After 73 Points, Plenty Can Be Said!
36 comments so far
November 11, 2007 by
When NU squared off against a team from the Sunflower state a week ago, the Husker defense yielded an unthinkable 76 points. It left me fairly speechless. Saturday's contest with another school in Kansas - the KSU Wildcats - brought a 70+ score again. This time, it was the Huskers rolling up huge points and yards, as they demolished KSU, 73-31. Suffice to say, the outcome Saturday left me with quite a bit to say about the game and the future at NU.
Nebraska looked every bit like the team many thought and advertised them to be at the start of the year. They looked like the team that throttled Nevada to open the year. The maximized their potential. It was great. But, it is an indictment of all involved that NU can be so wildly inconsistent.
Congratulations, Seniors
Demolishing a conference foe in their last home game must feel great to the 29 seniors on this year's squad. Big kudos to Courtney Grixby in particular. The much-maligned but mighty cornerback scored on a 94 yard kickoff return. It broke a long drought on return scores for NU, and captured momentum when the Huskers needed it.
Other seniors like Frantz Hardy (3 TDs) and Steve Octavien (9 tackles) had big days. Good for them. But it sort of begs the question, where have these guys been?
Joe's Big Day
When you look up the record for total offense in one game, or most touchdowns in one game you will find the name Joe Ganz. After 529 yards of total offense and 7 (seven!) touchdowns, Joe Ganz must have felt a bit vindicated or rewarded for his patience as a backup.
Does Ganz success under center make me wonder if he should have been the guy all along? Yeah, it does a little. In particular, Ganz's feet and ability to operate outside the pocket give NU an added dimension. He is also great at operating this offense, routinely finding his second and third options on check downs, and exploiting the KSU defense by finding the open man. It give credence to Zach Taylor's comments a few weeks ago about how quarterbacks who are experienced in this offense tend to thrive.
I'm not knocking Keller. I'm still a fan. Just something to consider as NU turns the page in to next year and the quarterback battle that could ensue.
Paint It Black!
Guess what, folks? The defense looked like the Blackshirts again. What a welcome relief to see. KSU only scored 10 of their 31 points when the game was in doubt, and the Huskers generated more pressure on the quarterback then we have seen all year. They had 9 quarterback sacks all season coming in to the game, but got 4 more on Saturday.
So, what gives? For starters, it was about attitude. They played emotionally. Listen to Josh Freeman's comment on the NU defense, "That wasn't the defense we've been watching on film," he said. "They came out and they played. They had passion that we hadn't seen before on film."
NU played better in their base formations because they played with a motor for once. On some plays, our entire front four penetrated the KSU backfield. And, some of it has to do with Kevin Cosgrove calling things more aggressively. NU blitzed significantly, and the pressure disrupted Freeman, and forced him to throw out of rhythm and off balance. On one play, Cosgrove sent both of his safeties on a blitz. That's very aggressive. Players respond to that.
Couldn't Happen to a Better Team
Let me be clear. I am firmly against running up the score. I don't like it when opponents do it to NU, and I don't like when NU does it. I didn't like it when Solich ran it up against Northwestern. And, I didn't think Callahan's behavior was very appropriate Saturday - throwing late in to the second half, going on 4th and 20, keeping his starters on the field after putting up 60 points.
Seventy three points is gratuitous. I am pretty certain that Callahan was trying to send a message to fans, media and anybody who was watching that his offense is something to marvel, behold and awe. He was trying to jam it in everybody's face.
And, we ate it right up...cheering for 80 points, hooting and high-fiving, exercising 2007's demons all in one afternoon. All of my rhetoric about sportsmanship aside, I'm glad it was KSU who took this whooping. I am not shy about the fact that KSU and their fan base are my least favorite in the Big 12.
And, the Purple People were in rare form Saturday. Many of them came down, hoping to see the wildcats take a few kicks on the corpse that had become Nebraska football. Many yapped before the game, and during the early going. My friend reports that one KSU fan punched an NU fan in their section and got ejected. And then, NU shut them up quickly, and scores of them left at halftime. Have a nice drive home, folks.
