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NU's bowl break is over
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Dec 27, 2006 - 12:15:19 am CST
DALLAS — Bowl season often produces matchups that might not ordinarily occur in the regular season — Nebraska vs. Auburn in the Cotton Bowl, for instance.
Turns out, bowl season can produce mental images that are somewhat, ahem, out of the ordinary — like 6-foot-5, 335-pound Matt Slauson in a Speedo.
Hey, the big fella had to do something to remain fit during 22nd-ranked Nebraska’s four-day break from practice that ended Tuesday. So the offensive lineman swam laps this past weekend at a country club recreation center in his hometown of Colorado Springs, Colo.
“I suppose when I jump in the pool with my Speedo and my tattoos, people get a little scared,” Slauson said Tuesday afternoon as Nebraska players and coaches convened at the team hotel to resume preparation for Monday’s contest against No. 10 Auburn.
About half of the Husker players arrived on a charter flight from Lincoln. The other half arrived individually from around the nation — some flew in, others drove — after enjoying a four-day holiday break. A few arrived late because of weather.
The team gathered at 3 p.m. in the hotel and then went to nearby Southern Methodist University for weightlifting and running.
Although Slauson might have preferred swimming, he seemed excited to return to any type of work. After all, Nebraska, with a 9-4 record, is making its first appearance in a January bowl game since a 37-14 loss to Miami in the Rose Bowl national championship game to end the 2001 season.
“This is huge for us,” the sophomore said. “It’s just the next step to getting to the national championship game. I mean, we would’ve loved to go to a BCS bowl. But I feel like we’re playing a better team.”
Nebraska’s BCS hopes ended with a 21-7 loss to Oklahoma in the Dec. 2 Big 12 championship game. The Sooners will play Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Slauson has an eye toward a bright future for the program as Nebraska prepares for Auburn.
“Just about every team focuses on getting to the national championship, and I think playing Auburn will help us a lot more (for next season) than playing Boise State,” he said.
“Boise State is a great team, but in the Big 12 we see more teams like Auburn — bigger and more physical.”
“We definitely have our work cut out for us,” said Nebraska senior fullback Dane Todd, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, who worked out this past weekend at a gym at The Country Club of Lincoln.
“I rode a (stationary) bike for about 15 minutes, and I almost died,” Todd said smiling.
In all seriousness, “Guys are in such good shape by the end of the season that taking a few days off will just make us better,” Todd said. “It will just refresh our muscles and bodies, and we’ll be able to run better.”
Faster running could come in handy against Auburn (10-2), a team known for its overall speed and athleticism.
The Tigers’ most impressive victories this season occurred against then-No. 6 Louisiana State (7-3) and No. 2 Florida (27-17). The Tigers dropped decisions to Arkansas (27-10) and Georgia (37-15).
As for Nebraska, its Cotton Bowl game plan was put into place last week in Lincoln. Now it’s a matter of fine-tuning during four full-scale practices in Dallas, Husker head coach Bill Callahan said Tuesday.
“We may tweak a (pass) protection or add a route,” he said as his players strolled the hotel lobby.
The coach said he was confident his players would remain focused.
“We try to eliminate distractions and disruptions,” he said. “The only thing we ask of our players is when we meet and when we practice, that we have their undivided attention. Really, that’s all you can ask as a coach.
“This is a reward for them. It’s an opportunity to enjoy Dallas and enjoy the bowl experience. But when we get together as a team, business is business.”
Nebraska junior cornerback Cortney Grixby was just glad to be back in a New Year’s Day bowl. He recalled watching past Cotton Bowls with his father while his mom and her crew did their post-Christmas shopping.
Nebraska last played in the Cotton Bowl following the 1979 season, losing to Houston 17-14.
This particular trip is more about business than pleasure, Grixby said.
At least one Husker was feeling a little anxious for kickoff to arrive.
“Sometimes you almost wish you could play the game right after your last game of the season so you don’t have to wait so long,” junior linebacker Bo Ruud said. “It seems like it takes forever to get here.”
