Husker Blog

Some quickies before the start of a long game weekend…no X’s and O’s today, just anticipation. Read the rest of this entry »

We all know that coaches talk about Special Teams being “1/3 of the Game”.  A ton of coaches talk it, but fewer walk it.  If you go to a practice at any level and watch how much time is actually spent coaching Special Teams, you will see whether or not there is a real commitment to this Special Teams-thing.  Certain teams are known for their Special Team & Virginia Tech is at the top of the list.  “Beamerball” is a synonymous with blocking and returning kicks.  The preach it, they coach it, they practice it, and they win with it.  Having said all that, the last two years, Nebraska has won the Special Teams battle and lost the overall war with the Hokies.   Remember, I said it is 1/3 of the game.  Okay, the Topic of the Day is  “Keys to the Kicking Game”. Read the rest of this entry »

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of game preparation next week, let’s go through some basics.  As always, I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and opinions…even if they bad, wrong, or stupid.  Unfortunately, those types of comments will fit right in with mine.  Read the rest of this entry »

Just some notes/comments/observations after two weeks of workouts and NO, my son and myself were NOT the reason for shutting down practice to outsiders.  I swear I know the rules and follow them…almost always. Read the rest of this entry »

Remember a couple of years ago when we were lamenting the lack of effort, intensity, and depth of our so-called Blackshirts???  Me neither…I’ve blocked it out of my memory and am in full scale denial that it ever happened.  What I care to remember is the stifling Defense of last year that shut down some quality teams and led the way to many wins.  It’s been said by experts that this Defense will be better than last years.  We’ll see, but I do know the talent (except for a couple of spots) and the depth is better.  Let’s break it down.  Read the rest of this entry »

The Offense that had carried the team the previous year was certainly the weakness of last year’s squad, at least until the Holiday Bowl vs Arizona.  The Offense struggled for many reasons but fans usually do not want to hear about injuries, philosophies, and week to week struggles.  They demand yards and points.  Hell hath no fury like a 70 year old woman in Sect 113 who is screaming at Shawn Watson after another 3 and Out.  This year’s version of the Offense has higher expectations and quality players.  How good and how soon is yet to be determined, but I would categorize my preview as optimistic. Read the rest of this entry »

Two major events in the off-season…#1 was that I was actually asked to do a Blog for the second year and #2 was the Univ of Nebraska saying “so- long” to the Big 12.  One was very surprising and the other was a wise decision made by Tom Osborne and the Powers-That-Be at UNL. Read the rest of this entry »

Fighting off the depression of only a few more College games left in the year.  Fortunately, College basketball and March Madness can span the gap until Spring Practice.  Before the last couple of Bowl Games, let’s look at the Big 12 and throw out some thoughts. Read the rest of this entry »

Isn’t it great being the one laying down the beating instead of being the “beatee”?  Only the most negative nellie could find much wrong with last night’s game.  The win just leaves a really good feeling in my soul going into 8 months of off-season.  (I just teared up thinking about that long w/out college fball).  Since it’s the day after, we will go with some random thoughts. Read the rest of this entry »

So many questions…so little time before Kickoff.  It can’t happen soon enough because I can’t wait to see if the Huskers can get to 10 wins. Read the rest of this entry »

Bowl games are always very interesting for several reasons.  Cross sectional games between programs that don’t really play each other very often – Teams that are going through coaching changes – Some teams are excited to be playing in a venue while their opponent might be disappointed to be in the same game – Coaches using the game to evaluate younger players – So much time between the last regular season game and the Bowl Game.  All of the above factors add to the uncertainty of Bowl Season.   The stuff below has nothing to do with X’s and O’s. Read the rest of this entry »

Ok, the Holiday Break is over…all of the research, studying, and statistical analysis that goes into this blog can resume.  I guess that means that I will lose about fifteen minutes a day and have to start reading newspapers again.  Lord knows, this ain’t rocket surgery or brain science.  Listen, you get what you pay for… Read the rest of this entry »

It feels like a “dead period” with the Bowls so seemingly far away.  Let’s hit a few newsworthy items today…some Husker-related, some not. Read the rest of this entry »

Without a game to look forward to, does that mean that I have to pay attention to College Football recruiting?  Yuck!  I hate to spend time thinking about 18 year old kids and their egos…I think that I will do a post on recruiting when the Bowl Game is over, just to get some of the “high school kids are spoiled brats” stuff off my chest.  Meanwhile, here are some random thoughts about the week. Read the rest of this entry »

OK, while we are waiting for bowl practices to start, getting scouting reports on Arizona, and watching Ndamukong Suh gather up awards like crazy, lets busy ourselves with some Offensive Theory.  With all of the criticism of Shawn Watson’s Offense, I want to get your thoughts on what kind of offense you would like Nebraska to run.  Let me hear it. Read the rest of this entry »