Gameday: Pressure's on
Earlier this week, Ndamukong Suh was asked if tonight's game would decide if this Husker season is a success or a failure.
Suh said he didn't even want to think about losing. But let's face it: Most people are going to view this season on what happens tonight. Win the North and the realistic goal most set for this program before the season was met. Lose and it's tough explaining how the Huskers didn't win a bad North Division with this defense. So, yes, there's some pressure.
Husker coaches could also gain some bonus cash by winning the Big 12 North tonight. We'll detail the bonus specifics later.
Anyway, here's a blog to talk about tonight's game and any other games. We'll put up the the game thread in a few hours. Enjoy the day.
more»Pelini says team getting tougher
Nebraska finished strong last season, winning four straight to close schedule, and now carries a three-game winning streak into Saturday night's game.
The Huskers have won four straight Big 12 road games, which Bo Pelini hopes is indicative of his program's mental toughness.
I liked this quote from Pelini earlier in the week.
"Every year's different," he said. "Every group of guys is different.
But I think part of it is you look at the conditioning of the guys, and as you get longer into a season, people are going to have aches and pains. You're going to be more tired. It's going to be harder to go out there every single day. I think a bit of that is mental toughness. I think we've gotten mentally tougher as a football program, and hopefully that'll continue, because we have a number of challenges out there ahead of us."more»
Prediction thread: KSU-NU
(Big Red) breafast has been served.
I'm having a tough time reading this game.
Maybe you can help.
Bring it, bloggers!
more»Beck sees offensive strides
Here's some more tidbits from Tim Beck during this morning's Big Red Breakfast.
Asked about playing fullback Tyler Legate so much in the I-formation, Beck said: "Right now I think it's a big plus for us. We're developing a little bit of an identity. ... I think as a coach, the idea is to give kids the best chance to win. There's a lot of guys that stuff a system down kids' throats and say, 'By gosh, we're going to do this. I don't care what.' To be able to find what your kids can do and give yourself a chance to win, that's good coaching."
Beck said the fact that Nebraska didn't struggle much in the non-conference schedule on offense maybe gave coaches "a false sense of where we really were."
"And as we went through the season, we found out, 'Maybe there's something a little better for us to maybe try. And so as we tweaked, we found out what was our better system. You could kind of seeing our kids really responding to this. We're coming off the ball better. I think the tailbacks like better running out of the I, having a guy in front of them. ...
"It's been successful. We've taken some pressure off the quarterback position so they don't have to go out there and be Joe Ganz. You don't have to go out there and do those sorts of things. Not saying talent-wise they can't, but maybe they're just not ready yet."
Beck said in the last four or five games Nebraska has probably played just five or six guys on the O-line.
Someone asked if Husker coaches ever felt Rex Burkhead had any chance to get a medical redshirt after suffering a hairline fracture in his foot five games into the season.
“We would have had to have gone through a lot of hoops because he played in Big 12 games and he played in over half the games in quarters," Beck said. "We would have fought to get that done. But if he plays Saturday, he has a chance to play in four more games."
Beck said it's sometimes Roy Helu's curse that he anticipates so well. "He anticipates so well, he doesn’t let things set up and therefore there could be a bigger play sometimes he gets," Beck said.
The coach said some of his younger backs still struggle with seeing the holes as they develop. "Got to take the horse blinders off of some of those guys," Beck joked. "In my room, I got Ray Charles, I got Hellen Keller, I got all the nicknames."
Beck said he tells them: "You're not going to be right any time, but just go fast, go hard and make their own hole if they have to."
He expressed some great optimism for true freshman Dontrayevous Robinson, saying: "He's going to be a good one."
Beck applauded Lester Ward for stepping up late in the Baylor game and said he has been very consistent and knows his assignments. "Is he ready to carry the ball 20 times against Kansas State in the championship game? No, he's not to that point yet."
The coach said Austin Jones and Collins Okafor are very similar. "They've got a lot of talent. Very fast guys ... but when the pieces move defensively, the lights aren't clicking fast enough yet for them."
"To line up and hand the ball to Collins on a zone play or a power play, he'd be awesome if that's all he had to do. ... They're just young players. Rex played in a different type of program as did Dontrayevous. They did that stuff. They see those things. Playing down in Texas in those big classifications and playing against that kind of talent and those kind of systems ... it was easier for them to pick that stuff up."
Asked if he ever gives a pat on the back to kicker Alex Henery, Beck said: "My handprints are on his jersey. He does a great job. People don't realize how hard it is to be a punter and to be a kicker. There's different steps and timing. ...He's been incredible for us this year. Incredible. He's done a great job. And we're certainly going to need him Saturday."
more»Buffs still kicking
Colorado's still kicking.
The Buffaloes did indeed put up a strong fight in Thursday night's 31-28 loss at 12th-ranked Oklahoma State.
Here's Boulder (Colo.) Daily Camera columnist Neill Woelk's take regarding Dan Hawkins' hot-seat status:
"No doubt, a victory Thursday night would have made athletic director Mike Bohn's decision even more difficult. It would have put significantly more weight on next week's season finale against rival Nebraska.
Today, however, the equation remains virtually the same as it was 24 hours ago. A head coach in his fourth season with twice as many losses as victories to his credit and a 3-8 record heading into the last game of the year. A young team with talent and promise, but one that has been unable to produce anything remotely resembling consistency as the program lurches toward its fourth consecutive losing season.
As a friend of mine remarked after Thursday night’s game, the Buffs played valiantly. They played with heart — but they did not play (or coach) smart."
