Jan

5

Husker Links: 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers Season-in-Review Edition

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Links:

On a personal note, my preseason standard went as follows: If Nebraska could 1) Put on his patootie, 2) Hold to 40 points and 3) Make a bowl game, the season would be a success.

Mission completion, on all fronts, not to mention backs.

But this first season wasn’t about numbers. It was about intangibles or, in this case, intangibos. We saw enough to offer hope that NU will graduate from the Gator Bo to the Fiesta Bo someday soon.

Witt, the yearlong backup behind Ganz, picked up the most in-game experience this year. Lee has a powerful arm, a gritty-natured personality and an NFL background. Spano impressed as a scout-team signal caller. And Green - the early arriving ‘09 recruit - could be a natural fit for Watson’s style.

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Jan

5

Tim Griffin predicts the Huskers win the Big 12 North in 2009

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From Tim Griffin’s blog on his 2009 predictions:

4. Bo’s first division title . After Nebraska coach Bo Pelini inserts Zac Lee into the starting lineup, the Cornhuskers catch fire and cruise to the North Division title in a tight race that features four teams that eventually make bowl trips — Nebraska, Colorado, and Missouri. The Cornhuskers don’t have enough firepower, however, to beat Texas. The Longhorns win their conference title since 2005 after a 38-24 triumph over the Cornhuskers to cruise to the BCS title game after a 12-1 season marred only by a loss at Oklahoma State.

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Jan

3

Will Ndamukong Suh stay or go?

Filed Under Bo Pelini, Ndamukong Suh | Leave a Comment

As has publicly stated, Ndamukong Suh has a decision to make regarding the NFL.

While Suh earlier said publicly he is coming back, it seems like he is giving himself some room to change his mind:

“(M)y mind-set right now is that I’m 99 percent coming back to school.”

And thinks he is leaning towards coming back:

“I’m not going to worry about it. I’d love to have him back and I think he will,” Pelini said. “And I think in the end, probably just in terms of his future and his career, that’s probably the right decision.

“But if he explores it and it turns out it’s not the best thing for him (to stay), he’s a great kid, I love him. I want to do what is best for Suh.”

Scout’s, Inc has Suh projected as the 31st best ‘draft eligible’ player out there but the 3rd best overall DT, which leads me to think that given the scarcity of quality DT’s in the NFL, Suh will be a Top 15 draft pick if he were to go out.

But, there is a case to be made for him to come back. It has nothing to do with draft stock, but has everything to do with having a successful NFL career. While Suh could go to the NFL and cash in, he might not find the same level of attention and coaching expertise as he has at Nebraska. 

Bo and Carl Pelini are a first-class Defensive Line coaching tandem. Suh will be in a much better position of attacking the NFL Quarterbacks after another year of Bo and Carl coaching.

Either way, Suh has to do what is best for him. And that might be staying at Nebraska for his senior year.

One final note, Ndamukong has until Jan. 15th to make his decision on the NFL.

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Jan

3

Bo Pelini’s post-game speech from the Gator Bowl

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Not the greatest , but it’s a snippet of ’s post-game speech at the end of the Gator Bowl:

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Jan

2

Bo Pelini’s next big recruiting job: Ndamukong Suh

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Ndamukong Suh will have a decision to make.

While he’s previously stated his firm commitment to being a Husker in 2009, recently he’s backed off of those statements.

will definitely lobby for Suh to come back and finish his development but this is a decision only made by Suh. Bo knows that Suh is NFL  material and Bo also knows how much easier it will be to win the Big 12 North with Suh.

With Suh putting pressure on Colt McCoy in the Big 12 title game, anything can happen in 2009.

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Jan

1

Gator Bowl Postgame Notes

Filed Under 2008 Opponents, Bo Pelini, Clemson, Gator Bowl, Joe Ganz, bowl games | Leave a Comment

Courtesy NU Media Relations :

* Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini picked up his ninth win in today’s game, tying for the most wins by a Nebraska first-year head coach . He joined Bob Devaney (9 in 1962), (9 in 1973) and Frank Solich (9 in 1998) with nine wins in their first season leading the Cornhuskers.

* Bo Pelini’s ninth win also tied him for the most victories by any of the 18 first-year head coaches in the Division I ranks this season.

* Nebraska senior quarterback Joe Ganz completed 19-of-36 passes for 237 yards. With his 237 passing yards, Ganz increased his season passing total to 3,569 yards, building on his Nebraska season passing record . Ganz finished his Husker career with 5,126 passing yards, good for second on the NU charts. In today’s game he passed (5,035) to move into second place, trailing only ’ s 5,860 career passing yards.

