It's now just over a week since the news came out that Patrick Witt is leaving the Husker football program. Like many fans, I was shocked at first--after all, this young man had graduated from high school a semester early to move from Texas to Lincoln and go through spring practice 2 years ago. He sat through a redshirt year, had 5 years to play 4, and got some action in 2008. So, what's the deal, I wondered?
Then, reality started to set in. Let's talk about sheer high-profile numbers first. Cody Green's arrival on campus this winter, added to the already-on-hand contingent of Witt, Zac Lee, and Kody Spano, obviously meant that there were 'way too many head chefs in the kitchen. We all know how isolated the QB spot is from subbing. (The only spot in team sports that I can compare it to is goalie in either soccer or hockey.) And, during this Old Husker Fan's years of yelling myself hoarse, staying up late worrying about the next day's game (yep, been there and done that), and feeling so giddy about great plays that they just run over again and again, the only time I can recall more than 2 high-rank scholarship QBs on the roster is in 1971, when Jerry Tagge and Van Brownson were seniors, with David Humm as a freshman. It's one thing to have 2 or even 3 well-recruited roster QBs. Four is pushing the envelope.
But, out of those 4, why Witt and not either Lee or Spano? (If Cody G hadn't wanted to be here, he had the option of not signing a letter of intent.) To me, the answer here has everything to do with what the Huskers are going to emphasize in the 2009 version of the Shawn Watson Offense--and that is, ground, ground, ground. If you like running, get set for '09.
Think about it--almost half the Husker passing game production is gone with the departure of Nate Swift and Todd Peterson. (Details of their '08 contributions are noted here.) We don't know who will step in to take their places, and in fact--we may not know until several games into the season. So, with that in mind, look for the ground game and the much-improved defense (plus the oh-so-well-thought-of Alex Henery) to be the foundation of the 2009 "Pelini-skers"--at least, until the receiver situation comes around.
And, as we know, Patrick Witt is a thrower/runner---not a runner/thrower. The days of the statue QB are gone (Bill Callahan obviously didn't appreciate the lessons that T.O. learned more than 25 years ago). That's where Patrick Witt's forte just didn't fit anymore.
To everyone's credit, in this OHF's opinion, this realization and meeting of the minds was taken care of now. Young Mr. Witt can move on and find a home in an offense where he can be a zinger and not a zigger-and-zagger. And the Husker offensive brain trust can put in its '09 version knowing that any of the guys under center (or in the shotgun--which probably will be the case more often than not) will be capable of handling each and every play without missing a beat. This may turn out to truly be a win-win situation ahead of spring ball.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Monday, March 2, 2009
Huskers Will Miss Swift-Peterson Combo
This is the first of a sort-of-multi-part blog item. I have some comments on Patrick Witt's leaving the program, but my thoughts on that subject are rooted in how things are looking for the Husker "O" in 2009. And for background on that, we need to consider just how important the loss of Nate Swift and Todd Peterson is to the Big Red attack.
And in a short phrase, it's huge.
We know about the way that Nate Swift played his way into the record books. (For my thoughts on that, check out this item from last fall). But, he Todd Peterson were truly BMOCs when it came to the passing game in 2008. Consider these numbers:
Swift & Peterson 2008
Receptions--125 (Swift 63, Peterson 62)--42% of total team completions (295).
Passing TDs--14 (Swift 10, Peterson 4)--52% of team TD passes (27) and 24% (almost a fourth) of the total team TDs (58).
Receiving yards--1,727 and 133 yards per game--47% of team's season total passing yards (3,653 season and 281 per game).
In short, if you think that these 2 guys were big in the offense and that it seemed like every other pass was going to one or the other, you're right. And this is just the measurable aspect of their contribution--and just in 1 phase. This doesn't take into account Swift's special teams play (the one-man band TD punt return against VA Tech); their savage blocking; nor the number of clutch catches they made (first down catches, TD catches when they were most needed).
And, one more thing--it has been said by some football experts that the greatest ability a player can bring to the team is his avail-ability. Swift & Peterson did that big-time in 2008. They both started all 13 games. Shawn Watson was able to write them in at whichever alphabet letter (X, Y, Z, Sigma) he wanted to each time the ball was teed up for real.
These days, the letters S&P (as in 500) are not very highly-regarded. Not the Husker's S(Swift) & P(Peterson). Guys, thanks and best to you. Numbers 87 and 17 will have some extra lustre in Husker memories from here on out.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
And in a short phrase, it's huge.
We know about the way that Nate Swift played his way into the record books. (For my thoughts on that, check out this item from last fall). But, he Todd Peterson were truly BMOCs when it came to the passing game in 2008. Consider these numbers:
Swift & Peterson 2008
Receptions--125 (Swift 63, Peterson 62)--42% of total team completions (295).
Passing TDs--14 (Swift 10, Peterson 4)--52% of team TD passes (27) and 24% (almost a fourth) of the total team TDs (58).
Receiving yards--1,727 and 133 yards per game--47% of team's season total passing yards (3,653 season and 281 per game).
In short, if you think that these 2 guys were big in the offense and that it seemed like every other pass was going to one or the other, you're right. And this is just the measurable aspect of their contribution--and just in 1 phase. This doesn't take into account Swift's special teams play (the one-man band TD punt return against VA Tech); their savage blocking; nor the number of clutch catches they made (first down catches, TD catches when they were most needed).
And, one more thing--it has been said by some football experts that the greatest ability a player can bring to the team is his avail-ability. Swift & Peterson did that big-time in 2008. They both started all 13 games. Shawn Watson was able to write them in at whichever alphabet letter (X, Y, Z, Sigma) he wanted to each time the ball was teed up for real.