Click here for rest of article.
more»Breakfast with Beck
Greetings from Omaha. Tim Beck got the call for this week's Big Red Breakfast.
The running backs coach said he's told his kids that Saturday's game against Kansas State is going to be "like a prize fight championship boxing match."
"You just got to come out swinging and keep swinging and keep swinging and keep swinging," Beck said he told his players. "And you're going to take some hits, but you can't go down."
Beck also showed the crowd a psyche-up video coaches will show the team before the game. The video begins by showing the definition of "opportunity." Then you see the words: "Goal #1: Dominate the Big 12 North."
What follows is video of the team working out in the summer, obviously emphasizing the message of all the work that's been put into this season. Highlights of the Kansas came come after that. The video ends with the words: "Go get it!"
About Rex Burkhead's return, Beck said: "It's funny. Having Rex back at practice, I saw a difference in my guys practicing because they were like, 'Uh oh. Playing time. I better pick it up.' Competition is a great thing."
About Roy Helu, Beck said: "He lays it out there every week and he won't ever say so if he's hurt."
After the Iowa State game, and sensing Helu was't himself after two fumbles, Beck said he told the junior running back he had to be honest with him about his health.
"I said, Roy, you got to be honest with me. There's a lot of things about toughness, being a tough guy. Toughness also means telling the truth. If you're hurt, I gotta know. You can't hurt this football team going out there if you're injured. I know you wanna be that guy. But you gotta be honest. I think that changed him a lot after that game.'
About Helu's health now, Beck said: "He's better than he was, but obviously he's not where he was at the beginning of the year. Let's put it that way."
The coach said he thinks the running backs enjoy having a fullback in front of them and running out of the I-formation.
Anyway, I'll have some more from Beck in a bit.
more»Mangino denies accusations
Lots of people are piling on Mark Mangino, but he still has supporters.
He received multiple ovations from the Buffalo Wild Wings crowd during his one-hour live radio show Thursday, according to the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World.
He also defended himself.
According to the Journal-World, Mangino denied recent accusations that he has made a habit of orally abusing players during his eight-year tenure at KU.
“I’ll be honest with you, some of the stuff is flat-out embellished and just not true,” said Mangino, whose Jayhawks (5-5, 1-5 Big 12) will travel to Texas on Saturday for a meeting with the No. 3 Longhorns. “... I think there are people embarrassing this program just for their 15 minutes of fame.”
Later, he added, “I can’t do the work of some parents, what they should have done before (the players) got to me. Some are just bitter ... and I can’t do anything about that. There’s some things, for 18 years, that happened in their lives that I can’t change in four years of college. I can’t do it. Can’t change their behaviors, can’t change their attitudes.”
Click here for the full article.
Are these Mangino's parting shots on the way out the door? Or can he weather this unruly storm and return next season?
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Pelini: I like the focus
Bo Pelini was quite upbeat, even mixing in the occasional joke, after Thursday's practice inside Memorial Stadium.
"It was good tempo, I thought we had a good week of practice," Pelini said. "We've still got a few details to iron out. But I like the week. I like the focus."
On the injury front:
Junior tight end Mike McNeill practiced Thursday and Pelini expects him to play Saturday. The coach also expects defensive end Pierre Allen, who has missed some practice time, to be ready to go.
As for running back Rex Burkhead? "Rex is doing really good. It looks like he's going to play," Pelini said.
The coach said there'd be no limit on the number of touches for Burkhead if he plays. "If he can play, he can play. We'll let it all hang out."
more»Suh's website
With Ndamukong Suh chases a plethora of postseason awards, the University of Nebraska has created a website to help his cause.
The site is called SUH93.com. It went up just this week.
Like the idea. You have to do a little selling for your guy these days. Everybody's doing it. Last year Missouri sent a Chase Daniel viewfinder to Heisman voters. Oklahoma sent a Sam Bradford yardstick with his stats on it.A few weeks ago I received a life-sized C.J. Spiller poster from Clemson University asking: "How do you measure up to a Heisman Trophy candidate?"
For the record, C.J. was a little taller than me.
more»Meanwhile, in Manhattan...
So how are the Kansas State Wildcats handling the odd scenario of knowing that they'll either win the Big 12 North Saturday or be done playing football for the season?
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder is telling his players to embrace the situation, according to this Kansas City Star story by Kellis Robinett.
“A certain amount of that has to be there," Snyder said in the story. "I’m not so naive to believe that our players are not thinking about that and that I could convince them not to think about that. I don’t really want them to divorce themselves from that."Offensive lineman Zach Kendall was asked if it was scary to think a loss could end the season. No, Kendall told the Kansas City newspaper, "because I don't think we're going to lose."
“It would be foolish to say you just forget about everything,” Kendall said. “It’s in the back of your head. Last week’s loss is still in the back of my head. But I think that fuels the fire. That’s what this team needs.”
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Teams you love to hate
Here's a note I'm passing on from Journal Star features writer Jeff Korbelik:
Tell us about teams you love to hate
Remember when Denver Post columnist Woody Paige poked fun at Nebraska football fans? Or the bad experience you had in Boulder when unruly Buffalo fans shouted obscenities at you and your friends clad in Husker red?Those examples help explain why the Colorado Buffaloes have become one of those teams Nebraska fans love to hate. They are not alone.
As long as there has been sports, there have been teams we just can’t stand: the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Texas Longhorns and more.We’re planning an upcoming story on a few of them and why they’ve become so loathed. We would like to hear from you, too. Whom do you dislike and why?
