Husker_x

Hey guys, what a game, huh? Best offensive production of the Callahan era. Let's just hope it carries into next week, then we'll have a tremendous reason to raise a lot of eyebrows.

1) Keller: Good game, got into his groove. I think the game strategy was not geared to highlight him, though, so we can't really consider this a test of his leadership and playmaking abilities. Yes, bad luck with that INT, but that's all it was. He still had a good game, was productive, and you can't blame drops on the QB.

2) Lucky: What more can I say? The boy has become a man. If he keeps this up, he'll be a legend at Nebraska. I was so proud and impressed with his performance, his power, and his attitude. He just didn't quit.

3) Castille: Excellent, would have liked to see more of him. He will be a staple of our program in the future, I imagine. He and Lucky will have stellar seasons if the Oline keeps making games like these possible.

4) Glenn: Now here was a kid who disappointed me. Looking at his eyes I saw an attitude problem, a chip on the shoulder, but not in a good way. He didn't run with any heart, and was shown up by everyone who touched the ball. He had a couple good runs, but he was overshadowed.

5) 3rd Quarter blues: Officially snapped. We scored about half as many points in this third quarter as we did all season last year. That's something to celebrate. The execution on both sides of the ball and at virtually all skill positions were incredible.

6) Adimatic: What needs to be said about the kicking game? Holy sh#t. That is all.

General: I loved the game plan. I love the rushing philosophy. Yes, it doesn't do much for Keller winning the Heisman trophy, but hell, we just steamrolled a pretty good defense, and we did it on the ground. The delay of games, as Callahan said, were not so much Keller as it was the nature of the plays themselves. Callahan adjusted, they went away––can't ask for more than that. The lack of fumbles practically has me in tears I'm so happy. So overall I have no great complaints about the game. I hope Tye is okay and will be back soon. I was hoping for a few more sacks, but you take what you can get. The Blackshirts didn't allow a touchdown, and that should be celebrated. Very good showing in our secondary.

Well, I'm sure there's plenty of stuff I'm forgetting, but that's my overall take. Oh,

And USC must be razed to the ground.

See you next week Wake.

I think we have some really talented RB's in Lucky and Castille, but the OL made it all happen. 413 yds rushing is INCREDIBLE!

Also, I don't think the QB was sacked or seriously pressured the entire game.

We'll learn a lot more next wk, but it looks great so far!!!

What? He was running for his life for the last three quarters. True, there weren't a lot of sacks (1 or 2), but our secondary did very well, and Octo was all over the place from the first snap on.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

An absolute embarrassment. Thank God they got rid of Mack for Chizik. Think they'll win a game this season?

And USC must be razed to the ground.

I honestly am so surprised that everyone is accepting of this. My point is that if we don't start winning 10 games virtually every year like Texas, OU, SoCal, LSU, OSU etc then he needs to go. BCS 2 out of 3 years is a standard and I think less than 10 wins is a major disappointment in COACHING. Do you think we have less talent than Boise St last year? They beat OU and put up a lot of points purely on coaching and great play calling. A friend of mine who coaches at Oregon St. said that they were shocked and embarrassed by NU play calling in the Big 12 championship. You guys are saying it's OK to be close in the 4th quarter to good teams. When did this become the standard b/c it wasn't ok for Frank or TO.

 

Anyone wanna bet on a BCS game by 2010? If not, then that will be 7 years and that isn't acceptable. Also, we play in the Big 12 north. I am very happy we won and I traveled from AZ to the game but it isn't like winning the SEC.

I grow weary of this nonsense. This whole ridiculous thread is an absolute waste of time. Look, there is simply no way around this. You have to let the man run his offense as it is DESIGNED to be run. Zac Taylor, a tough hell of a kid, served as a trasitional period QB. He is not what will bring Callahan's system to life on the level that hopefully Keller will be able to. And let's not forget about what the future season's hold with the likes of Gabbert and Witt. Plain and simple, I do believe that Callahan will restore this team; and it will be on the cutting edge of football, prepared fully to evolve into whatever is in the future. But none of that matters to you. You just have a beef, and the only thing that will shut you up is success. So please, divert your attention to the television each Saturday, and we'll see what happens.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

So there still are a couple of you people around? Tell you what, sit back and watch this season. If by the end of it you still have a problem, I'll be more willing to listen to you whine.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

I don't know but I bet he would have at least tried to win.

The idea that a coach would not try to win a game has got to be the most ludicrous thing I have ever read.

