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