Are Husker Fans Getting What They Deserve?
18 comments so far
October 15, 2007 by
Korean War Major Dr. William E. Mayer, who later became the U.S. Army's chief psychiatrist, studied 1,000 American soldiers in a North Korean POW camp where all but the most negative reinforcement was ruthlessly drained from the POWs' lives. Though their basic needs for food, water, and shelter were met -- and none were physically tortured -- 38% of them died. According to the report, many grew hopeless under the negative onslaught and simply gave up on life.
While that is certainly a grim example of how negativity can affect the human psyche, it’s also a rather telling one. If simple negativity can rob a brave soldier of his will to live, what chance did the Nebraska players have after the USC contest? Sure, there were rumblings after Wake Forest, but after USC ran over the Huskers a loud contingent of NU fans could be heard shouting down the team. The ranting and raving only grew louder after a WIN over Ball State. And there was plenty of hand-wringing after another WIN over Iowa State. Yes the loss at Missouri was a bad one, but at 4-2 the fans quite vocally distanced themselves from the team. Is it any wonder a team might eventually succumb to this atmosphere as seemed to be the case against the Cowboys?
It’s fitting that the 1997 team was on hand for the Oklahoma State contest. They can remember all too well fans booing Scott Frost in a WIN over a Central Florida team that featured Daunte Culpepper. If Husker fans had their wish, Frankie London might have become NU’s starting quarterback that year. Imagine how that season might have turned out if Frost had been benched for London?
But if you want a real case in point, it’s the city of Philadelphia. The fans there of any major sport are among the worst-behaved anywhere. It’s little wonder they’re nearing the quarter-century mark without a championship of some kind despite some very talented teams in every sport. The 76ers had Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, and Dikembe Mutombo. The Eagles have had great players like Reggie White, Randall Cunningham, Keith Jackson, Donovan McNabb, and Brian Dawkins to name a few. The Phillies had Curt Schilling, Darren Daulton, Lenny Dykstra, and John Kruk, to name a few more. Phillies fans are the ones that booed Mike Schmidt for most of his career. The Flyers had the “Legion of Doom” and while all of those teams have come near a championship none have made it all the way. In part, I’d submit because they have a chorus of fans on their case for every mistake. On a daily basis, they are telling the players they claim to cheer for that they aren’t good enough. Is it any wonder that the message might get through?
You don’t want to see Lincoln become another Philadelphia, but the bile-spewing in all directions sure reminds you of Philly. Perhaps “we’ll all stick together in all kinds of weather” should be changed to “we’ll all stick together, if it’s fair-weather”. Instead, can’t we just spit out a meek “you can do it!” like Rob Schneider in the “Water Boy”? While we may not believe it to the core, at least we won’t be making matters worse.
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Andrew Oct 15 07
Steve,
Thanks for being the voice of reason, it is getting harder and harder to read Husker news, once again thanks.
OU7times Oct 15 07
Word around the campfire, here in Wichita, is that the "hammer could fall" today. How big of a hammer will fall on who, remains to be seen.
Matt Oct 15 07
Are you really trying to suggest that the entire fault of consistent beatings that the huskers are receiving is due to fans being to vocal in their opinion?
Of all the things that I think are "wrong" right now, its impossible to get past the fact that our team is not being prepared properly week in and week out. Chase Daniel commented on the fact that he was basically laughing his butt off that our defense didn't change once during that thrasing, and most recently, it was like our defense has never even seen an option play before.
Our offense has become so predictable that teams can key in on 1 or 2 looks and basically shut us down for an entire game.
Now, I understand the underlying point of your article, and I have lurked here for quite some time without ever being moved to post, but to try and sweep the GLARING issues on both sides of the ball in regards to coaching under the rug and chalk it up to basically some self-fulfilling prophect because fans are upset is ridiculous. Part of the reason these recruits come to Nebraska is because they know the ENTIRE state is going to be watching/listening to them on Saturdays, for most players, with proper coaching, that should be enough to want to perform at a higher level. After watching/listening to the games this year, its obvious that the team is not buying what the coaching staff is selling and its too bad, because I think that we have alot of very good young talent on this team that I fear is going to be doomed to mediocrity.
ze Oct 15 07
Wow, what an uplifting message!
Anyway, Big Red was on the ropes after Mizzou and is now writhing on the MAT. Will they get up?
Well, the good news is that aTm may be even more pathetic than the 'Skers. They have a decent defense, but our O is going to have to get back on track and carry the team. Our D is a lost cause, it appears, but the only way they can go is up, one would think.