E-mail your teams and reasons to Jeff Korbelik at jkorbelik@journalstar.com. Be sure to include name and hometown.more»
Three keys vs. K-State
Three keys for Nebraska versus Kansas State:
1. Slow Daniel Thomas, the Wildcats' 6-foot-2, 227-pound running back. He's rushed 228 times for 1,166 yards this season. He's a big reason why K-State leads the nation in time of possession (34:17). A quote in Ol' McKeever's "Kansas State Insider" pretty much sums it up.
“They don’t try to do a whole lot of motion so they confuse you," Oklahoma safety Jonathan Nelson said. "They have a bunch of different formations and will try to pound the ball right down your throat. They try to relax the defensive backs and get them into a comfort level where they can go deep on you. If a coach tells you to read the lineman or the fullback, then read the lineman or the fullback. Don’t read the play action that they’re liable to do.”
2. Win the turnover battle. Yes, this is always important, but especially against Kansas State. The Wildcats wait for you to make a mistake, then pounce. They rank second in the Big 12 with a plus-eight turnover margin. Meanwhile, the Huskers have turned the ball over 15 times in league play, and are 0-3 when they don't force a turnover.
Nebraska is the better team overall, no question. But turnovers obviously can be an equalizer. Ask Iowa State.
3. Don't get burned by Brandon Banks. The 5-foot-7, 150-pound senior ranks ninth nationally in averaging 29.9 yards on 36 kickoff returns (including four touchdowns). He's averaged 8.5 yards on 15 punt returns.
He will be facing a Nebraska outfit that's been OK defending kickoff returns (23rd nationally) but not so great defending punt returns (103rd).
more»Suh a Nagurski finalist
Ndamukong Suh is
one of five finalists for the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy. The award is
presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player.
Live chat at 10 a.m.
A gentle reminder: BC and I will try to field your questions without too many errors in our weekly "Live Chat" starting at 10 a.m. and going until our brains explode.
How much fun is that? Here's the link.
more»Just like old times
Tom Osborne was surrounded by Nebraska football writers after Wednesday's practice. Felt like old times.
He cleared the air, so to speak, on the extent of his involvement in helping the current Husker football coaching staff.
"Once in awhile, somebody may ask me a question, but probably not near as much as what you'd think. I try not to interject," he said in this article.
I thought it was interesting that Osborne spends part of his Sundays watching video breakdowns of the Saturday contest, as well as video of the upcoming opponent, "just really for my own interest," he said.
Does Osborne ever get the itch to coach again?
"Not so much anymore,” he said. “The first two or three years out of coaching was hard. I think most every coach will tell you that. It’s very difficult. But I’m now to a point where I have plenty of other things to worry about, so I don’t have any great desire to coach again.”
Osborne, 72, had some interesting comments about 70-year-old Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder, who returned to the sidelines this season after three years away.
Osborne clearly admires Snyder. He spent time with Snyder last year before Snyder had again taken over the K-State position.
"I had heard rumors he was going to go back and coach," Osborne said. "As I talked to him, I began to realize, 'Yeah, this guy probably will go back.' He was still in that three-year period, or so, and I think he missed it a lot. It's been his whole life. He's a very dedicated guy.
"He's done a great job. He's got a good football team right now, and this will be an interesting game coming up on Saturday."
more»Bears and Huskers
Nebraska faces its final top-25 opponent of the regular season tonight at the Coliseum. Baylor is in need of a win to solidify its postseason hopes. Should be a good one. TV on NET.
Burkhead's back
The most noteworthy item from Wednesday's practice is that true freshman running back Rex Burkhead was back on the field in pads.
"He's been cleared (for practice) by the docs and we'll see how it goes," said defensive coordinator Carl Pelini, who handled questions after the practice. "He's got a lot of catching up to do."
Burkhead suffered a broken toe in practices prior to the Texas Tech game on Oct. 17.
Running backs coach Tim Beck said it remains to be seen if he'll be cleared to play in Saturday's game.
more»Dillard: 'We're all brothers'
For the sake of posterity, here are the 13 Husker seniors who will be playing their final home game Saturday:
Larry Asante, safety
Chris Brooks, wideout
Wes Cammack, wideout
Andy Christensen, offensive lineman
Phillip Dillard, linebacker
David Harvey, defensive lineman
Jacob Hickman, center
Menelik Holt, wideout
Colton Koehler, linebacker
Derek Meyer, offensive lineman
Matt O'Hanlon, safety
Ndamukong Suh, defensive lineman
Barry Turner, defensive end
Dillard says it's a close senior class.
"It helps a lot," he says. "We’re all together. We’re all brothers."
more»McNeill's status in question
Looks like you need to put a question mark next to Mike McNeill's name concerning this Saturday's game with Kansas State.
The junior tight end took a shot to the rib area against Kansas on Saturday. He did not practice again on Tuesday.
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said after the practice he isn’t sure if McNeill will be able to play Saturday. “It’s a day-to-day deal,” he said.
As for that practice? The Huskers worked out on the grass, and apparently there were no major complaints with how it went.
“We put in our base plan and took a look at some new things and things we want to look at,” Watson said. “It was a good day. We have a lot of cleaning up to do. We’ll revise our plan and start looking at situational stuff.”
Watson was asked a lot more questions about any help Tom Osborne offers.
