Progress

[junior4949]

OMAHA, Neb. - A 40-15 loss to Kansas could be seen as a step backward for Nebraska. Coach Bill Callahan prefers to call it a "growing pain."

 

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As many question the direction of the Cornhuskers under the second-year coach, Callahan says he sees signs of progress.

 

"It is consistent enough? For the fans, they're going to look at the bottom line," Callahan said Monday during the Big 12 coaches' teleconference.

 

After its 36-year winning streak over Kansas ended Saturday, the bottom line shows a Nebraska team that's 5-4 and in need of a win over Kansas State on Saturday or at Colorado on Nov. 25 to avoid missing a bowl for the second straight year.

 

The Huskers have lost three in a row and four of their last five after a 5-1 start.

 

"I knew there were going to be some real challenges coming in here," Callahan said. "There was going to be some growing pains with where the program was at, the way the changes were going to be reflected, really a flipping of culture in so many senses."

 

But Callahan, who junked the triple-option offense for his West Coast system, said the hard times are part of the process of change. He likened it to the down cycles endured by traditional football powers such as Penn State, Alabama and Southern California — all now top-10 teams again.

 

"All the great programs have gone through a period of their history where they've changed," Callahan said. "We're in that process. There is progress being made. Some areas have really improved. But we're not complete yet."

 

Callahan said he has seen improvement in special teams' play and in the pass rush, which averages a nation-leading 4.4 sacks a game. Though the statistics don't necessarily reflect it, he said he also sees signs of improvement in the passing game.

 

Winning one or both of the final games would show tangible progress from last year, when the Huskers had their first losing season since 1961.

 

"A winning season would show definite improvement and would help in terms of recruiting and bowl practices and everything that goes with making it to a bowl," Callahan said.

 

 

 

 

I'm glad he sees progress. Without progress, we'd have surely lost 70 to 10 to a team 1 and 4 in the Big 12 until the Big Red came to town. It's also reassuring to know we're 8 and 10 to D1 teams under BC. With progress like this, maybe by 2040 we'll make the Big 12 Championship game!

[Hunter94]

well what else can he say? if we lose out the last 2 games, where will the progress be then? in showing up to play??

 

 

hunter