As the season winds down, it is time to reflect on what we have seen this year. Nebraska's Huskers had the worst season since before many readers of this sad entry where born. Think about that for a sec... If your 44 years old, the last time the Huskers had a season this bad, was before you where born. How on earth then could something like this happen?
When Tom Osborne left the Huskers to represent the state politically, he hand picked Frank Solich to continue running the program. Even after 35 years of stability and success, any new coach was bound to have some growing pains. Seriously, no coach, no matter how well equipped, could walk in and continue as Dr. Osborne had. Tom had the job down to a science, and he was the leading authority on the science he had helped create when he coached under Bob Devany. That said, I believe Frank Solich had a plan for the future of Nebraska football and he was slowly moving the team into it. Unlike many fans, I supported Solich. I didn't see any reason not to. He was winning over 70% of his games, and he appeared to be opening the team up by slowly introducing more play action passing. I agree, the bread and butter of Nebraska was, and probably always should be, the running game. However, the passing game was/is becoming too important to continue ignoring if we want to be successful in the future. Unfortunately other changes within the athletic department would disrupt the gradual changes Solich envisioned, and would ultimately lead to the downfall of our Huskers.
Athletic Director S. Pederson, took it upon himself to interject his vision of what a football team should be, rather than listen to the coaching staff that was hired and basically hand picked to handle these matters by Dr. Osborne. By doing so, Pederson disrupted the "natural rhythm" of the program, nearly costing them a losing season even with Dr. Osborne's replacement at the helm. The disgruntled moved on after that season, and Solich, in spite of Pederson's influence, brought in the necessary replacements to get the team back on track (winning) without making the immediate and drastic changes that Pederson demanded.
A winning record such as ours isn't built in a single season, it is mapped out in advance. I know I am being a bit controversial in my assessment here, but I think that Solich was slowly moving our team to the spread (or something along those lines), while Pederson wanted instant change that our personnel, at that time, could not fully support. Players must be selected, drafted, and trained to support the system we are moving to, while continuing to win in the system we currently have. This slow advancement is what I believe was taking place under Solich. That said, I think the talent we had in the pipe line, our underclassmen, where the type to move to the new system. We needed maybe a year or two more to flesh out the last few pieces of the puzzle. Unfortunately Solich never had the opportunity to see his goal through.
Okay readers, flame on now if you wish. I am simply stating what I think MAY have been taking place, and it is obvious at this point that we will never know for sure, so whatever flame you have will be along the lines of my writings at this point, speculation.
Still here? Okay, lets move on...
Pederson is a lousy ball player, but he knows how to sell cars. By selling himself and playing politics, Pederson was able to convince the Chancellors and many fans, that Solich was a lousy coach. This wasn't a hard sell. Solich was following a man that had won three national championships, and should have had two more, in his last five years as head coach. (Dr. Osborne) Another reason this was an easy sell was that many fans had become too proud of their team, and in doing so, could not allow themselves to see the changes that needed to be made in order to make the team a serious annual contender for the title in the future.
I'm not suggesting that the Huskers (at that time) could not hope to win a national championship running the triple option a few more years, but that was probably all the time they had left to do it. After that, they would have been left behind and would have found themselves struggling to catch up.
Pederson realized that no matter what he said, Solich would not make a dramatic change and risk a losing season until all of the necessary players had been put in place and he was confident we could win. Pederson clearly lacked the knowledge necessary to handle a team like this, but he was bitter and angry with Solich for not doing as he demanded. Pederson, who has more ego than any one person of his limited abilities should have, convinced the Chancellors that he could do a better job running the program with a different coach. Once the Chancellors capitulated, he exacted his revenge by firing Solich before that years bowl game. That act by Pederson was without justification and completely classless, and that is how I will always remember Pederson, classless. This was simply a move to embarrass and belittle Solich, I believed that then, and I believe it now.
To further highlight Pederson's lack of knowledge, Solich was fired without any kind of forethought. No coaches had been contacted, and if they had, the way Pederson fired Solich made it quite clear to any possible candidates that this school, under the direction of Pederson, was not worth associating with. To make matters worse, Pederson was trying to find a coach that would subject himself to Pederson's will. During this time, an entire recruiting class was being lost as days dragged into weeks, then months. When the situation became desperate enough, Pederson realized he HAD to do something as his options had run out. There where no coaches left that would come to Nebraska thanks to his antics, and to that end, we got Bill Callahan.
