the coaches can do nothing but hurt the recruiting effort. Getting to the point of having solid units on offense, defense and special teams means we need more than one or two good guys--and I for one don't want the fans to make things worse by sniping at what's gone on. This is--in many respects--still a shake-down cruise for coaches and players (and fans, too). Let's let this thing play out and watch the guys respond. I think we'll be impressed by what we see!
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Huskers' Swift Ain't JR, But He's Still Darn Good
The Old Husker Fan has been languishing a bit here recently--maybe because the last couple games haven't exactly been marquee-type clashes. Don't get me wrong--I'm glad for the wins over Iowa State and Baylor, and I appreciate that our guys had a come-from-behind-at-halftime win for the first time since 2003. (Over Baylor. BAYLOR??? And Bill Callahan could never figure that behind-at-halftime thing out. Mercy, mercy, mercy.)
But Nate Swift's garnering of the alltime NU career pass-catching record during the Baylor game last week is certainly worth noting--especially since he passed Johnny Rodgers, who this OHF got to see in person at the height of his collegiate powers. And that's where I'm going with this blog entry for the most part--to recall just what it was like when Johnny Rodgers wore #20 during the Bobfather days.
The setup--a sold-out Memorial Stadium. No video screens anywhere, so folks in the stadium were either watching the game or getting alternative entertainment through people-watching.
The defense had just achieved another 3 and out. And then the drums started up, the band yelled, and the crowd joined in:
"Run, Johnny, Run!" Ba-da-da-da. "RUN, JOHNNY, RUN!!" (repeat until the punter kicks)
65-70,000 people. All with one focus at that point. What would #20 do THIS time???
That was just on punts. But JR made people hold their breath on scrimmage plays, as well--where of course he achieved the record that Nate Swift surpassed. What I remember from his catches is that he made a lot of big plays through the now-famous acronym YAC. Yards After the Catch. Johnny was a master at catching a 10 yard pass and getting at least another 10 yards out of the play. And, he had plenty of chances to make those plays, too--because the Husker offense of 1970-1972 was a pro-style offense. It was not the power/option attack that the teams of the 1980s and 1990s made famous. (Remember--Nebraska sent 3 QBs to the pros in this time frame--Jerry Tagge, David Humm, and Vince Ferragamo.)
Bottom line on Johnny Rodgers---he was a true game-changer--and when the Huskers have had this type of talent, the teams have been top-shelf.
Now, I don't put Nate Swift in that super-elite category. But he's a "gamer"--that means he WILL NEVER QUIT. And that's something we can all be grateful for in this era of rebuilding.
Here's where Nate Swift has come from as a Husker. (Of course, he'd already made a tremendous comeback individually by the time he got to Lincoln with his recovery from major illness as a young boy.) But--back to football. During the Pitt game in 2005, when Swift was a freshman, he ran a limp little pattern in the middle of the field. It was supposed to be a square-in, but his route was just a brisk jog on kind of a weak little curl. It didn't threaten anyone or anything. No hard burst out of his stance. No hard cut to get open. Nothing. It was such a half-assed pattern that Brent Musburger and Gary Danielson on the ESPN telecast pointed it out on a replay and made fun of it. (That was the game where Gary D said that the Husker offense was even worse than a high school program.)
And it's the same guy--now a much different player--who has the Husker pass reception record. That is remarkable. So I'll remember that about Swift's ability to grow and improve.
I also think that Nate Swift is the author of THE SIGNATURE MOMENT in this Husker season, when he took that punt against Va Tech to the house. I'm convinced that damn near everyone wearing (or thinking) red was tossing that game down the chute at that point. Not Swift!! He made that play all by himself---and, at least to me, sent a message about this year's program: WE DON'T QUIT!!! That's a credit to Bo Pelini and the coaches of course---but it's also a credit to, as Bo said after last week's game---"a heck of a football player."
And you know what? Swift has made enough plays that I get just a little shiver when I know he's on the field. Same anticipation I got when a certain #20 was running around. That's pretty special. That's pretty cool.
Go, Nate, go! And thanks for the memories!!!
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
But Nate Swift's garnering of the alltime NU career pass-catching record during the Baylor game last week is certainly worth noting--especially since he passed Johnny Rodgers, who this OHF got to see in person at the height of his collegiate powers. And that's where I'm going with this blog entry for the most part--to recall just what it was like when Johnny Rodgers wore #20 during the Bobfather days.
The setup--a sold-out Memorial Stadium. No video screens anywhere, so folks in the stadium were either watching the game or getting alternative entertainment through people-watching.
The defense had just achieved another 3 and out. And then the drums started up, the band yelled, and the crowd joined in:
"Run, Johnny, Run!" Ba-da-da-da. "RUN, JOHNNY, RUN!!" (repeat until the punter kicks)
65-70,000 people. All with one focus at that point. What would #20 do THIS time???
That was just on punts. But JR made people hold their breath on scrimmage plays, as well--where of course he achieved the record that Nate Swift surpassed. What I remember from his catches is that he made a lot of big plays through the now-famous acronym YAC. Yards After the Catch. Johnny was a master at catching a 10 yard pass and getting at least another 10 yards out of the play. And, he had plenty of chances to make those plays, too--because the Husker offense of 1970-1972 was a pro-style offense. It was not the power/option attack that the teams of the 1980s and 1990s made famous. (Remember--Nebraska sent 3 QBs to the pros in this time frame--Jerry Tagge, David Humm, and Vince Ferragamo.)
Bottom line on Johnny Rodgers---he was a true game-changer--and when the Huskers have had this type of talent, the teams have been top-shelf.
Now, I don't put Nate Swift in that super-elite category. But he's a "gamer"--that means he WILL NEVER QUIT. And that's something we can all be grateful for in this era of rebuilding.
Here's where Nate Swift has come from as a Husker. (Of course, he'd already made a tremendous comeback individually by the time he got to Lincoln with his recovery from major illness as a young boy.) But--back to football. During the Pitt game in 2005, when Swift was a freshman, he ran a limp little pattern in the middle of the field. It was supposed to be a square-in, but his route was just a brisk jog on kind of a weak little curl. It didn't threaten anyone or anything. No hard burst out of his stance. No hard cut to get open. Nothing. It was such a half-assed pattern that Brent Musburger and Gary Danielson on the ESPN telecast pointed it out on a replay and made fun of it. (That was the game where Gary D said that the Husker offense was even worse than a high school program.)
And it's the same guy--now a much different player--who has the Husker pass reception record. That is remarkable. So I'll remember that about Swift's ability to grow and improve.
I also think that Nate Swift is the author of THE SIGNATURE MOMENT in this Husker season, when he took that punt against Va Tech to the house. I'm convinced that damn near everyone wearing (or thinking) red was tossing that game down the chute at that point. Not Swift!! He made that play all by himself---and, at least to me, sent a message about this year's program: WE DON'T QUIT!!! That's a credit to Bo Pelini and the coaches of course---but it's also a credit to, as Bo said after last week's game---"a heck of a football player."
And you know what? Swift has made enough plays that I get just a little shiver when I know he's on the field. Same anticipation I got when a certain #20 was running around. That's pretty special. That's pretty cool.
Go, Nate, go! And thanks for the memories!!!
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Friday, October 17, 2008
Huskers Are Poised To Make It Happen
The Huskers are going to take it to the 'Clones. You heard it here last (probably). But at least it's out there before the kickoff (11:30 a.m. CDT Saturday the 18th).
I may be wrong, and if that's the case it'll be back-and-fill time---and I'll be blogging about how this is, after all, the first season for Bo & Company, etc, etc, yada, yada, yada.
But, I don't think I'm going to have to write that blog. And, I'd sure hate to be going on with some weepy oh-gee-I-don't-know-how-things-will-go type comment---only to be blown out by a decisive Husker showing. To say or think otherwise would be to totally negate that gutsy performance in Lubbock a week ago. (I mean, did anyone really think that that game would go to overtime??)
I'll admit, I was doing some wavering earlier this week. I was wondering if the showing against Tex Tech was a big ol' nugget of fool's gold dug out of the Llano Estacado. And then--and then--came some revelations--both in print and on video highlights.
First, print. Carl Pelini--defensive coordinator--talked at the Big Red breakfast this a.m. There were 2 things that he said that stuck out:
1) The coaches worked the players' butts off from the get-go in winter conditioning last winter, to get them used to adversity and hardship. "I started feeling guilty," he said.
2) Coach Carl said that practices this week were the "...fastest and most violent that I've ever seen..." That tells me me something VERRRRYYY significant---these boys are starting to feel it--and it's no BS sensation. We've got us a team working here, Husker fans.
Here's the link, by the way: http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/10/17/48f898a15d702
Now, to the video highlights---Niles Paul is turning into a bona fide playmaker. His kick return in the 2nd quarter against Tech--when he came within a whisker of taking it to the house--featured some major-league running along with, yet again, some darn good special teams blocking. This dude has some wheels! When I saw that kick return, I thought--"Hey! This looks like a big-time college kick return here!! WHOA!!!!"
Couple these 2 things with the fact that I think the offensive line is starting to come together, and I think there's some serious football ahead over the next 6 weeks. Hang on, folks---I truly think that there's some fun times just around the corner--starting Saturday morning.
GO BIG RED!!!
The Old Husker Fan
I may be wrong, and if that's the case it'll be back-and-fill time---and I'll be blogging about how this is, after all, the first season for Bo & Company, etc, etc, yada, yada, yada.
But, I don't think I'm going to have to write that blog. And, I'd sure hate to be going on with some weepy oh-gee-I-don't-know-how-things-will-go type comment---only to be blown out by a decisive Husker showing. To say or think otherwise would be to totally negate that gutsy performance in Lubbock a week ago. (I mean, did anyone really think that that game would go to overtime??)
I'll admit, I was doing some wavering earlier this week. I was wondering if the showing against Tex Tech was a big ol' nugget of fool's gold dug out of the Llano Estacado. And then--and then--came some revelations--both in print and on video highlights.
First, print. Carl Pelini--defensive coordinator--talked at the Big Red breakfast this a.m. There were 2 things that he said that stuck out:
1) The coaches worked the players' butts off from the get-go in winter conditioning last winter, to get them used to adversity and hardship. "I started feeling guilty," he said.
2) Coach Carl said that practices this week were the "...fastest and most violent that I've ever seen..." That tells me me something VERRRRYYY significant---these boys are starting to feel it--and it's no BS sensation. We've got us a team working here, Husker fans.
Here's the link, by the way: http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/10/17/48f898a15d702
Now, to the video highlights---Niles Paul is turning into a bona fide playmaker. His kick return in the 2nd quarter against Tech--when he came within a whisker of taking it to the house--featured some major-league running along with, yet again, some darn good special teams blocking. This dude has some wheels! When I saw that kick return, I thought--"Hey! This looks like a big-time college kick return here!! WHOA!!!!"
Couple these 2 things with the fact that I think the offensive line is starting to come together, and I think there's some serious football ahead over the next 6 weeks. Hang on, folks---I truly think that there's some fun times just around the corner--starting Saturday morning.
GO BIG RED!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Monday, October 13, 2008
Huskers' Close Loss Gives Bo Some Ammo
Well, this is going to sting for awhile, isn't it?? The Huskers, 21-pt 'dogs, darn near pulled the rug out from under Texas Tech. Damn! Damn! Damn!
I won't go into the details. They are all over everywhere. Go to Huskerpedia for that.
BUT---I think this game--a close-doesn't-count-except-in-horseshoes-and-hand-grenades type of game---is the type of game that Bo Pelini truly needed to get his point across to the entire Husker team---players AND coaches--about what's needed to get to a championship level. And he wasn't waiting for postgame to get started!! The televised rants that he put on Barney Cotton (that I heard about), and what appeared to be a royal chewing-out of Quentin Castille after his failed attempt on 4th down in the 2nd quarter, seem to me to be the coming-out party for Coach Pelini's competitive fire. VERRRRR----EEEE reminiscent of Bob Devaney!
Here's what I think the coach said in those exchanges, by the way (presented in family-friendly fashion, sort of---let's say PG-13):
To Barney Cotton--- "Find 5 guys who won't screw up on the line and play them until they drop!!!"
To Castille---"Dammit, when you hear that it's 4th and 1, hit the hole like it's 4th and 3!!! Got it???!!!!"
None of us can be at practice. But if we could be, I'm sure that we'd see a completely different level of intensity and attention to detail this week---not that it hasn't been emphasized already, but because now, the coaches truly have an example of how the little things can cost a game.
Talk about a "teaching" or "coaching" moment. The boys got one last weekend--and I think that they'll pass the next exam.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
I won't go into the details. They are all over everywhere. Go to Huskerpedia for that.
BUT---I think this game--a close-doesn't-count-except-in-horseshoes-and-hand-grenades type of game---is the type of game that Bo Pelini truly needed to get his point across to the entire Husker team---players AND coaches--about what's needed to get to a championship level. And he wasn't waiting for postgame to get started!! The televised rants that he put on Barney Cotton (that I heard about), and what appeared to be a royal chewing-out of Quentin Castille after his failed attempt on 4th down in the 2nd quarter, seem to me to be the coming-out party for Coach Pelini's competitive fire. VERRRRR----EEEE reminiscent of Bob Devaney!
Here's what I think the coach said in those exchanges, by the way (presented in family-friendly fashion, sort of---let's say PG-13):
To Barney Cotton--- "Find 5 guys who won't screw up on the line and play them until they drop!!!"
To Castille---"Dammit, when you hear that it's 4th and 1, hit the hole like it's 4th and 3!!! Got it???!!!!"
None of us can be at practice. But if we could be, I'm sure that we'd see a completely different level of intensity and attention to detail this week---not that it hasn't been emphasized already, but because now, the coaches truly have an example of how the little things can cost a game.
Talk about a "teaching" or "coaching" moment. The boys got one last weekend--and I think that they'll pass the next exam.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Monday, September 29, 2008
Huskers Exposed By Hokies
Boy, was I wrong. I thought before the Husker-Va Tech game that our guys could take the boys with the goofy cheerleading name by 10 points or greater. (By the way, Hokie is just that--a cheerleading chant. It's in Wikipedia).
Anyway--back to reality. Boy, was I wrong. Maybe too much red Kool-Aid, I don't know. But them boys from Blacksburg put on a clinic. They looked like the team that had had a week off to prepare for this game--not us. The only reason why there was only a 5-point difference was because Nate Swift had the stones to try to make a play with his 88-yard punt return in the 4th quarter. That was the single best moment the Huskers had all night.
