Posted: Sunday, October 3, 2004 7:00 pm
Nebraska football coach Bill Callahan was euphoric, downright giddy.
At least that's the manner in which he presented himself to the media immediately following Saturday night's 14-8 win against Kansas.
But you had to wonder.
Callahan is regarded by many as an offensive guru. But the guru's West Coast offense had just sputtered through a lackluster performance, slowed by four turnovers and several mental errors.
You could say Nebraska's offense took a step backward Saturday, but that would imply the Huskers at some point this season had taken a significant step forward.
But hey, fellas, how about that defense!?
"Wow!" Callahan exclaimed during his assessment of the Blackshirts, a spiel that left more than a few reporters scratching their heads during Saturday's post mortem.
The media session was at once curious, confusing, intriguing and bizarre.
The first-year Nebraska coach had just watched his offense manage a grand total of one sustained scoring drive against a Kansas team that ranked seventh in the Big 12 in total defense. Husker quarterback Joe Dailey threw three interceptions to increase his season total to 11. He's on a pace to throw more than 30 this season.
Nebraska, in its last three games, has shown little, if any, offensive rhythm.
Yes, the Nebraska defense, with classy and hard-nosed linebacker Barrett Ruud leading the charge, played superbly against Kansas. Husker defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove devised a scheme that applied constant pressure to quarterback Adam Barmann. NU made crucial play after crucial play on defense.
So, perhaps Callahan, in addressing the media, was determined to put a positive spin on the game, to be the voice of optimism on a night tailor-made for pessimists. You can't fault the coach for that. It's probably a plan a public relations firm, or an athletic director, would recommend.
Perhaps Callahan was trying to pump even more life and confidence into a surging Nebraska defense that will face its toughest challenge so far this season on Saturday, when the 3-1 Huskers will try to slow the high-flying Texas Tech offense.
Or perhaps Callahan was sending Husker Nation a veiled message: Count your blessings. Enjoy the defense. Enjoy the win. Enjoy any win, even against Kansas. Enjoy the falling leaves. Enjoy something because, baby, this radical change in offense is a bear and this storied program might have to take a few steps backward before it can move forward.
The question is, how many steps back will it drop? Three? Five? Seven?
A 14-8 win against Kansas could be construed only as a step back, no matter how stellar the defense, no matter how tight Callahan's spin job.
Remember, Kansas entered the night ranked 75th nationally in total offense.
Remember, Nebraska defeated Kansas 24-3 last season in Lawrence, never trailing in the game.
Yes, sir, Husker Nation needs to count its blessings and enjoy any win that comes down the pike these days. Because suddenly, it's difficult to say with any certainty that Nebraska is a sure-fire bowl team.
One could argue there's only one certain victory remaining on the schedule Baylor on Oct. 16 in Lincoln.
Of course, one also could argue there's only one certain loss looming Nov. 13 at Oklahoma.
So, buckle up.
If Nebraska fails to reach a bowl game, the athletic director's facial contortions will be more interesting to watch than our president's.
Boredom and predictability shouldn't be an issue if you're a Nebraska football fan in 2004.
Another wild ride figures to await this weekend in Lubbock, where Texas Tech runs a spread offense that's either a thing of beauty or a ticket to sustained mediocrity, depending on your perspective.
The Red Raiders move the chains with a controlled, possession-oriented passing attack. They'll lull a defense into boredom with a series of shallow crossing routes and then, boom, a receiver will sneak behind the secondary for a long reception.
A defense almost has to concede that Tech quarterback Sonny Cumbie is going to complete his share of passes. In Saturday's 28-13 loss to second-ranked Oklahoma, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Cumbie was 36-of-55 passing for 369 yards.
Oklahoma changed its look on defense on virtually every snap. The Sooners would rush four defenders and drop seven into coverage on some downs. Then, boom, they'd do the exact opposite.
Look for Nebraska to throw similar changeups Tech's way.
It figures to be an interesting night, perhaps even more interesting than Callahan's media session following the Kansas game.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.