Glenn Baker Oct 15 07
I just feel like we as fans deserve better than what Mr. Pederson has created and put on the field. I have no problems with the players. They are doing what they are told and if the system they are told to run is broke it is broke. No matter how many times it is practiced and run. I do not spew any bile at the program but I am terribly sad at what has taken place in just a few short months. The hope or hype being fed to us after the spring game is long gone. I will still cheer the team on just as I have always done for the last 35 years of my life. It just hurts real bad like a wayward family member addicted to drugs whose life is going down the drain and there is nothing I can do. I do think we are not being told what the truth is just look at the fight between Suh and the O-lineman I believe. I appreciate your articles on Big Red.
ze Oct 15 07
Well, I guess I haven't totally given up on Calli yet, I like his WCO--I like THE WCO--and I think the it can be very effective and exciting, as much or moreso any O design.
It's not clear, though, that he will be able to accomplish what NE Fan is accustomed to, and certainly being on the receiving end of blowouts is unacceptable under any circumstances.
The complete and inexplicable meltdown of the D seems to unfortunately be carrying over to the O side. The O has to pull together, they are the only hope at this point.
Calli and Coz may in the end be better suited either back in the pros--thatis, Calli as OC--or on some other college team where the expectations aren't so high. Case in point, Ill and Ron Zook. Zook probably wouldn't have ever got it done to FL standards, but seems to be doing quite well at ILL. Less of a pressure cooker, to say the least. Cozahan's resume is more middle of the road Big X anyway.
They're singing the praises of C. Bohl at NDS--go fig. Again, less of as pressure cooker.
Just some thoughts.
Chip Oct 15 07
Have you guys seen First Blood part I? It's over Johnny!!! It's over!
Buzzy Oct 15 07
I agree that we need to be positive as a NATION for our players, our kids. That does not mean that a critical analysis of the administration at NU shouldn't be conducted on an ongoing basis. I remember many times prior to TO's titles that the throngs were calling for his head for not winning the "big one". This, despite a long history of minimum-9-win seasons. We monday morning QB's have 20/20 hindsight. But even a blind foresighted person can see that we are headed in the wrong direction. Does the results prior to this season warrant a long term contract renewal for BC? Hardly. Guarantee high pay for mediocre results? Our AD is responsible for the financial mess that will ensue from firing BC and Co. This fiasco will be very expensive for the university to buy it's way out of. Believe me, the money is there. I think that Tom Osborne for Governor of the NU athletic program makes sense. I would also put in a plug for Turner Gill for head coach. He is a promising coach and a Husker through and through. His application was not treated with remote seriousness by SP. GO BIG RED !!!
Husker Mike Oct 15 07
Most of the outcry in recent weeks have been against the coaching staff, not the players. As for trying to support the players, there probably were 65,000 or 70,000 fans still there after halftime cheering on the team.
Nate Oct 15 07
Steve Hanway...your an idiot. Fan's making a team have problems? How about looking at organization on the field. How about looking at NO ADJUSTMENTS made after you get burned time and time again on defense and offense. What is happening is a coaching issue. We have some of the best players in the nation none of whom can take ANY blame for what is going on. But what good is having a loaded gun if you are blind and can't find it?
OU7times Oct 15 07
UNCONFIRMED: Pederson and Callahan are both out at Nebraska. The healing begins NOW!
Jason Oct 15 07
KETV (Omaha TV) is reporting that Pederson is out. There will be a press conference at 4:00.
Let's hold off on the speculation regarding coaching changes.
Tigerman Oct 15 07
What else do you expect from fans who have never know failure. All I can say is it is about damn time and I can only hope Kansas basketball is next because they are the only fans worse than your own.
Tyler Oct 15 07
Are NU fans getting what they deserve?
2:14 p.m. - NO
2:15 p.m. - Beginning to.....
ze Oct 15 07
Hey, I can't get into the latest page rgdg the sh**t hitting the fan.
Whoa, here it comes....wow!
Scott Oct 15 07
Sounds like Tigerman has had enough losing of his own. I would agree that getting pounded year after year until recently by KU hoops and NU football can take a big toll.
I don't think any fans deserve things like this (maybe SOME CU fans). What people need to remember is that these things come full circle. Nebraska wasn't always good and these kinds of things happen and are going to happen. We aren't the first program this has happened to and we won't be the last.
The TRUE fan will understand and stick with the team and support them. They can have their own opinion regarding coaching and everything else but come Saturday they better be in the stands cheering.
Any talk of a boycott of games is fine with me as long as the ones boycottign NEVER, EVER come back!!!
ze Oct 15 07
You know they're on the phone to BO P--our next head coach.
AggieCoach.com Oct 18 07
Cornhusker, Aggie and Big 12 fans are definitely not getting what we want or deserve! Who would have thought that A&M at Nebraska wouldn't even be on TV in Houston, much less be the Big 12 Game of the Week! These two coaches are truly "Dead Men Walking"!