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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.

Mecca · 09-03-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Um...in case you missed it, they're not running the option anymore.

Yes I know but that was my thing when I was younger and now well.....it's hard to change a lifetime of not liking a team.

**Bugeater** · 09-03-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Callahan has already proven himself a joke. It is just a matter of time.

A year ago I would have agreed with you. He still has a lot to prove for sure, but I'm certainly more confident at this point.

**Skip Towne** · 09-03-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

It has to do with nobody wanted that job. They had to settle for a reject that had to call them. I can't even imagine KU hiring some loser that called them wanting to be their basketball coach.

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Callahan has already proven himself a joke. It is just a matter of time.

Bitter today are we?

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

It has to do with nobody wanted that job. They had to settle for a reject that had to call them. I can't even imagine KU hiring some loser that called them wanting to be their basketball coach.

If you're using the logic of his failure in the NFL as the basis of your statement then so would Steve Spurrier. He failed... twice, and once as a player.
Callahan was a successfull college coach long before he left for the NFL.

**Bugeater** · 09-03-2006, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

It has to do with nobody wanted that job. They had to settle for a reject that had to call them. I can't even imagine KU hiring some loser that called them wanting to be their basketball coach.

That's the first time I've heard anything like that. You're right in the fact that there wasn't a long line of great coaches wanting that job. And believe me I was none too thrilled to see the former Raiders coach on our sideline, but in hindsight he was probably the best we were going to get, regardless of how he ended up here.

**alanm** · 09-03-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

That's the first time I've heard anything like that. You're right in the fact that there wasn't a long line of great coaches wanting that job. And believe me I was none too thrilled to see the former Raiders coach on our sideline, but in hindsight he was probably the best we were going to get, regardless of how he ended up here.

It had more to do with the timing than anything else. Looking for a HC in preparation for a bowl game isn't exactly the best time to be looking. How ever.. Callahan is a great recruiter and a innovative WC offensive coordinator. Had he not gone to Nebraska he would still be in the NFL as someones offensive coordinator.

**Skip Towne** · 09-03-2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm

If you're using the logic of his failure in the NFL as the basis of your statement then so would Steve Spurrier. He failed... twice, and once as a player.
Callahan was a successfull college coach long before he left for the NFL.

Successful college coach? He was never a head coach at the collegiate level.

Sam Hall · 09-03-2006, 05:24 PM

Hey BE and Alan, I read that Dillard tore his ACL and is out for the year. Good thing we have depth at linebacker. I'm still bitter about the field turf. We have lost three defensive players lately to non-contact knee injuries.

Here's a big

to the Husker haters. Louisiana Tech would've defeated Kansas State yesterday. And I don't care how Callahan was hired. I'll trust Blair Kerkhoff's opinion over yours any day of the week.

Chieftain58 · 09-03-2006, 05:59 PM

The Big 12 North used to get the Texas Studs when they were the Big 8, but since they expanded the players are staying in Texas.. IMO

I will say that some of the most passionate college fans live in Nebraska, almmost a Law there if they lose you don't talk about it!

DomerNKC · 09-03-2006, 06:05 PM

lets see what the bugeaters do against usc. Noting can be said for a big win over a weak opponent.

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: 33,735

09-03-2006, 05:24 PM	#54
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Sam Hall's Avatar Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area	Hey BE and Alan, I read that Dillard tore his ACL and is out for the year. Good thing we have depth at linebacker. I'm still bitter about the field turf. We have lost three defensive players lately to non-contact knee injuries. Here's a big to the Husker haters. Louisiana Tech would've defeated Kansas State yesterday. And I don't care how Callahan was hired. I'll trust Blair Kerkhoff's opinion over yours any day of the week.
Posts: 8,137

09-03-2006, 05:59 PM	#55
Chieftain58 Fan club member Chieftain58's Avatar Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Land of OZ	The Big 12 North used to get the Texas Studs when they were the Big 8, but since they expanded the players are staying in Texas.. IMO I will say that some of the most passionate college fans live in Nebraska, almmost a Law there if they lose you don't talk about it!
Posts: 1,626

09-03-2006, 06:05 PM	#56
DomerNKC In Search of a Life DomerNKC's Avatar Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Topeka	lets see what the bugeaters do against usc. Noting can be said for a big win over a weak opponent.
Posts: 22,070