I'll admit it right now. I did not think Callahan was the right coach for Nebraska. He was not from a school like ours, and he did not have a record that included winning with, or even improving upon, teams he was associated with as a head coach. Furthermore, something about the way he coached caused dissention between him and within his teams.
Alrighty then. Anyone still out there?
The coach that broke the Athletic Directors back, was Bill Callahan. I don't care what you say about the man as a coach, Callahan is not a ####. He knew he had Pederson and the Chancellors between a rock and a hard place, and he squeezed them for everything he could get. He knew he could pretty much write his own lunch ticket because no other self respecting coach would even consider taking the job. To save his own hide, Pederson sold him to the Chancellors as the next best thing to owning tech stock before the bust. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he helped smooth the way for the loosing season he knew was coming down the pike, by selling the Chancellors on the notion that Solich had somehow caused it. All the while, Callahan was dragging in his buddies so they could get a part of the free lunch.
The west coast offense isn't a bad deal, but it isn't your typical college offense either. Like I have already stated, we had some underclassmen capable of running this type offense, but not so many that it could be run well. To further complicate matters, we all but lost the recruiting class Callahan's first year due to the Pederson act. As a result, Callahan was putting forth a team that was not as skilled as it could be in the offense he was running, and he had a limited number of new recruits his first year. That would come back to haunt him later when the defense and offensive lines suffered attrition.
As time marched on. Callahan never did manage to fit in with the Nebraska philosophy. He struggled to figure out why his teams under performed when they as students had not been given the full speed reps and instruction necessary to improve at their positions. To the credit of the students, they did improve on offense, but the complete lack of quality instruction on defense would signal the end of any fan support Callahan had. Callahan continued to treat his student athletes as if they where in fact professionals, and blamed them for the losses as his program spiraled into the toilet, further distancing himself from the fan base.
In the mean time, Pederson continued to work on saving his own rear-end. He had sold his soul to Callahan in order to save his hide, and he wasn't about to let the winning players of the past shine a spot light on the obvious pitfalls associated with the new system. To that end, he banned them from the program, and convinced the Chancellors to extend the Callahan contract even though he himself must have known that the future looked bleak. The beginning of the end for Pederson came before Callahan ever arrived, but it was jump started when the star players of the past came to Memorial Stadium during the prescheduled tribute game and had the opportunity to tell the Chancellors first hand exactly what they thought of the whole program.
From that point on, the team must have known that they would have an entirely new staff come next spring, but they continued to put up a solid front in the press as they watched their hopes and dreams shatter on the playing field. The only hope they had of a better future was the belief that Dr. Osborne would salvage the program.
I have spent much of my time here discussing what makes Nebraska fans and Nebraska football great. I have also pointed out some of the things a limited number of Nebraska fans have done to really tarnish the image of our state and the greater Husker Nation. I think it is important that fans keep their composure as things continue to slide in Nebraska, it is only a short matter of time until things are handled by the University.
I don't have any idea really what Dr. Tom has in mind as far as a new coaching staff goes. I know the man cares a great deal about the state, the university, football, and our players, and he will do what he believes will be the best thing for everyone concerned. It is up to the fans to keep the pressure on, but do so without compromising the core values of society.
Calling the coaches to tell them you think they are doing a lousy job is fine as far as I'm concerned. Frankly, it's the only thing we really have left. BUT, I do NOT think that gives anyone the right to threaten the life or wellbeing of another. Say what you want about the poor coaching we have seen this year, say what you want about how it is effecting the state of Nebraska, or yourself, but do not make threats.
I have commented several times this year that I am afraid for Callahan and his staff's safety. The recent phone threats highlight that concern. Fan (fanatic fanaticism) support is important to any great team. Fans can help direct the team in many subtle and more direct ways, without threats or resorting to mindless violence. However, when the fan base is battered and bruised as badly as this one has been all year, it is always a real concern that some unstable fan will "pop".
As a fan, I have no love for the coaching staff. The beatings I have taken this year due to the poor coaching is the worst I have had to endure in my lifetime, yet I hope the authorities take this seriously. I do not want to see one nut case ruin the reputation of Nebraska any further than it has been already. Nebraska football is important, but is it really important enough to lose your freedom over?
I have expressed in many posts just how important Husker football is to the state of Nebraska, and why and how this season has impacted the fan base so dramatically. Perhaps this "nut case" is the first and hopefully last to "pop", but the longer this season of fanatic despair continues, it is not unreasonable to expect more unstable souls to "pop", and I again stress how concerned I am for the safety of the coaching staff.