 

 

anyone who thinks that cally wasnt trying to win that game knows nothing about football, or sports in general. this is no different than in basketball a playing a running, pressing team and slowing it down. you do what gives your team the best chance to win. people dont realize how close that game plan was to pure genius.

To believe Eeyore's assumption on this point is so illogical it makes my nose bleed. But you sir have made perhaps the best point here. Eeyore doesn't realize how close Bill's gameplan was to genius. He doesn't understand that Callahan was actually using very Osborne/Sollich-esque tactics. He was bringing this game into the fourth quarter. Part of the reason I am so hopeful about this and coming seasons is that I believe Callahan operates on a whole different level in this sport. He merely has lacked some fundamental execution in places and at certain inoppurtune moments.

Callahan knew what would win that game. It was ball control. He knew our D couldn't match up with their offense, so he staggered the blow by bringing in a scheme in where we would tire their D and keep the ball out of Jarret and Smith's hands. It was a stroke of brilliance. Unfortunately our O-line and backs couldn't get the job done. We were just outgunned, plain and simple.

This is why I see no need for this incessant, bitchy pessimism. Once we've got the talent to showcase Callahan's strategies––and that could begin Sept. 1 for all I know––I think people will take a different perspective on him.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

OmahaEeyore,

Reading your reply gives me that sensation of lethargy and disbelief that there is anything logical left in the world. It's like there's this veil that wraps around you, comforting you much like Iowa's QB philosophy (the next guy in line is really the one) comforts them. You live in this world where every shred of evidence against your Husker worldview is simply ingored––not rationalized or realistic––but disregarded entirely.

Look, I had thought about doing this long, eloquent diatribe against every point you made, and it might have even been a wee fun, but I'm going to forego it for the simple reason that you don't care about reason. It's obvious from your post that you can't even read progress from a five win season to a nine win season with talent like you couldn't imagine flooding in this spring. Your content to live in your fantasy realm, and I'm content to let you. But please, do us all a favor and stop spoiling the atmosphere around here. Some of us like Husker football. You'd probably fit in better at a Mizzery board.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

P.S. How cool would it have been to see a Frank team playing SC last year? Wouldn't THAT have been a riot.

Just for the sake of the game here, I'll ask this question of OmahaEeyore honestly.

What, exactly, is your thoughts on where the program would be right now if Solich had stayed on board? Where was the quarterback? Where were the running backs? Where were the facilities? Where was any pulse in the program that you can honestly say would have sparked life into us again? Just looking at the 9-3 season he put up (after a memorable 7-7 finish in 02) is enough reason for me to see the logic in the transition. We were going nowhere, getting destroyed by the likes of Mizzery KSUcks and Texas, and there was no future in sight.

Then along came Bill Callahan.

Updated facilities, 5 star recruits, an offense when once fixed in position will attract pro hopefuls like you to negativity, record crowds and trivial non-season events, pro coaches clinics, etc. etc. etc.

The only thing we're lacking is the big wins. Notice carefully how close we were last year. Notice carefully what kind of talent we've got coming in this year and next. If you can honestly say that Solich had a prayer in hell of accomplishing what Callahan is doing right before our eyes, then pal, I admire your faith.

But let's be real. Let's not be like a bloody Democrat on the war in Iraq. What's done is done. Callahan is the future, Solich is the past. You cannot give me one defensible reason why Callahan will not get the job done in the coming years. I defy you to present me with one shred of evidence that this program is not improving day by day, game by game, year by year. With names like Gabbert, Gray, Keller, Witt, Asante, Castille, and Bowman appearing on our roster, I just can't understand why you would not have hope for the future of this team.

But if you don't, well, then have fun cheering for USC like all the other fangirls.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

Hey all,

I'm going to be living in Iowa City by next Saturday and I was wondering if anyone knew where I could find out if the game will be on over there. The info I've got is that it's and ABC regional telecast, but I don't know if they'd be showing a Big 10 game over in those waters. I might be making a piglrimage elsewhere if I can't get it, but I'd rather not, if you know what I mean.

Here's to Sept. 1––the resurgance of Husker football, and the shutting up of OmahaPoohBear.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

>>>>>>>Coverage Map <<<<<<<

Sometimes I don't know what I'm more sick of. USC praise, or Callahan bashing? You know why? Because they're both so damn easy.

It doesn't take any real thought to reach down into a statistical bag of bullsh#t related to a team which is rebuilding from days of decadent nothingness. Every time I read some nonsense like this I just want to put my head through a wall. For you people who still have some flagging question about the recruiting, let me spell something out for you.

