NU Notes, 11/3: Callahan admits mistake in warm-up decision
Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said he was wrong to not let the entire team warm up before home games. That's why fans saw every player — scholarship, redshirts, walk-ons — on the field prior to the Missouri game.
"Our players appreciate some of the changes we made last week," Callahan said. "I'll be quite honest with you. I learned quite a bit about myself as a coach, just a small thing like not having a group of guys not be on the field for pregame. I can admit to that."
Earlier this season, Callahan limited the number of players who could warm up prior to home games to strictly those players who would play, saying there wasn't enough room to operate if the entire team was on the field.
"I made a mistake," Callahan said. "That's part of the growing process. To think you that you don't make a mistake as a coach or a player, that's ludicrous. We're all going to have those trials and tribulations.
"Certainly those guys were deserving to be on the field. It was no disrespect. I explained that to our team last Tuesday."
Callahan said the players responded "in a mature way" to the situation.
KEENAN GONE: Callahan said freshman linebacker Michael Keenan is no longer on the team. Keenan missed the Oct. 9 game at Texas Tech and missed the following week of practice and never returned. Keenan cited personal reasons. "I was very hopeful that he would return to the team, but as this juncture, he has not indicated that he will return to the team," said Callahan, noting Keenan is still enrolled in school.
SECRET WEAPONS? Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said Iowa State "has many weapons" on offense. That may come as a surprise to those who've seen the Cyclones' statistics. Iowa State ranks 108th nationally in total offense and 106th in scoring. Still, Cosgrove said he is impressed. "Their quarterback is a special player," he said of Bret Meyer who has completed 54 percent of his passes for 1,027 yards. "He has a lot of ability. They have some big receivers who go up and catch the ball, a big running back who will fight for the tough yardage." That running back, Omaha native Stevie Hicks, has 631 rushing yards.
MAKING STRIDES: Sophomore quarterback Joe Dailey is 7 of 30 passing over Nebraska's last two games. That comes on the heels of Dailey's school-record performance against Baylor, when he threw for 342 yards."The passing game, it can get hot, it can get cold at any moment," Callahan said. "Right now, we're not very hot." Still, coaches say Dailey is making strides. They point to the fact Dailey has thrown just one interception in his last three games. "Joe not turning over the ball is just as important, if not more important, than some of the missed throws that he's had," Callahan said.
SMALL-TOWN HELP: Callahan said he recognizes the pride that small towns across the state take in having players make contributions to the NU football team. For example, Andrew Shanle of St. Edward and Adam Ickes of Page teamed for a blocked punt for a touchdown in the Missouri game. "I appreciate the value of small-town players from in state here that people rally around and get enthusiastic about," Callahan said. "I really do. I really respect that. ... It sends a lot of positive vibes. As we can build on that, hopefully we can get a few more walk-ons out there to step up and come to Nebraska because of play like that."
MEETING AGAIN: Callahan and Iowa State coach Dan McCarney coached together from 1990-94 at Wisconsin — Callahan with the offensive line, McCarney with the defensive line. Callahan said he has great respect and admiration for his former coaching mate. "When you work alongside somebody for five years in the trenches, you really get a feel for somebody's passion about football, and you get a feel for where they're at as a coach," Callahan said, "and he's outstanding from every respect."
ETC.: Saturday's players of the game against Missouri were Barrett Ruud (defense), Cory Ross (offense), Andrew Shanle (special teams) and Zach Miller and Trevor Neemann (scout teams). … Nebraska is 11-3 all-time at Jack Trice Stadium. … The Huskers have 10 turnovers during their last two road games. … Saturday's game in Ames will not be televised. … The Huskers are favored by 5½ points according to Harrah's Odds.