AUSTIN, Texas — Another former Husker recently e-mailed me, very pained with what’s happening in Lincoln — particularly with this coaching staff.

He’s a player Nebraskans welcomed with open arms. A record-setting leader who won the hearts of Husker fans everywhere with his courage, toughness and unbelievable work ethic.

He’s Zac Taylor, and he’s giving embattled coach Bill Callahan a vote of confidence.

Keep in mind, Taylor wrote me last week. I spoke to him Saturday morning, asking if he’d be OK with me printing his thoughts. You can read his entire letter, but below are some excerpts fans may find interesting.

Taylor, who’s in Canada playing for Winnipeg of the CFL, is very loyal to Callahan. He’s forever thankful to his former coach for taking a chance on an unsung juco quarterback and giving him an opportunity to fulfill a dream — playing for a tradition-rich team with outstanding fan support.

“I know this season hasn’t shaped up the way everyone had hoped for. I am disappointed, the fans are disappointed, but most of all, these players and coaches are 100 times more disappointed than anyone else out there. If fans could only see the amount of time, energy, and preparation that Coach Callahan and his staff put into each week, it would blow their minds. …

“It kills me to read papers, Internet ramblings, and TV shows, knowing that they don’t know what I know, they don’t know what these players know. We still have talent. We still have a great staff. This has been a crazy year, and I am still confident that this team will rebound and salvage the year.

“Trust me, I know people are frustrated because they look at this season and see what is happening. … I just think this staff needs one more shot, one more season to see what they can do. We have the talent to make this thing work and turn it around. … I honestly think this season is a fluke; I was there for two months this season, I see the problems and I know that they can and will be corrected.

“I wouldn’t write this just to defend Callahan. The tradition of excellence is too important at Nebraska for us to waste a year. The fans deserve to see this team have great success. …  If I didn’t think he and his staff could get this done, then I wouldn’t put myself out there and I would just sit here in Canada and keep my mouth shut. I just want to ask people to hang tight, ride this out, and give Coach one more chance to prove that we will win championships with this staff at Nebraska.”

Wonder if Tom Osborne might get a similar letter?

Joba-Rocket

Yankee pitchers Joba Chamberlain (former Husker) and Roger Clemens (former Longhorn) attended Saturday’s game and watched from the sideline.

Chamberlain declined an interview request with me in the final minutes, saying he was “heading out.” As he walked away, I noticed the bill of a Nebraska cap stuck in the back of his pants, as if Chamberlain was planning to pull it out in a surprise move.

Written on the front of the cap: “To Rocket …”

Going deep

* Good to see some life on the Nebraska sideline. The celebrations following both touchdowns were unlike any this season.

* For a while, it looked as if the Gator Bowl representatives who’ve recently been attending Nebraska games may actually be here for a reason.

* Hated to see the tears streaming down Sam Keller’s face after the game. You wonder if he knows something we don’t.

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.