"Coach has always been helpful," Watson said. "He never pushes himself on anybody. He's too gracious of a person. He offers his advice to all of us and we all listen. We had to tweak ourselves ... and Coach saw what we were doing and understood what was going on. And part of that was the option game, and he's been really helpful with us in lending our expertise. So he's been invaluable to us."
(See our "Osborne's input" blog from Saturday night for more on that topic. The answers remain the same.)
About Zac Lee, Watson said he's not surprised that the junior wasn't the complaining type after losing his starting job for two games.“I think he understood — whether he liked it, I don’t think he liked it — but he understood what was being asked of him and what he needed to improve,” Watson said. “I think he took it to heart. He’s a good work-in-progress. He’s just got to continue to develop.”
more»Tripping up
It looked the Huskers were about to complete a 96-yard touchdown drive against Kansas. Then came the flag — a tripping call on offensive lineman Keith Williams.
Instead of sitting at the KU 5, the Huskers backtracked 15 yards and eventually had to settle for a field goal that made it 13-10.
It’s the second week in a row that the Huskers have been called for tripping or a chop block on an option play.
“We’ve cut (block) before but we have an increase in volume of cuts given that new kind of style (of offense),” said senior center Jacob Hickman said. “That’s going to happen, especially (with the) lack of experience some of us have with it. There’s some guys who are better at it than others.”Still, the leader of the line said those penalties are something the Huskers better eliminate. "We'll go down if we continue doing this," he said.
As for Nebraska's recent power look -- more I-formation, less spread -- Hickman said it doesn't impact his role very much.
“Honestly, inside the box there’s always somebody trying to hit you,” Hickman said. “It might be an adjustment for the receivers, the tight ends, but on the line, especially the center of line, there’s always two D-tackles there.”
more»Pelini: Osborne has major impact
It was a pretty illuminating day at Nebraska's weekly football press conference, especially when the conversation turned toward Tom Osborne's influence on Bo Pelini. Osborne has had a significant influence on the 41-year-old second-year Husker head coach -- a bigger influence than I imagined. Osborne has a way of helping Pelini while making it clear that it's Bo's job, and that he needs to run the team as he sees fit. "If anything, I wish he'd speak up more," Pelini said. "He really handles it in such a professional manner . . ." Pelini's voiced trailed off a bit . . . "I hate to say this," he said. "Sometimes he talks to me the way my father used to talk to me. He's extremely supportive. But he's willing to give his opinion and be really black and white and say, 'Hey, I think this is something you need to fix,' or, 'I like the way you did this.' "That's a great thing to have." Pelini's father had a profound impact on Bo. Anthony Pelini died in December of 2008. He was 85. As for Osborne, we knew the Hall of Famer gave his input on Nebraska's offense. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson shed some light on that topic after Saturday's game at Kansas, saying Osborne stops by Watson's office once a week. We learned Tuesday that Osborne's influence goes well beyond matters regarding offense. I'll have more in a column tomorrow. "He's always very helpful," Pelini said of Osborne. "He's obviously never overbearing. He understands. He's a Hall of Fame coach. Any insight he can give is obviously helpful, and always has been and will continue to be." Added Pelini, "There's not a better athletic director in the country that I would've wanted to work for. It's not even close. He's extremely supportive. Sitting in my seat, you couldn't ask for a better situation as far as having an athletic director like him."
Avoiding the boss
Bo Pelini likes having offensive coordinator Shawn Watson beside him on the sideline, but it was Watson's decision to leave the press box for the field.
"He thought it was the right thing for him to do," Pelini said Tuesday. "It's kind of nice having him down there, but I probably drive him crazy."
You've probably noticed Pelini is a bit animated on the sideline at times, and sometimes has some rather spirited dicussions with his assistants.
"He's a smart enough guy," Pelini said of Watson. "He's coached long enough. He knows how to avoid me."
In all seriousness, "It's kind of nice having him down there because it's easy for me to communicate with him really quickly, you know, ask him this, that or the other thing."
Pelini said being on the sideline allows Watson to have "face-to-face, first-hand communication" with offensive players and QBs in particular.
"That's one of the reasons why I went on the sideline as a defensive coordinator," Pelini said. "If there's a problem, it's good to be able to look that guy in the eyes and get it fixed. Sometimes the message can get lost in the translation. And there's a lot of different ways to deliver a message depending on the circumstances. That can help."
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Mangino in trouble?
Lots of drama in Lawrence. Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins held a meeting with players on the football team regarding concerns about Coach Mark Mangino.
"I haven't lost the team one bit. I may have lost some people around here, but it's not players," Mangino said in a press conference. "Take that for what it's worth, you decipher it."
There's obviously more to this story. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
more»Suh gives an 'F' grade
How would Ndamukong Suh grade Nebraska's defensive line performance against Kansas?
"I would grade it at an F, just because I have high expectations for this team, or especially the defensive line. I don't think we got enough pressure. We got good pressure at times. But it wasn't as consistent as I hoped. That's why I'd give us such a low grade, because we were inconsistent at times."
Suh said the Jayhawks kept NU off-balance. "Me, personally, I didn't get a great feeling for exactly what they were doing. ... It seems as we started to catch on, they' would throw a different wrinkle in there. ... All that matters is we didn't play great but we played well enough to win."
Given that many people around here considered Nebraska winning the Big 12 North as the next step for this program, does Saturday determine if this season is a success or a failure?
"I don't know," Suh said. "I don't even want to think about losing that game, especially being my last one here, and the weight that the game has on it. I don't even really want to answer that question to be honest with you."
more»Is San Diego in the cards?