I hope Ron Prince stays the coach at KSU for a long, long time. Because under Prince, NU sure has their number. The Husker offense out-foxed KSU, and caught their linebackers and safeties in horrible match ups. And, since KSU is one of the only teams who doesn't line up in the shotgun-spread formation and then runs the read option, NU could actually defend them athlete-on-athlete. And, in that case, NU has them beat by quite a margin.
Maybe KSU can keep beating Texas so that fans there have a false positive about Prince, and they can keep gagging down the stretch.
Callahan's Future Unclear
I am less sure than ever about what could happen with Bill Callahan. Is this enough to keep him employed? Would a win on Nov 23rd and a bowl win keep him employed here? Or, has the ax already fallen and we just didn't hear it because we were cheering the KSU bloodletting?
I still don't think there is any way the defensive coaching staff survives after this season. And, the several column inches of the World-Herald dedicated to profiling Bo Pelini make it seem (once again) like Bo could return to NU.
All of that it is up to Dr. Osborne to decide. And, a man of his word, he'll likely wait for all the results to be in before he starts counting, sorting and evaluating what kind of team and staff he has. And, if that is the case, Callahan and his staff took another step closer to being employed at NU...at least through Christmas
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ze bop Nov 11 07
First of all, I too abhor running up the score: I draw the line at 80 and I'm sure glad Big Red fell short of that lest the game be construed as a humiliation of the opponent.
Seriously, there was just alot of pent up frustration coming out there. I just couldn't believe it when they went for it on 4th and 20, already up by 40 or something, but at the same time no one else has taken their foot off the pedal and not hesitated to kick Calli and the Huskers when they're down, so I don't particularly feel bad about it. In fact, good for you Callahan, NE FAN--and the world--can just go back to 'counting socks'!
I spent some time this weekend watching other suggested HC's offenses and can't say I would prefer any to Calli's and, in fact, most looked pretty hum-drum by comparison. Even Fl is pretty boring this year with Tebow right, Tebow left, Tebow up the middle, chuck an occasional pass--NO standard rushing attack.
So, I don't know what to say, I doubt if he'll be hired back as this one scoring explosion doesn't erase the previous meltdowns. Most of Red Nation is thoroughly against him at this point--he is NE's version of Ron Zook.
Too bad for me, since this is the style of O I most like to watch--when it's clicking.
BUT IT'S THE D 'STUPID'!(that's failed).
p.s., maybe this game will keep Cat Fancys and their goofy smack off our boards for awhile--we can only hope and pray...
doombob Nov 11 07
I despise Kansas State as much as the next Husker, but I was actually pretty embarrassed by the Husker Smack Down of Kansas State yesterday for three reasons:
1. Defense quit in the fourth quarter
2. Callahan blatantly ran up the score
3. Callahan ducks out after the handshake
Congrats to the players for all their hard work. They deserve all of the praise attributed to them from this game. The coaches deserve little praise.
ze bop Nov 11 07
Calli has a wry sense of humor. I think he ran it up to 73 to match our standings in the polls.
ze bop Nov 11 07
1. Defense quit in the fourth quarter
2. Callahan blatantly ran up the score
3. Callahan ducks out after the handshake
I think there were alot of 2nd stringers in the 4th Q on D.
Yeah, I think Calli ran it up; Osborne also ran it up a number of times--ISU '97 and ASU '97(I think), Minnesota(83), Sooners in the mid nineties; shall I go on. No revenge in those games, just letting the young guys play....
Coaches aren't saints....like the fans.....