I won't go too much into detail on the X's and O's. That's everywhere. You can read Huskerpedia and get all that. There are 4 things, however, that really stick out with me.
#1---Quarterback. I'm starting to have questions about how Joe Ganz should be deployed, mainly because of his height. I'm wondering if he's even 6 ft tall--and if he's not, then the offense has some real issues--because if Joe is truly that short, then he's gotta be in the shotgun more, which implies a spread offense. But, that does no good if you want to run a power offense with some option. There seemed to be a major physical difference between Joe and Tyrod Taylor from VA Tech.
#2---Offensive Line. These guys still have big problems in getting some decent blocking put together.
#3---Safeties. I don't know why Larry Asante, #4, continues to be out there. He acts like he's lost. And on the blocked punt the other night in the 1st quarter, he had 2 guys running at him and DIDN'T HIT EITHER ONE!! Good lord, man, pick SOMEBODY!!
#4---Bo's demeanor and temper. Okay--fire is one thing, but getting penalties for mouthing off to the refs is enough. Bo said the other night that he's got to be smarter, and I hope he meant it. Even as goofy as the Huskers were playing the other night, they were still in the game when that whole penalty thing with Suh, then followed by Bo, and THEN AGAIN BY SUH, occurred. Wow. You cannot have that!! And, anyone who got fed up with Bill Callahan and the "throat slash" deal against Oklahoma in 2005 (which I firmly believe was him demonstrating how the Nebr defender was held on an OU touchdown run, but got misinterpreted)---repeat---anyone who went after Callahan for that---and then does not get after Bo for his behavior last Saturday night--is being a hypocrite. Division I football is tough enough without a coach giving up yards just because he's pissed.
With all of that said---I think that VA Tech is similar to Okie State from last year. And we all know what happened when Okie State got up against our guys a year ago. This year, our fellas did not give up--and battled to the end. I give them tons of credit for that.
But there's a bunch to fix--without letting up on the attitude. And that fixing is both on the field and on the sideline.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Go to the attached link for another comment on Bo's penalty in the game:
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/09/28/48df3c4487b9b
Anyway--back to reality. Boy, was I wrong. Maybe too much red Kool-Aid, I don't know. But them boys from Blacksburg put on a clinic. They looked like the team that had had a week off to prepare for this game--not us. The only reason why there was only a 5-point difference was because Nate Swift had the stones to try to make a play with his 88-yard punt return in the 4th quarter. That was the single best moment the Huskers had all night.
I won't go too much into detail on the X's and O's. That's everywhere. You can read Huskerpedia and get all that. There are 4 things, however, that really stick out with me.
#1---Quarterback. I'm starting to have questions about how Joe Ganz should be deployed, mainly because of his height. I'm wondering if he's even 6 ft tall--and if he's not, then the offense has some real issues--because if Joe is truly that short, then he's gotta be in the shotgun more, which implies a spread offense. But, that does no good if you want to run a power offense with some option. There seemed to be a major physical difference between Joe and Tyrod Taylor from VA Tech.
#2---Offensive Line. These guys still have big problems in getting some decent blocking put together.
#3---Safeties. I don't know why Larry Asante, #4, continues to be out there. He acts like he's lost. And on the blocked punt the other night in the 1st quarter, he had 2 guys running at him and DIDN'T HIT EITHER ONE!! Good lord, man, pick SOMEBODY!!
#4---Bo's demeanor and temper. Okay--fire is one thing, but getting penalties for mouthing off to the refs is enough. Bo said the other night that he's got to be smarter, and I hope he meant it. Even as goofy as the Huskers were playing the other night, they were still in the game when that whole penalty thing with Suh, then followed by Bo, and THEN AGAIN BY SUH, occurred. Wow. You cannot have that!! And, anyone who got fed up with Bill Callahan and the "throat slash" deal against Oklahoma in 2005 (which I firmly believe was him demonstrating how the Nebr defender was held on an OU touchdown run, but got misinterpreted)---repeat---anyone who went after Callahan for that---and then does not get after Bo for his behavior last Saturday night--is being a hypocrite. Division I football is tough enough without a coach giving up yards just because he's pissed.
With all of that said---I think that VA Tech is similar to Okie State from last year. And we all know what happened when Okie State got up against our guys a year ago. This year, our fellas did not give up--and battled to the end. I give them tons of credit for that.
But there's a bunch to fix--without letting up on the attitude. And that fixing is both on the field and on the sideline.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Go to the attached link for another comment on Bo's penalty in the game:
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/09/28/48df3c4487b9b
Friday, September 26, 2008
This Husker Is Seeing Orange
Nothing rhymes with "orange". Certainly not "upset" or "kick your (fanny)". But that's sure what the Beavermen did Thursday night. Wow--what an achievement! Slapping the ESPN favorites from Song Girl U upside the head 27-21.
I am extremely jealous, and I think every Husker fan with a pulse should be as well. That was basically the same SoCal team that breezed through Lincoln last year to the point that video clips were incorporating Mrs. B's scooter. That game still makes me mad. Yet, last night, USC got chopped down and mushed up...and the crowd swarmed the field.
When was the last time THAT happened in Lincoln? Probably the OU game in 2001, right? When Mike Stuntz had his moment of glory and Eric Crouch secured the Heisman? Wow--what a long time ago.
Okay, let's get back to business, folks. Now that I've done my wallowing in self-pity, let's look and see what the Oregon State formula was for punking the Pete Carrolls.
Point #1---run the ball. And a frosh running back burrows his way for over 180 yards. Great job, kid! And am I the only one who finds it funny in a way that some little squirt who's not even 5-8 can get so many yards because the big 6-5 and 300-lb linemen CAN'T SEE HIM???!!! There's something appealing about that. And Oregon State had almost 35 minutes' worth of possession. Major, major factor in keeping the pretty Troy Boys off the field offensively.
Point #2---get turnovers. Oregon State had 0 vs the Beach Boys' 2. And IIRC, both SoCal turnovers led to points by Oregon State--certainly the INT in the 4th quarter that the Beaver safety ran back to the 2.
Point #3---don't give yards on penalties. Oregon State had only 5 penalties for 27 yards. SoCal had 7 for 84--including that flagrant foul on the 1st TD by Oregon State (don't ever think that the Carroll guys don't give out cheap shots).
And, finally--Point #4---luck never hurts. Just like in '01 when our guys got lucky because an OU gadget play failed because of a bad pass, Oregon State got lucky when a tipped pass got caught by a receiver just barely in bounds in the end zone. But, then again---if you believe that luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity, then plays like that are not to be wondered at.
Bottom line for me as a fan in trying to get past the "DAMN! Why can't that be us???!!!" feeling is this---everything that I mentioned above is what Bo is trying to get to. Physical play, swarming and takeaway-minded defense, not making stupid penalties, and grabbing the bouncing ball. I can't think of a better way to start that trend than by putting those ideas to work in just a little over 24 hours against VA Tech.
Go Big Red!!!
The Old Husker Fan
I am extremely jealous, and I think every Husker fan with a pulse should be as well. That was basically the same SoCal team that breezed through Lincoln last year to the point that video clips were incorporating Mrs. B's scooter. That game still makes me mad. Yet, last night, USC got chopped down and mushed up...and the crowd swarmed the field.
When was the last time THAT happened in Lincoln? Probably the OU game in 2001, right? When Mike Stuntz had his moment of glory and Eric Crouch secured the Heisman? Wow--what a long time ago.
Okay, let's get back to business, folks. Now that I've done my wallowing in self-pity, let's look and see what the Oregon State formula was for punking the Pete Carrolls.
Point #1---run the ball. And a frosh running back burrows his way for over 180 yards. Great job, kid! And am I the only one who finds it funny in a way that some little squirt who's not even 5-8 can get so many yards because the big 6-5 and 300-lb linemen CAN'T SEE HIM???!!! There's something appealing about that. And Oregon State had almost 35 minutes' worth of possession. Major, major factor in keeping the pretty Troy Boys off the field offensively.
Point #2---get turnovers. Oregon State had 0 vs the Beach Boys' 2. And IIRC, both SoCal turnovers led to points by Oregon State--certainly the INT in the 4th quarter that the Beaver safety ran back to the 2.
Point #3---don't give yards on penalties. Oregon State had only 5 penalties for 27 yards. SoCal had 7 for 84--including that flagrant foul on the 1st TD by Oregon State (don't ever think that the Carroll guys don't give out cheap shots).
And, finally--Point #4---luck never hurts. Just like in '01 when our guys got lucky because an OU gadget play failed because of a bad pass, Oregon State got lucky when a tipped pass got caught by a receiver just barely in bounds in the end zone. But, then again---if you believe that luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity, then plays like that are not to be wondered at.
Bottom line for me as a fan in trying to get past the "DAMN! Why can't that be us???!!!" feeling is this---everything that I mentioned above is what Bo is trying to get to. Physical play, swarming and takeaway-minded defense, not making stupid penalties, and grabbing the bouncing ball. I can't think of a better way to start that trend than by putting those ideas to work in just a little over 24 hours against VA Tech.
Go Big Red!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Husker-Hokie Tilt Has Echoes Of 1980
I can't help but think about comparisons to the Husker-Florida State game in Lincoln 28 years ago when there's the pregame talk ahead of our guys vs Va Tech.
I know that the Seminole program has gone through some iterations in the past 10-15 years--from its heyday of Neon Deion Sanders, Charlie Ward, and Derrick Brooks, to right now being a hanger-on type of program (and, of course, no one in Husker Nation will ever forget the disputed championship Bobby Bowden was handed after the 1993 season).
However---back in 1980, Florida State was a program working its way up the college football food chain. They came to Lincoln as definite underdogs--and managed to come away with an 18-14 win. It was a shocker.
And how'd they do it? Defense and special teams. Their kicker made I believe 4 field goals. And their defense forced a couple fumbles deep in FSU territory, which they recovered to hang on for the win.
Funny thing is, we started out by scoring twice pretty quick, so we were up 14-0. Then, they chipped away and eventually got the win. Bobby Bowden--yes, the old coot today--was building his team on solid, fundamental defense and winning the kicking game.
That sounds a whole lot like what is being called "Beamer Ball" today. And it's what has me kind of nervous ahead of Saturday evening.
The Old Husker Fan
I know that the Seminole program has gone through some iterations in the past 10-15 years--from its heyday of Neon Deion Sanders, Charlie Ward, and Derrick Brooks, to right now being a hanger-on type of program (and, of course, no one in Husker Nation will ever forget the disputed championship Bobby Bowden was handed after the 1993 season).
However---back in 1980, Florida State was a program working its way up the college football food chain. They came to Lincoln as definite underdogs--and managed to come away with an 18-14 win. It was a shocker.
And how'd they do it? Defense and special teams. Their kicker made I believe 4 field goals. And their defense forced a couple fumbles deep in FSU territory, which they recovered to hang on for the win.
Funny thing is, we started out by scoring twice pretty quick, so we were up 14-0. Then, they chipped away and eventually got the win. Bobby Bowden--yes, the old coot today--was building his team on solid, fundamental defense and winning the kicking game.
That sounds a whole lot like what is being called "Beamer Ball" today. And it's what has me kind of nervous ahead of Saturday evening.
The Old Husker Fan
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thoughts On An Ugly Husker Win
The Huskers' 35-12 win over San Jose State last Saturday was one of those ugly wins. But those things happen from time to time. Here are my thoughts:
1) The D-Line--not the O-Line--is emerging as a force. All the guys on the defensive line are playing hard and smart. After last year, who would have dreamed that a D-lineman would grab a Pick-6 like Suh did last Saturday? What was also very impressive was how Pierre Allen came in when Barry Turner got hurt and played like a champ. And Steinkuhler and Potter have their motors running full steam (what a grab by Potter in the 4th quarter on a ball thrown right at him!). I just hope these guys can hold up, because they're starting out great.
2) I felt that the preseason talk about the O-line being dominant was a little premature--and things are playing out that way now. I don't know what the issue is--but I didn't see any explosion off the ball as I was watching from the south end zone for the Western Michigan game, and from the sounds of things Saturday there wasn't any explosive charge either. What bugs me is that the interior line--center and 2 guards--don't seem to be making it happen.
3) Running back I think needs to be mainly a Lucky-Helu split. Castille has played himself out in my opinion. This guy is a fumbler. He was last season and he's doing the same thing again. Lucky and Helu are both potential game-breakers (I think Helu is the real deal at RB). You can work 2 running backs successfully, but there just aren't enough plays to get 3 guys into the game and get them going. Coach Watson needs to make this move immediately.
4) It's obvious that special teams play is getting more attention--not only by having Niles Paul as a returner, but also the move to put Alfonso Dennard back there with him. That kickoff return was as clean as I've seen for a long, long time. Remember--the team concept is offense, defense and special teams. We clicked on 2 of the 3 last Saturday (defense and special teams) and that will get you a long way.
5) I'm very uneasy about the Husker safety play. Once again, there was a long ball right down the middle that they gave up last Saturday. I have questions about Asante's decisionmaking and about O'Hanlon's speed. I think that Sam McKewon picked up on that very well in his rundown of the game. Here's the link: http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/09/07/48c4a2f530a9c
6) Last, but not least and in many respects the most important---despite the errors, the players are I believe truly playing for each other and the coaches--and the coaches are intense but not mean in their coaching. I was very encouraged to hear the reports of the reactions early in the game on the sideline--where there was discussion and coaching, but not in-your-face yelling and calling guys out. I think Bo and his staff really have their heads on straight in that respect, and that will be a big, big plus going forward. Because, as we all know, the season ain't getting any easier.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
1) The D-Line--not the O-Line--is emerging as a force. All the guys on the defensive line are playing hard and smart. After last year, who would have dreamed that a D-lineman would grab a Pick-6 like Suh did last Saturday? What was also very impressive was how Pierre Allen came in when Barry Turner got hurt and played like a champ. And Steinkuhler and Potter have their motors running full steam (what a grab by Potter in the 4th quarter on a ball thrown right at him!). I just hope these guys can hold up, because they're starting out great.
2) I felt that the preseason talk about the O-line being dominant was a little premature--and things are playing out that way now. I don't know what the issue is--but I didn't see any explosion off the ball as I was watching from the south end zone for the Western Michigan game, and from the sounds of things Saturday there wasn't any explosive charge either. What bugs me is that the interior line--center and 2 guards--don't seem to be making it happen.