It's clear as can be that the Holiday Bowl is very, very, very interested in having Nebraska in its game this year.
“I don’t want to pigeon-hole ourselves into saying they have to win ‘X’ number of games,” said Bruce Binkowski, executive director of the Holiday Bowl. “If you look at all the various scenarios, they could win seven and still be in our picture.”
Read more in Brian Rosenthal's story.
more»Pelini live at 11:30 a.m.
A reminder: Check out Bo Pelini, and a few Husker players, at 11:30 a.m. during the weekly media luncheon at Memorial Stadium.
more»Lighten up?
There was some talk after the Kansas game about the Husker defense perhaps being a little leg-weary.
Bo Pelini said after Monday's practice that can't be an issue.
“Everybody is tired this time of year,” he said. “It’s something you have to deal with. It’s something you have to overcome. It’s more mental than it is physical. Our guys are in good shape. They are ready to go.”
"I think our guys
are fine,” Pelini said. “We’re not going to lighten much up. We know how to take
care of their legs, but we need to get our work done this
year.”
Statistically speaking
Here are some pertinent national rankings for Kansas State (6-5, 4-3 Big 12):
Rushing offense -- 31st (183.6 per game)
Passing offense -- 105th (170.9)
Total offense -- 75th (354.5)
Scoring offense -- 75th (24.8)
Rushing defense -- 23rd (105.8)
Pass efficiency defense -- 75th
Total defense -- 47th (346.6)
Scoring defense -- 59th (23.9)
Net punting -- 73rd (35.1)
Kickoff returns -- 6th (26.9)
Turnover margin -- 19th (.73)
In conclusion, Kansas State runs the ball well and stops the run pretty well. Those two areas alone make the Wildcats a threat. They've also protected the ball pretty well, as Snyder teams typically do. What's more, Brandon Banks has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns and will be facing a Nebraska outfit that's been OK defending kickoff returns (23rd nationally) but not-so-great defending punt returns (103rd).
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Looking back at Lawrence
If you want to relive some of the action against Kansas, here are Husker highlights from that game, courtesy of our guy Anthony Roberts. Should have posted this link earlier, but better late than never, right?
The biggest play of that game is up for debate. Perhaps the Dejon Gomes punchout of the football. Maybe the facemask on Khiry Cooper. But how about the 44-yard kick return by Niles Paul that set up Nebraska's go-ahead score?
"That was huge. That was a big play in the football game," Bo Pelini said. "To answer right back quickly, that stadium was all juiced up. We kind of got the momentum back and were able to get back on the scoreboard."
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Hawkins laughs it off
Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins let out a hearty laugh Monday when asked what kind of communication he's had with his athletic director (Mike Bohn) and chancellor (Philip DiStefano) about the coach's job status. Hawkins was upbeat in his response. "They've been great," he said. "They've been awesome. Mike's been great. And you know, Phil's been great. They've both been very supportive of the whole deal. Very good." Reporter: Do you feel like your job is in any . . . "No, not at all," Hawkins interrupted. "Those guys are great. I think they understand the nature and scope of the position we have here and all of the things that go on and have gone on. Everybody wants to win more games. But I think in terms of helping get this place back on track after what it went through, we've had to take on a number of tasks and done a great job with that." Um, stay tuned.
Fourth-and-two
The football world is still buzzing about Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth-and-two from his own 28, while holding a six-point lead, in last night's Patriots-Colts game. Colts got the stop and eventually a 35-34 win.
It was interesting to hear Texas Tech coach Mike Leach's thoughts on it today during the Big 12 Coaches Teleconference. Leach is a coach who is not shy about going for it on fourth down in his own territory. You might recall he went for a fourth-and-five from his own 35 against Nebraska in a tie game in 2008. The Red Raiders hit Michael Crabtree on a big play and soon after scored to take a 31-24 lead.
About Belichick's decision, Leach said: "It's not as bad of a call because it's going to be scrutinized. You go and you punt the (ball) and they storm down field, then it's a pretty good call.First of all I think just (Belichick's ) feel of the game is probably a little more accurate than the people looking over his shoulders.
"It rides on the extremes of either you're brilliant if it works, or you're an idiot if it doesn't. ... Honestly, if Bill Belichick values my opinion, your opinion, all the fans opinions and all the other people's opinions, he would have invited us to his meetings while he was game-planning for Indianapolis. He may would have asked us for our input and what we thought.
"Well, he doesn't value our opinion, nor should he. He needs to make the best decision he could. I just think he's happy with the decision. He might have wished he'd called another play.''
I'm in rare company here but I kind of like when coaches defy conventional coaching decisions. Might not have gone for it like Belichick did, but I can respect the reasoning behind it: Get two yards and win the game without Manning touching the ball. Hey, it didn't work but I like coaches who aren't scared to pull the trigger on a call that will receive backlash if it fails.
more»Burkhead could return in "couple of weeks"
Husker coach Bo Pelini said Monday that true freshman running back Rex Burkhead is "coming along good" in his rehabilitation from a foot injury that has sidelined him since the practices leading up to the Texas Tech game.
"He ran yesterday and he's progressing really well," Pelini said. "We expect to have him here in the next couple of weeks."
Pelini said he expects tight Mike McNeill to be ready to go by the Kansas State game.The junior had four catches against Kansas, but his fourth one came at a physical cost. McNeill took a shot in the rib area early in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game.
"We expect him for this week. He was feeling a lot better yesterday," Pelini said. "Whether we practice him today or not, that's to be determined yet. We expect him to be ready to play."