You cannot expect to win championships until you build DEPTH

Callahan has THREE SEASONS to effectivley transition a run-attack to a balanced attack using square pegs for round holes, and yet is STILL managing to pull in 5 stars from all over. And never mind that we've beat several top 25 teams whose only reason for not remaining in the top 25 is the fact that we beat them. And never mind that we were within a touchdown for a combined win over Texas and Auburn. Oh, and forget that Michigan win, too. We didn't exactly get slaughtered by the Condoms, either––a miracle with our corners.

Forget the fact that we've yet to have a truly phenomenal quarterback who can throw the deep ball and scramble a little bit. Forget that even in spite of some rocky times these last few years the support base has still produced massivly updated facilities that are practically the 8th wonder of the football world, added to the stadium, maintained our sellout record, turned out huge spring game/Fan Day numbers season after season, and are holding coaches clinics where some of the biggest names around are hanging out.

Good Ghandi. I cannot wait for this so-called "signature win" to occur. Then maybe you people can shut the hell up.

For not the final time:

USC must be razed to the ground.

The Cryclones have never been anything but talk. The have to get their talking out of the way during preseason before they start losing. They have delusions of granduer and seem to dwell on the few times the have beat Nebraska and disregard the MANY decades (past and current) when we have blown them out. Just keep talking my red and urine colored friends.

Precisely. The Cyclowns talk a HUGE game, which is funny for somebody who couldn't find the Big XII Championship with tickets and a map. I think what's at the bottom of the whole segment is simple. They've both said it directly in the past. They hate Nebraska. Even if they won't admit it to themselves (what bloody Hawk would admit it?), but I think what really irks them is that even though Nebraska––the giant of all football teams––finally went down for a few years, and now we're coming back. On our horizon is nothing but great things, championships, big bowls and big players. We've got a roster of NFL-caliber quarterbacks so deep we couldn't get to the bottom of it with a shovel. And top prospects from all over are coming here because they know what we know, and what the Cyclowns can't admit either, and that is this: Nebraska is back baby.

Here's to Sept. 1st

And USC must be razed to the ground.

From the Lincoln Journal Star:

Joe Ganz fielded questions Tuesday, a day after Sam Keller was given the nod over him for the starting quarterback spot.

Here are a couple of his quotes:

"For the first hour (after the news), it was really tough because I had put so much into it these last three years... But I have to be there for my teammates. I can't let myself be down. If Sam gets hurt it (can't) screw up the whole season. I can't allow that. I have too much respect for my coaches and teammates to do that."

"We can't have any drop off at the backup. That's my role right now and I'll accept it and I'll work as hard as I can to be prepared and not let there be any drop off at all."

Ganz handled it with great class, and bordered on emotional as he talked about calling his parents to tell them the news. A story with more reaction is soon coming

No kidding about the class. Very heartening for a young man to be put in this situation and not let it ruin him. I hope I'm not out of line saying this, but it sort of reminds me of another incredible young man who played backup to a superstar and was called upon to step up in a time of desperate need.

Don't let it beat you, Joey. You're still a Husker and I think I speak for everyone here when I say Husker Nation is very proud of you.

I figure Watson, Callahan, and Jordan know what they're doing. Bradon was a pleasant surprise last season, and to be perfectly honest, I've never been much impressed with Lucky's play. That's not to say he won't have a good season, but I'm currently harboring a "you show me" mentality towards his abilities. In my mind recruiting stars are kind of like preseason polls––they mean nothing. What matters is what takes place in practice and on the field.

Castille is the back I'm hankering to get a look at, especially against opponents with a scraggly D-line. We might need a speedster against SC, and then we can shift Castille into the mix. (Which brings me back to last season where I think Callahan had the right idea about how to take down SC––the execution simply wasn't there, and he didn't give up the strategery soon enough to make a difference.)

I really hope to see Glenn come back, too. I kept thinking last season that if they would just let him get out there and play for more than the short yardage situations we'd see a monster develop in front of our eyes. He did well at ISU, for instance. Bradon was definitely the go-to guy, but despite our obvious and warranted nervousness about this season's backfield, I like to think of it in positive terms. Someone is going to step up. Someone is going to want this so bad that they'll get the job done. It might be lucky, it might be Roy Helu. Whoever it is, let's just make sure we show the world this season why Nebraska's power rushing attack was feared for thirty years.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

There are two ways to look at it, I suppose.

1) Bowman rises to the occasion, realizing our secondary is weakened severely without him, and he gives each game, each down, each movement his everything, and he resurfaces as a dominant force. We'll sing his praises as INTs and broken passes pile up, and partially because of his play and increased potency at the safety positions, our D becomes a pass defense machine.