OU7times Nov 11 07
WOW! It's really happening, isn't it? People might actually be thinking that Callahan, pulling the proverbial one out of his arse, could actually still be employed at Nebraska? KSU is not exactly world beaters but it was a shot in the arm, granted. Just supposing that Callahan is some kind of WCO "guru", he still represents what Nebraska is NOT. His faults, as I see them include: Narcisizim,stubbornness,socially inept... Careful what you wish for you just might get (keep) it. If someone will look you in the eye and tell you HE'S doing an excellent job, and ignores the defensive problems for so many games, then how could you ever trust him? Dr. Tom will do what's right.
kyle Nov 11 07
I enjoy the west coast offense it makes every game more interesting because you know if a team with a west coast offense is losing by 2-3 touchdowns in the 4th the game is not over with the shifts and pass plays its might be on the higher scoring offenses but i dont think Callahan will stay as a off. cord. if we fire him i think we need a new head coach like bo and hire good west coast off. cord. to run the offense. With a high powered offense like on Saturday and a defense like bo's there would be very few teams that would be able to beat us even with out the high ranking recruits that Callahan brings
Scott Nov 11 07
Maybe Callahan went for it on 4th and 20 since Prince had KSU go for it on 4th and twenty-something late in the first half...maybe he felt disrespected.
I don't think we ran up the score. It's the KSU defense's job to stop our offense. I had no problem with the final score. KSU would have done the same thing to us.
OU7times Nov 11 07
Previously, I had posted (before the KU game) that KU was looking to "lay wood" to NU. I had also said that running up the score would probably be a "moot" discussion, from now on. BRN had replied that any coach would see that it wasn't necessary (something to this effect) and that a coach would be able to see that. My reasoning was that "style points" could be necessary as the polls seem to be fickle. In other words, a highly favored team could win by not much and suffer the wrath of pollsters for a perceived weak showing. I still believe this is true and it seems almost many weeks support this theory, what with leap frogging in the polls. Normally I don't care for running up the sore but now my feelings have changed. It IS up to the other team to stop them. Now, when your team gets 60-80 points rung up on them, don't bitch and moan about it. Backup players should have the right to go out and perform to their utmost abilities. The NFL sometimes drafts players who are second and third stringers and why should those players be expected to "lay down" just because the opposing defense sucks. That's what the big boys do and if you don't like it, OH WELL! Can you imagine a game where you knock the livin snot out of each other team and your worried about hurting the feelings of the other team??? Makes no sense whatsoever. This is also where marketing, including concessions, come into play. If the home teams scores big, it equates to more money. More Runza's, hotdogs, nachos, T-shirts...get sold. People will buy more when they are feeling victorious. Just remember fans, running up the score goes both ways.
Forever Red! Nov 11 07
I can't beleive you are even pondering the thought that Billy might come back. Stick a fork in him, he is done. He is a fraud, he lies through his teeth, he does not respect any about our past. I am 100% sure this is a done deal. Osborne would not say "the new coaching staff" in an interwiew if it hasn't already happened. I also don't know how you can say that this offense is more exciting to watch then the spread that KU runs. That offense is a thing of beauty to watch. Bring the spread here Bo! You guys seem like you are giving Billy credit for the win. This coaching staff did nothing different this week then they have all these other crappy weeks. This win belongs completely to the players. Bowl game or no bowl game, the piece of garbage known as Loserhan is gone after one more game.
JustGary Nov 11 07
Actually I lost more respect for Callahan for running up the score than for all the losses. The players control the outcome of the game and so I can give part of the blame on the defensive players for the losses. But, running up the score is the coaches call and if that is his style, he should be fired right now. We don't need a coach who thinks that is the way to impress fans.
ze bop Nov 11 07
I don't know why Calli or any coach would want the NE job anyway since Husker Fan is a total pain in the a$$: first, you can't lose EVER since the hypothetical Bobfather and OZ never lost; 2nd, you're 'allowed' to win every game, but you can't score too few or too many points, though you have to win by at least 30 for it to be perceived as a 'good' win; 3rd, you can't 'quit' in the 4th qtr of the desired blowout, even though you're playing backups, who are supposed to play full bore yet observe some sort of tacet 'mercy rule'; 4th, every other flash in the pan coach is better than you, their scheme is better than yours--if you run the spread, they want smash mouth, if you run smash mouth too much, they want to see more vertical passing, etc.; 5th, they expect you to be the 2nd coming of Hey-suz do Christo and St. Francis combined even though they are allowed to view you under the most high powered/scrutinizing microscope and ruthlessly berate everything about you if somehow you don't perform to the standards set in the previous 1-4 items; 6th, Husker Fan may be and probably is a significant failure in his own personal life but that does not mean he has any perspective or compassion when it comes to Big Red's HC and his superior knowledge of fb over said coach; 7th, Big Red Fan cannot accept a loss nor enjoy a win too much--it's always something...