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Snyder: It's beyond us
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder and Husker coach Bo Pelini have both said they've put behind them an incident in 2003 when Pelini got in the face of Snyder after a 38-9 K-State win Lincoln. Pelini was Nebraska's defensive coordinator at the time.
Asked about it Monday, Snyder said: "We haven't talked about it. I don't think it's an issue. At least on my part, it's not. And I hope it's not with Bo. I think it was kind of a heat of the moment thing. Competitive people respond competitively. I'd like to think it's beyond us."
Pelini gave his answer to this subject at Big 12 media days in late July. “That’s water under the bridge,” Pelini said then. “That’s not something that I’m concerned about or Coach Snyder (is concerned about). I have a lot of respect for him. That’s a mistake I made six years ago and that’s the way it is.""That's a dead issue," Pelini later added.
Snyder was quite complimentary of Pelini this summer when I asked him about the Husker coach.
“I think he’s doing things the right way. I think he’s matured into that position quite well,” Snyder said of Pelini. “I know as a coordinator and accepting all the responsibilities he had when he was at LSU, he was very, very exceptional at it. And I know (Nebraska) dramatically missed him. So I think he’s doing it the right way. I think he’s going to be very successful.”
more»All or nothing for Wildcats
Kansas State is playing for more than just the Big 12 North title this week against Nebraska. The Wildcats are playing for a bowl bid.
Since two of Kansas State's six wins have come against teams from the FCS division, Massachusetts and Tennessee Tech, the Wildcats need one more win to become bowl eligible. (The rule is that only one FCS win per year counts toward bowl eligibility).
So KSU coach Bill Synder has a lot to inspire his guys with this week.
“They’re the luckiest group of 120 guys that exist in the Big 12 Conference,” Snyder told the Kansas City Star after Saturday's 38-12 home loss to Missouri. “To go out and get it handed to you like you did today and still have an opportunity to win a North Division title and still have the opportunity to go to a bowl game, most teams can’t play and coach the way we did today and still control their own destiny.”
more»Kansas State-Nebraska set for ESPN
The Big 12 Conference has announced Nebraska's game against Kansas State in Lincoln on Saturday will be televised nationally on ESPN at 6:45 p.m.
Officials also considered airing the game on ESPN2.
The winner of the game will win the Big 12 North title and play in the conference championship game on Dec. 5 in Dallas.
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Play of the game
J. Brady McCollough of The Kansas City Star details the frustrations of Kansas seniors, particularly those of defensive back Justin Thornton, whose face-mask penalty on WR Khiry Cooper in the fourth quarter was perhaps the game's most important play.
Nebraska took the lead for good, 24-17, on the very next play.
Writes McCollough:
"At a time like this, excuses can seem pretty futile. So Kansas senior Justin Thornton wasn’t going to blame his personal-foul penalty in the fourth quarter on the stroke of bad luck that placed his hand on the other guy’s facemask during what was otherwise a pretty outstanding defensive play.
“It’s not a matter of luck,” Thornton said. “It was the worst timing.”
Thornton’s penalty was one of three crucial gaffes by KU seniors that sealed their own fate on Senior Day in a 31-17 loss to Nebraska. With the score tied at 10 in the third quarter, wide receiver Kerry Meier fumbled the ball away at the Nebraska 4. Later, running back Jake Sharp dropped what looked like a sure touchdown catch. Still, the Jayhawks played well enough overall to grab a 17-16 lead.
But Thornton’s penalty on Nebraska wide receiver Khiry Cooper negated what would have been a KU defensive stop with seven minutes to play.
“The ref made a good call,” Thornton said. “I feel like that play changed the outcome of the game. They scored a touchdown on the very next play, and that hurts. I let myself down, and I let everyone else down.”
Tough times in Lawrence. Click here for the rest of McCullough's article.
more»Huskers crack coaches' poll
Nebraska cracked this week's USA Today coaches' Top 25. The Huskers are tied with North Carolina for the No. 25 spot. Both teams are 7-3 overall. Click here.
Meantime, NU checks in at the equivalent of No. 27 in this week's Associated Press Top 25. Click here.
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Biz Buzz: Here comes another gym
The newer strip mall at 16th and Pine Lake Road is getting
another tenant to join Jimmy John's and Bike Pedalers. It's
something called Punch Gym.
Lincoln Life: Save the Ta-Tas?
Big news in the breast cancer prevention
front: Forget about mammograms until you're 50 and
don't do breast self exams, period. Pardon me?
Taking over for a legend
Assistant coach Nathan Moseley has been promoted to head coach
for the Omaha Westside girls soccer team. He replaces Don Gilpin,
who started the program and was state runner-up six times before
retiri
Game 16: Green Bay 3, Lincoln 2 (Stars drop to 5-11)
Friday night: Green Bay 3, Lincoln 2
What happened: Lincoln played better than they have lately but hurt its chances by giving up three straight goals in a three-minute stretch midway through the second period.
The Stars hurt their chances again in the third period by spending nearly half of the period on the penalty kill.
All the scoring came in the second period. Green Bay led 3-0 before Lincoln got back in the game with goals by Jon Puskar and Kyle Gibbons.
Up next: The Stars play Green Bay again Saturday night at 7:35.
more»Game Day Report: Stars head on road for two games
Worth noting: Although Lincoln is in last place in its division, the Stars are feeling better as they head out on the first of back-to-back long road trips.
