Eric the Red
Team HuskerBoard
Local star keys crucial Nebraska win
When the Cornhuskers' starting quarterback was injured, former Countryside standout Harrison Beck got a chance to shine again.
By CHRIS GIRANDOLA
Published November 16, 2005
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His debut, although early, was memorable.
After all, Nebraska freshman Harrison Beck had been recruited from Countryside High last year with much fanfare and high expectations.
Beck wasn't even supposed to play in Saturday's game against Kansas State. Nebraska's coaches had anticipated keeping Beck's redshirt status if senior quarterback Zac Taylor finished the season healthy.
But a ferocious hit by a KSU linebacker put an end to that. Taylor left the game with a concussion early in the fourth quarter after the Wildcats overcame a 12-point deficit to close the gap to 24-22.
Beck came off the bench with the weight of an entire season on his head. A win would end the Cornhuskers' three-game losing streak and secure Nebraska's first bowl bid in two years.
The weather became appropriately serious, changing from clear skies to an impending tornado watch, with winds whipping at 30 mph.
"I'll admit it, it's a lot different standing on the sidelines (in Memorial Stadium) as opposed to getting out there, lining up against Kansas State, in such a big setting, in a sea of red, something like 78,000 fans screaming," said Beck in a phone interview between classes. "It was pretty cool."
It didn't start out cool. His first pass went 70 yards into the fence. On the second snap, the center stepped on his foot, causing Beck to trip. On the third play, his receiver dropped an easy pass.
On Beck's second series, an interception led to a Kansas State field goal, putting the Wildcats up 25-24.
"There was a loud groan from the crowd," said Dave Bothwell, Beck's stepfather, who has attended every Nebraska game with Beck's mother Evelyn since their son got to Lincoln. "We were both like, " Oh, no, he's better than that.' But, then, after that, it was amazing how he responded."
Beck first saved what would have been a sure touchdown by knocking the Wildcat defensive player out of bounds. Then, with 4 minutes and 18 seconds left, he guided the Huskers on a 55-yard drive to set up freshman kicker Jordan Congdon.
Beck rifled a 21-yard completion to the Kansas State 46-yard line while a 15-yard call for roughing the passer moved the ball to KSU's 31. Three plays later, Congdon nailed a 40-yard kick for the final score: 27-25, Nebraska.
"It was pretty exciting, but I didn't really have time to take it all in," said Beck. "I mean, I got the ball down to (fellow freshman) Nate (Swift) and then, I just got unloaded on by one of their guys."
Whether Beck remains the starting quarterback isn't clear, but Nebraska coach Bill Callahan thinks Beck's performance justifies his recruitment.
"He's got great poise. He came out very collected in terms of his demeanor in the huddle. He did a nice job just taking command and control of what he had to get done," said Callahan. "I learned a long time ago, when a young quarterback comes in the game, he has to prove to you what he can't do."
Nebraska (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) will meet Colorado in Boulder for the final regular-season game with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on Nov. 25. The game will be televised on ABC.
[Last modified November 16, 2005, 01:09:18]
When the Cornhuskers' starting quarterback was injured, former Countryside standout Harrison Beck got a chance to shine again.
By CHRIS GIRANDOLA
Published November 16, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
His debut, although early, was memorable.
After all, Nebraska freshman Harrison Beck had been recruited from Countryside High last year with much fanfare and high expectations.
Beck wasn't even supposed to play in Saturday's game against Kansas State. Nebraska's coaches had anticipated keeping Beck's redshirt status if senior quarterback Zac Taylor finished the season healthy.
But a ferocious hit by a KSU linebacker put an end to that. Taylor left the game with a concussion early in the fourth quarter after the Wildcats overcame a 12-point deficit to close the gap to 24-22.
Beck came off the bench with the weight of an entire season on his head. A win would end the Cornhuskers' three-game losing streak and secure Nebraska's first bowl bid in two years.
The weather became appropriately serious, changing from clear skies to an impending tornado watch, with winds whipping at 30 mph.
"I'll admit it, it's a lot different standing on the sidelines (in Memorial Stadium) as opposed to getting out there, lining up against Kansas State, in such a big setting, in a sea of red, something like 78,000 fans screaming," said Beck in a phone interview between classes. "It was pretty cool."
It didn't start out cool. His first pass went 70 yards into the fence. On the second snap, the center stepped on his foot, causing Beck to trip. On the third play, his receiver dropped an easy pass.
On Beck's second series, an interception led to a Kansas State field goal, putting the Wildcats up 25-24.
"There was a loud groan from the crowd," said Dave Bothwell, Beck's stepfather, who has attended every Nebraska game with Beck's mother Evelyn since their son got to Lincoln. "We were both like, " Oh, no, he's better than that.' But, then, after that, it was amazing how he responded."
Beck first saved what would have been a sure touchdown by knocking the Wildcat defensive player out of bounds. Then, with 4 minutes and 18 seconds left, he guided the Huskers on a 55-yard drive to set up freshman kicker Jordan Congdon.
Beck rifled a 21-yard completion to the Kansas State 46-yard line while a 15-yard call for roughing the passer moved the ball to KSU's 31. Three plays later, Congdon nailed a 40-yard kick for the final score: 27-25, Nebraska.
"It was pretty exciting, but I didn't really have time to take it all in," said Beck. "I mean, I got the ball down to (fellow freshman) Nate (Swift) and then, I just got unloaded on by one of their guys."
Whether Beck remains the starting quarterback isn't clear, but Nebraska coach Bill Callahan thinks Beck's performance justifies his recruitment.
"He's got great poise. He came out very collected in terms of his demeanor in the huddle. He did a nice job just taking command and control of what he had to get done," said Callahan. "I learned a long time ago, when a young quarterback comes in the game, he has to prove to you what he can't do."
Nebraska (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) will meet Colorado in Boulder for the final regular-season game with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on Nov. 25. The game will be televised on ABC.
[Last modified November 16, 2005, 01:09:18]
