Oct

2

BREAKING: HuskerPedia interviews Eric Crouch…for the 1,394th time!

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Question to HuskerPedia: What could you possibly find out about Eric Crouch that you don’t know already?

Please.

Let me know.

Did his business hit his Q3 goal?

How is the sub-prime lending effecting Crouch Recreation?

Hey Eric, remember that play against Oklahoma?

Ok. I’m done. Nebraska needs new stars. We need a friggin’ star. A Heisman contender. An All-American. Something. We need some ‘new history.’ A campus hero. A Nebraska Cornhusker.

Not a Juco Husker. Where have you gone, Grant Wistrom?

We need badasses. Adam Carricker, Stewart Bradley, the Ruud’s were badasses hidden in Husker mediocrity. If they were around in the 90’s, they’d be Trev Albert’s and Grant Wistrom.

It’s easy to blame Husker PR, but the truth is that we have just been average recently (to say the least).

Huskers have a unique place in college football. And contrary to our belief, ESPN does not hate us. ESPN just reports on us proportionately to our relevance. In the 90’s, we were all over ESPN.

Now, we can’t win a game.

But, the good thing about the 2008 Huskers is that we have plenty of chances to get that SATISFYING “W.”

We have plenty of chances. We really just need one upset. Let’s be honest, if the Huskers finish around .500 and win a bowl, that’s a decent season. Yes, there is talent, but there has been a 4-year shitstorm named Bill Callahan.

This is a rebuilding project.

We are going to have bad losses. We are going to get dominated sometimes.

But, we are getting better all the time.

Come on, this team wasn’t ready for VT. We weren’t tested and we still have a ‘long way to go’ to get better. I know that is coachspeak, but it’s true.

Nick Saban lost 4 out of his last 6 in last year, including to Louisiana-Monroe. There will be bumps along the way.

But the VT game was not a bump in the road. It was a learning experience. It was a case of beating us and not by much. But I will say VT is not a bad team. In fact, they are a potential top 10 team.

You know what would be a successful season?

Ending the season beating Kansas, Kansas State, and Colorado.

That would be friggin’ sweet.

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Oct

1

Husker highlights - Virginia Tech game

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Sep

30

Moving on from the Huskers loss to Virginia Tech…

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First, HG tips its hat to for their great play and hard earned victory on Saturday night.

So we are all a little disappointed by the Huskers loss to . And while HG does not believe in moral victories,  the dire straits the Huskers were in just 12 months ago calls for a little perspective.

Lets look at the positives:

1. The Huskers lost to a young but tested and talented team. Example: VT came into the game with East Carolina, Tech, and North Carolina under their belt. They’ve been tested in the 4th quarter while Nebraska has played far inferior competition.

2. Are you proud of the Huskers performance? Yes, even in a loss, they played much better in the second half than in the first half, something that never really happened in the Callahan Era.

3. Some people are upset that Bo Pelini got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Lesson learned. Let’s move on. Every young coach is going to do dumb things. That’s what we got with Bo.  And we know when he gets angry, at least their is a purpose behind it.

4. You really didn’t think the Huskers were going undefeated this year, did you?

5. You think the Huskers had a bad weekend, just go ask a , Florida, or USC fan how their weekend went. This is college football in 2008.

6. Even though the Huskers lost, I’m still optimistic because VT is going to prove to better than most people made them out to be. VT is now 9-0 with Tyrod Taylor at QB and with their favorable schedule the rest of the way, they are still a dark horse for the National Title.

Figure this: Frank Beamer knew the Nebraska game was extremely important. They play Western Kentucky next week and then have a week off. So Beamer wanted to go all out since he knew they didn’t have a challenging game until 10/18 against BC. With the way college football has been, it’s not unreasonable to think VT will be in the Top 10 by 10/18.

7. Yes, we got screwed by the officials, but we also made too many mistakes and stupid penalties. Let’s move on to Missouri.

8. You thought Nebraska was going to be 8-4 this year, right. That’s still very obtainable. I think VT will ultimately prove to be a better team than Mizzou or Texas Tech.