Worth quoting: "A lot of things become contagious in life, and the worst one is losing," Stars coach Jimmy McGroarty said. "Then you start to doubt yourself. Our leadership did a pretty good job of staying positive through the losing streak. We said, ‘Guys, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon here,' and we know we have competed with the best teams in the league."
more»Welcome to the USHL, Dubuque, Iowa
There has been some chatter about this, but it's official now: Dubuque, Iowa is back in the USHL. For those planning your Stars' road trip already, it's about a six-hour drive.
Now, it will be interesting to see if a team leaves next year or they add one (or more) new teams. A lot of cities are being mentioned as being interested. I just hope the league doesn't get too big that the overall play drops, and you don't get as good of rivalries.
Here is the story:
“The USHL takes another giant step forward in welcoming the city of Dubuque and Northern Lights Hockey into our growing family,” said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. “The League now returns to a city which USHL fans remember fondly – but with a new and better League, the best young hockey players in the U.S. and the world, and a truly extraordinary ownership group. Most importantly, it comes home to a new Dubuque, which has become an emerging gem in the American landscape.”
The owners of Northern Lights Hockey collectively provide an extensive background in both business and hockey, and represent interests on a national and local level. Philip Falcone, Chief Investment Officer of Harbinger Capital Partners, is the company’s principal owner. A Harvard University graduate, Falcone has more than two decades of experience in leveraged finance, distressed debt, and special situations. In addition to overseeing all investment and business functions of Harbinger Capital Partners, Falcone is part owner of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild.
Northern Lights Hockey also includes local Iowan partners Mark Falb and David S. Field, M.D. Falb currently serves as Chairman of the Board and CEO of Westmark Enterprises, Inc. and Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. The University of Iowa graduate also serves on the boards of multiple businesses in the Dubuque area. Dr. Field has practiced orthopaedic surgery for 30 years and has been a driving force behind hockey in Dubuque. He currently owns the Dubuque Thunderbirds which competes in the Central States Hockey League.
“We are extremely happy to be awarded a membership in the USHL and to have this organization represent the city of Dubuque,” stated Brad Kwong, Managing Director of Northern Lights Hockey. “Our group recognizes the quality of the Dubuque market and through our significant investment we are committed to bringing a first class hockey operation to this community.”
Today’s announcement marks the USHL’s return to Dubuque which originally competed in the League for 21 seasons (1980-2001) as the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The club won the Clark Cup as playoff champions on three occasions (1981, 1983, 1985) under head coach Jack Barzee, who is now in his 21st year with NHL Central Scouting. The Fighting Saints produced many players that moved to NCAA Division I hockey and even the NHL, including 17-year veteran NHL defenseman Gary Suter.
“Bringing a USHL team back to Dubuque not only enhances an already vibrant community, but furthers the tourism efforts of the region,” Falb said. “And it provides yet another exciting event destination for local fans and visitors to Dubuque.”
The new Dubuque team will play their home games at the Mystique Ice Center, a brand new 3,200-seat multi-purpose ice arena which broke ground on November 2nd. The arena is owned by the City of Dubuque but operated by Dubuque Community Ice and Recreations Center, Inc. (DICE).
Northern Lights Hockey, LLC will have further announcements about the new USHL Member Club in the coming weeks. Fans have the opportunity to vote for the new team’s name and colors before its unveiling early next year at www.dubuqueushl.com.
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Stars drop to last in the West
When Sioux City beat Sioux Falls 4-3 in a shootout on Tuesday night, the Lincoln Stars fell to last place in the USHL West Division. Remember, only four of the seven teams in the division will make the playoffs when the regular season ends in 45 games.
Now for some good news: The Stars went 2-for-6 on the power play in a 4-1 win against Waterloo last week. Kyle Gibbons and new-guy Alec Rush scored the power-play goals.
“Our power play was a lot better,” Stars coach Jimmy McGroarty said. “We looked organized, a bit, and our breakout inside the zone was good and created opportunities. It was a good adjustment.”
Having some key players back should help a power-play unit that has been bad. Lincoln ranks 13th of the 14 teams on the power play. The Stars have 12 power-play goals in 85 attempts (14 percent).
By comparison, Fargo with coach Steve Johnson leads the league on the power play with 23 goals in 88 attempts (26 percent).
Those power-play goals will be in close games as the season goes along.
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Another Star in the Show
Irmen played two seasons for the Lincoln Stars (2001-03) recording 108 points (38g, 70a) over 106 regular season games. The winger was selected to play in the USHL All-Star Game during the 2002-03 season and was named to the All-USHL Second Team that year.
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To the tape
All three goals came in an 11-minute stretch of the third period.
It was the 55th hat trick in Stars history, and he’s the 35th different Stars player to get a hat trick. It was the third hat trick in the USHL this season.
Reid leads the Stars in goals with six in 12 games.
You can check out video of all three goals here.
A note from Jimmy
I'd just like to say thank you to all the Stars fans and people from Lincoln, particularly Rod and Connie Schwindt, for supporting me and our team. The players, coaches, staff, and fans in Lincoln have been unbelievable. I had the time of my life while here. Coach McGroarty and his staff are great coaches and truly dedicated to this team and have always done what is best for the Stars. Trades are a part of hockey, my trade being no different. I was upset about leaving Lincoln, but the people and players at Waterloo have also made me feel welcomed. I wish best of luck to all the players and coaches in Lincoln and thanks such a great experience!
