Danny Bateman

I think we're pretty set at DT. The last couple classes have had some pretty good recruits.... Obviously Jay Guy comes to mind this year. And I feel Thad Randle from last year's class was super underrated. He was first team All State in Texas, along with Rex. Many feel that Ankrah from last year and Chase this year will both grow into DT's eventually. Oh yeah, and throw Jake Cotton in there... . Seriously, though, I hope Jake proves all the doubters wrong by pulling a Todd Peterson or, better yet, a Russ Hochstein (he was a NE guy) and proves all the doubters wrong, and then some. I think we may be done at DT this year, having 1 DT and FIVE DEs committed. The train may have passed Ricky by.

I really doubt we land Hardrick. From what I hear, he was just taking in a visit with two buddies from Fort Scott, and isn't actually considering NU. But weirder things have happened...

Good point. I too was very happy to see McNeil get involved. This is one thing that puzzles me about Wats sometimes. He seems so set in his ways... Like he is determined not to play his strengths and keep stubbornly trying to call plays that may work great with different players, but not with our current system. But we won... all that matters. GBR. Great game by Zac. I can honestly say I did not see any "WTF!?" throws this week. 1st time in a while.

Very very satisfied with the comeback win. Showed the mental fortitude and wearwithal that was so lacking during Billy C's tenure. But I will say this. For a play that needs to come out of the playbook BADLY, see "Zone Read"!!! We never gain good yardage on this play, and QB keepers especially with Zac are just plain stupid. Also, running out of the shotgun is just plain stupid. People do not respect it as a passing formation anymore, and it totally loses it's effectiveness. When we had 2nd and 2 at some point in the game and decided to run that #$@% zone read, we got stuffed and I wanted to kick Wats in the head. Run it out of the I if we're that close ON SECOND DOWN and get rid of the ZR garbage! Also, on those retarded Middle and Bubble Screen plays... when will Wats learn that the darn RISK/REWARD on that play just is not worth it? Especially when we tend to run without catching the ball, and receivers/lineman that do not block worth a plugged nickel. Run straight ahead has a much lower fumble risk, and accomplishes the same thing if executed successfully. Thoughts? Please tell me I'm not crazy in thinking this.

I agree, it worked alright today; not exactly well. I think they like it so much because Zac or Cody or whatever QB we put in has the ability to cut upfield at any point on the way down the line o scrimmage... as evidenced by Zac when he attempted to cut towards the goal line on that nearly sickening first TD. I will say this. For a play that needs to come out of the playbook BADLY, see "Zone Read"!!! We never gain good yardage on this play, and QB keepers especially with Zac are just plain stupid. Also, running out of the shotgun is just plain stupid. People do not respect it as a passing formation anymore, and it totally loses it's effectiveness. When we had 2nd and 2 at some point in the game and decided to run that #$@% zone read, we got stuffed and I wanted to kick Wats in the head. Run it out of the I if we're that close ON SECOND DOWN and get rid of the ZR garbage!

Or since the days of that magician Phil Elmassian and his patented "Run down field with back to QB and pray the ball hits you in the back of the helmet" style of pass D...

I know in the arky state game, we called what seemed to be an option run to the right out of the shotgun with no fullback, but pitched the ball to Niles Paul on a reverse, and he scored on the play. Perhaps with an offense struggling like this one is, a trick play or two could be the perfect medicine.

The solution for all our offensive problems: have Wats play some NCAA Football 10 with NU and see what works. I'm in my second season with NU on Dynasty (of course we won the championship last year). Cody is a true sophomore who is dang fast and breaks tackles pretty well. I use Ohio State's playbook b/c it mixes modern, WCO stuff with some option. I especially like the Wild Pony formation (their answer to the Pistol, with Cody, Roy, and a FB lining up in the backfield). Unstoppable.

If this turns out to be true, I will be ecstatic along with the whole of Husker nation. Hopefully Cody just brings that it factor that Zac seemed to lack. Sort of reminds me of Sean Glennon vs. Tyrod last year for Va Tech. Hopefully Cody can lead us to a BCS bowl like Tyrod did... Lord knows our D is trying.

Funny you should mention Kenny Wilson... He's back playing football for the Sioux City Bandits in an indoor football league. Now, given, that's no NFL... but he's playing. I'm glad for him.