3) Running back I think needs to be mainly a Lucky-Helu split. Castille has played himself out in my opinion. This guy is a fumbler. He was last season and he's doing the same thing again. Lucky and Helu are both potential game-breakers (I think Helu is the real deal at RB). You can work 2 running backs successfully, but there just aren't enough plays to get 3 guys into the game and get them going. Coach Watson needs to make this move immediately.
4) It's obvious that special teams play is getting more attention--not only by having Niles Paul as a returner, but also the move to put Alfonso Dennard back there with him. That kickoff return was as clean as I've seen for a long, long time. Remember--the team concept is offense, defense and special teams. We clicked on 2 of the 3 last Saturday (defense and special teams) and that will get you a long way.
5) I'm very uneasy about the Husker safety play. Once again, there was a long ball right down the middle that they gave up last Saturday. I have questions about Asante's decisionmaking and about O'Hanlon's speed. I think that Sam McKewon picked up on that very well in his rundown of the game. Here's the link: http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/09/07/48c4a2f530a9c
6) Last, but not least and in many respects the most important---despite the errors, the players are I believe truly playing for each other and the coaches--and the coaches are intense but not mean in their coaching. I was very encouraged to hear the reports of the reactions early in the game on the sideline--where there was discussion and coaching, but not in-your-face yelling and calling guys out. I think Bo and his staff really have their heads on straight in that respect, and that will be a big, big plus going forward. Because, as we all know, the season ain't getting any easier.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Huskers' Ekeler Is Kiffin-esque
Husker LB coach Mike Ekeler is a hoot. He's from Blair, NE--just north of Omaha. Went to K-State and played for Bill Snyder (I'll forgive him for that). While he was there, he made a rep for his special teams play--apparently he never saw a wedge to bust through that he didn't like. Coach E came with Bo Pelini from LSU, where he was a grad assistant--so this is his first for-real coaching gig. (He sold a reportedly successful business to get into coaching.)
Last spring, he was a hit with stud recruit Will Compton's family in the St. Louis area when he showed up for the last pre-signing visit with some kind of tattoo saluting Will C (I believe a temporary piece of art work, but it helped get the job done and keep young Mr. C from heading to Mizzou). And, during spring practice, he was quoted a bunch of times with real rah-rah we're-gonna-get-'em type comments.
Well, this past Saturday, Coach Ekeler made a definite impression during the Western Michigan game. Early in the game, Cody Glenn broke up a pass to create a 3-and-out for the WMich offense. Fans were going crazy. The play happened fairly close to the Husker bench, and as Glenn runs off the field, this guy leaps about 3 ft in the air onto Cody's shoulders!
It was Coach Ekeler, of course. I had the glasses on Cody for some reason and saw the whole thing. You know, this old Husker fan has gone to games off and on for over 40 years, and I've never seen anything quite like that.
I have seen that same kind of fire before, though. And you know from who by the title of this blog. Yep--none other than Monte Kiffin during his days coaching the defense in the early 1970s. Kiffin had the same all-out burn from start to finish that Ekeler is showing. (No disrespect to Charlie McBride--but Kiffin is the best example at this age that I think of.) That's a tall example and of course big and accomplished shoes to follow in, but honestly, that's exactly who I thought of when I saw this mid-air bear hug going on.
A few posts ago, I said that the Huskers were "...looking for a hammer." Just something truly dependable day in, day out that they could fall back on. I think this is it--coaches who truly care about their guys and are dialed in when it comes to teaching and motivation. And that, my fellow Big Redders, is a great place to start in getting back into the "top programs in the U.S." conversation in the here and now.
Go Big Red!
Old Husker Fan
Last spring, he was a hit with stud recruit Will Compton's family in the St. Louis area when he showed up for the last pre-signing visit with some kind of tattoo saluting Will C (I believe a temporary piece of art work, but it helped get the job done and keep young Mr. C from heading to Mizzou). And, during spring practice, he was quoted a bunch of times with real rah-rah we're-gonna-get-'em type comments.
Well, this past Saturday, Coach Ekeler made a definite impression during the Western Michigan game. Early in the game, Cody Glenn broke up a pass to create a 3-and-out for the WMich offense. Fans were going crazy. The play happened fairly close to the Husker bench, and as Glenn runs off the field, this guy leaps about 3 ft in the air onto Cody's shoulders!
It was Coach Ekeler, of course. I had the glasses on Cody for some reason and saw the whole thing. You know, this old Husker fan has gone to games off and on for over 40 years, and I've never seen anything quite like that.
I have seen that same kind of fire before, though. And you know from who by the title of this blog. Yep--none other than Monte Kiffin during his days coaching the defense in the early 1970s. Kiffin had the same all-out burn from start to finish that Ekeler is showing. (No disrespect to Charlie McBride--but Kiffin is the best example at this age that I think of.) That's a tall example and of course big and accomplished shoes to follow in, but honestly, that's exactly who I thought of when I saw this mid-air bear hug going on.
A few posts ago, I said that the Huskers were "...looking for a hammer." Just something truly dependable day in, day out that they could fall back on. I think this is it--coaches who truly care about their guys and are dialed in when it comes to teaching and motivation. And that, my fellow Big Redders, is a great place to start in getting back into the "top programs in the U.S." conversation in the here and now.
Go Big Red!
Old Husker Fan
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Stylin' At The Husker Opener
Here are Cliff and I decked out prior to cheering the Huskers on to Bo Pelini's first regular-season win as Head Coach. Note my shirt--which I'm sure was unique and unmatched at the game.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Husker Win Shows Fire And Fatigue
Thanks to a birthday present from son Cliff, I was able to be one of the 84,000-plus on hand to check out Bo Pelini's first regular-season game as Husker head coach last Saturday. We were in the south end zone--a cool spot to be because not only can you see the plays develop, but the big 5-acre wide screen-- or whatever its dimensions are--is right there for all the replays.
Here are my thoughts from my gametime experience.
#1--There's fire on the sideline. Bo and the coaches were into this game from the first play, keeping the guys pumped up and focused on their assignments. Bo--with his single-ear headset, play chart, Husker cap and gum--prowled the sidelines constantly. You could tell that he was looking for energy and pursuit as much as anything else. And all the coaches were like that. The best example was Linebacker coach Mike Ekeler's leap and mid-air hug of Cody Glenn when he knocked down a pass to create a Western Michigan 3-and-out in the 2nd quarter. (It was actually Glenn's 2nd knockdown I think--and came close to being a pick-6).
Another example of Bo's total involvement: In the 2nd quarter and Western Michigan driving, they had a couple big plays from their spread offense. Bo called time out to talk to the defense and get re-organized. That's one of the techniques Kerry Coombs emphasized in his how-to-defend-the spread commentary--use timeouts to break the momentum of the offense. As I recall, our guys stopped that drive, then got the ball back and scored on the 61-yarder from Joe Ganz to Nate Swift.
#2--Gang tackling is back! Let me repeat--gang tackling is back! There were some solo stops Saturday night--but on many Western Michigan plays--even their short passes--the tackle call had two or more names listed--with usually 3 or 4 more red shirts in the play. Bo talked about flying to the ball. We had that going on. I especially remember Zac Potter's name being called on tackles following short pass plays. That was impressive for a D-lineman to keep going. It was nice to see that motor back in operation.
#3--The Cody Glenn to linebacker move is on the way to being this year's version of Bo's Demorrio Williams story. We all know that one--how Bo took Demorrio out of just being a cover linebacker and created a pass-rush monster off the edge. Well, folks, I'm here to say that the Cody G linebacker switch could very well be all of that and more--considering that Cody G had not played linebacker in college prior to last spring. You've seen the numbers he had--a dozen tackles, 9 unassisted, 2 1/2 for a loss, several pass breakups. This guy truly was all over the field!
It's not like Cody just had 1 thing to do, either. Western Michigan was constantly going after him with receivers running drag patterns, switches on coverage, and motion. Heck--the first play of the game they checked his assignment savvy by trying a QB delay run. Cody stuffed it for a 1-yd loss. And, since he's the WILL linebacker, he's going to be on the field a lot--possibly all the time like he was last Saturday. He never came off. What a move by him and the coaches!
By the way--this move is also reminiscent of how Rich Glover's career got jump-started in the early '70s. Glover was a serviceable defensive tackle, but when Monte Kiffin moved him to the nose position, his college career mushroomed. I sure wish that Cody Glenn had at least 1 more year like Glover had when he made his move.
#4--The D-backs have some style. By that, I mean they're playing like top-level college game defensive backs. Anthony West, Eric Hagg, and Prince Amukamara had bigtime pass breakups Saturday night--featuring aggressive coverage and just-at-the-right-time knockdowns. Their tackling form was excellent, too. There were some plays by the D-backs that made me think of our bigtime guys from back in the day--like Ralph Brown, Barron Miles, etc.
#5--Joe Ganz is the man on offense. He saved our bacon a BUNCH Saturday night with his scrambling to avoid taking a big sack--and made something positive happen instead by keeping his cool and knowing where to look for a receiver. Yes, he had a couple picks--which I'll talk about later. But he had some throws that were nothing short of brilliant--especially on the 2 play 3rd quarter TD drive, where he aired it out to Dreu Young over 2 WMich guys in good coverage--and Young came up with the ball (great catch by a TIGHT END by the way---a Ron Brown product). And he followed that zinger with another beauty to Marlon Lucky for the score--again throwing over a defender. Those were big-time tosses, gang.
(An aside here---I think that Callahan kept Ganz off the field the last couple years as much as he could--because he was afraid of the crowd reaction if Joe would light it up. Just sayin'.)
#6--Back to the defense. The D-line was a solid unit all game, and got some good pressure all night long. Barry Turner had either 1 or 2 sacks (or shared sacks). Suh was a force. Ty Steinkuhler wrecked a bunch of running plays. Shukree Barfield got in on the action. Zac Potter acted like a beast. Jared Crick and Terence Moore put in quality minutes.
In total, what did the D come up with--4 sacks? One-third the total for all of last season? That's making something happen!
Now to the other side--that being fatigue. Our guys--especially the back 7--definitely started to wear down in the 4th quarter. No surprise, because there wasn't any subbing done by the coaches. The LBs and D-backs who started played practically the whole game. Certainly Glenn and Philip Dillard did not come out--nor did Larry Asante at strong safety. I read that Ricky Thenarse was in for 1 play on defense, but then got hurt on a kicking team play. I know that the coaches know this--but this definitely points to how important it is to develop some depth at linebacker and defensive back. Western Michigan got too many chances to make big yardage in the 4th quarter.
A couple other notes before some fun stuff. First, the O-line and fullbacks have some work to do on the run game. On Ganz's long option run in the first quarter, followed up by Marlon Lucky's TD run, the fullback made a good block. Other times, the FB failed to get his man and the plays were stuffed. And the O-line didn't blow anyone out of there. I like how Bo was quoted saying that execution has to improve...and did not lean on the excuse that the dive and off-tackle plays didn't work because Western Michigan had too many guys close to the line. Thanks, Coach! There are times when you have to be able to run no matter HOW many guys are stacked in there.
Second--how refreshing it was to see Alex Henery get some trust from the coaches on his field goals. And they were not any gimmes, either. They were all in the 44-45 yard range. Good practice for a number of reasons--not the least because there was some pressure involved. You know that the players all wanted to win the first regular season game for Bo and the rest of the coaching staff--plus for each other. That's pressure--and Alex and the special teams handled it well.
Fun stuff. Starts out with tailgating. Our ticket contact, Kristen, told Cliff about a tailgate that her family's part of--so we grabbed some brats, a few brewskies, and took it in. Outstanding! What a great way to get the game day routine underway! The folks were great company and the side dishes tasty-plus.
Second--I truly think that the Husker Hawaiian-style shirt I had on was the only one of that type that anybody in the entire stadium had. And as I was going through the ticket line at Gate 2, I was the last one in our group. The usher taking my ticket said, "Nice shirt!" as he tore my ticket stub. A lady was behind me--and the usher asked her, "Did you buy that shirt for him?" She was completely perplexed! One of those where you had to be there, but it was a hoot!
What a day--what a game--what promise for these guys. Keep making it happen, Huskers!
Go Big Red!
The Old Husker Fan
Here are my thoughts from my gametime experience.
#1--There's fire on the sideline. Bo and the coaches were into this game from the first play, keeping the guys pumped up and focused on their assignments. Bo--with his single-ear headset, play chart, Husker cap and gum--prowled the sidelines constantly. You could tell that he was looking for energy and pursuit as much as anything else. And all the coaches were like that. The best example was Linebacker coach Mike Ekeler's leap and mid-air hug of Cody Glenn when he knocked down a pass to create a Western Michigan 3-and-out in the 2nd quarter. (It was actually Glenn's 2nd knockdown I think--and came close to being a pick-6).
Another example of Bo's total involvement: In the 2nd quarter and Western Michigan driving, they had a couple big plays from their spread offense. Bo called time out to talk to the defense and get re-organized. That's one of the techniques Kerry Coombs emphasized in his how-to-defend-the spread commentary--use timeouts to break the momentum of the offense. As I recall, our guys stopped that drive, then got the ball back and scored on the 61-yarder from Joe Ganz to Nate Swift.
#2--Gang tackling is back! Let me repeat--gang tackling is back! There were some solo stops Saturday night--but on many Western Michigan plays--even their short passes--the tackle call had two or more names listed--with usually 3 or 4 more red shirts in the play. Bo talked about flying to the ball. We had that going on. I especially remember Zac Potter's name being called on tackles following short pass plays. That was impressive for a D-lineman to keep going. It was nice to see that motor back in operation.
#3--The Cody Glenn to linebacker move is on the way to being this year's version of Bo's Demorrio Williams story. We all know that one--how Bo took Demorrio out of just being a cover linebacker and created a pass-rush monster off the edge. Well, folks, I'm here to say that the Cody G linebacker switch could very well be all of that and more--considering that Cody G had not played linebacker in college prior to last spring. You've seen the numbers he had--a dozen tackles, 9 unassisted, 2 1/2 for a loss, several pass breakups. This guy truly was all over the field!
It's not like Cody just had 1 thing to do, either. Western Michigan was constantly going after him with receivers running drag patterns, switches on coverage, and motion. Heck--the first play of the game they checked his assignment savvy by trying a QB delay run. Cody stuffed it for a 1-yd loss. And, since he's the WILL linebacker, he's going to be on the field a lot--possibly all the time like he was last Saturday. He never came off. What a move by him and the coaches!
