No matter if you are born here in Nebraska, or move here, at some point something inside you makes you proud to say, I am a Nebraskan and the Huskers are MY team. I say MY team in the possessive, because that is how WE Nebraskans feel about OUR Huskers. Every last one of us, even if we move away and root for a local team, or go to a different school and root for our school, no matter where we go, or what situation, when we look inside the answer that comes out is, the Huskers are MY team, just as Nebraska is MY home.
Through and with OUR players, of any sport really but in particular OUR football team, Nebraskans and players have developed a sort of symbiotic relationship. Nebraska's pride motivates and invigorates us, and WE inherently expect to see that reflected on the field of play by OUR team. Over time this symbiotic relationship became the foundation for OUR traditions. In honoring OUR tradition, by doing their best on the field of play, OUR teams can be proud of themselves, even through the disappointment of the accessional but rare defeat. By motivated play and invigorating performances, Nebraskans recognize that OUR teams have done their very best, and no matter the outcome, can take pride in OUR teams accomplishments.
This relationship is not an easy one to live with. Obviously it will not always be amicable as our expectations are high for ourselves and our team. But this relationship, this tradition, has given Nebraska and Nebraska's players the confidence to say, no matter how stacked the odds against us, we can win! Together we have created an environment that expects and achieves excellence, and together we will get better day by day, until we can't be beat - we won't be beat!
To our Coaching staff. Coach Bill Jennings had many fine qualities as a man and a coach. He was an excellent recruiter, with excellent players, but he could not find a way to win. Unable to find the winning formula Coach Jennings resigned after the 1961 season. It was an act of honor and gallantry that benefited the team when he resigned. While few remember him as being a winning coach, many respect him for his selfless act that lead to the beginning of the longest winning streak in modern history. Coach Jennings may not have found the way to win, but he did not allow his teams or Nebraska to be embarrassed. Since Coach Jennings resigned we have seen three generations of Nebraskans enjoy success. Since your arrival, we have seen the end of every record that matters, and the worse loss in the 117 year history of this team. Please take the high road and resign for the benefit of our team.
To Nebraskans. Nebraska has lost something far more important than a football game. We have allowed the stewards we put in place to protect our traditions fail. The cause of the failure, be it egotism, ignorance, or incompetence, must be corrected. Nebraskans have a duty to protect and preserve the traditions that have made us great. Namely, to provide our players with the best, so that they can be the best. We have already begun the process of cleaning up this mess by replacing Mr. Steve Pederson with Dr. Tom Osborne. We need to make sure that we do not stop there. It is abundantly clear that the current coaching staff is incapable of providing the instruction and leadership our players need to be successful. If this staff should selfishly refuse to do the honorable thing and resign at the end of this season, we are left no viable option but to dismiss them at whatever cost.
To the players and recruits, it is a distinct honor and privilege to be asked, and to play for Nebraska. Nebraska has a tradition of giving it's players the best in order to become the best. Do not expect that tradition to change. Do not worry about the score nearly so much as the effort you put in to achieving it. Consider the honor that has been bestowed upon you to play for Nebraska, and expect and accept only the best from yourself and your teams. By achieving this goal, by expecting and accepting only the best from yourself and your team, you will always be a winner, and more often than not, the score will reflect that.
To our competitors. We thank you for your words of encouragement and support during our programs darkest hours. We congratulate you for the victories you have won these past four seasons. We look forward to meeting you in our future confrontations on the field of play, and we hope you will not begrudge us when we win.
Here it is, game day Saturday once again. The soaring Jayhawks of Kansas welcome our struggling Nebraska CornHuskers currently (4 - 5) to odd as it may seem, Memorial Stadium.
The Jayhawks have an unprecedented season going. They are currently (8 - 0), and a win over Nebraska would give them their first (9 - 0) start since 1908.
BIG RED TRIVIA
Since I have already covered my pre-game and game plan for today in my two previous posts, I thought it might be fun to see how many fans we have out there who can answer a few trivia questions about one of the most amazing games in Nebraska football history.
I am going to write a paragraph. Your job is to fill in the blanks.
Good Luck
In (1. Year) a team from (2. City, State) came to Memorial Stadium (actually Husker field the stadium wasn't built yet) to play the Huskers. The game was a shut out, Nebraska scored (3. Points). A record that still stands today. Another record was set that day by (4. Players name), he scored (5. Number) touchdowns. Amazingly, the Huskers where not undefeated that year.
Bonus question:
Who was the Coach of the Huskers that year? (6. Coach)
Double bonus question
A touchdown was worth (7. Number) points then.
I will update the post with the answers on Sunday afternoon unless you want more time...
Time to fire up that old radio so we can listen to our favorite thing,
Joe Ganz isn't afraid to run with the ball, and that should add a new wrinkle to our game today. If there is any one thing that may fire this team up, I think Ganz may be the catalyst of change. The way I see it, the pressure is off this week. Our guys are not expected to win (I honestly don't expect it to be close) and they have little or nothing to lose. As such I hope they come out fired up and ready to have a good time. I just don't know they can though. Lets face it losing all the time stinks
BIG RED FOOTBALL
Kick off Kansas receives
Touch back
Husker D stuff's first set 3 and out
Poor/ blocked punt.
Husker O First play a short pass.
AN OPTION PLAY FIRST DOWN!
0- 7 TOUCH DOWN GANZ! (run)
I'm not sure, but I think this is the first opening drive since the first game of the year to go for a TD. This is a fantastic start for the HUSKERS.
7 - 7 TD Kansas
7 - 14 Touch down Nebraska (62 yard pass)
14 - 14 TD Kansas
ohmann passing every down now?
3 busted passes.. 3 and out! Don't play one dimensional ball!
21 - 14 TD Kansas
3 and out
28 - 14 TD Kansas
28 - 21 TD Nebraska (pass)
35 - 21 TD Kansas
42 - 21 TD Kansas
Interception
48 - 21 TD Kansas missed extra point
48 - 24 Nebraska Field goal
HALF
Kansas scored on just about every drive, only stalled drive was first possession. At this rate, Kansas should finish with about 97 points and approximately 800 yards of offense.
Clearly we have abandoned the run game, However Joe is doing a pretty darn good job. Under normal circumstances this would be enough offense to be in the game. One dimensional play will kill us next half when Kansas adjusts though.
Another new record for Bill Callahan. Most points scored against Nebraska in a half of play. I don't recall any sacks this half. In general, we have been playing no defense, we are just being beat period on that side of the ball. I have no suggestions, I know they are trying. I just don't have the answer for this horrid defensive play.
Nebraska opens second half passing every down.
Ganz Option keeper 10 yards...
48 - 31 TD Nebraska (pass)
55 - 31 TD Kansas
Interception
62 - 31 TD Kansas
Fumble 2nd run since ? middle of 2nd quarter.
69 - 31 TD Kansas
Interception
Kansas Field goal attempt that appeared deliberately flubbed
Interception
76 - 31 TD Kansas
Now we run.... Kansas 2nd and 3rd team D is in.
76 - 38 TD Nebraska (pass)
76 - 39 2Pt. Conversion Nebraska (pass)
Scrub game now. Back ups to back ups playing now. It's pretty much over, just running out the clock.
I have no commentary about this game other than to say that Ganz can do the job. Please Dr. Tom, stop this blood letting. Congrats KU
Honorary Player of the game. Randy Crystal, Position - REF Called Kansas U, Kansas State.
Here it is, game day Saturday once again. The soaring Jayhawks of Kansas welcome our struggling Nebraska CornHuskers currently (4 - 5) to odd as it may seem, Memorial Stadium.
