LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska looked dead in the water. The Huskers were being humiliated on their home field. And then, Lavonte David stripped Braxton Miller and pounced on the ball. Moments later, Miller injured his right ankle and hobbled off the field. And just like that, momentum swung toward Big Red. Down 27-6 in the third quarter, Nebraska rallied with 28 unanswered points to win 34-27 in its Big Ten home debut. It marked the biggest comeback in team history, and it occurred in Nebraska’s first Big Ten home game as a member of the conference. The previous record came against Texas A&M in 2002, when Nebraska erased a 17-point deficit. One team’s season possibly saved, another team’s misery prolonged. Ohio State, which performed so well for the first 35 minutes or so, is 0-2 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2004. The Scarlet and Gray simply can’t buy a break right now, as they looked absolutely shell-shocked after Miller’s injury. The offense went nowhere with Joe Bauserman
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Huskers complete historic comeback
Filed under Football by on Oct 9th, 2011. Comment. 
What Texas wants is a Big 12 with no restrictions on what the Longhorns do. So far, no one has been able to stop Texas. Nebraska couldn’t do it, and the Huskers took off for the Big Ten … Source: Tulsa World
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Big 12 could survive if Missouri stays loyal
Filed under News by on Sep 29th, 2011. Comment.
From the beginning, Bo Pelini has made it about Nebraska and no one else. He contributed practically nothing to the hype following Nebraska throughout its transition to the Big Ten Conference. Asked numerous times about preparing for new teams, new schemes and new stadiums, Pelini has tossed out brief, bland responses and waited for the conversation to return to his team and its mission. In case you haven’t heard, Nebraska’s game this week at Wisconsin happens to mark its first league contest as a Big Ten member. It happens to be the first Big Ten matchup of top-10 teams — Nebraska is ranked eighth, Wisconsin seventh — since the 2008 season. It happens to pair two undefeated teams led by two dynamic quarterbacks ( Russell Wilson and Taylor Martinez ). It happens to mark the teams’ first meeting since 1974. It happens to feature the two teams many project to meet in the inaugural Big Ten championship game in December. Oh, and a little show called ESPN “College GameDay” will be there for it all. Saturday’s game seems like a really big deal. Not for Bo Buzzkill. Here are some snippets from Pelini’s news conference Monday: “The hoopla is all for you guys. It is just the next game on the schedule for us.” “The No
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Huskers shun hype but relish opportunity
Filed under Football, News by on Sep 27th, 2011. Comment.
It’s shuffling time once again in the power rankings as two ranked Big Ten teams (Michigan State and Ohio State) suffered humbling losses Saturday. Wisconsin continues to look dominant, although the competition level will increase substantially in October. Nebraska is at the top as well, but surprisingly because of its offense more than its defense. Illinois and Michigan State are rising, while the bottom half of the league remains more or less intact. Let’s get to it. 1. Wisconsin (3-0): The Badgers look like they can do some special things this season, as quarterback Russell Wilson is exceeding all expectations in the first three games. Northern Illinois could be a solid team, but Wisconsin totally outclassed the Huskies at Soldier Field. We’ll learn a lot more about Bret Bielema’s squad in October, but the early returns are good. 2. Nebraska (3-0): It’s not the winning formula many of us envisioned for the Huskers, but they’re finding a way to get things done. Nebraska ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring offense (44.3 ppg) and third in total offense (422 ypg). The Huskers have delivered strong second-half performances on offense the past two weeks. The defense, meanwhile, needs to tighten up significantly before the Oct. 1 trip to Wisconsin. 3. Illinois (3-0): Surprised to see the Illini here? They deserve it after a gutsy performance against Arizona State fueled by a pressuring defense. The schedule sets up extremely well for Ron Zook’s crew, and if young defenders like linebacker Jonathan Brown continue to make strides, Illinois will be a contender in the Leaders Division. 4. Michigan (3-0): The 2011 Wolverines look a lot like previous versions, and time will tell if their formula for success will work against better Big Ten teams. The good news is the schedule sets up well for Michigan, which could be 6-0 when it visits in-state rival Michigan State on Oct. 15. Quarterback Denard Robinson remains extremely dangerous as a runner, but he’ll have to make strides as a passer in league play. 5. Michigan State (2-1): Perhaps Michigan State caught Notre Dame at the wrong time, as the Fighting Irish shouldn’t have started 0-2. On the flip side, a 31-13 loss exposed Michigan State’s weakness along the offensive line. If the Spartans can’t run the ball on the road, it’ll be a long season. The encouraging thing is Michigan State only allowed 275 and boasts some nice pieces on defense. 6. Ohio State (2-1): Holy Buckeye, this isn’t good. Week 6 can’t come soon enough for Luke Fickell’s squad, which needs any reinforcements it can get for an anemic offense that completed just four passes for 35 yards in Saturday night’s loss to Miami. Ohio State’s offensive staff needs some answers before a tough opening stretch to begin Big Ten play (Michigan State, Nebraska, Illinois). 7
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Big Ten power rankings: Week 4
Filed under Football, News by on Sep 19th, 2011. Comment.