By the way--this move is also reminiscent of how Rich Glover's career got jump-started in the early '70s. Glover was a serviceable defensive tackle, but when Monte Kiffin moved him to the nose position, his college career mushroomed. I sure wish that Cody Glenn had at least 1 more year like Glover had when he made his move.
#4--The D-backs have some style. By that, I mean they're playing like top-level college game defensive backs. Anthony West, Eric Hagg, and Prince Amukamara had bigtime pass breakups Saturday night--featuring aggressive coverage and just-at-the-right-time knockdowns. Their tackling form was excellent, too. There were some plays by the D-backs that made me think of our bigtime guys from back in the day--like Ralph Brown, Barron Miles, etc.
#5--Joe Ganz is the man on offense. He saved our bacon a BUNCH Saturday night with his scrambling to avoid taking a big sack--and made something positive happen instead by keeping his cool and knowing where to look for a receiver. Yes, he had a couple picks--which I'll talk about later. But he had some throws that were nothing short of brilliant--especially on the 2 play 3rd quarter TD drive, where he aired it out to Dreu Young over 2 WMich guys in good coverage--and Young came up with the ball (great catch by a TIGHT END by the way---a Ron Brown product). And he followed that zinger with another beauty to Marlon Lucky for the score--again throwing over a defender. Those were big-time tosses, gang.
(An aside here---I think that Callahan kept Ganz off the field the last couple years as much as he could--because he was afraid of the crowd reaction if Joe would light it up. Just sayin'.)
#6--Back to the defense. The D-line was a solid unit all game, and got some good pressure all night long. Barry Turner had either 1 or 2 sacks (or shared sacks). Suh was a force. Ty Steinkuhler wrecked a bunch of running plays. Shukree Barfield got in on the action. Zac Potter acted like a beast. Jared Crick and Terence Moore put in quality minutes.
In total, what did the D come up with--4 sacks? One-third the total for all of last season? That's making something happen!
Now to the other side--that being fatigue. Our guys--especially the back 7--definitely started to wear down in the 4th quarter. No surprise, because there wasn't any subbing done by the coaches. The LBs and D-backs who started played practically the whole game. Certainly Glenn and Philip Dillard did not come out--nor did Larry Asante at strong safety. I read that Ricky Thenarse was in for 1 play on defense, but then got hurt on a kicking team play. I know that the coaches know this--but this definitely points to how important it is to develop some depth at linebacker and defensive back. Western Michigan got too many chances to make big yardage in the 4th quarter.
A couple other notes before some fun stuff. First, the O-line and fullbacks have some work to do on the run game. On Ganz's long option run in the first quarter, followed up by Marlon Lucky's TD run, the fullback made a good block. Other times, the FB failed to get his man and the plays were stuffed. And the O-line didn't blow anyone out of there. I like how Bo was quoted saying that execution has to improve...and did not lean on the excuse that the dive and off-tackle plays didn't work because Western Michigan had too many guys close to the line. Thanks, Coach! There are times when you have to be able to run no matter HOW many guys are stacked in there.
Second--how refreshing it was to see Alex Henery get some trust from the coaches on his field goals. And they were not any gimmes, either. They were all in the 44-45 yard range. Good practice for a number of reasons--not the least because there was some pressure involved. You know that the players all wanted to win the first regular season game for Bo and the rest of the coaching staff--plus for each other. That's pressure--and Alex and the special teams handled it well.
Fun stuff. Starts out with tailgating. Our ticket contact, Kristen, told Cliff about a tailgate that her family's part of--so we grabbed some brats, a few brewskies, and took it in. Outstanding! What a great way to get the game day routine underway! The folks were great company and the side dishes tasty-plus.
Second--I truly think that the Husker Hawaiian-style shirt I had on was the only one of that type that anybody in the entire stadium had. And as I was going through the ticket line at Gate 2, I was the last one in our group. The usher taking my ticket said, "Nice shirt!" as he tore my ticket stub. A lady was behind me--and the usher asked her, "Did you buy that shirt for him?" She was completely perplexed! One of those where you had to be there, but it was a hoot!
What a day--what a game--what promise for these guys. Keep making it happen, Huskers!
Go Big Red!
The Old Husker Fan
Friday, August 29, 2008
Huskers To Go 9-3--What The Heck
I've been going back and forth over what to say about this season. This Old Husker Fan has tried to come up with a season that this one compares to, and frankly, I can't. Even back in 1962, Devaney had some recognized All-Star talent to work with in putting his 1st season together.
So I thought about 2002--the year following Eric Crouch, when Jammal Lord took his turn at QB. We know how that one turned out--7 & 7, which was then followed by Husker Nation's first look at Bo Pelini, and then...and then...and then...
But you know, no fan wants to start the season with a comparison to a .500 campaign. (Well, unless you root for the Chiefs in the NFL. Which I do. Sucks.)
Noooooo!!! This being a fan thing is about OPTIMISM. There's enough reality out there.
So, with that, I'm going for a 9-3 season. I think that Bo's leadership and the intensity and organization of the coaches, plus the guys' desire to wash the bad taste of last year out of their memory, are worth 4 more wins than last year. That's a bunch--but keep in mind that the hardest part of the game to organize--the offensive scheme--stays largely together with Shawn Watson still on the staff. Plus, there's senior QB leadership in Joe Ganz. That is a HUGE intangible. Follow that up with a bowl game, and we're back to 10-3 with a boatload of momentum and the program coming back together. 10-3 would also be the same record that Bo was part of in his year as D-coordinator in 2003. How's THAT for a pair of bookends??
I think we start out tomorrow with a 2-TD win over Western Michigan. At least. I think we put the hurt on these guys. And wouldn't a Pick-6 for our guys be a hoot??!!
(Having said that, I'll be happy with a one-point walkoff. Just win, Bo.)
Basically, the way the schedule sets up with both Mizzou and KU at home, I think our guys have a chance to pull off the same type season, with momentum building throughout, that the program did in 1969. (Of course, that year featured an early loss 31-21 to Southern Cal--but it was a knock-down game the whole way.)
Losses that I see this season are: Mizzou; Tex Tech; OU. Call me goofy, but I think that our guys have the talent and chutzpah to take care of everyone else--including KU.
However--what if tomorrow starts out with the worst-case scenario--a loss? (Hate to think about it, but I'm sure Michigan didn't expect App State to eat their lunch at Ann Arbor last year either.) Well, sports fans, as we know, that's why they play the game. And at that point we will just have to keep chuckin' and let the coaches and players sort it out. Of course, if a loss happens, I'd love to be a fly on the wall at practice next week.
This is going to be exciting. I'll be there gettin' after it with everyone else in Husker Nation far and wide! See you at the game! I'll be the guy in the red shirt and white cap!
Go Big Red!!!
The Old Husker Fan
So I thought about 2002--the year following Eric Crouch, when Jammal Lord took his turn at QB. We know how that one turned out--7 & 7, which was then followed by Husker Nation's first look at Bo Pelini, and then...and then...and then...
But you know, no fan wants to start the season with a comparison to a .500 campaign. (Well, unless you root for the Chiefs in the NFL. Which I do. Sucks.)
Noooooo!!! This being a fan thing is about OPTIMISM. There's enough reality out there.
So, with that, I'm going for a 9-3 season. I think that Bo's leadership and the intensity and organization of the coaches, plus the guys' desire to wash the bad taste of last year out of their memory, are worth 4 more wins than last year. That's a bunch--but keep in mind that the hardest part of the game to organize--the offensive scheme--stays largely together with Shawn Watson still on the staff. Plus, there's senior QB leadership in Joe Ganz. That is a HUGE intangible. Follow that up with a bowl game, and we're back to 10-3 with a boatload of momentum and the program coming back together. 10-3 would also be the same record that Bo was part of in his year as D-coordinator in 2003. How's THAT for a pair of bookends??
I think we start out tomorrow with a 2-TD win over Western Michigan. At least. I think we put the hurt on these guys. And wouldn't a Pick-6 for our guys be a hoot??!!
(Having said that, I'll be happy with a one-point walkoff. Just win, Bo.)
Basically, the way the schedule sets up with both Mizzou and KU at home, I think our guys have a chance to pull off the same type season, with momentum building throughout, that the program did in 1969. (Of course, that year featured an early loss 31-21 to Southern Cal--but it was a knock-down game the whole way.)
Losses that I see this season are: Mizzou; Tex Tech; OU. Call me goofy, but I think that our guys have the talent and chutzpah to take care of everyone else--including KU.
However--what if tomorrow starts out with the worst-case scenario--a loss? (Hate to think about it, but I'm sure Michigan didn't expect App State to eat their lunch at Ann Arbor last year either.) Well, sports fans, as we know, that's why they play the game. And at that point we will just have to keep chuckin' and let the coaches and players sort it out. Of course, if a loss happens, I'd love to be a fly on the wall at practice next week.
This is going to be exciting. I'll be there gettin' after it with everyone else in Husker Nation far and wide! See you at the game! I'll be the guy in the red shirt and white cap!
Go Big Red!!!
The Old Husker Fan
Huskers Need A Hammer
You've heard the line. You may have said it yourself a time or two. Something isn't working quite right--an appliance, a door, a gadget, a computer--and you're having a heck of a time fixing it. You tell someone in your family or at work about your problem. Your friend or relative replies, "Try a hammer. That'll fix it."
That line "...try a hammer..." is elemental. Kind of cave man-like. The main message is, "What the heck. Just smash it."
But there's another angle to that joke as well. The hammer is a basic tool. It only does one thing, but you can depend on it to do that one thing all the time. You know what you're going to get when you pick up a hammer.
And, on the eve of the Huskers' first regular-season game under Bo Pelini Saturday against Western Michigan, that's the one thing that the Huskers really need to find. Not something simple necessarily, but something dependable--like a hammer. Something on either offense or defense that the team, coaches, and you and I as fans KNOW can be counted on to perform at a high success rate game in, game out.
Ponder that for a minute. What part of the team do you KNOW--without reservation--is going to make it happen come kickoff time tomorrow? Let's go through the question marks.
The easiest ones to find are on defense, of course, where the scheme is brand new--as are many of the players to starting roles. I know that this is old news, but we really don't know WHAT the Husker defense has at this point anywhere in the lineup. So there's either 4, 5, 6 or 11 question marks depending on how you want to slice and dice the unit by either general groupings, subgroups, or each player.
Now we come to the offense. Here is of course a more likely side of the ball to find that "hammer" in terms of dependability. Joe Ganz has some huge numbers from his time on the field last season. Same for Marlon Lucky. Nate Swift and Todd Peterson can catch. The O-line showed some flashes late in the season.
But still--there are these nagging questions. In my mind, and many other fans' minds as well, we remember the basically 2 pick 6's that Ganz threw against Colorado almost as much as his carving up of K-State. Is that out of his system now that he's got some game experience and a new play caller? Is Lucky capable of the tough yards as well as being a checkdown receiver? Can Swift and Peterson get open when they're the prime defensive targets now that Mo Purify is gone? And will they hang onto the ball? Can the O-line make the blocks on 3rd and 3 for the run game? Can the O-line give Ganz a pocket on 2nd and 8? I know there are Husker fans who will point to the big scores from the end of the season as proof that the offense doesn't have questions---but, to me, there was enough failure at crunch time to keep me a little uneasy about how this side of the ball will come together.
In previous eras that this Old Husker Fan has followed the team, almost every year there was something that you knew would "be there." Usually, of course, it was the defense and the running game. Take those two and build from there. That's 2 hammers.
Right now, I don't know where the hammer is. I believe it's in the rubble somewhere, though--and I think Bo Pelini will eventually find it and put it to good use.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
That line "...try a hammer..." is elemental. Kind of cave man-like. The main message is, "What the heck. Just smash it."
But there's another angle to that joke as well. The hammer is a basic tool. It only does one thing, but you can depend on it to do that one thing all the time. You know what you're going to get when you pick up a hammer.
And, on the eve of the Huskers' first regular-season game under Bo Pelini Saturday against Western Michigan, that's the one thing that the Huskers really need to find. Not something simple necessarily, but something dependable--like a hammer. Something on either offense or defense that the team, coaches, and you and I as fans KNOW can be counted on to perform at a high success rate game in, game out.
Ponder that for a minute. What part of the team do you KNOW--without reservation--is going to make it happen come kickoff time tomorrow? Let's go through the question marks.
The easiest ones to find are on defense, of course, where the scheme is brand new--as are many of the players to starting roles. I know that this is old news, but we really don't know WHAT the Husker defense has at this point anywhere in the lineup. So there's either 4, 5, 6 or 11 question marks depending on how you want to slice and dice the unit by either general groupings, subgroups, or each player.
Now we come to the offense. Here is of course a more likely side of the ball to find that "hammer" in terms of dependability. Joe Ganz has some huge numbers from his time on the field last season. Same for Marlon Lucky. Nate Swift and Todd Peterson can catch. The O-line showed some flashes late in the season.
But still--there are these nagging questions. In my mind, and many other fans' minds as well, we remember the basically 2 pick 6's that Ganz threw against Colorado almost as much as his carving up of K-State. Is that out of his system now that he's got some game experience and a new play caller? Is Lucky capable of the tough yards as well as being a checkdown receiver? Can Swift and Peterson get open when they're the prime defensive targets now that Mo Purify is gone? And will they hang onto the ball? Can the O-line make the blocks on 3rd and 3 for the run game? Can the O-line give Ganz a pocket on 2nd and 8? I know there are Husker fans who will point to the big scores from the end of the season as proof that the offense doesn't have questions---but, to me, there was enough failure at crunch time to keep me a little uneasy about how this side of the ball will come together.
In previous eras that this Old Husker Fan has followed the team, almost every year there was something that you knew would "be there." Usually, of course, it was the defense and the running game. Take those two and build from there. That's 2 hammers.
Right now, I don't know where the hammer is. I believe it's in the rubble somewhere, though--and I think Bo Pelini will eventually find it and put it to good use.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Huskers' Brown Brings It The Right Way
Of all the moves made by Bo Pelini when he took the reins of the Husker football program, the one that told me without a doubt that Coach Bo wanted to put some intensity in the program was his hiring of Ron Brown. And comments made by Tight End Coach Brown during spring ball and the start of fall practice have definitely reinforced that feeling.
