Storylines for Oklahoma: A rather large migration
The sea of red — a college football phenomenon at every Nebraska home game — migrates south tonight, as up to 60,000 Big Red fans are expected to be inside frigid Arrowhead Stadium. Husker fans are champing at the bit for the critical contest matching traditional rivals.
“I’d like to see 70,000, to be honest with you,” said Nebraska middle linebacker Corey McKeon, adding, “We’re going to need them. We’re definitely going to need them.”
In the Huskers’ last appearance at Arrowhead, in 1998, a packed house watched Nebraska hold off Oklahoma State as Mike Rucker stopped Nathan Simmons inside the 1-yard line as time expired. Big Red fans might prefer an easier game tonight, perhaps something resembling Nebraska’s 22-6 win against Texas in the 1999 Big 12 title game — the Huskers’ last appearance in the contest.
‘No excuses’
Oklahoma weakside linebacker Rufus Alexander remembers the team meeting in the days immediately following an Oct. 14 win against Iowa State, in which All-American running back Adrian Peterson suffered a broken collarbone.
The theme of Bob Stoops’ message to his players that fateful day: No excuses.
“He said Adrian’s injury is not an excuse for us to not get better and play as a team and play hard,” Alexander said.
Make no mistake, both teams in tonight’s game reached this point despite enduring their share of adversity, with setbacks (such as injuries and other personnel issues involving key players) starting during the offseason and continuing into the fall. The teams surged forward thanks to strong leadership from the head coaches.
“The buck stops here,” NU’s Bill Callahan said. “You always want to be in position to rally your troops and take the next step.”
The matchup
If strong defense really is the key to winning championships, then Oklahoma has the edge tonight. The Sooner defense ranks either first or second in the Big 12 in all four major statistical categories.
“They have a lot of talent, and they’re a smart team,” said Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor. “They’re probably going to be the best defense we’ve faced all year.”
Nebraska, however, will test Oklahoma with offensive versatility. The Huskers average 183.3 rushing yards and 250.8 through the air. On the other hand, Oklahoma is somewhat one-dimensional offensively, leaning heavily toward a rugged ground game led by hard-running Allen Patrick.
The Huskers can’t afford a return of their recurring tackling problems. “We have to be able to wrap up, tackle and take people to the ground,” Callahan said.
The vision
Adam Carriker, one of the Nebraska players on hand last July 24 for Big 12 media days, told reporters of a vision he formulated that day following a minitour of Arrowhead Stadium.
“I envision kind of a snowy, cold night,” the standout defensive end said. “You can see the breath coming out of people’s mouths, it’s so cold. Players are wearing long sleeves. The stadium is rocking.”
Sounds like something closely resembling the scene that will transpire tonight, when Nebraska attempts to pull off a victory that would propel the Huskers into the Fiesta Bowl and give Callahan and company a defining victory in the program’s resurgence.
“It’s the last opportunity for the seniors to leave with a championship and get this program back to where it’s supposed to be,” NU senior Jay Moore said. No, he said, it’s not there yet. “If we win, it’ll be there. We’re close.”
“I’d like to see 70,000, to be honest with you,” said Nebraska middle linebacker Corey McKeon, adding, “We’re going to need them. We’re definitely going to need them.”
In the Huskers’ last appearance at Arrowhead, in 1998, a packed house watched Nebraska hold off Oklahoma State as Mike Rucker stopped Nathan Simmons inside the 1-yard line as time expired. Big Red fans might prefer an easier game tonight, perhaps something resembling Nebraska’s 22-6 win against Texas in the 1999 Big 12 title game — the Huskers’ last appearance in the contest.
‘No excuses’
Oklahoma weakside linebacker Rufus Alexander remembers the team meeting in the days immediately following an Oct. 14 win against Iowa State, in which All-American running back Adrian Peterson suffered a broken collarbone.
The theme of Bob Stoops’ message to his players that fateful day: No excuses.
“He said Adrian’s injury is not an excuse for us to not get better and play as a team and play hard,” Alexander said.
Make no mistake, both teams in tonight’s game reached this point despite enduring their share of adversity, with setbacks (such as injuries and other personnel issues involving key players) starting during the offseason and continuing into the fall. The teams surged forward thanks to strong leadership from the head coaches.
“The buck stops here,” NU’s Bill Callahan said. “You always want to be in position to rally your troops and take the next step.”
The matchup
If strong defense really is the key to winning championships, then Oklahoma has the edge tonight. The Sooner defense ranks either first or second in the Big 12 in all four major statistical categories.
“They have a lot of talent, and they’re a smart team,” said Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor. “They’re probably going to be the best defense we’ve faced all year.”
Nebraska, however, will test Oklahoma with offensive versatility. The Huskers average 183.3 rushing yards and 250.8 through the air. On the other hand, Oklahoma is somewhat one-dimensional offensively, leaning heavily toward a rugged ground game led by hard-running Allen Patrick.
The Huskers can’t afford a return of their recurring tackling problems. “We have to be able to wrap up, tackle and take people to the ground,” Callahan said.
The vision
Adam Carriker, one of the Nebraska players on hand last July 24 for Big 12 media days, told reporters of a vision he formulated that day following a minitour of Arrowhead Stadium.
“I envision kind of a snowy, cold night,” the standout defensive end said. “You can see the breath coming out of people’s mouths, it’s so cold. Players are wearing long sleeves. The stadium is rocking.”
Sounds like something closely resembling the scene that will transpire tonight, when Nebraska attempts to pull off a victory that would propel the Huskers into the Fiesta Bowl and give Callahan and company a defining victory in the program’s resurgence.
“It’s the last opportunity for the seniors to leave with a championship and get this program back to where it’s supposed to be,” NU senior Jay Moore said. No, he said, it’s not there yet. “If we win, it’ll be there. We’re close.”
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