Callahan: 'Excellent challenge' for NU

[Blackshirt]

Upon meeting with his players Sunday, Bill Callahan discovered a team that was "very hurt" emotionally, he said Monday.

 

The Nebraska football team also is very determined to atone for the worst loss in the 114-year history of the program, Callahan said during the Big 12 coaches' teleconference.

 

"I just think we have a deep resolve to get better," Callahan said. "This team has outstanding character, and we're being tested. It's an excellent challenge for all of us to step up.

 

"The team was naturally a little down (Sunday), but I assured them we'll get better. I firmly believe you learn more about yourself in defeat than you do in victory. We all have to do a better job, from me on down."

 

 

 

 

Nebraska, 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12, returned to work Sunday following a 70-10 loss to unranked Texas Tech that stunned the college football world. The Huskers hadn't been beaten that badly since three 54-point defeats during the 1940s.

Callahan, in his first season at Nebraska, said the Huskers have no time to dwell on the defeat. They'll try to rebound against Baylor (2-3, 0-2) at 1:05 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

 

"You only get so many of these opportunities (to play)," Callahan said. "If you're not ready, you can get caught on the short end of the stick like we did the other night. It's going to be a real challenge to get our team back and get them going and hit the field and be competitive again Saturday."

 

Texas Tech's 70 points were the most Nebraska's ever allowed. The final 35 points occurred during a five-possession flurry after five consecutive Husker turnovers.

Although Texas Tech attempted 61 passes, Nebraska managed only three quarterback hurries and just one sack. Although the Red Raiders entered the night ranked 47th nationally in total defense, the Huskers managed a single touchdown and just 292 yards compared to Tech's 523.

 

Callahan said no personnel changes were imminent. But he didn't rule out the possibility.

 

"We'll see how the week goes and what transpires during practice," he said.

 

Sophomore Joe Dailey will remain the starter at quarterback. However, Callahan indicated Monday the Huskers have altered their practice approach at the position of late.

 

During preseason camp, Callahan said his starting quarterback typically gets about 90 percent of the practice repetitions with the first string.

 

"We've really concentrated on getting our (backup) guys more repetition," Callahan said Monday, referring to true freshmen Beau Davis and Ryan Goodman. "Joe still takes the majority of the reps. But we have increased some of the reps by Beau and also by Ryan."

 

Dailey was pulled from the game Saturday with 2:24 remaining in the third quarter and Tech leading 35-10.

 

The 6-foot-4, 168-pound Davis took over, and his college debut was a rough one. In seven possessions, the California native lost a fumbled snap while in the shotgun formation and was intercepted four times.

 

Callahan said he expects Davis to rebound from the performance.

 

"A lot of young quarterbacks have been thrown into the fray early in their careers," Callahan said, noting the struggles Troy Aikman and Brett Favre encountered early in their NFL careers. "Those guys threw a lot of picks, and they always learned from their errors. They bounced back and became better quarterbacks.

 

"I'm confident our guy will do the same."

 

Briefly

 

Michael Keenan, a true freshman scholarship linebacker who was contributing on Nebraska special teams, said Monday his status with the team remains "up in the air." He declined further comment, saying only that his future with the squad could be resolved as early as today. Keenan didn't make the trip to Texas Tech.

 

http://journalstar.com/articles/2004/10/11...fa559494966.txt