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**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 02:06 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/15428390.htm

These Huskers look like they're for real
By BLAIR KERKHOFF
The Kansas City Star

LINCOLN, Neb. | Your ticket said Section 36-A, only you’d never seen a 36-A at Memorial Stadium until the stadium addition was unveiled.

You waited for the Cornhuskers to emerge from their tunnel walk that takes them under the south end zone. Only Nebraska entered the field through the North end zone.

But most disorienting Saturday was the way the Cornhuskers played.

They were complete and dominating and sent their fans home feeling positively nostalgic after smacking around Louisiana Tech 49-10 before a crowd of 85,181 that included the extra sections and 6,000 more seats.

“We felt like if everybody did their job, we could score every time,” Nebraska wide receiver Nate Swift said.

When was the last time anybody in Husker red offered such confident tones? Not in the coach Bill Callahan era.

For good reason. Callahan campaigned for the Nebraska job on sophisticated offense. Option was dead. The NFL/West Coast spread was the only way to attract the top recruits. The Huskers bought in, and for nearly two years they waited for the update.

Only at the end of last season, in victories over Colorado and Michigan, did things start to take shape.

But another offseason of quarterback Zac Taylor working with offensive coordinator Jay Norvell meant more rough edges had been smoothed out.

It looked like same old, same old after three series. Nebraska’s first three drives ended in Louisiana Tech territory without a score. On the third possession, the Huskers took over at the 15 and failed on a fourth and 2. Ugh.

Then, four straight touchdowns on drives of 65 yards and longer. After a punt and a fumble, Nebraska scored three more times.

This was the offense advertised at Callahan’s introductory news conference three years ago. Wonderful balance — 332 yards passing and 252 rushing. Four different running backs making noise. Wide receivers snaring deep outs and tight ends catching touchdown passes.

Get this. No Nebraska tight end had caught a scoring pass since the second game of Callahan’s first season. Saturday, four different tight ends scored.

The first one went to Matt Herian, who clinched comeback player of the year just by walking on the field. He had missed all of last year and half of the 2004 season recovering from a broken leg.

It was on Herian’s score that Taylor knew things would start turning toward the Huskers.

“I think their defense was still in the huddle,” Taylor said. “They were not ready.”

Not ready?

“Yeah, I don’t know what they were doing.”

Maybe. Nobody else seemed to pick up on that. But that’s how the game started to look to Taylor. The offense was in a groove and the defense looks confused.

Compare that to last year’s opening bid.

Nebraska never looked comfortable in beating Division I-AA Maine. The offense scored two touchdowns in a victory over Wake Forest, one in a victory over Pittsburgh.

The Huskers averaged about 270 total yards in those games.

“Last year I came in just worried about not making mistakes,” Taylor said. “This time I came in knowing I can make plays.”

Here’s the quality-of-opponent qualifier. Louisiana Tech won’t play in a BCS bowl. But the Bulldogs won seven games last season and thumped Fresno State.

They replaced nine defensive starters but were picked to finish in the middle of the Western Athletic Conference.

In other words, they weren’t Murray State. That opponent comes next week for the Cornhuskers in Nicholls State.

No, this was a rare good first impression for a Big 12 North team. Earlier in the day, the final from Boulder arrived — Montana State 19, Colorado 10. Purge any thoughts of the Buffaloes contending.

Iowa State was underwhelming against Toledo two days earlier. We’ll see about the others when they play Division I-A competition.

Entering college football’s first weekend, Nebraska was the North favorite, and what happened in Lincoln on Saturday only strengthened that prediction.
To reach Blair Kerkhoff, college sports reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4730 or send e-mail to bkerkhoff@kcstar.com.

Just got back this morning.
Good opening game. The offense got off to a slow start but then it was off to the races. I was a little dissapointed in the Blackshirts and the secondary took another hit yesterday.
I'm not saying their back but their well on their way to being a elite team again.

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Do you suppose USC fans will sell out like the Domer fans did a few years ago and that will be a home game for NU?

There's a shitload of Nebraska allums in California. I wouldn't be suprised to see half the stadium in Husker red.

Mecca · 09-03-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

How much time? You do realize Nebraska is your next game, don't you?

Nebraska will probably struggle with USC's defense.....I don't expect USC to average 50 a game like they were before but they'll be good enough to still win games. They still have one of the best players in college football on their team and Fred Davis is going to have a huge year.