Here are a few of my favorite Brown comments as I recall reading them. They may not be word-for-word accurate, but I think I've got the message down. I'm listing them from lowest to highest as the hit with me:
"See it! Catch it! Tuck it away!" -- hollering out to the tight ends about focus during spring ball.
"I want them to be war daddies."-- comment during fall practice on the physical approach he wants the tight ends to have in their play.
"We want to pull the heart out of the opponent."-- another physical play-related line during fall camp. The visceral nature of this line reminds me of a similar statement made by Diego Maradona--Argentina soccer idol--before the World Cup in 1990 when Argentina was the defending champion. Maradona said, "They will have to rip the cup out of our hearts." Germany won the title in a 1-0 win over Argentina in the final, but the Germans practically had to do just that.
And now, my favorite---
"We are going to invite pain and suffering into our lives."-- during spring practice. It's a little over-the-top regarding the kind of effort Brown wants from his players, but it puts the tone of work and effort that are needed to succeed in this violent game squarely on the table.
I like that attitude. It leads me to believe that--no matter how the games go--Brown will help make sure that the effort is there. And that's the one thing that I think every single Husker fan wants to see back into the mix for this season.
Go Big Red!
The Old Husker Fan
Here are a few of my favorite Brown comments as I recall reading them. They may not be word-for-word accurate, but I think I've got the message down. I'm listing them from lowest to highest as the hit with me:
"See it! Catch it! Tuck it away!" -- hollering out to the tight ends about focus during spring ball.
"I want them to be war daddies."-- comment during fall practice on the physical approach he wants the tight ends to have in their play.
"We want to pull the heart out of the opponent."-- another physical play-related line during fall camp. The visceral nature of this line reminds me of a similar statement made by Diego Maradona--Argentina soccer idol--before the World Cup in 1990 when Argentina was the defending champion. Maradona said, "They will have to rip the cup out of our hearts." Germany won the title in a 1-0 win over Argentina in the final, but the Germans practically had to do just that.
And now, my favorite---
"We are going to invite pain and suffering into our lives."-- during spring practice. It's a little over-the-top regarding the kind of effort Brown wants from his players, but it puts the tone of work and effort that are needed to succeed in this violent game squarely on the table.
I like that attitude. It leads me to believe that--no matter how the games go--Brown will help make sure that the effort is there. And that's the one thing that I think every single Husker fan wants to see back into the mix for this season.
Go Big Red!
The Old Husker Fan
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Lucky's Husker Legacy Needs Muscle
I heard some radio chatter last week about the yardage that Marlon Lucky will end up with when he's finished his Husker career. The guys were referring to the Husker media guide, which says, quote---"Lucky enters his final season on pace to finish in the Nebraska career top five in rushing, receptions, receiving yards and all-purpose yards." The banter then went on to ask the rhetorical question of whether Marlon Lucky is indeed a "Top 5" Husker running back.
I think that's a fair question. And I've been mulling my Old Husker Fan memory for why I think it's a fair question.
After all--numbers are numbers, right? Big yards are big yards, right? Right? RIGHT?
Well, after cogitatin' around, I have to say, "No. Big yards are not big yards. It's all about when they happen." And, here's where Mr. Lucky comes up a bit short. His big-output games have in large part come in games that, in the big picture, don't matter. That's unfortunate, and is in large part a product of how down the program has been in the past 4 years. But it's true.
You know the Marlon Lucky play that sticks in my mind--when he took off on a long run that got some attention? It was a play that didn't even count--a 90-some yard kickoff return in the KU game in 2005, which at the time, would have tied the score. The TD was nullified because of a penalty (special teams gaffe in the Callahan era--go figure). But that's it. I know he's had a couple halfback TD passes--but, c'mon--those are gadget plays.
After all---is anyone's first memory of Mike Rozier being the TD pass to Anthony Steels during the Orange Bowl after the 1981 season? You know what the answer is to that one.
Here's what I want out of Marlon Lucky this season. I want some hits. I want some tacklers being dragged for another 2-3 yards. I want a stiff-arm or two. THAT'S what defines a Husker running back.
Let's review. We could go back to the '60s, but let's start with the '70s. That's long enough ago.
'70s--Jeff Kinney. Shirt getting torn off by OU during the Game of the Century.
Rick Berns. Blasting off-tackle in the blood-and-guts thriller against Mizzou (even though Nebr lost--what a game. Anyone who wouldn't take THAT in the past 4 years??)
I.M. Hipp. Blood on the jersey against Iowa State in 1978. (After ISU had beaten Nebr 2 years in a row)
'80s--Roger Craig. Against Mizzou in 1980, he whacked so many guys that Mike Corgan, the running back coach, said, "He finally ran like he was boss." Grr!!
Rozier. Hip injury vs Mizzou in 1982 and he still runs for almost 130 yards. Plus beat the snot out of practically any D-back who ever got in his way.
Jeff Smith. Came close to helping Nebr come back against Miami in the '84 Orange Bowl.
Doug DuBose. Same type as Craig and Rozier, with an ACL and pre-arthroscopic days surgery ending his career.
'90s--Lawrence Phillips. L.P. vs K-State in 1994 is maybe the best example of what I'm talking about. When everyone in 2 states knew what the plays were with both Frazier and Berringer out, L.P. still gained yardage.
Ahman Green. Slugged it out many times in 3 championship-caliber seasons.
THAT'S what I'm talking about regarding "muscle" in the legacy. And that's what I want to see from Marlon Lucky this season.
Go Big Red!
The Old Husker Fan
I think that's a fair question. And I've been mulling my Old Husker Fan memory for why I think it's a fair question.
After all--numbers are numbers, right? Big yards are big yards, right? Right? RIGHT?
Well, after cogitatin' around, I have to say, "No. Big yards are not big yards. It's all about when they happen." And, here's where Mr. Lucky comes up a bit short. His big-output games have in large part come in games that, in the big picture, don't matter. That's unfortunate, and is in large part a product of how down the program has been in the past 4 years. But it's true.
You know the Marlon Lucky play that sticks in my mind--when he took off on a long run that got some attention? It was a play that didn't even count--a 90-some yard kickoff return in the KU game in 2005, which at the time, would have tied the score. The TD was nullified because of a penalty (special teams gaffe in the Callahan era--go figure). But that's it. I know he's had a couple halfback TD passes--but, c'mon--those are gadget plays.
After all---is anyone's first memory of Mike Rozier being the TD pass to Anthony Steels during the Orange Bowl after the 1981 season? You know what the answer is to that one.
Here's what I want out of Marlon Lucky this season. I want some hits. I want some tacklers being dragged for another 2-3 yards. I want a stiff-arm or two. THAT'S what defines a Husker running back.
Let's review. We could go back to the '60s, but let's start with the '70s. That's long enough ago.
'70s--Jeff Kinney. Shirt getting torn off by OU during the Game of the Century.
Rick Berns. Blasting off-tackle in the blood-and-guts thriller against Mizzou (even though Nebr lost--what a game. Anyone who wouldn't take THAT in the past 4 years??)
I.M. Hipp. Blood on the jersey against Iowa State in 1978. (After ISU had beaten Nebr 2 years in a row)
'80s--Roger Craig. Against Mizzou in 1980, he whacked so many guys that Mike Corgan, the running back coach, said, "He finally ran like he was boss." Grr!!
Rozier. Hip injury vs Mizzou in 1982 and he still runs for almost 130 yards. Plus beat the snot out of practically any D-back who ever got in his way.
Jeff Smith. Came close to helping Nebr come back against Miami in the '84 Orange Bowl.
Doug DuBose. Same type as Craig and Rozier, with an ACL and pre-arthroscopic days surgery ending his career.
'90s--Lawrence Phillips. L.P. vs K-State in 1994 is maybe the best example of what I'm talking about. When everyone in 2 states knew what the plays were with both Frazier and Berringer out, L.P. still gained yardage.
Ahman Green. Slugged it out many times in 3 championship-caliber seasons.
THAT'S what I'm talking about regarding "muscle" in the legacy. And that's what I want to see from Marlon Lucky this season.
Go Big Red!
The Old Husker Fan
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Cooper's Staying Says Huge Things About Pelini
Husker fans from all over and from all ages--including this Old Husker Fan--are justifiably pleased-- and in this dog's opinion should be thrilled--over Khiry Cooper's decision to stay with the Big Red.
Just to be sure we're all together on the background--Khiry Cooper is a wide receiver/kick returner from Louisiana who was also a 5th round major league baseball draft choice (Angels). He'd been with our boys in Lincoln practicing, but the Angels had until midnight last Friday night August 15 to sign him to a big league contract. They couldn't come to terms. The Angels said that Cooper's demands were too high.
We'll never know the details. That's OK. Cooper was the 169th player taken overall. His signing bonus would probably have ranged in the $150-200K area. That's not a lot of money, but still--if someone would have offered me that kind of change when I was 18, I probably would have taken it up "yesterday. "
At any rate, young Mr. Cooper's hanging around Lincoln is HUGE for the Huskers--and it says some very telling things about Bo Pelini's program.
Let's get to the team stuff. This boy legs out a 4.4 or 4.5 40. He's 6-2 weighs 180. That's very usable speed and size. Plus, he's got good hands--he was a centerfield prospect for the Angels in baseball, and says he's going to try doubling up on baseball at Nebraska.
What a combo kind of guy! I may be dreaming a bit here, but I have visions of another Irving Fryar-type guy out on the flank. Wouldn't THAT be a hit?
Now, all the above is fairly common knowledge. But--here's another angle to this little tale that I think is significant. Again--we don't know exactly what the Angels offered Mr. Cooper. But the fact is--he had a chance to leave the Huskers after practice began. Let me say this again--Khiry Cooper had the chance to leave the Huskers after practice began.
In other words, there was a period of time after fall camp got underway--with a week of two-a-days thrown in--that one could say was a tryout for Bo Pelini as much as it was practice for this hotshot freshman from Louisiana.
Think about it. This kid may not have been quite the talent that Carl Crawford (now an All-Star left fielder for the Rays) was coming out of high school, but he was still good enough to be drafted--and pursued--by a Major League Baseball team. If he didn't like what was going on in Lincoln, there was nothing to prevent him from saying, "Ciao--hasta la vista y'all" by last Friday.
Where I'm going with this thought is---the fact that Khiry Cooper said, "No, thanks" to the Angels to me means that he liked what he saw and experienced in Lincoln with Coach Pelini, Coach Gilmore (wideout coach), the offensive scheme run by Shawn Watson--the whole shootin' match. That says great things about what's happening with the program.
To me, Bo Pelini was effectively recruiting Khiry Cooper all the way until Friday night August 15th. It was successful. And that says volumes about the potential for future successes, both in recruiting, and in developing the team on the field. Khiry Cooper saw--and liked--both sides of Bo Pelini--recruiter and coach. We can, too.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Just to be sure we're all together on the background--Khiry Cooper is a wide receiver/kick returner from Louisiana who was also a 5th round major league baseball draft choice (Angels). He'd been with our boys in Lincoln practicing, but the Angels had until midnight last Friday night August 15 to sign him to a big league contract. They couldn't come to terms. The Angels said that Cooper's demands were too high.
We'll never know the details. That's OK. Cooper was the 169th player taken overall. His signing bonus would probably have ranged in the $150-200K area. That's not a lot of money, but still--if someone would have offered me that kind of change when I was 18, I probably would have taken it up "yesterday. "
At any rate, young Mr. Cooper's hanging around Lincoln is HUGE for the Huskers--and it says some very telling things about Bo Pelini's program.
Let's get to the team stuff. This boy legs out a 4.4 or 4.5 40. He's 6-2 weighs 180. That's very usable speed and size. Plus, he's got good hands--he was a centerfield prospect for the Angels in baseball, and says he's going to try doubling up on baseball at Nebraska.
What a combo kind of guy! I may be dreaming a bit here, but I have visions of another Irving Fryar-type guy out on the flank. Wouldn't THAT be a hit?
Now, all the above is fairly common knowledge. But--here's another angle to this little tale that I think is significant. Again--we don't know exactly what the Angels offered Mr. Cooper. But the fact is--he had a chance to leave the Huskers after practice began. Let me say this again--Khiry Cooper had the chance to leave the Huskers after practice began.
In other words, there was a period of time after fall camp got underway--with a week of two-a-days thrown in--that one could say was a tryout for Bo Pelini as much as it was practice for this hotshot freshman from Louisiana.
Think about it. This kid may not have been quite the talent that Carl Crawford (now an All-Star left fielder for the Rays) was coming out of high school, but he was still good enough to be drafted--and pursued--by a Major League Baseball team. If he didn't like what was going on in Lincoln, there was nothing to prevent him from saying, "Ciao--hasta la vista y'all" by last Friday.
Where I'm going with this thought is---the fact that Khiry Cooper said, "No, thanks" to the Angels to me means that he liked what he saw and experienced in Lincoln with Coach Pelini, Coach Gilmore (wideout coach), the offensive scheme run by Shawn Watson--the whole shootin' match. That says great things about what's happening with the program.
To me, Bo Pelini was effectively recruiting Khiry Cooper all the way until Friday night August 15th. It was successful. And that says volumes about the potential for future successes, both in recruiting, and in developing the team on the field. Khiry Cooper saw--and liked--both sides of Bo Pelini--recruiter and coach. We can, too.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Monday, August 18, 2008
Husker Season Has Echoes Of 1962
One of the reasons why this Old Husker Fan is positively stoked about the upcoming season is that there is a strong resemblance to Bob Devaney's--the Bobfather's--first season at Dear Old Nebraska U 'way back in 1962 and to what Bo Pelini is working with as he enters his first full season as a college head coach. Who knew 46 years ago, that Devaney's beginning in Lincoln would be the start of the spotlight run that followed--but mm-MMM!--were there some good things that happened that fall.
All right--let's get to those resemblances.
#1---Incoming Talent. Devaney inherited a team which already had future all-stars on both sides of the ball. Check these names out:
The biggest and best example is Bob Brown--consensus All-America at offensive line, and a future member of the NFL Hall of Fame. (This is one area that Bo's start doesn't match. We have some solid O-linemen, but none who have garnered all-star mentions just yet.)
Devaney also had a future NFL all-star in Kent McCloughan, who was a terrific running back on offense as well as a stud cornerback on D. (McCloughan went on to become an all-star NFL cornerback with the Raiders.)