I live in Western Iowa, and usually there is a pretty even split of Iowa State and Iowa fans, with a good amount of Nebraska fans scattered in. Well, with their success this season, no surprise, the Iowa fans are coming out of the woodwork. Anyway, it is a tough life right now, dealing with the bumbling ISU fans who have a newfound sense of "We are better than NU and have always been" ... I let them believe whatever makes them happy. Anyway, now I am wondering something concerning us and Iowa. It seems to me the bragging rights for best team in this neck of the woods is between us and Iowa. The past few seasons (since '04, when Iowa beat LSU in the Capital One Bowl), we have, IMO, held the upper hand, with Iowa being the lesser of the two teams. At least between my buddies and I, Iowa was seemngly a decent team, nothing special, and my buddies and Iowa fans just wished for NU (the better of the two) to get knocked off so as to narrow the gap. We always seemed just a notch above Iowa. Possible homerism, yes, but that's just how I saw it. Personally, I think NU is not as bad as everyone thinks offersively, and our problems could be aided if we could accomplish three things: 1) Bo, or Wats, or whoever else has a problem with it, swallowed down their "he's not ready yet" pride and plugged in Cody @ QB. No, perhaps he's not ready, but Lee does not give the offense any spark or swagger, something perhaps Cody could bring, even if he makes rookie mistakes. 2) Wats learned to go to WHAT IS WORKING (i.e., the power running game saturday) and stop trying to force the issue by calling unnecessary passes, especially that godforsaken bubble screen. Three goshdarn games that's started things off horribly: The Tech Game, the OU game last year, and the B12 Championship Game with OU. It's garbage. At least throw it to one of our faster receivers (NOT HOLT, PAUL). 3) Paul could get over his mental block... and catch the dang ball before trying to run with it. Drops on screens, hitches are killing this team. Now, Iowa is undefeated and we just fumbled a game to Iowa State. We need to pull our heads out offensively or we may not even be bowl eligible, much less win the B12 North. Have these two teams traded places, with us just hoping they get knocked off?

Way to start the game O... Lucky we have that blackshirt D back lockin things down.

Hey Bass just a quick shout out... Very sad to hear about Bobby's injury, but it is great that he should be able to return soon. Hopefully he gets back and can finish his senior season strong. Glad you guys enjoyed your visit... hopefully the recruiting process in general isn't stressing you guys out too much. Good luck choosing the best place for Bobby to spend the next few years of his life. It is a big, important decision, so make sure you take all the time you need. Should Bobby decide to come to dear old Nebraska U, we would absolutely love to have him. I think personally it is a great fit for him. Not only would the team love what he brings to the table athletically, but even moreso than that, the thing I keep hearing about regarding your nephew is his attitude, his demeanor. By every account, from everything I've heard, Bobby seems like a throwback to old school Nebraska values. He seems like a kid that wants to do everything the RIGHT way. Strong moral values, a good head don his shoulders, and just a great kid. He's been compared to Rex Burkhead from last year, a player who just does the right things off the field while lifting his team on it. Know that NU offers more than just football. It is a very strong academic school, with exceptionally high graduation rates and always near the top in the nation of Academic All Americans. Pelini also takes care of his players. He is not a ruthless, win-at-any-cost type of coach. He knows there is more to life than football. He raises his players right, and helps mould them into responsible young men. If that interests Bobby, by all means we would love to have him. Do not let me sway you though... Bobby needs to choose whatever school is the best fit for him. Good luck once again and let Bobby know the Big Red Nation wishes him a speedy recovery.

I think you may be thinking of David Whitmore, who we snagged out of Port ARTHUR, TX, two years ago. Of course, Whitmore failed to qualify.

Personally, I think Mendoza should get some more reps. People always talk about his speed and shifty moves, and I was actually very pleased by what I saw out of him Saturday. He had some heart to get near the first down marker on that pass play, just before Ricky Henry got nailed for that dumb Personal Fall for bursting into the pile. Supposedly, Mendoza cannot get on the field because Wats wants a more "complete" back, saying Mendoza's blocking is not up to snuff. Austin Jones did not impress me much, however he didn't have even decent blocking on his one carry or the shovel pass he got. He got crushed by the D End on the shovel, but perhaps our tackle was working downfield, and the DE just stayed home and made a good play. Also, Collins Okafor looked good in the spring game, but hasn't done much since then (besides briefly leave the team ). I wonder why Lard keeps getting lost in the mix and would like to see a bit of Robinson if they think he's good enough to burn his RS season halfway through.

Just saying... KU and Mizzou both also lost. So basically nothing happened as NU, KU, and CU all sit at 1-1, one win behind the leader of the B12 North... That's right, ladies and gentleman: Kansas State University.