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Also if taking someone lightly is scoring 50 points....I'm impressed.

You guys also got a lot of help from Arkansas in scoring those 50 pts.

Mecca · 09-03-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm

You guys also got a lot of help from Arkansas in scoring those 50 pts.

It's still a pretty good showing for a team that lost 3 star players and several other key contributors, while having it's first game on the road in the SEC.

**Bugeater** · 09-03-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Nebraska will probably struggle with USC's defense.....I don't expect USC to average 50 a game like they were before but they'll be good enough to still win games. They still have one of the best players in college football on their team and Fred Davis is going to have a huge year.

Did you watch the Nebraska game yesterday? NU's offense was very balanced, and did a good job spreading the ball around. NU's only visible weakness right now is the defensive backfield. If USC is going to win, it's going to be with big plays. I think it'll be a shootout, turnovers will probably decide the game.

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

It's still a pretty good showing for a team that lost 3 star players and several other key contributors, while having it's first game on the road in the SEC.

I was fairly impressed with USC. I didn't think Arkansas would wear down like they did in the latter half of the 3rd and 4th quarter. FWIW though the Huskers supposedly have the top rated defensive line and 3rd ranked LB corp in the country. The secondary is a weakness still since they are all pups. I do think they will score pts on USC. It will probably come down to who plays better defense that day.

Mecca · 09-03-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Did you watch the Nebraska game yesterday? NU's offense was very balanced, and did a good job spreading the ball around. NU's only visible weakness right now is the defensive backfield. If USC is going to win, it's going to be with big plays. I think it'll be a shootout, turnovers will probably decide the game.

It was LA f'n Tech....their best player wouldn't even make USC's roster. USC is loaded with talent all over the field, the only thing holding their defense back last year was the fact that several true freshman got tons of playing time, which is a major bonus coming into this season. SC alsos sports one of the best DE's in the country in Lawrence Jackson and probably the deepest most talented LB corps in the country.

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Did you watch the Nebraska game yesterday? NU's offense was very balanced, and did a good job spreading the ball around. NU's only visible weakness right now is the defensive backfield. If USC is going to win, it's going to be with big plays. I think it'll be a shootout, turnovers will probably decide the game.

BE have you heard anything about Dillard or Fluellen yet? Dillard was on crutches the whole 2nd half and Fluellen never did return to the sidelines. I think Fluellen is gone for the year. Dillard would be the bigger loss though.

**Bugeater** · 09-03-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

It was LA f'n Tech....their best player wouldn't even make USC's roster. USC is loaded with talent all over the field, the only thing holding their defense back last year was the fact that several true freshman got tons of playing time, which is a major bonus coming into this season. SC alsos sports one of the best DE's in the country in Lawrence Jackson and probably the deepest most talented LB corps in the country.

I'm not predicting another 49-10 win, all I'm saying is don't think that you have last year's NU team on your schedule.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm

BE have you heard anything about Dillard or Fluellen yet? Dillard was on crutches the whole 2nd half and Fluellen never did return to the sidelines. I think Fluellen is gone for the year. Dillard would be the bigger loss though.

Fluellen is done for the season. Tough break for that kid, he's never gotten over the injury bug. Haven't heard anything definite about Dillard.

beavis · 09-03-2006, 02:50 PM

I'm sick of all the Corntards at work talking about how they'll win the Big 12. I'll be happy when they get trounced.

Mecca · 09-03-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beavis

I'm sick of all the Corntards at work talking about how they'll win the Big 12. I'll be happy when they get trounced.

I'm sure I'll take alot of shit till that game seeing as there are alot of Husker fans around here and I'm about the only USC fan.

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I'm not predicting another 49-10 win, all I'm saying is don't think that you have last year's NU team on your schedule.

Fluellen is done for the season. Tough break for that kid, he's never gotten over the injury bug. Haven't heard anything definite about Dillard.

I'm hoping Dillard just banged his knee up and is nothing serious. Shame about Fluellen though.

We're not at all deep in the secondary.

**Bugeater** · 09-03-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'm sure I'll take alot of shit till that game seeing as there are alot of Husker fans around here and I'm about the only USC fan.

You're only going to take shit if USC loses.

Don't worry, there's plenty of hate for Nebraska here as well.

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'm sure I'll take alot of shit till that game seeing as there are alot of Husker fans around here and I'm about the only USC fan.