More players with big-time talent. How about Larry Kramer--tackle (future All-American); Warren Powers, D-back (paired up with Kent McCloughan in the Raiders' NFL d-backfield--and, yes--coached at Mizzou vs Tom Osborne in some hard-hitting grudge-match games in the '70s and early '80s); John Strohmeyer, All-Big 8 tackle; and who in Husker fandom can ever forget Monte Kiffin--tackle, later to be D-coordinator at NU, then a Super Bowl-winning D-coordinator at Tampa Bay (completely whipped Bill Callahan's Raiders), and who dropped Bo Pelini's name to Frank Solich back in 2002)?
Anyway--there's certainly some talent to build around. And we all know who Bo has to work with. Ndamukong Suh on the D-line; potential stars like Ricky Thenarse in the d-backfield; Javorio Burkes on the O-line (get healthy, JB); Marlon Lucky and Roy Helu at running back; and Barry Turner on the D-line (who I think is in store for a season where he returns to being a speed rusher).
#2--Veteran QBs. This is important enough that I made it a separate category. Devaney inherited Dennis Claridge--a tough, bright guy who had a similar playing and leadership style to Jerry Tagge (both wore #14 by the way).
Of course, in 2008, Bo Pelini has Joe Ganz--kind of a latter-day version of Claridge. Multi-talented, run-and-throw type guy, not afraid to take a hit, a guy who the whole team will pull for. This is HUGE in putting together a successful first season. (Also a very good reason to keep the existing offense intact by hanging onto Shawn Watson as O-coord).
#3--Regional competition. When Devaney entered his first season in Lincoln, both Kansas and Missouri were very good. KU, after all, had Gale Sayers hitting his prime as a collegiate running back. Mizzou in the early '60s was a tough, tough outfit with plenty of talent. So, the Bobfather didn't walk into a cocktail party. He had some rough hombres on the schedule to handle. Just like Bo does.
Husker fans all know what Devaney's first signature win was--a 25-13 victory over Michigan AT MICHIGAN. That earned him tons of fan cred that he couldn't buy even with his incredible personality.
(By the way, I just thought of another blog item. The Bobfather's ability to work a banquet)
#4--Thirsty--Starving--Eager--Fans.
Just as with Bill Callahan's final days, the fans were royally ticked off with the game calls that Bill Jennings, who preceded Devaney, was coming up with. Jennings was doing things like punting on 3rd down. (Hmm--sounds in a way like Callahan's screwy decision to not try to have anyone RETURN punts when he handled the Big Red.)
At any rate, Husker fans were ready for some action. And Devaney gave it. Boy, did he give it! His first season, the guys went 9-2 including a victory in the Gotham Bowl in New York City over Miami (36-34 on a day of freezing rain. You can't hardly get Miami to leave Florida at any time in year now.)
This year, obviously--we fans are salivating for some REAL football. Same deal as back in 1962.
Bo--and Bob. Only one letter separates their names. A couple generations separates the start of their tenures. But the possible similarities are oh, so tantalizing.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
All right--let's get to those resemblances.
#1---Incoming Talent. Devaney inherited a team which already had future all-stars on both sides of the ball. Check these names out:
The biggest and best example is Bob Brown--consensus All-America at offensive line, and a future member of the NFL Hall of Fame. (This is one area that Bo's start doesn't match. We have some solid O-linemen, but none who have garnered all-star mentions just yet.)
Devaney also had a future NFL all-star in Kent McCloughan, who was a terrific running back on offense as well as a stud cornerback on D. (McCloughan went on to become an all-star NFL cornerback with the Raiders.)
More players with big-time talent. How about Larry Kramer--tackle (future All-American); Warren Powers, D-back (paired up with Kent McCloughan in the Raiders' NFL d-backfield--and, yes--coached at Mizzou vs Tom Osborne in some hard-hitting grudge-match games in the '70s and early '80s); John Strohmeyer, All-Big 8 tackle; and who in Husker fandom can ever forget Monte Kiffin--tackle, later to be D-coordinator at NU, then a Super Bowl-winning D-coordinator at Tampa Bay (completely whipped Bill Callahan's Raiders), and who dropped Bo Pelini's name to Frank Solich back in 2002)?
Anyway--there's certainly some talent to build around. And we all know who Bo has to work with. Ndamukong Suh on the D-line; potential stars like Ricky Thenarse in the d-backfield; Javorio Burkes on the O-line (get healthy, JB); Marlon Lucky and Roy Helu at running back; and Barry Turner on the D-line (who I think is in store for a season where he returns to being a speed rusher).
#2--Veteran QBs. This is important enough that I made it a separate category. Devaney inherited Dennis Claridge--a tough, bright guy who had a similar playing and leadership style to Jerry Tagge (both wore #14 by the way).
Of course, in 2008, Bo Pelini has Joe Ganz--kind of a latter-day version of Claridge. Multi-talented, run-and-throw type guy, not afraid to take a hit, a guy who the whole team will pull for. This is HUGE in putting together a successful first season. (Also a very good reason to keep the existing offense intact by hanging onto Shawn Watson as O-coord).
#3--Regional competition. When Devaney entered his first season in Lincoln, both Kansas and Missouri were very good. KU, after all, had Gale Sayers hitting his prime as a collegiate running back. Mizzou in the early '60s was a tough, tough outfit with plenty of talent. So, the Bobfather didn't walk into a cocktail party. He had some rough hombres on the schedule to handle. Just like Bo does.
Husker fans all know what Devaney's first signature win was--a 25-13 victory over Michigan AT MICHIGAN. That earned him tons of fan cred that he couldn't buy even with his incredible personality.
(By the way, I just thought of another blog item. The Bobfather's ability to work a banquet)
#4--Thirsty--Starving--Eager--Fans.
Just as with Bill Callahan's final days, the fans were royally ticked off with the game calls that Bill Jennings, who preceded Devaney, was coming up with. Jennings was doing things like punting on 3rd down. (Hmm--sounds in a way like Callahan's screwy decision to not try to have anyone RETURN punts when he handled the Big Red.)
At any rate, Husker fans were ready for some action. And Devaney gave it. Boy, did he give it! His first season, the guys went 9-2 including a victory in the Gotham Bowl in New York City over Miami (36-34 on a day of freezing rain. You can't hardly get Miami to leave Florida at any time in year now.)
This year, obviously--we fans are salivating for some REAL football. Same deal as back in 1962.
Bo--and Bob. Only one letter separates their names. A couple generations separates the start of their tenures. But the possible similarities are oh, so tantalizing.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Uncle Larry And Bill Callahan
We went to a wedding in Chicago back in June. We were seated for dinner after the ceremony at the same table as some of the relatives of Kate, the bride. Included at the table was Kate's Uncle Larry and his family.
So, how do you get conversation going in Chicago with a tableful of strangers? I played the easy card by asking if the family rooted for the Cubs or White Sox. It turned out that almost everyone in this family of 4 rooted for the White Sox--one of the two sons had switched loyalties.
Uncle Larry said that his family were South Siders from 'way back. Which led me to a question:
"You know, our former Nebraska football coach (Bill Callahan) came from the South Side."
And Uncle Larry replied, "Sure--I know Billy." He went on to say that he (Larry) was a former high school football coach--and had been coaching in high school during Callahan's days at the University of Illinois. "Billy really knows his football," said Larry. "I sent several of my guys to Illinois because they wanted to play for Bill Callahan."
Uncle Larry was also very aware of everything that had gone on in the past year. "You know, I think it was just bad timing," he said.
We called it a day on the subject at that point. The DJ was getting ready to bring in the wedding party.
But--what a small world. And how far does the shadow extend regarding what we're trying to work out from under anyway?
Okay--that's the only specific Bill Callahan story that I have--and I wanted to toss it out before practice starts. I'm barely beating the deadline.
So, how do you get conversation going in Chicago with a tableful of strangers? I played the easy card by asking if the family rooted for the Cubs or White Sox. It turned out that almost everyone in this family of 4 rooted for the White Sox--one of the two sons had switched loyalties.
Uncle Larry said that his family were South Siders from 'way back. Which led me to a question:
"You know, our former Nebraska football coach (Bill Callahan) came from the South Side."
And Uncle Larry replied, "Sure--I know Billy." He went on to say that he (Larry) was a former high school football coach--and had been coaching in high school during Callahan's days at the University of Illinois. "Billy really knows his football," said Larry. "I sent several of my guys to Illinois because they wanted to play for Bill Callahan."
Uncle Larry was also very aware of everything that had gone on in the past year. "You know, I think it was just bad timing," he said.
We called it a day on the subject at that point. The DJ was getting ready to bring in the wedding party.
But--what a small world. And how far does the shadow extend regarding what we're trying to work out from under anyway?
Okay--that's the only specific Bill Callahan story that I have--and I wanted to toss it out before practice starts. I'm barely beating the deadline.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Huskers Need To TightEn(d) Up
Paging Mike McNeill. Or Hunter Teafatiller. Or Tyson Hetzer. Or Dreu Young. Or Ryan Hill. Or Ben Cotton. Or Damon Bechtold. Or Jay Martin.
These fellas are all listed as tight ends on the latest Husker roster. I'm issuing an Old Husker Fan all-points-bulletin for one or all to claim the glory that surrounds Husker tight ends.
Think about it. You can go all the way back to the Bobfather days of the mid-1960s, and the tight end position at Nebraska has been a spotlight spot. No second banana here. We've had some memorable guys at that position, but we've hit kind of a dry spell over the last 4-5 years.
So, just to help refresh ourselves in this time of preseason musings, let's take a stroll down memory lane and get reacquainted with some of the best guys to wear the Scarlet and Cream who ever not only got down and dirty next to the tackle, but also broke free and sent our hearts and touchdown balloons skyward:
Mid-1960s---
Tony Jeter. #84. An Ohio boy (Steubenville--also the hometown of running back "Lighthorse" Harry Wilson). I think Jeter would be right at home in Shawn Watson's offense. He was on some awesome offenses, culminating in Devaney's first unbeaten regular season in 1965. And he capped that off by catching 3 TD passes in the national title Orange Bowl game against Alabama.
Dennis Morrison. #89. Took over after Jeter moved on to the NFL. Good hands and was willing to take and dish out a hit. Caught a winning TD pass against Colorado in a game at Boulder in 1966 that our guys won 21-19 because CU flubbed on two PAT efforts.
Late 1960s---
Jim McFarlane. #80. Went through the relatively lean years of '67 and '68 (when you didn't qualify for a bowl game if you won 60% of your games--as our guys did--but I digress). Figured in a VIP (very important play) late in the 4th quarter of the KU game in 1969 during the Devaney comeback season, when he drew a pass interference call on a deep ball with our guys down 14-9. We scored on that possession 16-14, KU coach Pepper Rodgers said something ultra-sensitive about the refs, and KU went into a 0 vs NU spell that didn't end until the Bill Callahan era (2005). McFarlane later served in the Nebraska legislature.
Early 1970s---
Jerry List. #85. He had speed, smarts and hands, and used those gifts to full advantage in the play-action passing game. His offensive coordinator at the time--Tom Osborne. The playcalling scheme to get List open was part of the Husker strategy doctrine for--oh--how about 30-some years.
Late 1970s---
Junior Miller. #89. In my opinion, the best we've ever had at the spot. Johnny Mitchell in the early '90s and Matt Herian pre-Mizzou '04 may have challenged Junior's deep-threat talent, but not his all-around "ath-a-lete-ness" (to paraphrase Barry Switzer). The NFL certainly rated him high---the Falcons picked him in the 1st round of the 1980 draft (7th overall). He also made a BUNCH of All-America teams.
Early 1980s---
Jamie Williams. #80. He was in the mold of Tony Jeter and Junior Miller. Williams made his presence known even with the "Triplets"--Gill, Rozier, and Fryar--dominating the scene. He caught the eye of the pros as well, and put in a solid career for some of the great 49ers teams.
Mitch Krenk. #89. I think of Mitch Krenk and I automatically think of the "Bouncearoosky" play against Oklahoma in 1982--where Turner Gill threw a lateral to Irving Fryar, but BOUNCED the ball on the turf on its way to Fryar. The idea was to make the Sooner D relax, thinking that they were seeing an incomplete pass. But it wasn't--and Fryar threw a strike that Krenk caught for a big gain in an early scoring drive. Krenk's play, overall, was very similar to Dennis Morrison in the mid-'60s.
Monte Engebritson. #83.
Todd Frain. #80.
Both were dynamite blockers with good hands and more speed than opposing defenses thought.
Frain came up with a HUGE play against Okie State during the '83 "Run To Miami Heartbreak" season (my moniker--the regular season was incredible). Our guys were trailing Okie State 10-7 in the 2nd half, when Turner Gill hit Tight End Todd Frain for a 50 yd plus TD. That was the closest call the Huskers had all regular season. (By the way--the Ok State coach that day--none other than Old Helmet-Hair himself, Jimmie Johnson).
Mid to late 1980s---A mix of guys in that spot--all solid team players. I remember Tom Banderas making some terrific catches.
Early '90s--Johnny Mitchell. #86. Speed and hands. Made a great catch and run for a TD against Colorado in a perfectly awful rainy game (which we wore down in and lost). Johnny could have matched Junior Miller, but went to the NFL early instead.
Mid '90s--Another good run of talent at the spot.
Mark Gilman. #87. Caught some big passes, including during the tremendous Orange Bowl comeback against Miami.
William Washington, #99 and Vershan Jackson, #34. I mention these two guys together because both excelled at blocking on the perimeter. In fact, Washington even made All-Conference just because of his blocking.
Sheldon Jackson. #88. He was more of the receiving-type tight end, but was still a capable blocker; thus, teams couldn't forget about the run game when he was on the field.
Late '90s-early 2000s:
Tracey Wistrom. #87. Eric Crouch's favorite target when it was big-play time. What I remember most about Wistrom is his ability to make the catch even when everyone--and I mean our guys, their guys, our coaches, their coaches, and all the fans--knew that he was the intended receiver.
Aaron Golliday. #99. An echo of William Washington with the same number and the same contribution.
Mid-2000s---
These fellas are all listed as tight ends on the latest Husker roster. I'm issuing an Old Husker Fan all-points-bulletin for one or all to claim the glory that surrounds Husker tight ends.
Think about it. You can go all the way back to the Bobfather days of the mid-1960s, and the tight end position at Nebraska has been a spotlight spot. No second banana here. We've had some memorable guys at that position, but we've hit kind of a dry spell over the last 4-5 years.