2) Bowman's injury gets the best of him. He plays, but with little flair and a lot of hesitancy. We'll pretty much be watching a rerun of last season's pass D with the added pang of wondering what could have been if he'd been healthy. The safeties soften the blow, but every so often we'll find ourselves getting torched by the deep ball. Our big games this year become more doubtful with the disappointment of his performance.

Honestly, the truth could also lie somewhere in the middle. Maybe Bowman comes back and plays pretty well. Although we've had the discussion before––how much of Bowman is real and how much of it is the way we WANT him to be? Anything less than domination at this point will probably get attributed to his injuries and inability to come back from them. I won't say he's a media creation, but I need a strong half season before I start singing his praises at the top of my voice.

I do hope he's as good as people say he is. We're going to need him.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

***SNIP***

 

I can't believe that they would say that Nebraska is just like any other team since we no longer run the option.

 

***SNIP***

That baffles me. The clear implication is that all teams that don't run the option are "just another team". That means that those who trot out that argument are actually also insulting their own team. I wonder if they realize that they are committing a self-nuke.

That's an excellent point. I'm thinking the same thing. Every team in the country competes from and for the same pool, so how does Nebraska suddenly joining this game with a big-time recruiting talent like Callahan put us at a loss? His pro experience and coaching staff have hauled in some fine specimines this year so far, and we're still looking at nabbing a few good picks. I don't see how, without some major wins, ISU is going to develop into the team this guy wants them to be. I think Chinzik is going to take the program up a notch (though it remains to be seen, clearly), but to compete with Callahan on a recruiting level, with the powerhouse that Nebraska is, with the facilities we've got, with the fanbase we have, with the technology we've implemented, and with the players we've got coming in this year and following, good freakin' luck.

As I said, I think his blathering is mostly a delusional wishful thinking. Fun topic, though, lol.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

I was wondering if anyone had heard anything about Trevor recently? I know he's still technically committed (obviously not signed), but that he was taking some time to make sure it's the right decision. I think a few good wins this season will convince him of that, but if anyone has any info on what he's thinking/leaning at present, I'd sure like to know.

Old Blaine could rest easier knowing this guy's standing in front of him.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

If Nebraska beats SC, we'll have Game Day at Ball State.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

 

Interesting thoughts on NU.

 

For comparison, what were their thoughts on ISU?

Actually they were quite realisitic about the seasons of both the Hawks and the Clones. They realize that this is going to be a major transition year at ISU, what with a new coach, a new offensive philosophy, and a lack of talent especially on but not limited to the offensive line. They're predicting maybe 3-4 wins for this program. I think Nebraska is going to put a hurt on them when they come into Lincoln. Suh is going to tear through that O-line like it's toilet paper. And Octavian will be right behind him.

But what this individual was spouting had more to do with ISU finally becoming a dominant force in the north. He sees Chinzik (sp?) as the next step for the program into Big XII Championship territory. He has confidance in this because the only real rival is Nebraska and Mizzery, and in the case of Nebraska well...I already posted his thoughts on that. He and his co-host see Callahan being booted within the next few years, and Nebraska simply fades into the woodwork like a thousand other college programs that have done the same.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

"Remember, Rome was brought down too."

Yeah...and it only took ohhh....one thousand years.

And USC must be razed to the ground!

This is ridiculous, any way you slice it. But yet I find reason to smile. Anyone care to know why? Because I know a secret. I know, for a fact, that USC is going to get their asses handed to them this season. Why? Because it always happens to this kind of team. "Oh, they can't be beat! It's impossible! Might as well not even play...everyone forfeit...too good...too deep...waaaah..."

And then what happens? At home, on a blusterous evening when it's least suspected, some nobody comes into their Condom stadium and punches them in the face. They lose, are disgraced, but of course we'll still hear about them until next season when the same stupid predicitons start all over again.

USC will not go undefeated. USC will not be this year's NC--in fact they won't even see the game.

Everyone save this document to your hard drive. I could be wrong, but it hasn't happened yet.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

Back again, now that you guys have had your shot at them.

Basically my opinion of Callahan is positive. I think he's done a fine job with what's been given him. With Sollich, from what I understand, we had no reason to beleive anything good was going to happen in our near future. I don't particularly understand "the option is dead" argument, though, as that's been the case since Lincoln was president. In any case, our recruiting alone has given me hope. Once we see Keller/Witt/Gabbert run this offensive scheme, I do expect a lot of the "I knew it all along" crowd to surface. I for one am staking my claim here. Callahan is the future of Husker football. I actually admire the complexity of his system on a strategic level.