Care to add to the list....?
omarhuskerfan Nov 12 07
My thoughts are simple. The job of coaching Nebraska football is to win. With any job preformance review that I have I have my ups and downs. But It all comes into play when they do the evaulation
Yes I enjoyed the score, I enjoyed the teamplay on Saturday, but The season was full of diappointment and not the level of winning that nebraska used to have.
I do not wish harm on Coach Callahan, just the same as I do not wish it on Steve Peterson. The fact is that they simply didn't make the cut.
All of this name calling and cursing, angry mob mentallity is wearing on me. I understand you all are upset but these men have families that they moved here to try and make a difference and while they haven't preformed well, I still think that they deserve respect (that doesn't mean don't fire them).
I understand why rojo quit. I want to just say I bleed husker red and what I think is ol' fashion mid-west respect.
Thank you.
darren Nov 12 07
"Forever Red" - I'm afraid your post tells me more about you than it does about the game or program. It is too bad that you are so angry.
And, I'm not on the BC bandwagon any more than the next guy. 2007 has been absolutely brutal.
But yeah, Callahan gets some "credit" for the win. It's the same record we blast him for when the team (players and coaches) lose. You are what your record says you are. That's both sides of the ledger.
I stay focused on results - not the "Husker way", not recruiting, not style of offense. Results. It's the only way to stay rational and sane.
Andrew Nov 12 07
Darren,
Can you please explain to me why there is a large group of people saying exactly what "Forever Red" is saying. I was on some other boards during, and after the game and people were saying that Callahan should not get any credit. This does not make any sense to me because I always thought the coach gets the credit win or lose. Maybe some NE fans are on to something that the rest of us aren't? Please help me with this because I must not be near as smart as most of them.
Dwayne Nov 12 07
Darren,
Is there any way that you can get audio of some of the better plays that Sharp called Saturday? I really like his play by play and didn't get to listen to him much because the radio wasn't in sync with the television broadcast. But what I did hear was pretty good.
Quiller Nov 12 07
For all this talk of running it up... it's just a load of crap. Every time any college team scores 70 points or more there are complaints of "running up the score." Until there is a mercy rule in college football there is no need to stop running your offense just because you're winning by a whole bunch.
We don't need to look at details of this game -- from either team -- to know that this argument is bogus: in college football there is absolutely no reason to change your offense or put in back-ups until the magical 70 has been reached.
@ze bop: Those are the same expectations as programs like Oklahoma, USC and Ohio State. That's what happens when you have a decades-long tradition of winning. Contrary to your opinion, coaches THRIVE on high expectations -- like athletes, they are competitive to the core.
doombob Nov 12 07
Maybe I misunderstand the definition of running up the score. 52-10 is a big score already, so going for it on 4th and 20 is obviously brilliant. Would he still make that call instead of punting if he were losing when field position is important? Oh wait - leaving in your RB starter to go for it on a 4th and goal with 4 minutes left while you're up big is just a Senior Day lift.
Why not give it to Senior FB Andy Sand or Matt Senske, then? Why was Marlon Lucky in anytime past 12 minutes in the 3rd quarter? Give guys the reps they need for next year! Make sure nobody gets injured before Colorado! When TO was accused of running up the score, teams had to stop 2nd/3rd stringers, not 3 4th down attempts from 1st string.
You want results? Fine. I don't just want results. I'm not a robot that only looks at W-L and gives thumbs up or down. I'm a person. I was more upset with coaching now than I was after some losses. Yeah, it felt good at the time, but this game actually shows Callahan can't make the right decisions in the long term. He's already coaching like he's got no future here.