Technically, couldn't this get put in the recruiting forum? Just wanted to bring this commitment to light... hopefully we will not have to complain about size on the hardwood anymore... From Huskerextra.com: Almeida gives oral commitment to NU basketball Friday, Oct 09, 2009 - 09:52:35 pm CDT COLUMBIA, Mo. — The day after Nebraska football fans celebrated a big victory, Husker basketball fans can be happy about something big, too. His name is Andre Almeida. The 6-foot-10, 320-pound center from Arizona Western College has given an oral commitment to NU coach Doc Sadler. Almeida officially visited Lincoln the weekend of Sept. 26 and told the Yuma Sun on Thursday he’s done searching for a school. He can sign on Nov. 11, the beginning of the week-long early signing period. “It’s about your character,” Almeida said of his commitment. “They know I want to be there, and I already told them I’ll be there, so there’s nothing to change.” Almeida is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and was recruited by assistant Walter Roese, who coached Almeida on the Brazilian Junior National Team. Almeida was the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference player of the year as a freshman, when he averaged 13.7 points and eight rebounds per game. He led the ACCAC in field-goal percentage (70.5) and blocked shots per game (3.5). Arizona Western was 25-5 overall, 18-4 in the ACCAC. Nebraska has 14 players on scholarship this season, thanks to an NCAA waiver, but must return to 13 by 2010-11. The Huskers will lose two seniors and have an oral commitment from Kenyon McNeaill, a 6-1 point guard from Conway, Ark. That would put NU at the scholarship limit. But in addition to Almeida, Nebraska is still pursuing Vander Joaquim, a 6-10 center who originally signed last November and is now attending the College of Eastern Utah (What the heck happened to Vander?! He was supposed to have a ton of upside... this is the first I've heard of him not making it to campus... Troubling.)

From Huskerextra.com: Almeida gives oral commitment to NU basketball Friday, Oct 09, 2009 - 09:52:35 pm CDT COLUMBIA, Mo. — The day after Nebraska football fans celebrated a big victory, Husker basketball fans can be happy about something big, too. His name is Andre Almeida. The 6-foot-10, 320-pound center from Arizona Western College has given an oral commitment to NU coach Doc Sadler. Almeida officially visited Lincoln the weekend of Sept. 26 and told the Yuma Sun on Thursday he’s done searching for a school. He can sign on Nov. 11, the beginning of the week-long early signing period. “It’s about your character,” Almeida said of his commitment. “They know I want to be there, and I already told them I’ll be there, so there’s nothing to change.” Almeida is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and was recruited by assistant Walter Roese, who coached Almeida on the Brazilian Junior National Team. Almeida was the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference player of the year as a freshman, when he averaged 13.7 points and eight rebounds per game. He led the ACCAC in field-goal percentage (70.5) and blocked shots per game (3.5). Arizona Western was 25-5 overall, 18-4 in the ACCAC. Nebraska has 14 players on scholarship this season, thanks to an NCAA waiver, but must return to 13 by 2010-11. The Huskers will lose two seniors and have an oral commitment from Kenyon McNeaill, a 6-1 point guard from Conway, Ark. That would put NU at the scholarship limit. But in addition to Almeida, Nebraska is still pursuing Vander Joaquim, a 6-10 center who originally signed last November and is now attending the College of Eastern Utah (What the heck happened to Vander?! He was supposed to have a ton of upside... this is the first I've heard of him not making it to campus... Troubling.)

UNIMAGINABLE... the pollsters are actually showing us love? For once, they got their heads outta their butts and looked at it in a "NU found a way to scrape and fight and win" light instead of a "How did crappy ol NU pull this one out" light.

LOL mizzwho? loses out again... Not happy he's going to OU but better the south than the north.

Does anyone know who the four are that the article headline stated Aaron is looking at? I would assume us, Texas, USC, and...?

Paul could pick it up this season and make the OP eat crow... Whether he will remains to be seen, but it could happen. I'm also happy to finally just have a deep threat in Curenski Gilleylan.

Tyler's top two consist of Florida and NU, as per Rivals. Let's go get him! GBR!

... On Sportscenter. Kordell Stewart (I believe) selected NU for his upset special prediction. He praised the blackshirts and said he believed in us. The other guy went with Toledo vs. Ohio State. It blows my mind to have ESPN guys backing us. Really weird but w/e... let's do our talking on the field. GBR!

Committed to Minnesota per both recruiting sights. Disappointing to let a home state prospect get away but Doc knows what he's doing I'm sure.