-Jimmy Siers
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Stars' Reid gets key award
Reid registered five points (4g, 1a) and a plus-four rating as the Lincoln Stars earned a split of two games during the weekend. The 20-year-old forward recorded a hat trick scoring three goals in a span of 11:15 in the third period of Friday’s 8-4 loss to Des Moines. On Saturday, the native of Delta, British Columbia scored the first goal of the game and dished out an assist in the 4-1 win over Waterloo. All four goals scored by Reid were even-strength tallies. He is playing in his first USHL season and currently leads the Stars with six goals.
Sustr recorded two points (2a) and a plus-five rating as the Youngstown Phantoms won two of three contests during the week. The 6-6, 195-pound defenseman assisted on the game-winning goal in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory vs. Green Bay. He then collected an assist in Friday’s 4-3 loss to Green Bay extending his point streak to three games. In Saturday’s 7-6 win over Chicago, the native of Plzen, Czech Republic registered a plus-two rating, his fourth straight game with an even-or-better plus/minus. Sustr, 18, is playing in his first USHL season and currently ranks tied for second among all League defenseman with nine assists.
Grosenick posted two victories, a 1.44 goals-against-average, and a .953 save percentage for the RoughRiders. On Friday, the 20-year-old netminder made 30 saves and stopped four shooters in a seven-round shootout to earn the 4-3 victory for Cedar Rapids. He then turned away all 31 shots by Tri-City in Saturday’s 4-0 shutout victory. It was the second shutout of the season for Grosenick and the seventh victory, which ranks tied for second among USHL goaltenders. It is the second weekly honor for the native of Brookfield, Wisconsin who earned the award following the second week of the 2009-10 season.
Stars win, Stars win, Stars win
Break out the party hats, folks, the Lincoln Stars notched another one for the win column.
It's hardly cause for a major celebration, but when you haven't won in 20 days you let out a big cheer or, in this case, at least an exhale.
The Stars lost five straight before a 4-1 win over Waterloo on Saturday. Another loss would have matched the longest streak in the team's 14-year history.Lincoln (5-10) still sits in sixth place in the United States Hockey League's West Division, but it would have been last in the division with a loss.
Playing with a full lineup of 18 skaters for the first time in a month due to injuries, Lincoln made plays in all zones and bounced back from a 7-0 loss against Waterloo last week. more»Game 15: Lincoln 4, Waterloo 1 (Stars improve to 5-10)
Lincoln will try to break out of a long slump against a Waterloo team that rolled the Stars 7-0 last week.
Waterloo has goalie Steve Racine and Jimmy Siers in the lineup, a couple of the guys they got from Lincoln last week.
Lincoln has 18 skaters for the first time in a long time.
Forwards
Lynch-Brockett-Reid
Puskar-Mermis-Gerths
Hoshaw-McCarron-Shine
Gibbons-Peterson-Tate
‘D’
Bruneteau-Hibbeler
Rush-Baumbick
Lauwers-West
Net
Coreau
Scratches: Rayner (IR), Ammon (IR), Weissenhoffer (healthy).
Check back for updates.
New guy
Rush played six games for Sioux Falls this year and 46 for Tri-City last season. Rush is another that has committed to play college hockey at Princeton (Brockett, Sdao, Meland, Kramer). He’s 18 and from Eden Prairie, Minn.
Sioux Falls had released Rush, so Lincoln didn’t lose anything to get him. Sioux Falls may have added Rush back to the roster, but Lincoln got him instead.
The Stars released Patrick George to make room for Rush. George will stick around town for now, and may be added back to the roster if a spot opens up. You have to wait 10 days to add a player back to your roster after letting him go.
You have to image the Stars are still looking to add another good defensemen.
The Stars will get Peterson and Gibbons back tonight from league suspensions, and should be full strength for the first time in a LONG time.
The Streak
Lincoln is getting close to a streak it would just as soon avoid.
Des Moines' 8-4 victory Friday at the Ice Box marks five straight losses for the Stars, the team's longest losing streak in four seasons.
A loss in Saturday's game against Waterloo would match the longest losing streak in the franchise's 14-year history.Waterloo has also struggled this season, but it beat Lincoln 7-0 last week. The Blackhawks have won two of three games since getting Jimmy Siers and goalie Steve Racine in a trade with Lincoln, including a 4-2 win against Tri-City on Friday.
The sad part Friday came when Lincoln's Brodie Reid scored his third goal of the game 15 minutes into the third period -- and the Stars still trailed by three goals.
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Puskar makes the call
That's what Jon Puskar used to think while making several stops while playing in the United States and Canada the past two years.
"But I've found out you got to really get out there and promote yourself," he said.
Puskar did just that and got what he wanted: A spot back on the roster of the Lincoln Stars.
Puskar rejoined the Stars last week and will be in the lineup when Lincoln plays two games at home this weekend.
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Game 14: Des Moines 8, Lincoln 4 (Stars drop to 4-10)
The Stars are trying to work out of a four-game losing streak.
The good things is, the roster is starting to fill up.
Here is who to watch:
Forwards
Lynch-Brockett-Reid
Puskar-Mermis-Gerths
Hoshaw-McCarron-Shine
Lauwers-Tate
‘D’
Bruneteau-West
Rush-Weissenhofer
Hibbeler-Baumbick
Net
Green
Scratches: Rayner (IR), Ammon (IR), Peterson (league suspenson), Gibbons (league suspension).
GAME RECAP: Des Moines scored four goals in both the second and third to win big. Brodie Reid had a three-goal game for the Stars.
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Matter of Opinion: We're waging war by remote control
The nature of war is evolving right before our noses. But we don't seem to be paying much attention.
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