John Mabry: A win's a win ... right?
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This just in from The Associated Press:
Government scientists said the next eruption was imminent or in progress and could threaten life and property in the remote area near the volcano.
Mount St. Helens or Husker Nation?
Can you imagine the uproar if NU had not held on for a 14-8 victory against Kansas on Saturday night?
I saw KU in a lot of bad football games during my college days in Lawrence, but at least at that time I was able to apply liquid eraser to the memory bank.
On this Saturday night, the Jupiter and Mars of my college football galaxy became one planet. Kansas and Nebraska were equals.
Forget the new coaching staff and the new offense and the inexperienced quarterback and the volcanic disturbances in the Pacific Northwest.
It's just not right. I don't know how many of you saw "Joe Vs. The Volcano," but it wasn't very good.
So why did Bill Callahan seem to be on Cloud Nine when he waltzed enthusiastically past reporters on his way to the interview room saying, "Did you like that win?"
Either Callahan saved a bunch of money on his car insurance by switching to Geico or the Huskers had Tony Robbins in the locker room after the game, because Callahan was Mr. Sunshine as he wisely put the emphasis on the defensive effort in his post-game remarks.
He and his quarterback, Joe Dailey, both winked at the media as they wrapped up their comments, making me wonder if they know something we don't about the future of this offense.
(This is where it must be noted that Dailey was a class act after another rough outing. He took the heat from reporters like a champ.)
I'm just sorry those fine gentlemen from NU's 1955 Orange Bowl team had to see such an excruciating contest. Better being in their shoes, I guess, than forking out $29.95 for the pay-per-view telecast. Get me Ralph Nader.
But this is where you insert the cliche of your choice.
A. A win's a win.
B. We'll take them any way we can get them.
C. It still counts as a W.
Or better yet, this is where you talk to NU defensive line coach John Blake.
"You've got to remember something," he said. "The (Baltimore) Ravens struggled on offense until they got things clicking and won the Super Bowl (two years ago). It takes time."
If you thought it was a bad night to entertain a bunch of recruits, Blake suggested differently.
"It's a great game," he said. "We need help. They see some areas where they can play early."
I think it's way too early to push the panic button. You can't judge this operation until Callahan starts fitting his recruits into his offense.
I'm sure fans realize that the old offense with the players recruited for the old offense would probably be 4-0 right now.
As it stands, NU is 3-1, right where most folks thought they would be at this point.
It's like driving through a school zone at 3 p.m. You want to do 40, but you have to take it slow.
The burning question for me, right behind whether the Cardinals have enough pitching to get through the postseason, is whether Husker fans will give Callahan and his crew time to prove themselves?
"The fans should love the team because they're Nebraska," Blake said. "It's their boys out their playing. We're trying to build a program."
At this point, you'd have to call it an upset if the Huskers beat Texas Tech in Lubbock next week.
Then the Baylor Bears come to town. If that game comes down to the last series — like three of the first four games this season — heaven help us.
Despite all the changes, it shouldn't be too much to ask for the Husker offense to run smoother than that of the Raiders.
That's the name of my daughter's fifth-grade flag-football team, which won 8-7 last week by getting a safety on the last play of the game.
It was not pretty, but you know what they say in Raider land.
Just win, baby.
And beware of volcanoes.
Reach John Mabry at 473-7320 or jmabry@journalstar.com.
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