These days, the letters S&P (as in 500) are not very highly-regarded. Not the Husker's S(Swift) & P(Peterson). Guys, thanks and best to you. Numbers 87 and 17 will have some extra lustre in Husker memories from here on out.
Go Big Red!!
The Old Husker Fan
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Huskers' Gator Bowl Win Is Ideal Season-Ender
I don't know about you--but for me, the way the Gator Bowl ended in the Huskers' 26-21 win over Clemson was an ideal way to finish off the season. The game ended with the DEFENSE holding off the late Clemson drive. Disguised blitzes on 1st and 2nd down, resulting in a pass knockdown and a huge QB sack both courtesy of Eric Hagg. On 3rd down--a throw into the end zone featuring a pass breakup by safety Matt O'Hanlon. And on 4th down, the Clemson QB rattled by the ferocious Husker D-line rush that he threw a bad ball off his back foot.
WOW!! What a way to finish this off!!
But of course, the whole game went that way. As anyone who watched the game knows, the Husker D basically shut out Clemson. Holding these guys to 4--FOUR--net yards rushing???!!! That's beyond ridiculous--that's the type of defensive dominance this Old Husker Fan grew up with during the Bobfather days.
This is all a testimony to just how far Bo Pelini, Carl Pelini, Mike Ekeler, John Papuchis and Marvin Sanders brought this defensive unit this year. I remember how positively disorganized the D was in the 1st game against Western Michigan, when WM tried a gadget play--and had a receiver running 20 yards wide open (the only reason the play didn't do anything was b/c the QB had a bad grip on the ball and Zach Potter did bring a late rush). Even in the Colorado game--the 1st 2 series that CU had brought in easy TDs. But not this time! This was a defensive performance that all Husker fans can be proud of--and it came against an outfit that had some definite speed.
By the way---just how big was that field goal block by Suh in the 1st half? Otherwise, Clemson just has to get a field goal at the end of the game to win it instead of having to try to score a TD.
A couple more things here:
1) Enough with the negative crap being thrown at Joe Ganz for the turnovers in the 1st half. The guy came back like a champ in the 2nd half and got the job done with his head, his arm, and his guts. Joe Ganz reminds me a lot of another #12 from years ago--Tom Sorley, who was QB in the late 70s and who was at the controls when T.O. got his 1st win against Oklahoma in that '78 thriller. Joe Ganz is a MAN, people!! And I'll go you one more---I think that Joe Ganz's chances of making an NFL roster are better than either Chase Daniel or Josh Freeman because of the leadership and maturity this guy brings to the table.
2) The walk-on program has new life--and some new faces of success this year. The aforementioned Mr. O'Hanlon, along with fellow d-back Lance Thorell, and of course kicker Alex Henery, are all examples of the fact that the Husker program is back to a program that looks at players and not at stars. These guys all contributed to the re-charging of the team this year, and that is only positive for the future in rebuilding depth and fire in the program.
9 and 4. No, it's not perfect and there is a LOT of ground to cover yet (look at the talent and speed in the Rose Bowl for starters)--but there was a TON of progress made this season. Get the red out, folks, b/c the Bo bandwagon is heating up!!
GO BIG RED!!
The Old Husker Fan
WOW!! What a way to finish this off!!
But of course, the whole game went that way. As anyone who watched the game knows, the Husker D basically shut out Clemson. Holding these guys to 4--FOUR--net yards rushing???!!! That's beyond ridiculous--that's the type of defensive dominance this Old Husker Fan grew up with during the Bobfather days.
This is all a testimony to just how far Bo Pelini, Carl Pelini, Mike Ekeler, John Papuchis and Marvin Sanders brought this defensive unit this year. I remember how positively disorganized the D was in the 1st game against Western Michigan, when WM tried a gadget play--and had a receiver running 20 yards wide open (the only reason the play didn't do anything was b/c the QB had a bad grip on the ball and Zach Potter did bring a late rush). Even in the Colorado game--the 1st 2 series that CU had brought in easy TDs. But not this time! This was a defensive performance that all Husker fans can be proud of--and it came against an outfit that had some definite speed.
By the way---just how big was that field goal block by Suh in the 1st half? Otherwise, Clemson just has to get a field goal at the end of the game to win it instead of having to try to score a TD.
A couple more things here:
1) Enough with the negative crap being thrown at Joe Ganz for the turnovers in the 1st half. The guy came back like a champ in the 2nd half and got the job done with his head, his arm, and his guts. Joe Ganz reminds me a lot of another #12 from years ago--Tom Sorley, who was QB in the late 70s and who was at the controls when T.O. got his 1st win against Oklahoma in that '78 thriller. Joe Ganz is a MAN, people!! And I'll go you one more---I think that Joe Ganz's chances of making an NFL roster are better than either Chase Daniel or Josh Freeman because of the leadership and maturity this guy brings to the table.
2) The walk-on program has new life--and some new faces of success this year. The aforementioned Mr. O'Hanlon, along with fellow d-back Lance Thorell, and of course kicker Alex Henery, are all examples of the fact that the Husker program is back to a program that looks at players and not at stars. These guys all contributed to the re-charging of the team this year, and that is only positive for the future in rebuilding depth and fire in the program.
9 and 4. No, it's not perfect and there is a LOT of ground to cover yet (look at the talent and speed in the Rose Bowl for starters)--but there was a TON of progress made this season. Get the red out, folks, b/c the Bo bandwagon is heating up!!
GO BIG RED!!
The Old Husker Fan
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Husker Program Needs To Remember '89 Orange Bowl
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
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
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
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