I'm not a nut case (at least I hope I'm not), but even I have had to school myself from saying things that could be taken as threatening when I've been fired up at the poor performances I have seen this year. Let's hope that is all this amounts to, but for safeties sake, prepare for the worst.
All we need is one fanatic hooked up with too much beer or ditch weed and things can get real ugly.
This season can't come to an end soon enough for me.
Any Husker fan that has been witness to this years (2007) Callahan travesty has had more questions than answers. Since Dr. Tom Osborne is the guy who will ultimately have to decide the future of the Husker Football team, I found it interesting to listen to his comments on the subject.
Some things that stood out to me, are the results that Dr. Tom takes into his evaluation of a coaching staff. I realize that we have a fairly Husker and Internet savvy crowd here, so I thought, what if I could bring together some of the highlights of the Callahan Huskers. As I got into it, I realized there was such an overwhelming amount of negative information available, that I could spend 100's of hour compiling it all for presentation.
Thankfully, I found a Husker fan out there who obviously had more time and energy than me to compile a small portion of the Callahan highlights. Below is an interesting short list of special records compiled by Callahan's Huskers. A special thanks to a devoted Husker fan, NebraskaHusker23, for this compilation.
Since Bill Callahan has spent the majority of this season throwing his players under a bus by stating they have not been doing their job, I found it interesting to hear his comments regarding the win last week. As you could expect, it had nothing to do with the players doing a fantastic job in every aspect of the game, it was he, himself, that should get credit for the fantastic play of the players on senior day. With ego like that, I'm surprised one of these guys (players) hasn't body slammed his self serving rear end into the practice field. Callahan refuses to accept the heat when the games are lost, and refuses to credit positive actions of his players. It really is all about Bill Callahan.
Well, Bill Callahan can go right ahead and toss the players under a bus, the fans with any kind of brain and the "higher-ups" that decide things, can clearly see who and what bill Callahan is now, and we fans are confident now that there is no way he will be here next year to spew his self-promoting garbage.
Please, I don't have the time to continue populating the list of wonderful things we have seen and heard with ole Bill running the show, including the records he has set in disappointment, so if you would leave comments with your lists of infamous accomplishments, I'd love to arrange them into an end of year "montage". Sort of an end of the Callahan era thing. Why is it that stupid song from The Wizard of Oz is running through my head....
Ding #### the witch is dead, the wicked witch .....
Pile on your comments fans.Lets get it all documented, I know I would leave something important out without your help.
Could the issues facing Nebraska this past month be the fact that the wrong man was in the pocket?
The numbers don't lie. Joe Ganz has really been that good. This stand out performance by Ganz begs the question, should Callahan have started him rather than Sam?
The Husker offense is looking much improved statistically, and is far more productive on the field with Ganz under center. Not only does he look comfortable in the leadership role, but the team seems to be responding better. No matter what argument you bring to the table, Joe Ganz has made it clear that this Husker team is his.
Congratulations Joe, the Husker seniors, and the Husker team for a big win this week. Kansas State has some good players and a good coaching staff. I expect they will bounce back pretty quick.
I think Iron Mike grazed by something I have been harping on for the entire season, lack of motivation. I agree with him, Callahan knows x's and o's as well as anyone, but he has no idea how to get these guys motivated. Of course this interview doesn't address the hapless defensive schemes we have seen this year, but then how could Mike comment candidly on this without creating controversy for himself.
One thing I didn't agree with, is that this will take a long time to fix. I honestly believe that with the right coaching this team can win the Big XII North, possibly make a serious run at the BIG XII Conference, and at least end the season ranked. I don't think anyone could hope to see the NC run for some time to come. This team just doesn't have the history of consistency necessary to be given any respect in the polls, and I doubt we can see an undefeated rebound. But without question, I see with the right coach, a winning season Huskers can be proud of of.
As I was writing this I still had the TV on and I heard a sentiment that has been echoed by a vast majority of people, only two games left then we can start getting this fixed and go on to next year.
You knew I was sending the quesions, well guess what, I got an answer.
Mr. Gill,
I wouldn't normally take the time to write like this, but I had back surgery and I have far more free time than I can stand!
I think the whole world must know by now that Nebraska is suffering a rough patch. As you can imagine, Nebraskan's are foaming at the bit to find out what will happen next. (and for other reasons...)