So, just to help refresh ourselves in this time of preseason musings, let's take a stroll down memory lane and get reacquainted with some of the best guys to wear the Scarlet and Cream who ever not only got down and dirty next to the tackle, but also broke free and sent our hearts and touchdown balloons skyward:
Mid-1960s---
Tony Jeter. #84. An Ohio boy (Steubenville--also the hometown of running back "Lighthorse" Harry Wilson). I think Jeter would be right at home in Shawn Watson's offense. He was on some awesome offenses, culminating in Devaney's first unbeaten regular season in 1965. And he capped that off by catching 3 TD passes in the national title Orange Bowl game against Alabama.
Dennis Morrison. #89. Took over after Jeter moved on to the NFL. Good hands and was willing to take and dish out a hit. Caught a winning TD pass against Colorado in a game at Boulder in 1966 that our guys won 21-19 because CU flubbed on two PAT efforts.
Late 1960s---
Jim McFarlane. #80. Went through the relatively lean years of '67 and '68 (when you didn't qualify for a bowl game if you won 60% of your games--as our guys did--but I digress). Figured in a VIP (very important play) late in the 4th quarter of the KU game in 1969 during the Devaney comeback season, when he drew a pass interference call on a deep ball with our guys down 14-9. We scored on that possession 16-14, KU coach Pepper Rodgers said something ultra-sensitive about the refs, and KU went into a 0 vs NU spell that didn't end until the Bill Callahan era (2005). McFarlane later served in the Nebraska legislature.
Early 1970s---
Jerry List. #85. He had speed, smarts and hands, and used those gifts to full advantage in the play-action passing game. His offensive coordinator at the time--Tom Osborne. The playcalling scheme to get List open was part of the Husker strategy doctrine for--oh--how about 30-some years.
Late 1970s---
Junior Miller. #89. In my opinion, the best we've ever had at the spot. Johnny Mitchell in the early '90s and Matt Herian pre-Mizzou '04 may have challenged Junior's deep-threat talent, but not his all-around "ath-a-lete-ness" (to paraphrase Barry Switzer). The NFL certainly rated him high---the Falcons picked him in the 1st round of the 1980 draft (7th overall). He also made a BUNCH of All-America teams.
Early 1980s---
Jamie Williams. #80. He was in the mold of Tony Jeter and Junior Miller. Williams made his presence known even with the "Triplets"--Gill, Rozier, and Fryar--dominating the scene. He caught the eye of the pros as well, and put in a solid career for some of the great 49ers teams.
Mitch Krenk. #89. I think of Mitch Krenk and I automatically think of the "Bouncearoosky" play against Oklahoma in 1982--where Turner Gill threw a lateral to Irving Fryar, but BOUNCED the ball on the turf on its way to Fryar. The idea was to make the Sooner D relax, thinking that they were seeing an incomplete pass. But it wasn't--and Fryar threw a strike that Krenk caught for a big gain in an early scoring drive. Krenk's play, overall, was very similar to Dennis Morrison in the mid-'60s.
Monte Engebritson. #83.
Todd Frain. #80.
Both were dynamite blockers with good hands and more speed than opposing defenses thought.
Frain came up with a HUGE play against Okie State during the '83 "Run To Miami Heartbreak" season (my moniker--the regular season was incredible). Our guys were trailing Okie State 10-7 in the 2nd half, when Turner Gill hit Tight End Todd Frain for a 50 yd plus TD. That was the closest call the Huskers had all regular season. (By the way--the Ok State coach that day--none other than Old Helmet-Hair himself, Jimmie Johnson).
Mid to late 1980s---A mix of guys in that spot--all solid team players. I remember Tom Banderas making some terrific catches.
Early '90s--Johnny Mitchell. #86. Speed and hands. Made a great catch and run for a TD against Colorado in a perfectly awful rainy game (which we wore down in and lost). Johnny could have matched Junior Miller, but went to the NFL early instead.
Mid '90s--Another good run of talent at the spot.
Mark Gilman. #87. Caught some big passes, including during the tremendous Orange Bowl comeback against Miami.
William Washington, #99 and Vershan Jackson, #34. I mention these two guys together because both excelled at blocking on the perimeter. In fact, Washington even made All-Conference just because of his blocking.
Sheldon Jackson. #88. He was more of the receiving-type tight end, but was still a capable blocker; thus, teams couldn't forget about the run game when he was on the field.
Late '90s-early 2000s:
Tracey Wistrom. #87. Eric Crouch's favorite target when it was big-play time. What I remember most about Wistrom is his ability to make the catch even when everyone--and I mean our guys, their guys, our coaches, their coaches, and all the fans--knew that he was the intended receiver.
Aaron Golliday. #99. An echo of William Washington with the same number and the same contribution.
Mid-2000s---
Pretty slim pickin's, folks. One guy--#11--Matt Herian. That's it. In full flight pre-Mizzou '04, he was as good as McFarlane, List, Mitchell, Sheldon Jackson and Wistrom. I still rate him a notch below Jeter and Miller, but that's pretty tall company. When Herian broke his leg, the tight end position basically broke down as well.
So, now we come to a new season. Here's hoping that one or more of the 8 candidates--Messrs. McNeill, Hetzer, Young, Hill, Cotton, Bechtold, Martin and Teafatiller-- will "claim the flame," so to speak, of a position that has been a big, big part of the Husker story.
More On Bo Pelini And Spread Defense
A quick-hitter item while I work on a more substantial Tight End tribute---
Reference my earlier post about "Defending The Spread" as gone over by Coach Kerry Coombs when he was a high school winner in Ohio (now on the defensive staff of Brian Kelly at Cincinnati U):
Coach Coombs talked about his spread-defense techniques. I posited that perhaps some of what he was talking about might be part of Coach Bo Pelini's spread defense plan here at NU.
Well, one of Coach Coombs's spread set ID techniques--as he relates in this link: http://www.ohsfca.org/Defend_Spread.htm
is to use a two-number method to identify the set that the offense is in. Here's some excerpted comments from the transcript (with my emphasis):
"I’m going to give you a system that I think will work. It is a numbering system. You give your players a two-digit number. The first number is the number of tight ends on the field, and the second number is the number of backs..A “12” grouping would mean one tight end and two backs. That means there are two wide receivers in the game. A “21,” would mean two tight ends and one back...With these calls, it allows the defense to match up with the personnel on the field."
Now--to World-Herald sports guy Tom Shatel's HUUUGGGEEE summary from last Sunday's paper about his day at "Football 202" with Coach Bo and the staff. This is an excerpt from Shatel's column regarding Bo Pelini and his basic spread defense plan:
He labels the offensive personnel groups "21" for two backs and one tight end, "12 for one back, two tight ends, "11" for one back, one tight end and three wide outs and "10" for one back, no tight end and four wide outs...if the offense comes out in one of those formations, Pelini has his (personnel) grouping ready to go.
See? There is 'way, 'way too much coincidence here.
Now, whether Bo got the idea for this scheme from Kerry Coombs, or the other way around--no matter. We've got ourselves onto something here, Sports and Husker Fans. This is in the same vein that T.O. and Charlie McBride worked in when they revamped the defensive scheme in the early '90s to get more speed on the field vs the southern U.S. teams.
I'm pumped! Gimme a sled!! Go Big Red!
Reference my earlier post about "Defending The Spread" as gone over by Coach Kerry Coombs when he was a high school winner in Ohio (now on the defensive staff of Brian Kelly at Cincinnati U):
Coach Coombs talked about his spread-defense techniques. I posited that perhaps some of what he was talking about might be part of Coach Bo Pelini's spread defense plan here at NU.
Well, one of Coach Coombs's spread set ID techniques--as he relates in this link: http://www.ohsfca.org/Defend_Spread.htm
is to use a two-number method to identify the set that the offense is in. Here's some excerpted comments from the transcript (with my emphasis):
"I’m going to give you a system that I think will work. It is a numbering system. You give your players a two-digit number. The first number is the number of tight ends on the field, and the second number is the number of backs..A “12” grouping would mean one tight end and two backs. That means there are two wide receivers in the game. A “21,” would mean two tight ends and one back...With these calls, it allows the defense to match up with the personnel on the field."
Now--to World-Herald sports guy Tom Shatel's HUUUGGGEEE summary from last Sunday's paper about his day at "Football 202" with Coach Bo and the staff. This is an excerpt from Shatel's column regarding Bo Pelini and his basic spread defense plan:
He labels the offensive personnel groups "21" for two backs and one tight end, "12 for one back, two tight ends, "11" for one back, one tight end and three wide outs and "10" for one back, no tight end and four wide outs...if the offense comes out in one of those formations, Pelini has his (personnel) grouping ready to go.
See? There is 'way, 'way too much coincidence here.
Now, whether Bo got the idea for this scheme from Kerry Coombs, or the other way around--no matter. We've got ourselves onto something here, Sports and Husker Fans. This is in the same vein that T.O. and Charlie McBride worked in when they revamped the defensive scheme in the early '90s to get more speed on the field vs the southern U.S. teams.
I'm pumped! Gimme a sled!! Go Big Red!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Joe Ganz And The Numbers Game
The Big XII media day carnival is over. Now it's take a deep breath time before the final push toward the start of the season.
There was a lot of ink, video, and sound coming out of this year's circus as well. You and I have looked at it and bathed in FINALLY SOMETHING NEW FOR THIS COMING SEASON!!! (FULL VOLUME ROAR).
Okay--I'll calm down now.
One big impression I got from Our Side was this---did Joey Ganz act like an honest-to-gosh veteran quarterback or what? Showed some class. Showed some spunk. Showed some political chops (in answering a question about former coach Callahan, Joe G said that "...I'm here because of Bill Callahan, but when you have a losing season, well..."---or words to that effect. I am DOWN with that kind of lingo.
Of course, maybe it's the #12 thing.
Number 12 has a stellar track record in the last 40 years at Dear Old Nebraska U.
A tough, gritty guy named Ernie Sigler wore #12 in the '67-'68 season (not the best, but the guys still went 6-4. In this day and age, you win 60% of your games and you're in a mid-level bowl).
Ernie S was followed in the #12 parade by Van Brownson, who shared starting QB duties with Jerry Tagge in the comeback season of 1969, and who started the Sun Bowl game when Our Guys manhandled Georgia 45-6. VB and JT continued dueling it out until mid to late season 1970, when VB got hurt and Tagge took over for the historic 2 titles for the Bobfather.
Then, in the early 70s, David Humm graced the number 12. No great runner, but man could that guy throw! DH was around during the time that Tom Osborne was basically running a pro-set offense.
The drama with #12 continued in the late '70s with Tom Sorley--a tough guy from Texas who was the QB in the "Earthquake" game of 1978 when Our Guys punched OU 17-14. (I say Earthquake game because the hitting--from the stories I've heard and the video I've seen--had to have moved Memorial Stadium.)
Y'all know who followed in the #12 procession---Turner Gill. Need I say more?
There's been a bit of a dry spell since. Titus Brothers wore #12 as a D-back in '03-'05, but that just didn't look right. #12 is a QB number after all. And now it's back where it belongs--on a veteran QB who acts like he knows what's going on.
More from Joe Ganz is in this article: http://journalstar.com/articles/2008/07/22/huskerextra/football/doc48854412eab2e515775405.txt
There was a lot of ink, video, and sound coming out of this year's circus as well. You and I have looked at it and bathed in FINALLY SOMETHING NEW FOR THIS COMING SEASON!!! (FULL VOLUME ROAR).
Okay--I'll calm down now.
One big impression I got from Our Side was this---did Joey Ganz act like an honest-to-gosh veteran quarterback or what? Showed some class. Showed some spunk. Showed some political chops (in answering a question about former coach Callahan, Joe G said that "...I'm here because of Bill Callahan, but when you have a losing season, well..."---or words to that effect. I am DOWN with that kind of lingo.
Of course, maybe it's the #12 thing.
Number 12 has a stellar track record in the last 40 years at Dear Old Nebraska U.
A tough, gritty guy named Ernie Sigler wore #12 in the '67-'68 season (not the best, but the guys still went 6-4. In this day and age, you win 60% of your games and you're in a mid-level bowl).
Ernie S was followed in the #12 parade by Van Brownson, who shared starting QB duties with Jerry Tagge in the comeback season of 1969, and who started the Sun Bowl game when Our Guys manhandled Georgia 45-6. VB and JT continued dueling it out until mid to late season 1970, when VB got hurt and Tagge took over for the historic 2 titles for the Bobfather.
Then, in the early 70s, David Humm graced the number 12. No great runner, but man could that guy throw! DH was around during the time that Tom Osborne was basically running a pro-set offense.
The drama with #12 continued in the late '70s with Tom Sorley--a tough guy from Texas who was the QB in the "Earthquake" game of 1978 when Our Guys punched OU 17-14. (I say Earthquake game because the hitting--from the stories I've heard and the video I've seen--had to have moved Memorial Stadium.)
Y'all know who followed in the #12 procession---Turner Gill. Need I say more?
There's been a bit of a dry spell since. Titus Brothers wore #12 as a D-back in '03-'05, but that just didn't look right. #12 is a QB number after all. And now it's back where it belongs--on a veteran QB who acts like he knows what's going on.
More from Joe Ganz is in this article: http://journalstar.com/articles/2008/07/22/huskerextra/football/doc48854412eab2e515775405.txt
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
If This Is Pandering, Give Me More
Well, the cyber-papers are starting to send out their guesses about the upcoming season. And it's a mixed crop, as usual.
There's an always-interesting one here at Nebraska State Paper: http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/07/20/488379503950e
The crew at College Football News has its latest roundup out too:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/753576.html
Now--the CFN story has some good ideas--some of which I will weigh in on later. (Among other things, it says that 8 wins will be a good year--I agree).
BUT--BUUUUUTTTT---the writer of the story, one Mr. Pete Flutak, had to toss in this little stink bomb about us Scarlet And Cream types out here in the G.A.D. (Great American Desert for all fans of pre-1840s maps). Let's have a look at this little gem:
"Callahan had to make the Nebraska a monster again, and while former athletic director Steve Pederson actually had the right idea in wanting to give the program a make over and a fresh paint job, it happened while cheezing off the Husker nation.