* Ganz accounted for 239 yards of total offense, increasing his final career total to 5,468. He moved up two spots to fourth on NU’s career total offense list. In today’s game Ganz passed (5,283) and Jammal Lord (5,421) while falling just short of Tommie Frazier (5,476) on the list.

* Nebraska senior receiver Nate Swift caught three passes for 32 yards and one touchdown. With his 32 receiving yards, Swift finished second in the Nebraska record book for season and career receiving yardage. Swift finished his senior season with 941 receiving yards, just short of Johnny Rodgers ’ 943 yards in 1972. Swift ran his career receiving yardage total to 2,476 yards, also just shy of Rodgers’ 2,479 receiving yards from 1970 to 1972.

* Nebraska nose tackle Ndamukong Suh blocked a second-quarter Tiger FG attempt, his second blocked kick of the season. Nebraska’s Rickey Thenarse added blocked punt as the Huskers finished with six blocked kicks on the year (3 by Zach Potter). The six blocked kicks are the most by Nebraska since the Huskers blocked seven kicks in the 2005 season.

* Suh finished the game with a team-best eight tackles, including sacks of 12 yards in the second quarter and seven yards in the third quarter. Suh finished the 2008 season with 76 tackles and became the first defensive lineman to lead Nebraska in tackles since 1973. Suh totaled 7.5 sacks sacks and 19 tackles for loss this season.

* Sophomore I-back rushed 18 times for a career-high 125 yards, including a career-long 58-yard rush in the third quarter. His previous long rush was a 37-yard touchdown run at Kansas State earlier this season. The 58-yard run also tied the season long rush for Nebraska ( 58 yards vs. New Mexico State).

* The 11-point deficit Nebraska overcame ties for the largest comeback by Nebraska in a bowl game , matching the 11-point comeback against Michigan in the 2005 Alamo Bowl when NU trailed 28-17 in the fourth quarter.

* Senior defensive end Zach Potter finished the game with four tackles, including two tackles for loss of four yards. He also had one pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. Potter finished his senior season with 16 tackles for loss and 28 TFLs in his career.

* Sophomore tight end Mike McNeill had three receptions for 27 yards in today’s game. McNeill finished the season with 32 catches, breaking Johnny Mitchell’s Nebraska position record of 31 catches in 1991.

* Sophomore place-kicker Alex Henery connected on field goals of 48, 28, 28 and 22 yards, tying the Nebraska bowl record with four made kicks in a game. Nebraska’s first points of the game came on Henery’s seventh field goal of 40 yards or more this season (he is 7-of-9 from that distance). Henery improved to (18-of-21) on field goals this season and (26-of-29) in his Husker career.

* The Nebraska defense registered five sacks for 44 yards, pushing its season total to 35 sacks, more than double the Huskers’ 2007 total of 13 sacks. The Huskers produced 19 sacks for 169 yards in the final four games of the season .

* Nebraska held to 208 yards of total offense in today’s game. The Nebraska bowl record for yards allowed is 174 vs. Michigan State in 2003, Bo Pelini’s game as interim head coach. In two bowl games with Pelini as head coach, Nebraska has allowed an average of 191 total yards.


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Dec

29

The Bo Pelini Sweatshirt

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Just a heads up, the Huskers Gameday Store is carrying the “Bo Pelini Sweatshirt.” In fact, Bo wore it at his most recent press conference even though it’s 79 degrees in Jacksonville:

pelini-sweatshirt

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Dec

29

Bo Pelini speaks to the media

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speaks to the media:

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Dec

28

Huskers Gameday Insider: Cody Glenn’s Husker Status, can Roy Helu carry the load, and Rex Burkhead to start in 2009?

Filed Under Bo Pelini, Cody Glenn, Husker Insider, Roy Helu Jr. | Leave a Comment

Huskers Gaemday Insider

An Inside Look at the Nebraska Cornhuskers Football Program

By Big Herbie

Filed: December 28th, 9:00 PM

Location: Undisclosed Location

What’s up with ?

The 2008 Bo Pelini Success Story has been given the silent treatment by the Lincoln Establishment (Tom Osborne and Bo Pelini) since his ‘indefinite suspension’ on November 11th.

Apparently, that suspension will last through the Gator Bowl, effectively ending Glenn’s Husker career.

Rumors varied around Husker Message Boards to the cause of the suspension, but we do have good intel to support that it was most likely an NCAA infraction.