9. Frank Beamer has been coaching with his system and his players for 20 years. Bo Pelini has been coaching for 4 games with Callahan’s players. End result: We lost by 5 points. Just saying…

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Sep

28

Omaha Herald on 5 key plays against the Hokies

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Excellent analysis from the Omaha World-Herald, breaking down five critical Special Teams plays that had a strong influence on last night’s outcome:

Five (special teams) plays, in particular, led directly to 19 Tech points:

  1. Hokie star Victor Harris returned Nebraska’s first punt 28 yards to the NU 49, escaping several Huskers along the way.
  2. The field position provided by Harris’ return allowed Tech to pin Nebraska at its 5-yard line. After a three-and-out NU series, blocked Titchener’s next punt for a safety.
  3. NU return man fumbled a first-quarter punt by Brent Bowden. Nebraska’s recovered, but , pinned deep in Nebraska territory, was immediately intercepted by Harris and Tech found the end zone three plays later.
  4. After Nebraska scored to cut the Hokies’ lead to 9-7, returned a kickoff 41 yards to the 44-yard line to set the stage for a field goal.
  5. Harris eluded more Huskers in coverage during a 21-yard, third-quarter punt return that gave Tech field position at the NU 33-yard line to precede a touchdown drive.

’s average field position for the game? Its 41-yard line, topping the Nebraska average by 16 yards.

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Sep

28

Nebraska Postgame Notes

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Highlights from Huskers.com Post-Game notes:

  • Senior receiver ’s 88-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was the fourth-longest punt return in school history. It was Nebraska’s first punt return since DeJuan Groce returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown against Ole Miss in the 2002 Independence Bowl.
  • The loss was just Nebraska’s fourth in 30 all-time night games at Memorial Stadium and just the third in Nebraska’s past 49 non-conference home games.
  • Tonight’s attendance of 85,831 was a new Memorial Stadium record, bettering the crowd of 85,800 against Colorado on Nov. 24, 2006.
  • Marlon Lucky now has 1,185 career receiving yards and passed , Guy Ingles and Irving Fryar during tonight’s game.
  • Linebacker had a team-leading and career-high 14 tackles in tonight’s game.
  • Nebraska has now returned a punt, kickoff and interception for a touchdown this season.
  • The loss also marked the first regular-season setback for Nebraska against a team that was a member of the ACC at game time (5-1).
  • The blocked punt for a safety by in the first quarter of tonight’s game marked the first time Nebraska allowed a safety since Kansas State recorded a safety in a 27-25 Nebraska win in Lincoln in 2005.
  • Sophomore tight end Mike McNeill had a career-high 66 receiving yards on three catches in tonight’s game.
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Sep

28

Some Instant Analysis from College Football News

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From CFB:

“This result might be discouraging for Husker fans, but it needs to be said that Nebraska is just beginning to rebuild its old modus operandi under Bo Pelini. Time needs to be given to the man who is trying to recommit Husker football to the winning ways of Doctor Tom. The main storyline to emerge from this intersectional encounter should be the resurgence of a program that looked to be in deep trouble after an opening-week loss to East Carolina. A resurrection is taking place in Blacksburg far more quickly than anyone could have reasonably anticipated.”

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Sep

27

Late rally comes up short, Nebraska falls to Virginia Tech 35-30

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A late rally by Nebraska was deflated by a couple killer penalties and a game-ending Todd Peterson fumble, as held on to defeat the Huskers 35-30.

Nebraska had just 55 net rushing yards, while the Hokies piled up over 200 yards on the ground. Glad we didn’t hand out the Blackshirts this week.

The Hokies did not commit a single turnover, while the Huskers turned it over twice, and also had a punt blocked for a safety in the 1st quarter. It seemed like Nebraska started off with a real conservative gameplan. By the time they opened it up in the second half, it appeared that Nebraska should have been more taking more shots downfield earlier in the game. QB went 17 for 26, racking up 278 passing yards.

This was only the 4th night game the Huskers have ever lost at . We’ll have more analysis on the way soon. Based on the string of Top Ten upsets today, it looks like next week’s opponent Missouri will be ranked either #2 or #3 depending on where the voters put after their dominating performance against .

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Sep

26

Virginia Tech receivers coach Kevin Sherman on technique of the Huskers secondary

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Darryl Slater of the Richmond Times Dispatch hones in on one of tomorrow’s key match-ups: Nebraska’s pass defense against the so-far shaky passing game. Slater grabs a couple key quotes from receivers coach Ken Sherman.

Tech receivers coach Kevin Sherman said Nebraska plays man-to-man defense with its corners at least 70 percent of the time – more than any team the Hokies have played this season, and more than most they play, period.

He already has alerted his players that Cornhuskers corners Anthony West and will try to use an “arm bar” move against them, as Boykin described it, explaining the importance of swatting a corner’s arm away when he tries to shove it into your chest.

“If they’re bringing pressure and it’s man coverage, then we’re gonna have to create some space, and [the receivers are] gonna have to react quickly to what they’re seeing,” offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said. “Is that concerning? Certainly.”

