Steven M. Sipple: Daniel's accusation cuts Pelini to the core

[HuskerTrucker]

Steven M. Sipple: Daniel's accusation cuts Pelini to the core

 

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2008 - 12:43:08 am CDT

 

You know what they say about first impressions.

 

First-year Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini has to be mindful the rest of the season that there are those who might try to affix to his program a label that’s abhorrent to essentially all coaches: undisciplined.

 

Such a label cuts to the core of any coach worth his or her salt.

 

In this Oct. 4, 2008 file photo, Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini looks at the score board in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri. The Cornhuskers (3-2, 0-1 Big 12) go into Saturday's game at No. 7 Texas Tech off back-to-back losses to Virginia Tech and Missouri. (Dave Weaver)

 

In this Oct. 4, 2008 file photo, Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini looks at the score board in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri. The Cornhuskers (3-2, 0-1 Big 12) go into Saturday's game at No. 7 Texas Tech off back-to-back losses to Virginia Tech and Missouri. (Dave Weaver)

 

It would be extremely unfair to place such a label — or any label, really — on Pelini’s program at this early juncture.

 

However, Pelini should be wary that people might be watching Nebraska and waiting to pounce. When a program bulldozes opponents as thoroughly as the Big Red machine did for such a long period, enemies tend to accumulate. They can lash back with hard tackles and maybe even harsh accusations.

 

Nebraska ranks 115th nationally with 46 penalties in five games (9.2 per contest). The Huskers (3-2) already have eight personal fouls. The head coach drew an unsportsmanlike conduct flag late in a close loss to Virginia Tech.

 

Then, after Saturday’s 52-17 loss to Missouri, Chase Daniel alleged that an unnamed Nebraska player spit on him during warmups. Although the allegation seems iffy, it made ESPN.com headlines all day Monday.

 

“It hurts because that’s not the program I run now or that I’m going to run,” Pelini said Tuesday.

 

Pelini’s hire brought instant energy to the program and state. Anybody with a lick of competitiveness appreciates Pelini’s fire. His teams always will have a hard edge. I like that hard edge. That’s Pelini’s personality. His teams always will battle right to the whistle. They’ll often push the envelope, right to the edge.

 

The key is having enough restraint to avoid tumbling over the edge too often, lest the perception of the program suffers.

 

Pelini, a former starting safety at Ohio State, can be gruff and intimidating at times. Again, we appreciate the fire, so long as it’s a controlled burn the majority of the time.

 

It’ll be fascinating watching the maturation of Nebraska’s 40-year-old first-time head coach. We’re already seeing it. Pelini’s going to be a great one, of that I have no doubt.

 

He was patient, polite and contrite Tuesday in addressing Nebraska’s penalty issue and other issues. He displayed calm, poise and an endearing amount of humility — a contrast to his confrontational post-practice demeanor Monday when the penalty issue was raised.

 

Pelini was honest and straightforward Tuesday, as always. He called Daniel’s allegation “unfortunate” while reminding that there are two sides to every story.

 

“By no means am I calling Chase Daniel a liar,” Pelini said, essentially leaving open the possibility.

 

This much is certain: Daniel comes off looking petty. Like a tattletale on a grade-school playground.

 

If you’re going to make such a harsh accusation, provide the name and number. Otherwise, bite your tongue and board the bus.

 

Whatever the truth, Pelini made it clear to his team that the alleged behavior would be forever unacceptable in his program.

 

The whole thing’s a little ridiculous. Daniel said Nebraska was a dirty team after he was hit hard only a handful of times?

 

C’mon, Chase.

 

Perhaps Daniel’s trying to disparage Nebraska as a way to enhance Missouri’s recruiting. Maybe Daniel was trying to negatively impact the perception of NU’s program. Or perhaps he was feeling overly emotional after a big win and just ran his mouth for the sake of running his mouth. Whatever. His allegations were arguably inappropriate and unbecoming of a veteran player of his exalted stature.

 

There’s no disputing Nebraska has hurt itself with self-inflicted wounds this season. Eight personal fouls in five games would concern any coach. Pelini addressed the matter with his team Monday. The Huskers this week are practicing with a heightened awareness of avoiding flags.

 

The thing is, Nebraska lacks enough talent to successfully withstand such a heavy rash of mental errors.

 

Bottom line, look for the number of penalties to subside and the team’s competitive fire to continue to burn hot.

 

In the day of home video, etc. you would think that someone would have the video to back Chase Daniel up if his story is true. You know that someone was watching every move that Chase made while he was on the field in Lincoln, especially after the "booger" incident. I think he just got p.o.'d because people were talking smack about him before the game. Unless he is going to step up and say who it was, I think he should have just kept his mouth shut. C'mon Chase...act like you have won before, not like a chump.

[hack]

link to post is here.

[Bleedin'Red]

Tom Shatel had a good response in the OWH...That hit he took from Potter was no worse than the hit Ganz took while running out of bounds and throwing for a T.D.

[T_O_Bull]

Question... How close do teams get during warm ups?

T_O_B