On a completely unrelated note, I heard it’s against the rules to sell your tickets.

Can carry the load?

The debate within Husker Circles is heating up over whether or not Jr, the speedy sophomore who added a new dimension to the Husker offense in 2008, can handle a majority of the carries in 2009.

Roy was very effective in his role this year and has great big-play ability. Coaches were also encouraged by his 25-carry performance in the Colorado game with Marlon Lucky’s absence, but most of the carries he saw in a game before the Colorado game was 16 in the Kansas and Oklahoma game.

Behind Helu next year on the depth chart will be Quentin Castille, who figures to a key component in the Husker’s short-yardage plans, but his name doesn’t exactly invoke excitement among the Husker Faithful.

There is also the case of , who impressed in his very limited role in ‘08. It should be another position battle to keep your eye on in 2009 Spring Ball.

Rex Burkhead to start as a true Freshman?

Read between the lines at the glowing articles on Rex Burkhead and you’ll soon come to the realization that Rex Burkhead might be a freshman to watch out for.

Many college football observers believe Rex is college football ready right now, which is why Rex’s commitment to the Huskers sent shock-waves within the Lincoln Establishment and Recruiting Circles.

Many believe Bo Pelini and crew hinted to Rex that he is college football ready right now and are already planning on him contributing to the 2009 Huskers.

Also, the promise to play Rex Burkhead in 2009 might give the coaching staff a chance to move Rex to a different position such as safety. No doubt Bo Pelini would love Rex anchoring his defense for the next four years.

The talent is so dry that Bo might be saying to Rex “If you want to be a running back, I can red shirt you or give you 5 carries a game, or I can start you right now at Safety and make you an All-American Safety by the time you leave.”

Gator Bowl Crucial for Recruiting?

Recruting Circles and the Lincoln Establishment are hoping a Gator Bowl victory will not only add to the recruiting momentum, but also secure already pledged recruits.

No doubt a bad and sloppy performance by the Huskers in the Gator Bowl may take a little air out of the ‘good feeling’ that has been restored with the program.

It also be a sobering and small setback for a football program that is clearly on the uptick.

With a month to go until Nebraska Cornhuskers Signing Day, the coaching staff not only wants to add 2-3 more recruits (and they are going to shoot high with those last two scholarships), they also want to make sure the current commitments stay with the Huskers.

Naturally, if the Huskers lose, it makes it a lot easier for those Texas schools to call up the current Husker commitments to try to get them to flip.

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Dec

26

Husker Links: Bo Pelini’s Statement, Patrick Witt, and why Ohio produces so many coaches

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From Bo and Carl Pelini:

Our entire family would like to thank Nebraska fans everywhere for the words of sympathy we have received. We are very appreciative of all of the thoughts and prayers.”

Today is a travel day for the Huskers.

Must Read: Why Ohio is the “Cradle of Coaches.”

Less than 4% of the country’s population lives in Ohio, but 15% of college football’s major-conference head coaches were born there — the most for any state. And this volume is more than matched by quality: 14 of the last 18 teams that have made it to the national title game have had head coaches with Ohio connections.

1982 Orange Bowl put Clemson on the map, literally.

More on the 2009 QB Race:

And so here he sits on the cusp of the next big step. Freshman and high school senior Cody Green, who arrives next month, will also compete for the job in March. Witt and Lee enter as the heavy favorites.

Witt, according to Watson, has placed himself in good position.

“Either you get it or you don’t, and Pat gets it,” Watson said. “You understand how it all goes together. In other words, the game goes really slow for you. I think a lot of that happens for him because Pat has great study habits.

“The one thing I don’t want is for us to have to take a step back next year because of our quarterbacks, and I don’t think we will.”

Zac Lee is making his push for the 2009 QB Spot

Lee might not have any better chance of winning the job than or others. But the NU staff will realize that Lee isn’t going away, no matter the situation.

“You have to keep competing,” said Lee, a sophomore from San Francisco. “I think whenever you do something you have to stay in there and fight until the very, very end.”

Husker teammates have seen some of that already, even though the JC transfer redshirted in 2007 and played in just two games in 2008. Joe Ganz might have been the sure bet to start this season, but Lee went through spring practice and preseason camp treating it as if he still had a shot at No. 1.

Through the season and into bowl practices, Lee often was one of the last players off the field, staying around to throw to any receiver who wasn’t in a hurry to go to dinner or class or home.

Joe Ganz is focused on a victory:

“Getting to a January bowl is great, but winning even better,” Ganz said “That’s what we’re focused on.”

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