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Sep

26

Friday Cornfeed: T-Minus 21 hours until Kickoff

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Head Coach Frank Beamer (Washington Post):

“When you said Nebraska, that’s college football. And I still feel that way. Nebraska is big time. It’s going to definitely be an experience. Young kids, old kids, it’s probably going to be pretty exciting.”

quote from the Associated Press

“We’re all wondering how good we can actually be and how we play against elite teams like this,” quarterback said. “They are a powerhouse in the ACC. We’re going to use this as a test to see where we’re at.”

Two columnists from the chime in on tomorrow’s clash.

First, Bob Molinaro on “Faded Nebraska“:

“ took a long plane ride to reach tonight’s game in Lincoln, Neb., but the Hokies would need to board a time machine and travel back to another decade to face a Cornhusker team that was still worthy of the Nebraska name and reputation. There’s no reason Tech shouldn’t win this game.”

Whoa! Easy now, Bob!

Meanwhile, his colleague Kyle Tucker of the offers his take on the Nebraska Fans, including quotes from the owners of MISTY’S:

The Huskers’ heart beats in every corner of the state, in every tiny town - and there are plenty - across this blue-collar, farm-raised state.

But you don’t have to go far for a pulse. It’s a mere five miles from the stadium, inside Misty’s, a 45-year-old steakhouse that calls itself the “original sports bar.” It was opened in 1963 by a married couple who adored Nebraska football and drove business by hiring players to greet customers - back before NCAA rules forbade such things.

These days, the “M” is burned out on the neon sign outside, but Husker love remains. With countless old helmets in glass cases, this place, too, is a museum of legends.

AT LAST! proclaims a newspaper mounted on the wall, tribute to the successful end of Osborne’s 21-year pursuit of his first national title. But relics aren’t Nebraska football. Nor is the near-perfect piece of seared cattle Misty’s serves. Nor the pep band that marches down the stairs, trumpeting the fight song on Friday nights before games.

Here comes Nebraska football. She’s carrying the baked potato. Husker Nation looks a lot like a big-haired waitress who can quickly rattle off specifics of the last time and Nebraska played: the 1996 Orange Bowl.

“I remember it fondly,” Stacey said. “I remember them all fondly. Ask me about any game.”

She has them all, back to 1993, on tape.

“I never get tired of watching them,” she said. “Over and over.”

Stacey is not strange here. She is Nebraska football.

“It’s a unique place,” coach Bo Pelini said. “It feels like everybody has a sense of ownership in the program. I guess you’d have to live it, experience it. It’s different. They worship it. “

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Sep

25

Predictions Round-Up for Huskers vs Hokies

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Macon.com says it’ll be Nebraska 23, 20

“Give a narrow edge to Nebraska in this game based on the homefield advantage. Also, the fact that the Cornhuskers throw the ball more effectively than helps the cause.”

ATHLON Sports gives no final score, but says “ by 9”

“Nebraska’s feeling good about itself again, enjoying the vibe of the switch from Bill Callahan to Bo Pelini. But this game will reveal if this is a faux feel-good story.”

Dawg Sports, a Bulldogs blog, predicts that Nebraska will win, but doesn’t offer up a score. He calls out the Huskers and asks when they had their last Real Big W.

“I can’t recall the last time the Cornhuskers won what I would characterize as a big game—surely, victories over the 24th-ranked Cowboys in 2003, the 23rd-ranked Cyclones in 2005, and the 24th-ranked Aggies in 2006 wouldn’t really qualify—and, while this one only marginally makes the grade, it still represents an important step in the right direction for a proud program trying to reclaim its standing.”

“If last year’s Nebraska win at Wake Forest is any indication, we shouldn’t expect the ‘Huskers to win any other way but ugly against an A.C.C. contender, but, seeing as how that aforementioned 2007 victory over the Demon Deacons was by the 20-17 final margin so familiar to the Hokies, I like Nebraska to emerge triumphant undefeated from a low-scoring slugfest to determine which team is the more overrated on the basis of name recognition.”

ESPN ACC Blogger clueless hack Heather Dinich says 20, Nebraska 17.

Her football analysis is superior. She confidently assures us that the Hokies will win by the exact same score they won by last week (!). This mathematical possibility is so tiny, to even suggest it should get her transferred to a brand new gig as The Worldwide Loser’s Big Ten blogger.

“That’s right, ANOTHER 20-17 win for the Hokies. Only because this is the Huskers’ first true test of the season, and has already proved it’s a scrappy come-from-behind team. Plus, the Hokies have the veteran coaching staff.”


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