I know I can't ask you a slew of leading questions on the matter as your probably not at liberty to respond to them, and I respect that.
What do you think of the situation facing Nebraska? Is this a poetic
I guess the big question everyone is asking, with Dr. Tom back, would you consider returning to Nebraska as the Head coach if the offer was right?
Good luck to the Bulls when they face Bowling Green. You and your team would be amazed at the far larger audience that is pulling for you guys.
Thanks a million,
My real name etc etc
Hello Dan,
Thank you for the kind words. I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Whatever happens with the Huskers or whatever happens with my future is in God's hands.
I spent several minutes this evening thinking up my questions to ask the Bulls Head Coach, Turner Gill. I had to keep in mind that he is in a position that would preclude him from answering a majority of questions so I tried to make them "safe"
If you had the opportunity to interview Turner Gill, no holds barred, what questions would you ask?
We have all seen the fantastic reruns of the big D the Blackshirts used to be. A new short displays the type of effort displayed by the new bend and break d of Callahan an Cosgrove...
>
Watch it again, now think of what you saw this year... what is the real difference?
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.
Some folks may wonder at my game day blogs, do I really come up with my plan of attack before the game, or do I just write whatever down as the game progresses. I admit, I do a bit of both. I set up what I think is a good game plan then adjust as the game transpires. Too bad our coaching staff can't adjust huh?
Anyways, to give you an idea of how I do things, I am going to come up with my game plan for the beginning of the HUSKERS v. JAYHAWKS game ahead of time so you can see if I am on target or just way off base here.
As I stated in my preview, the Hawks have a very balanced and productive attack. This will allow them to take what they are given and win with it. This type of attack is the most dangerous to defend, and your players need to be in position to make the plays, and they have to do it man to man in many cases. The HUSKER defense will need to cover these receivers, while plugging the gaps and pressuring the quarterback. Assignments will be critical, good tackling and coverage are a must to allow the limited number of rushing men to reach the quarterback. Attack the quarterback as often as you can but cover your assignments first. Make sure your home when you need to be. Turnovers will be hard to get, but will really make a difference in this game. In practice, go over assignments, tackling techniques, and how to create turnovers. It might also be worthwhile to work on stamina.
The HAWKS defense has been a dominating beast all season, it is up to the offensive line of the HUSKERS to make their blocks and open the lanes for the rushing game. Without the ability to run, we are forced into a short passing game. We do not need to go for it all in one play, nor do we want to pass for 0 yards. If the play is going no place why take a completed pass for a loss or an interception? The HUSKER offense needs to spread the field, open lanes, get productive ball carrying, then work in the pass. Under normal circumstances I would say go for a deep pass to keep the HAWKS honest, but we pass so much now days, that kind of pass is expected. I say play under the coverage if we must pass, and take what they are giving you. Once they start getting in tighter then drop a bomb on them with a long pass. Patience is a virtue in this game, do not panic or give in to their game plan. Grind the yards and keep the HAWKS offense on he bench. Try not to be one dimensional. If we pass on every down, the coverage will eventually plant our quarterback making him a permanent resident of the HAWKS football field. In practice work on opening running lanes, and the short passing game around the 7 to 11 yard range using as many different looks and routs as possible, backs and receivers carry that ball with you all week, never sit it down, be ready to catch and hold it all day long, work on down field blocking.
Special teams should be ready to make huge hits in coverage, swarm the ball and make good tackles. We have a fine kicker, use him! 3 points is better than none.
Okay, there is my game plan. What do you guys think? Am I off base here? Should I be concentrating on something else? Speak up, who knows maybe ole Dollar Bill read my blogs last week hence the attacking D? I wish huh?
I have been NPO now for about 3 hours. My alarm will go off in about 2 hours, and then I will get myself ready to go. I check in at 06:30 for my surgery. You know, I have such high hopes of success; you would think I would be over the top with nerves. I probably would be except my doctor prescribed me the Pill.
You know I have been fired up about the Huskers. Callahan acting the fool, Pederson's ego-ectomy, the sound bites proclaiming the return of Dr. Tom, the general up rise of nearly every man woman and child over the age of 4, and you would think with me going under the knife in just a few hours I would be more worried about that than my Huskers.
The truth is I am hoping I will be so much better after this surgery that I will be able to go back to being the physical hard hitting kind of guy most people don’t take me for. You see, I have had these terrible reoccurring nightmares that I really don’t mind, of Dollar Bill bumping into me in a bar, and for whatever reason, he gets into it with me, and I release the last 4 years of frustration on him. Oh I know, I know, I could never do that, but in my dream anything goes. I punctuate each phrase with a nice steady combination:
Praise the Lord and pass the can!