You and So.Cal.... the Bronco fan.

Mecca · 09-03-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm

You and So.Cal.... the Bronco fan.

That dudes a Miami fan......he hates USC.

09-03-2006, 02:06 PM
alanm Feeling Victorian alanm's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Nebraska/Wyoming/Colorado	These Huskers look like they're for real http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/15428390.htm These Huskers look like they're for real By BLAIR KERKHOFF The Kansas City Star LINCOLN, Neb. \| Your ticket said Section 36-A, only you’d never seen a 36-A at Memorial Stadium until the stadium addition was unveiled. You waited for the Cornhuskers to emerge from their tunnel walk that takes them under the south end zone. Only Nebraska entered the field through the North end zone. But most disorienting Saturday was the way the Cornhuskers played. They were complete and dominating and sent their fans home feeling positively nostalgic after smacking around Louisiana Tech 49-10 before a crowd of 85,181 that included the extra sections and 6,000 more seats. “We felt like if everybody did their job, we could score every time,” Nebraska wide receiver Nate Swift said. When was the last time anybody in Husker red offered such confident tones? Not in the coach Bill Callahan era. For good reason. Callahan campaigned for the Nebraska job on sophisticated offense. Option was dead. The NFL/West Coast spread was the only way to attract the top recruits. The Huskers bought in, and for nearly two years they waited for the update. Only at the end of last season, in victories over Colorado and Michigan, did things start to take shape. But another offseason of quarterback Zac Taylor working with offensive coordinator Jay Norvell meant more rough edges had been smoothed out. It looked like same old, same old after three series. Nebraska’s first three drives ended in Louisiana Tech territory without a score. On the third possession, the Huskers took over at the 15 and failed on a fourth and 2. Ugh. Then, four straight touchdowns on drives of 65 yards and longer. After a punt and a fumble, Nebraska scored three more times. This was the offense advertised at Callahan’s introductory news conference three years ago. Wonderful balance — 332 yards passing and 252 rushing. Four different running backs making noise. Wide receivers snaring deep outs and tight ends catching touchdown passes. Get this. No Nebraska tight end had caught a scoring pass since the second game of Callahan’s first season. Saturday, four different tight ends scored. The first one went to Matt Herian, who clinched comeback player of the year just by walking on the field. He had missed all of last year and half of the 2004 season recovering from a broken leg. It was on Herian’s score that Taylor knew things would start turning toward the Huskers. “I think their defense was still in the huddle,” Taylor said. “They were not ready.” Not ready? “Yeah, I don’t know what they were doing.” Maybe. Nobody else seemed to pick up on that. But that’s how the game started to look to Taylor. The offense was in a groove and the defense looks confused. Compare that to last year’s opening bid. Nebraska never looked comfortable in beating Division I-AA Maine. The offense scored two touchdowns in a victory over Wake Forest, one in a victory over Pittsburgh. The Huskers averaged about 270 total yards in those games. “Last year I came in just worried about not making mistakes,” Taylor said. “This time I came in knowing I can make plays.” Here’s the quality-of-opponent qualifier. Louisiana Tech won’t play in a BCS bowl. But the Bulldogs won seven games last season and thumped Fresno State. They replaced nine defensive starters but were picked to finish in the middle of the Western Athletic Conference. In other words, they weren’t Murray State. That opponent comes next week for the Cornhuskers in Nicholls State. No, this was a rare good first impression for a Big 12 North team. Earlier in the day, the final from Boulder arrived — Montana State 19, Colorado 10. Purge any thoughts of the Buffaloes contending. Iowa State was underwhelming against Toledo two days earlier. We’ll see about the others when they play Division I-A competition. Entering college football’s first weekend, Nebraska was the North favorite, and what happened in Lincoln on Saturday only strengthened that prediction. To reach Blair Kerkhoff, college sports reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4730 or send e-mail to bkerkhoff@kcstar.com. Just got back this morning. Good opening game. The offense got off to a slow start but then it was off to the races. I was a little dissapointed in the Blackshirts and the secondary took another hit yesterday. I'm not saying their back but their well on their way to being a elite team again.
Posts: 33,660

09-03-2006, 02:50 PM	#25
beavis Free Born Man of the USA beavis's Avatar Join Date: May 2003	I'm sick of all the Corntards at work talking about how they'll win the Big 12. I'll be happy when they get trounced.
Posts: 7,588