His tenure in the professional league offer something that 99% of schools in the nation can't offer. He and Pederson have updated our facilities to a new-car shine, and make progressive strides in hosting pro coaches from all over the country. So when I hear that guy's BS about never being able to win consistantly, I just shrug and laugh. Of course we're competing for the same talent pool! We're competing...and we're winning. In case nobody heard, we've got the number one prospects out of Mizzery, Michigan, and potentially Nebraska as well. Callahan's digging up kickers who are booting 60 yard field goals and athletes who can leave tracks of fire on the field when they run.

JUCO thing? Obvious. We need guys and we need them now. Part of building depth. I wouldn't expect a Cyclone to understand that concept, especially with their O-line.

Moreover I think the entire nonsensical rambling was simply a case of denial. He also believes that ISU is going to be competing for Big XII Championships here one of these days. Possible, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Nebraska is the rising star in the Big XII, and if you're smart, you realize that. We've got every external thing blowing our direction. Now all we need is some big, big games to cement ourselves as the power we've always been. And I expect to see that happen here in a couple weeks. Anyone with me?

And USC must be razed to the ground.

Here in my home state there's a weekly show that runs during football season which I like to watch for it's length and general good, solid coverage (with brief commercial breaks) of college football. It's called Cy-Hawk Talk: State of the Nations. This week the guys, who are both talented casters, in my opinion, are breaking down what they think the future of the Hawks and Cyclones.

But somewhere in the midst of the Cyclone preview, the commentator had some pretty negative things to say about Nebraska, Bill Callahan, and the future of our team. His points were:

1) Nebraska is just another team because we no longer run the option. We now have to recruit the same players as the rest of the nation because our system is virtually the same. When Touchdown Tommy came out of college, he had very limited options where he could play and play early. Nebraska among those was the only real choice.

2) Nebraska has not and can not win big games. Eg. Oklahoma, Auburn, Texas, USC, etc.

3) Bill Callahan might win a Big XII championship or two, but Nebraska will never––never––be a yearly 9/10/11 win team, consistently playing for BCS and championship games like we were.

4) For all Callahan's recruiting prowess, four years in we're still recruiting JUCOs by the bushel. Not a good sign.

I have my own thoughts about about his idears about our team, but I'll open the floor to you fine people. Whaddya think? (Although for a hint, Blaine Gabbert comes to mind for a variety of reasons; what he represents in our recruiting as well as what he will soon do for us.)

And USC must be razed to the ground.

Damn, I wish I'd have watched it

No, in thirty years when you aren't having a stroke like me you'll be happy you missed it. This was perhaps the singularly most unprofessional, unresearched bunch of SC-worshipping bullsh#t I've heard in years. They make no mention of the fact that second-tier teams rountinely bust those turf-munching Jezebels in the mouth. From the tone of their telecast, you'd assume that Nebraska hasn't even managed to recruit anyone. They make no mention of anything but losses, and even then they neglect to mention that we actually won the Texas game, save for a fumble, and outplayed Auburn. And we smacked Mizzery upside the head as well.

Soon...very soon and Keller will be putting much of this right. I don't expect that moron May to have anything but bile to spew about it, but God willing at the end of this season we'll have enough Ws over top ten teams to prove it.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

On College Football Live today there was a question about the QB situation about if it matters who the QB is, will Nebraska still win. The hosts (all of them) said "Marlon Lucky is no Brandon Jackson", among other things.... I just caught the tail end of it. Anyone else see this??

I saw the whole thing. I'd have titled this post Mark May: The Saga Continues. It was nothing but one knock after the next about Nebraska. They absolutely gave no credit to anyone from the coaching staff on down. Mark May has become my enemy; my face is set against him. That whore beats off to pictures of John David Booty. They're talking about giving that schmuck the Heisman? Are you kidding me? WHAT IN THE HELL FOR? He's a crybaby!

My God, I cannot wait to watch our players unleash their frustrations on Wake, SC, Texas, Mizzery; all this offseason disrespect will be repaid in points, sacks, and Ws. I cannot believe that May thinks Nebraska is OVERrated in the preseason polls. Are you out of your f'ing MIND?

I never realized that ESPN had such poor quality research going into their programming. For heaven sake, get somebody on there that knows something before a blood vessel bursts in my brain. The only team May as any affection for is SC. I hope we kill those lousy Condom bastards by the bushel.

And USC must be razed to the ground.

We're going to kill Mizzery to death inside of two quarters.

 

Kill them to death? Sorry, but that is hilarious.

Did see Rocky III? You can thank Mickey for that one...