For opening your mouth and making denigrating comments about Oklahoma.
POW!
For cracking that pie holed face and making crude comments about another teams quarterback in the press.
BIFF!
For draining the will to win from the young men you are supposed to coaching to win
BAM!
For running your mouth and ruining the reputation of the fans of this great school.
WAP!
For destroying the walk-on system at the University!
CRACK!
For destroying the longest winning season streak in the history of college football!
ZAP!
For ruining our teams record of most consecutive post-season bowl appearances!
CHUNK!
For denigrating the traditions that players and fans have held since long before you were deposited!
KAPOW!
For boldly lying to the players, alums, and fans, of UNL on how you would make this team better than it had ever been before!
ZAP BOOM!
And lastly for making my dear wife’s grandmother cry when she saw what you had really done this season.
KNOCKOUT!
Okay, I embellished the last one, but it was a LOTR moment. :o)
After reviewing this post, I'm going to have to remember to ask the Doc for some more of them pills...
Now that the Nebraska football program has completely imploded due to the highly suspect coaching and preparation by coach Callahan, and what has to be the most uninspired play in the history of the school by its players on both sides of the ball, fans are trying to find something to cheer for.
After the thumping by USC, fans didn't give up on the team. USC was supposed to be the big man on campus, and lets face it, they have much greater talent and coaching.
Then Mizz came along... This was a closer game in the minds of the fans, even though Mizz had better coaching and the talent was at least as good on paper if not better in some respects, the fans did their best to stay with the team as they had their collective butts handed to them.
Now comes OK state; again better coaching, stats just as good if not better than Nebraska's, mainly due to Nebraska's poor coaching and player performance over the previous weeks. However, fans held out VERY high hopes that this would be the big win the team needed to pull itself up from it's slump.
As the first quarter came to an end, the stadium, historically never empty until well after the last play, began to empty. As disgruntled fans made their way out of the stadium, the Nebraska players continued to implode, the unimaginably poor play of the once proud Black Shirt defense made avid fans literally sick. (I am not kidding here folks; some actually threw up)
It has also been greatly discussed; what, if anything, could be done for the team.
#1 Equip the receivers with butterfly nets. Maybe it will help them catch the ball! (This was a suggestion from a 4 year old holding a SpongeBob Squarepants net)
#2 lock Callahan in a closet, and beg the local champion peewee league coach to take over the helm. Lets face it; he couldn't do any worse at motivating and teaching basic ball control to these players.
#3 Just let the peewee league players take over at this point, they have shown considerably more fire and willingness to adapt and make the plays on both sides of the ball.
#4 Trump up some reason to end the season now before the boys destroy any hopes of recruiting any players worth snot in the future.
I can't even begin to list some of the other suggestions I have heard. The BLEEP monitor would blank so many words, the reader would not understand what the suggestions where.
So what does this mean for Nebraska? They have the worst coach in history when it comes to preparation and motivation of college football players. I'm serious, no team has the perfect roster, but the good teams go out and show the desire to win. A savage primal need, to do the best they can as a team and individually, that is completely lacking in this team. And as long as this situation continues, the wins will not be realized.
Now that many season ticket holders and students are unable to give away tickets, let alone sell their tickets. It is obvious that the only people who will continue to support the team by showing up for the games must somehow shield themselves from the open ridicule they will receive. To protect the emotional/professional/physical well-being of these loyal fans, It has been suggested that paper bags, red and or black depending upon the side of the ball you wish to show your support for, be sold at the gates, or given away at various locations, to protect the fans identity.
Well, this week’s embarrassment is over, or just beginning.
I guess I will have to go find myself a couple bags. Maybe a bag that is half red half black would work. I can't knock the teams QB, given what he has had to work with, he at least does appear to be trying. No props for the O-line when it comes to the running game, or the tipsy dropsy receiver corps however. Half black in memory of the defense that I used to know so well. The defense that made it easy for the team to win by busting heads, stuffing plays, and making turnovers... I sure miss those days. I hope the tradition that goes with that shirt will be upheld. NO more Gimmes...
I edited the spelling on this post with-out changing content. I really rushed it so it would be up with-in minutes of the games end and didn't take the time edit. I am a bit surprised and pleased by all the attention. Thank you.
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.