So will pandering to the fan base by bringing back Tom Osborne to run the show and getting more marginally talented walk-on farm kids make Nebraska a national powerhouse again? No, but it makes everyone feel more comfortable again. What's going to change things around will be 1) better coaching, 2) better players, and 3) better schemes." (Emphasis mine)
Wow. As my good friend and walleye fishing expert Mike would say, "Jeepers Criminy." There is so much wrong on so many levels in that set of tripe. (I'm really doing everything I can to keep this a G-rated comment.)
I won't even go into the reference to our former head coach (but I do have a blog item that will relate to Mr. Callahan later this week). Nor will I take the bait of the Steve Pederson comment.
But my big old red-neck Red Neck gets pretty darn hot when this dude talks of "...pandering." My god--what does he think we are? Pimps in a cornfield?
Try this line on for size instead: "Will recognizing that the program was getting its arse handed to it without any fighting back---and asking players who care about doing a good job over the next 4 years instead of waiting for maybe a call from the Not For Long crowd make Nebraska a national powerhouse again? No, but it sure as heck gets the job jump-started."
Pander. I'll tell you what pandering is. Pandering is every magazine and the ESP-freaking-N crowd yelping every year about how the Golden Domers have theee---best coach this side of Song Girl U and will "....yup----this time around fer sure" be in the hunt for the Big One. Pandering is also the constant evangelizing that's done by the aforementioned publication and E-freaking-SPN crew about the absolutely cutting edge game put out by the (not so) Big Ten (plus one).
That, sports fans, is pandering. Putting people in place who believe in and know about such basics as blocking, tackling, speed, and work ethic isn't pandering. It's called having a purpose.
There's an always-interesting one here at Nebraska State Paper: http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/07/20/488379503950e
The crew at College Football News has its latest roundup out too:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/753576.html
Now--the CFN story has some good ideas--some of which I will weigh in on later. (Among other things, it says that 8 wins will be a good year--I agree).
BUT--BUUUUUTTTT---the writer of the story, one Mr. Pete Flutak, had to toss in this little stink bomb about us Scarlet And Cream types out here in the G.A.D. (Great American Desert for all fans of pre-1840s maps). Let's have a look at this little gem:
"Callahan had to make the Nebraska a monster again, and while former athletic director Steve Pederson actually had the right idea in wanting to give the program a make over and a fresh paint job, it happened while cheezing off the Husker nation.
So will pandering to the fan base by bringing back Tom Osborne to run the show and getting more marginally talented walk-on farm kids make Nebraska a national powerhouse again? No, but it makes everyone feel more comfortable again. What's going to change things around will be 1) better coaching, 2) better players, and 3) better schemes." (Emphasis mine)
Wow. As my good friend and walleye fishing expert Mike would say, "Jeepers Criminy." There is so much wrong on so many levels in that set of tripe. (I'm really doing everything I can to keep this a G-rated comment.)
I won't even go into the reference to our former head coach (but I do have a blog item that will relate to Mr. Callahan later this week). Nor will I take the bait of the Steve Pederson comment.
But my big old red-neck Red Neck gets pretty darn hot when this dude talks of "...pandering." My god--what does he think we are? Pimps in a cornfield?
Try this line on for size instead: "Will recognizing that the program was getting its arse handed to it without any fighting back---and asking players who care about doing a good job over the next 4 years instead of waiting for maybe a call from the Not For Long crowd make Nebraska a national powerhouse again? No, but it sure as heck gets the job jump-started."
Pander. I'll tell you what pandering is. Pandering is every magazine and the ESP-freaking-N crowd yelping every year about how the Golden Domers have theee---best coach this side of Song Girl U and will "....yup----this time around fer sure" be in the hunt for the Big One. Pandering is also the constant evangelizing that's done by the aforementioned publication and E-freaking-SPN crew about the absolutely cutting edge game put out by the (not so) Big Ten (plus one).
That, sports fans, is pandering. Putting people in place who believe in and know about such basics as blocking, tackling, speed, and work ethic isn't pandering. It's called having a purpose.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Bo Is Old School (And I Like It!)
You don't see the words "pugnacious" and "scrappy" used in sports articles very much anymore. They're kind of old-school--they worked for awhile, but their tone isn't very flashy. They actually hearken back to a time when in order to survive you had to be "pugnacious" --or "scrappy"--or both. Because these two terms were part of the lexicon of the Depression era--when a whole lot of folks had to fight both poverty and Nature to hang on. We don't like to recall those times very much except maybe in American History class.
Well, I'm old school--after all, I am the Old Husker Fan--but you know what? Coach Bo Pelini strikes me as someone who you could write those two terms about--pugnacious and scrappy--all day long. I like that!
All you have to do is look at how his LSU team handled things after being stung with a long TD run by the Ohio State running back in last January's national championship game.
Let's review: Bo's hiring was done after the Huskers had had the worst defensive meltdown EVER. LSU had Glenn Dorsey, everybody's All-American, Outland Trophy winner, etc etc. Bo's status as defensive coordinator had him practically getting as much face time as LSU head coach Les Miles. And--of course--there was a fair amount of pub over Bo's decision to coach in the title game rather than lock himself in his new office in Lincoln and either look at video of recruits or brood about his new job.
Then, the game began. And Ohio State's RB promptly laid a 67-yarder on the mighty LSU defense.
Right then, I thought--"Oooohhh---kkkaayyy. Let's see how we handle things now."
You know the rest. LSU shut down Ohio State. The D got 3 or 4 turnovers, Bo called some blitzes that fooled the Buckeyes, and LSU won handily.
That, sports fans, is being "pugnacious" and "scrappy". When you get punched, you don't cover up. You hit back.
We've been missing that element for a few years. It's nice to see that it's coming back.
Well, I'm old school--after all, I am the Old Husker Fan--but you know what? Coach Bo Pelini strikes me as someone who you could write those two terms about--pugnacious and scrappy--all day long. I like that!
All you have to do is look at how his LSU team handled things after being stung with a long TD run by the Ohio State running back in last January's national championship game.
Let's review: Bo's hiring was done after the Huskers had had the worst defensive meltdown EVER. LSU had Glenn Dorsey, everybody's All-American, Outland Trophy winner, etc etc. Bo's status as defensive coordinator had him practically getting as much face time as LSU head coach Les Miles. And--of course--there was a fair amount of pub over Bo's decision to coach in the title game rather than lock himself in his new office in Lincoln and either look at video of recruits or brood about his new job.
Then, the game began. And Ohio State's RB promptly laid a 67-yarder on the mighty LSU defense.
Right then, I thought--"Oooohhh---kkkaayyy. Let's see how we handle things now."
You know the rest. LSU shut down Ohio State. The D got 3 or 4 turnovers, Bo called some blitzes that fooled the Buckeyes, and LSU won handily.
That, sports fans, is being "pugnacious" and "scrappy". When you get punched, you don't cover up. You hit back.
We've been missing that element for a few years. It's nice to see that it's coming back.
Friday, July 18, 2008
This May Be Bo's Plan
I am no football expert. I played in high school a LONG time ago, but our playbook was about 10 pages stapled together and copied off a mimeograph machine. That was the offense. Defense was 4 pages, showing a 5-man front, 4-man front, and a couple D-line and linebacker stunts. That was it. But, there was enough going on that I've been interested in strategy ever since.
That musing led me to thinking about the challenges that Coach Bo Pelini faces this year in fixing the Husker D. We all know--and want to forget--what happened last year. I mean, when Mark May---MARK FREAKING MAY---starts acting sympathetic toward the Husker defense (like he did upon seeing that KU hung up 76 points on our guys last fall), you know it's bad.
(Oh--and by the way---it took KU the entire stretch of time during Coach Devaney's tenure in the 1960s to score 76 points. Between 1962 and 1969, KU managed to score 78 total!! Yeesh. )
But I digress---this year, who will we face who runs the spread? We'll see at least five--Western Michigan, Mizzou, Texas Tech, KU and Colorado. VA Tech I'm not sure of--but probably at least a modified version. But that's enough. Suffice it to say, Bo was brought in to at least control the spread--something that Kevin Cosgrove could never figure out.
Now, how do you stop it? Again--I'm no expert, but check this link out and I think you may find some pretty interesting details:
http://www.ohsfca.org/Defend_Spread.htm
Several things are of interest here. They start out with the networking side. First---the coach, Kerry Coombs, is an Ohio guy. I think he and Bo may have crossed paths at some point. Second--Coach Coombs is now working at Cincinnati--where Brian Kelly is head coach (former rumored candidate for the NU job after Bill C got let go).
But it gets better. Coombs's philosophy strongly encourages having a versatile defense, so that the offense cannot assume anything. This includes no specialty positions (a la Cosgrove's "base" and "open" D-end positions, which drove me absolutely crackers.)
Second, Coombs has a strategy for slowing down the on-field signal calling. This features both the willingness to use timeouts to break up the offensive rhythm, AND a very well-developed defense communcation system--so that the players on the field can make the defensive calls if they have to.
Third, Coombs emphasizes speed and being able to run. (Which, of course, all Husker fans know and can recite in their sleep after seeing the defenses of the mid-90s.)
And, reading between the lines, this seems to be the type of strategy that Bo was putting into place this past spring---getting the communication lines going on the field. He was emphasizing conditioning in the football sense. And he is returning our guys to the idea of speed. (Say hallelujah!)
So--check this out. I think you'll like it. And I for one am looking forward to seeing these principles get put to use! I do not want Mark May's sympathy again!
Bryce
That musing led me to thinking about the challenges that Coach Bo Pelini faces this year in fixing the Husker D. We all know--and want to forget--what happened last year. I mean, when Mark May---MARK FREAKING MAY---starts acting sympathetic toward the Husker defense (like he did upon seeing that KU hung up 76 points on our guys last fall), you know it's bad.
(Oh--and by the way---it took KU the entire stretch of time during Coach Devaney's tenure in the 1960s to score 76 points. Between 1962 and 1969, KU managed to score 78 total!! Yeesh. )
But I digress---this year, who will we face who runs the spread? We'll see at least five--Western Michigan, Mizzou, Texas Tech, KU and Colorado. VA Tech I'm not sure of--but probably at least a modified version. But that's enough. Suffice it to say, Bo was brought in to at least control the spread--something that Kevin Cosgrove could never figure out.
Now, how do you stop it? Again--I'm no expert, but check this link out and I think you may find some pretty interesting details:
http://www.ohsfca.org/Defend_Spread.htm
Several things are of interest here. They start out with the networking side. First---the coach, Kerry Coombs, is an Ohio guy. I think he and Bo may have crossed paths at some point. Second--Coach Coombs is now working at Cincinnati--where Brian Kelly is head coach (former rumored candidate for the NU job after Bill C got let go).
But it gets better. Coombs's philosophy strongly encourages having a versatile defense, so that the offense cannot assume anything. This includes no specialty positions (a la Cosgrove's "base" and "open" D-end positions, which drove me absolutely crackers.)
Second, Coombs has a strategy for slowing down the on-field signal calling. This features both the willingness to use timeouts to break up the offensive rhythm, AND a very well-developed defense communcation system--so that the players on the field can make the defensive calls if they have to.
Third, Coombs emphasizes speed and being able to run. (Which, of course, all Husker fans know and can recite in their sleep after seeing the defenses of the mid-90s.)
And, reading between the lines, this seems to be the type of strategy that Bo was putting into place this past spring---getting the communication lines going on the field. He was emphasizing conditioning in the football sense. And he is returning our guys to the idea of speed. (Say hallelujah!)
So--check this out. I think you'll like it. And I for one am looking forward to seeing these principles get put to use! I do not want Mark May's sympathy again!
Bryce
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Gimme A Sled!!
Put me in, Coach. I'm ready to play.
Wait a minute. Great song, but wrong sport. How about this---
Hail to the team. The stadium rings! Yeah, I like that one better.
With that, let me say hello and Go Big Red! This is the first blog from me--the Old Husker Fan. I've been around as a fan from the Coach Devaney years. I hit the jackpot on my first game--a 44-0 beat down of Iowa State in October 1965. That was during the Bobfather's first perfect regular season. I was 12. I've never looked back. I felt the pain of 12-0 to K-State IN LINCOLN on a perfectly brutal November day. I witnessed perfection under the Thanksgiving skies in Norman and under the full moon after rain in Miami. And I've continued to feel the striving for the top---the reach---and then the crash---in all the years since.
Now we're building and going after it again--and I couldn't be happier.
So, what am I adding to this throng anyway? Well, the main reason is--I can. Also--I want to. What Coach Osborne and Bo Pelini are starting on is exciting, uncertain, challenging---but ALIVE! And, as an Old Husker Fan, I see some parallels to the unmatched 40 years of togetherness and success that I want to share with you. During these blogs, I'm going to bring up some names and circumstances that are part of this Old Husker Fan's personal memory I-pod.
I hope I bring up some ideas that you like and find interesting. And I hope that if you're so inclined, you'll send your thoughts along as well.
In the meantime, crank it up! Bo and the guys are ready to go! I'm gonna get to be at the stadium when the BO-dacious Era gets underway! Get fired up! And one more time this time---
GO BIG RED!!!
Wait a minute. Great song, but wrong sport. How about this---
Hail to the team. The stadium rings! Yeah, I like that one better.
With that, let me say hello and Go Big Red! This is the first blog from me--the Old Husker Fan. I've been around as a fan from the Coach Devaney years. I hit the jackpot on my first game--a 44-0 beat down of Iowa State in October 1965. That was during the Bobfather's first perfect regular season. I was 12. I've never looked back. I felt the pain of 12-0 to K-State IN LINCOLN on a perfectly brutal November day. I witnessed perfection under the Thanksgiving skies in Norman and under the full moon after rain in Miami. And I've continued to feel the striving for the top---the reach---and then the crash---in all the years since.
Now we're building and going after it again--and I couldn't be happier.
So, what am I adding to this throng anyway? Well, the main reason is--I can. Also--I want to. What Coach Osborne and Bo Pelini are starting on is exciting, uncertain, challenging---but ALIVE! And, as an Old Husker Fan, I see some parallels to the unmatched 40 years of togetherness and success that I want to share with you. During these blogs, I'm going to bring up some names and circumstances that are part of this Old Husker Fan's personal memory I-pod.
I hope I bring up some ideas that you like and find interesting. And I hope that if you're so inclined, you'll send your thoughts along as well.
In the meantime, crank it up! Bo and the guys are ready to go! I'm gonna get to be at the stadium when the BO-dacious Era gets underway! Get fired up! And one more time this time---
GO BIG RED!!!
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