So let’s get this straight: Texas A&M had the moving vans revved up and ready to head to the SEC, only the SEC said why don’t we cool things down a bit while schools like Missouri, Clemson and Florida State are waiting to see what happens. All of which brings home one point when it comes to the league we cover in these parts. The Big Ten sure got its expansion right, didn’t it? Jim Delany and the conference leaders scooped up Nebraska last year when it looked like the Big 12 was fracturing and the Pac-16 thing was happening. Maybe the Big Ten doesn’t make the move that quickly if not for those external circumstances, but in this case, swiftness and correctness went hand in hand. The Cornhuskers have yet to play a game in their new league, but you can’t find anyone who doesn’t think this is a terrific fit. Nebraska not only matches geographically in the Big Ten, adding a natural rival with Iowa, but also philosophically in its style of play and fervent fan base. Most importantly, Nebraska is a marquee program and a national power. Even if the Huskers haven’t been to a BCS game since the 2002 Rose Bowl disaster, they appear back on the rise under Bo Pelini.
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Big Ten’s expansion move looks even better
Filed under Football by on Aug 15th, 2011. Comment.
1. The SEC presidents threw water on Texas A&M in its rush to leave Texas behind. But that won’t be enough to make the Aggies content to stay in the Big 12, not when the reasons for leaving are emotional and financial. The move would wipe its feet on more than a century of A&M tradition. On the field, it will be a train wreck, if history is any guide. Maybe the SEC’s prudence will give the Aggies pause to think about what’s really important. Maybe not… 2. The Big Ten Network ran a computer simulation of conference play in the past 15 season if new member Nebraska had been in the league. The simulations, as carried out by the network’s partner WhatIfSports.com, unearthed the secret of would have happened in 1997, when Nebraska and Michigan shared the national championship. According to the simulation, the Huskers, who went undefeated in 1997, would have lost three Big Ten games. Yes, the “Inquiry” light is on, especially in Lincoln. 3. In a sport that has almost as many individual awards as it does bowls, I’m surprised no one has begun something like, oh, let’s say, The Chris Weinke Award. It would go to the best former minor league baseball player who, after giving up his dream of making the Show, returns to campus to play college football. Weinke won the Heisman in 2000 as a 28-year-old. The favorite this year is Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden , 27, but here’s a dark horse: Baylor wide receiver Clay Fuller , 24, who caught five passes for 50 yards and a score in the Bears first scrimmage.
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3-point stance: Will decision deter A&M?
Filed under Baseball, Football by on Aug 15th, 2011. Comment.
……greatest rivalries in college football, perhaps all sports, Nebraska – Oklahoma would happen only two out of four years. The Longhorns beating the Huskers in the inaugural Big XII Championship didn’t help matters. Yes, the marriage that was the Big… Source: Bleacher Report
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Husker Football: Independence Day Comes Early to Nebraska
Filed under Football, News by on Jul 1st, 2011. Comment.