Darren Nov 12 07
Andrew - basically, Callahan has become persona non grata in NE. Basically, he's dead to much of the fan population. It's over. No amount of winning would satisfy or rectify things. At this point it is about the off the field or relational stuff and not the games. And...that is partially well earned by BC. The phrase "Excellent in all areas", unwillingness to admit any wrong, and having an agent call people stupid will do that.
So, it is literally past the point where winning or losing matters to some.
darren Nov 12 07
Doombob - I feel you. I agree. Albeit for a differing reason. As I said in the post, the wild inconsistency is a huge indictment of the coaches. I'm not a robot either. I'm a thinking and feeling person. And 5-6 isn't right.
I just know that the only record we have in our professional lives is our results. Do relationships matter? Yes. Do processess matter? Yes. But both contribute to the results. Relationships yeild process and process yield results. The results are still the best evidence.
Darren Nov 12 07
Dwayne - I too heard parts of Sharp's call, and liked what I heard. It was a clear description of the game. I could kind of "see" what was happening. Novel idea...
I don't have access to it online right now. But, we can look. The Internet is full of magic.
Dwayne Nov 12 07
I haven't found any audio yet, but I'll look later tonight. Huskerpedia had 4 people predict an NU win out of about 20 or 30 predictions. That game was unbelievable.
OU7times Nov 12 07
Darren, I was OK with your story until I read the part about you not being on line with running up the score and then it happened... the big "BUT". "Sportsmanship rhetoric aside" is how you prefaced your following remarks explaining your sudden flip flop on sportsmanship. "You were against it before you were for it", it would seem. You've more than made it clear that you don't like KSU or their fans, too bad a middle aged couple who might be attending the game and just rooting for their team, might get lumped into your distaste. It's no different for Nebraska fans who might "flip off" and verbally assult an opposing team's fan during a home game (as happend to me at NU once) but I didn't hold that against the other 70,000 plus NU fans.Be a gracious winner, you've been a gracious loser this season. Is your dislike for KSU really only about Coach Prince taking J. Freeman away from Nebraska? Is that ALL it is about? Can't it just be about "Hey, we finally put a decent game together" instead of the "Screw them, they deserved it" mentality. This is what I am saying about Nebraska fans (some) being no better than anyone else's fans, really. Darren, this is just an observation, nothing else. In the spirit of debate, which is it, Right or wrong? As far as I am concerned, if Callahan did run the score up on KSU to jam it in the faces of everyone, then this is just another reason why he doesn't belong...anywhere. I enjoy your posts but felt compelled to speak up.
Jason Nov 12 07
Dwayne, NU provides audio archives of most of their programs. You can listen to KSU game on that page from start to finish.
Dwayne Nov 12 07
Just my take on the whole thing of "running up the score." It doesn't bother me either way. I never held it against KU for dropping 76 on us last week but the thing that bothers me is that the second and third string DESERVES to play as well. If a coach has starters in when everyone knows the game is out of reach, then get your freaking starters out. There is no reason for Lucky to be in there during the fourth quarter. Ganz is one thing to get reps with the rest of the players, however, I would even question that. It builds team morale, it gives younger players experience that cannot be duplicated, and it eliminates the concern for injuries to your starters. I said it after OSU and I'll say it again. Where is the plan to utilize Niles Paul or Meno Holt? Callahan is frustrated inside and clueless.
darren Nov 12 07
OU - you hit it on the proverbial head.
My principles are against running the score up. And, faced with people dressed in purple, my principles tend to wane some.
That doesn't make what BC right. 4th and 20...come on, coach.
I think BC was running it up...but not JUST on KSU. He was running it up on NU fans and media. "Behold my offense...!"
A number of KSU fans confirmed my stereotype of them on Saturday, btw. I alluded to that in the post, too.
doombob Nov 12 07
darren,
We're on the same page. Who knows, if BC had fostered instead of smothered the land of tradition, we might not be in the 5-6 boat right now. Fact of the matter is, the national media has seen BC's attitude this season and expected this game to be a Husker loss.
