[Husker] A Report from Ohio's Peden Stadium

[Scott Titsworth]

Greetings to Mike, Jon, and other Husker list people from Athens, Ohio.  
Frank Solich and a d-back named Dion Byrum gave Ohio University students 
that extra edge they need to overtake Wisconsin and become the #1 party 
school in the nation.  Tonight's victory was HUGE for this program.  The 
attendance record was set tonight for Peden stadium, and this win was 
exactly what the OHIO President was dreaming about when he went after 
Frank Solich.  I could not say that Peden Stadium quite approached the 
level of Memorial, but all the fans really did their part to will the 
victory.  I am really proud of our fans for doing their job, and I am 
ecstatic for Frank, his staff, and the formerly downtrodden Bobcats for 
not giving up tonight when the game went to OT.  It is nice to have a 
team to root for that finds in itself ways to win despite its own 
weaknesses.  I hope Nebraska regains that edge soon!  And, as one of my 
'Husker friends commented after watching the game, "Now that's football 
I understand." 

Ok, most of you saw the game.  From my perspective, the 'Husker D. 
should be salivating.  Although large in comparison to the OHIO 
defensive line, the Pitt OL was S-L-O-W.  The left tackle, #56 I think, 
is huge but unable to handle a good pass rush.  Nebraska will be able to 
get to the QB.  Plus, the Pitt running game was weak.  The best drive 
Pitt had was at the end of regulation when Palko was dumping to the 
tight end.  Ohio was playing prevent and had the LBs too far back in 
coverage to stop that.  If you take out that drive, Pitt was really 
dominated by our defense.  Our secondary was able to shut the Pitt pass 
game down--the sacks were basically the result of great coverage.  Palko 
was really zeroing in on receivers and allowing our db's to read his 
telegraphs.  Looking down receivers coupled with a weak looking arm (his 
throws had little zip) resulted in two amazing INT runbacks.

The Pitt defense was not really tested.  Our (Ohio's) offense is having 
trouble.  But, we were able to put together some decent drives with 
power running and short outs.  I think Callahan should be able to go 
fairly shallow into his playbook to find a plan for beating the Pitt D.  
They were stacking the box against us--if they do that against Nebraska 
the wide-outs should be able to get shots at the middle of the field. 

Although highlights will make you think Pitt special teams are special, 
they will look average against the 'Huskers.  Absent the runback on the 
opening kickoff, they had a stronger kicker than us, but special teams 
did not stand out for Pitt. In the end, Nebraska will stop Pitt's 
offense--no question.  Nebraska's offense should be stronger than 
Ohio's, particularly if we make good strides against WF this week.  If 
the offense is clicking, we will spank Pitt handily

Ok, time to rest my voice and watch college students be silly walking 
home from bars!
Scott.