……southward. Personally, I would say I dislike Texas to a high extent, but this is mostly because my college roommate was a huge Longhorns fan.  When I asked him why a kid from Iowa would cheer for Texas, I got a simple answer. “They win.” I’m… Source: Clone Chronicles
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78 Days Until Kickoff: Which Teams Do Iowa State Fans Hate Without the Huskers Around?
Filed under News by on Jun 17th, 2011. Comment.
Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe took some time out last week to indulge the media blitz surrounding the one-year anniversary of his conference’s near death and answer questions about its recent cash-fueled revival from a number of media entities. One of those interviews was with ESPN Radio in Austin, Texas . He offered some candid thoughts on Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne when asked about the three programs (Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri) that looked like they had wandering eyes last summer. “On the Nebraska point, they never really liked, or at least Tom Osborne never really liked the Big 12, I don’t think.” he said. After doing that interview, I asked him to expound on the comments, which were more frank than anything I’d heard him say about Nebraska since I took over this blog back in 1981. “That probably was a little stronger than I should have said it,” Beebe said. “I think Tom has a high, high level of respect for the Big 12 and its institutions.” Even still, Beebe said Osborne wasn’t a fan of several Big 12 decisions from the moment he took over as athletic director in 2007
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Dan Beebe details Osborne’s Big 12 distaste
Filed under Football, News by on Jun 14th, 2011. Comment.
Last month, Nebraska quarterback Cody Green announced his plans to transfer. Now, in an interview with HuskerOnline.com, Green says he could end up staying in the Big 12. Texas A&M, Baylor and Kansas State joined Tulsa and Houston as schools Green is considering. “Mostly the guys who already I had a previous relationship with through high school. They were all right there the minute I declared I was going to leave,” he said. “I made a visit to Kansas State this week and it went well. Coach [Bill] Snyder and those guys are a class act. When you have a legend like coach Snyder, everything feeds off of him. He’s like coach [Tom] Osborne in that way.” Green signed with Nebraska in 2009 as the nation’s No. 32 athlete. Rivals.com ranked him as the nation’s No. 6 dual-threat quarterback. Since coming to Lincoln, he’s started four games and appeared in 18 in two seasons on the field. In 2009, he spent most of his time backing up Zac Lee , and in 2010, freshman Taylor Martinez . The Dayton, Texas native has completed 66-of-122 passes for 657 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Green told the site he had been considering transferring for a year, and planned to switch to wide receiver or tight end until injuries to Martinez and Lee forced him back into a starting role in a win against Iowa State. He also admitted that he played most of the game after suffering a concussion. “I don’t think I got as many quality chances as I could have had. It was just one of those things where I’d go in and make a mistake and get pulled. It was frustrating,” he told the site. Early last season, with Martinez becoming a star and the Huskers getting commitments from 2011 signees Bubba Starling and Jamal Turner, I heard from a few unhappy Nebraska fans when I suggested Green’s future as a Husker might be abbreviated. Now, that’s the case. As for his future home, I could see him staying in the Big 12. Texas A&M is a bit of a stretch. Johnny Manziel and Jameill Showers are the likely favorites to replace Ryan Tannehill next year, and even with Green’s experience, I doubt his ability to unseat either of them. As for Baylor and Kansas State, those could both be attractive options. He’d have to beat out some competition at Kansas State, but the Wildcats haven’t had a quarterback with his experience or credentials on its roster. Unless Collin Klein , Sammuel Lamur or Justin Tuggle gets a firm grasp of the job this season, the job could be open again next spring. Baylor’s Robert Griffin III , a junior in 2011, has indicated to me on a couple of occasions that he plans to stay in Waco for all four seasons. Behind him, the Bears are thin at quarterback beyond Nick Florence , who started nine games for Baylor in 2009 with mixed results during a 4-8 campaign. Green could add a lot there if he’s willing to wait out Griffin. Like Griffin, Green is a mobile quarterback who Art Briles could build his offense around, though Griffin is clearly a much more talented passer. Green’s future is definitely something to keep an eye on, so even though the Huskers are heading to the Big Ten, we could see a former Nebraska quarterback back in the league very soon.
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Ex-Huskers QB keeping talents in Big 12?
Filed under Football by on Jun 13th, 2011. Comment.