Has anybody seen the stuff on BC's agent response to questions? Man talk about a lack of class.
Forever Red! Nov 12 07
How about today? Is anybody else angry that Callahan say's that Ganz really isn't that talented, He is just a product of my system!!!
Saturday was all just a product of my system!!!
How can you not be angry about this stuff? Your are damn right I am angry. Give Joe the credit he deserves you erogant piece of garbage. I do feel bad for Callahan's family, they are the ones that have to live with this big headed monster! For weeks we listened to Callahan tell us that the coach's are doing a great job, we can't do our job any better so it must be the players fault. Now we get a win and it's the coaching and Billy's system that step it up and got the win!! Wait a minute, you just told us you couldn't do your job any better, so how can that be??? Where the hell was the system for the last 5 weeks??? Ya Billy, it was all about you!!! That train headed West, it's all about you to, so get on it and don't come back. If you beleive this man has any values that resemble that of us in the mid-west you must have hit your head on something because you are sadly mistaken.
Please, if you haven't heard the tele-conference from today, go listen to it before you tell me I'm wrong.
ze bop Nov 12 07
As far as negativity goes, Huskerextra-Life in the Red has become 'Negativity Central', IMO. Hundreds and hundreds of posts and,I mean, the HATE is almost palpable and this is mainly what I was referring to in my post above about NE FAN.
This site is much more level headed and that's why I post here. Plus I got booted over there for laying into some big time naysayers. :) Lucky me!
ze bop Nov 12 07
Menelik Holt has played as a receiver in the last few games and was mistaken for MO P Sat vs KSU(he looks alot like MO and has #18 or something).
The VS announcers couldn't get a number of other player's names straight either, like when they called Anthony Blue 'Cortney Grixby', 'Andre Jones', etc.
Niles has been on the field with special teams and I think they had him out there a few times as receiver on Sat.
Agree, they should work in the backups sooner in a blowout.
Jason Nov 12 07
Forever Red,
I'll grant you that Callahan's latest comments make him sound a little defensive, but where did he say Ganz "really isn't that talented?"
I did hear him say this after the game on Saturday.
"I'm just really proud of him. He deserves it. He deserves all the accolades you want to heap on him. He's really done well. He's persevered through four years, and he's gotten an opportunity in starting last week and now starting this week. I think he's been outstanding. I'm really happy for him." (Source)
From your previous comments here, it's clear you're no fan of Coach Callahan. And that's totally fine. But, this just seems like nit-picking. Can't we just enjoy this victory?
Forever Red! Nov 12 07
,” Callahan said. “And then we insert the third guy here … that throws for seven touchdowns. I think that record won’t be broke around here for a long time … I mean, that’s development, that’s coaching, that’s system.”
How is that not taking away from what Ganz did?
It's all about Billy.
I just don't understand how it is okay to blame the players when we are down, and then take all the credit when we are up. I have lived here my whole life, maybe you haven't, maybe I was brought up different, but when somebody calls me an idiot, or Hillbilly, or maybe even a sock counter (Yes I know those wern't Billy's words) I take it as an insult to who I am and where I live.
I will take my thoughts and go, I meant no harm.
Go Big Red!!!
ze bop Nov 12 07
O.k., KOZN, Mike and Kevin have been crucifying Calli all day rgdg his 'system' remarks, unbelievably saying that Calli is always talking about himself and not giving the players credit, that he's the most arrogant guy, blah, blah, blah.
I think this is total b.s., since this is the first time I've EVER heard Calli hype his O system at a press conference and he has always, almost w/o exceprion given credit to the players and did so postgame, giving many accolades to Ganz.
I think this is irresponsible sportscasting, but the majority of Husker nation just simply hates Calli at this point, so it's not worth discussing.
It doesn't matter what he says, people will spin it negatively...
darren Nov 12 07
Forever Red - I understand. You don't think Callahan fits at NU. You believe his values are flawed. And those flawed values show up everyday in the way he talks and acts.