NU's bowl break is over
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Dec 27, 2006 - 12:15:19 am CST
DALLAS — Bowl season often produces matchups that might not ordinarily occur in the regular season — Nebraska vs. Auburn in the Cotton Bowl, for instance.
Turns out, bowl season can produce mental images that are somewhat, ahem, out of the ordinary — like 6-foot-5, 335-pound Matt Slauson in a Speedo.
Hey, the big fella had to do something to remain fit during 22nd-ranked Nebraska’s four-day break from practice that ended Tuesday. So the offensive lineman swam laps this past weekend at a country club recreation center in his hometown of Colorado Springs, Colo.
“I suppose when I jump in the pool with my Speedo and my tattoos, people get a little scared,” Slauson said Tuesday afternoon as Nebraska players and coaches convened at the team hotel to resume preparation for Monday’s contest against No. 10 Auburn.
About half of the Husker players arrived on a charter flight from Lincoln. The other half arrived individually from around the nation — some flew in, others drove — after enjoying a four-day holiday break. A few arrived late because of weather.
The team gathered at 3 p.m. in the hotel and then went to nearby Southern Methodist University for weightlifting and running.
Although Slauson might have preferred swimming, he seemed excited to return to any type of work. After all, Nebraska, with a 9-4 record, is making its first appearance in a January bowl game since a 37-14 loss to Miami in the Rose Bowl national championship game to end the 2001 season.
“This is huge for us,” the sophomore said. “It’s just the next step to getting to the national championship game. I mean, we would’ve loved to go to a BCS bowl. But I feel like we’re playing a better team.”
Nebraska’s BCS hopes ended with a 21-7 loss to Oklahoma in the Dec. 2 Big 12 championship game. The Sooners will play Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Slauson has an eye toward a bright future for the program as Nebraska prepares for Auburn.
“Just about every team focuses on getting to the national championship, and I think playing Auburn will help us a lot more (for next season) than playing Boise State,” he said.
“Boise State is a great team, but in the Big 12 we see more teams like Auburn — bigger and more physical.”
“We definitely have our work cut out for us,” said Nebraska senior fullback Dane Todd, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, who worked out this past weekend at a gym at The Country Club of Lincoln.
“I rode a (stationary) bike for about 15 minutes, and I almost died,” Todd said smiling.
In all seriousness, “Guys are in such good shape by the end of the season that taking a few days off will just make us better,” Todd said. “It will just refresh our muscles and bodies, and we’ll be able to run better.”
Faster running could come in handy against Auburn (10-2), a team known for its overall speed and athleticism.
The Tigers’ most impressive victories this season occurred against then-No. 6 Louisiana State (7-3) and No. 2 Florida (27-17). The Tigers dropped decisions to Arkansas (27-10) and Georgia (37-15).
As for Nebraska, its Cotton Bowl game plan was put into place last week in Lincoln. Now it’s a matter of fine-tuning during four full-scale practices in Dallas, Husker head coach Bill Callahan said Tuesday.
“We may tweak a (pass) protection or add a route,” he said as his players strolled the hotel lobby.
The coach said he was confident his players would remain focused.
“We try to eliminate distractions and disruptions,” he said. “The only thing we ask of our players is when we meet and when we practice, that we have their undivided attention. Really, that’s all you can ask as a coach.
“This is a reward for them. It’s an opportunity to enjoy Dallas and enjoy the bowl experience. But when we get together as a team, business is business.”
Nebraska junior cornerback Cortney Grixby was just glad to be back in a New Year’s Day bowl. He recalled watching past Cotton Bowls with his father while his mom and her crew did their post-Christmas shopping.
Nebraska last played in the Cotton Bowl following the 1979 season, losing to Houston 17-14.
This particular trip is more about business than pleasure, Grixby said.
At least one Husker was feeling a little anxious for kickoff to arrive.
“Sometimes you almost wish you could play the game right after your last game of the season so you don’t have to wait so long,” junior linebacker Bo Ruud said. “It seems like it takes forever to get here.”