It is not something I want to debate you on. That's your opinion and I don't want to change it. I want to ask this question so I (and others) can understand the perspective.
What - if anything - could happen for Callahan to be a suitable coach in your eyes? Would a mandate or endorsement from Osborne do it? Or, is it over - OVER - for BC at NU? Seems like he is "dead to you"...as they say.
Again, I am not asking as a Callahan apologist or supporter. (re-read my posts if you want, when have I outright said I think the guy should stay?) I'm asking out of genuine curiosity and interest, since many seem to share your opinions on other boards I read.
ze bop Nov 13 07
D,
I've raised that very question with haters on other blogs--good luck getting a response....
I think he's too 'Hollywood' for typical NE Fan...
Funny, evrybody, including myself, would love seeing BO P as NE HC if that happened, but isn't he the same guy that verbally accosted the very dignified Bill Snyder--who only scored like 40 points on Bo's D? And didn't he go on some tirade during the Alamo Bowl vs MSU?
That stuff doesn't bother me too much, but Calli haters are always pointing out how bad his character is for NE.
James Moore Nov 14 07
I wanted to wait a few days to post because with the way this season has been it's been such a roller coaster. This one was an obvious high. Suddendly optimism abounds, or probably more properly put, we had reason to be happy. I wanted to be as objective as possible and in the light of this win, it felt good. Really good. So happy for the Seniors. Forgot what it was like to have a smile this big. Well OU7Times, "screw you, you deserved it" gets reserved for Kansas State and Colorado, always. After this year Missouri, they make that list too. Come on, your guys don't feel like that about Texas? I hate Texas too so if you did I would well understand. But for the record, no beef at all for Oklahoma. Big, big, and deep respect for Oklahoma. But I like your postings and objectivity. Always happy to see when you're on here. . .
Cosgrove has to go. That much is obvious. As for Coach Callahan. I made a point after the Kansas game in bringing up a Roman commander who fell on the sword after losing his legions. I couldn't help but think of Zac Taylor's comment about what a QB with experience in his system would be able to do, during the game. I recall Coach Callahan calling Ganz a "poor man's Rich Gannon" during the off season. I chuckled and thought that he was pumping up a great, great kid with tremendous ethic. Well he sure looked it. Not saying he'll be a Rich Gannon, but all Husker fans knew that he had this system cold. It showed. Ganz with this line (in something like 425+ pass attempts has given up 14 sacks & Lucky averages 4+ yds per carry) could be awesome next year. I just don't want to bring in a new staff and start with something else, from scratch, and have to wait 2-3 years to get the people to run it, unless we absolutely have to. His smugness had driven me nuts at times but this offense can work, and work big. There pieces are there. . .
It seems that Dr. Tom, said the following:
1) Let the old players have access
to the program. . .
2) Recruit in state again. . .
3) Restart the walk-on program. . .
4) Don't alientate your base. . .
I don't think that Dr. Tom would've
said these things to him as suggestions without intending to keep his objectivity and entertain the possibility, IF HE SAW SOMETHING TO HANG HIS HAT ON. Notice the ex-Huskers suddendly on the sidelines again? The effort to scour the state again? I have to wonder what 88-92 would've been like with the internet. Dr. Tom was catching some flack at the time but then came out of that time of fire 60-3. Coach Callahan won't go 60-3 but he COULD still turn this around. 73 points and 702 yards later (not to mention nearly 1000 yds & 12 TD's later) that something to hang your hat on is there. Not popular, and I'll get torched for saying it but give him one more year. There are things he needs to understand. These guys are STUDENT-athletes who don't have all day to learn his 8-lb playbook. Don't waste freshman like Paul on special teams because they can't learn your 8-lb playbook. These guys go to class. HALF of your playbook is better than what the rest of the conference runs. Keep it simple stupid. If he can't get us a good 9+ wins and a signature game, then let's start over. Run the single-wing spread or whatever the next staff wants. . .
ze bop Nov 14 07
Calli's NE is starting to look like Leach's Tech--wildly inconsistent and a weak defense.