[Husker] Some Comments

[Steve Stone]

Bob Clouston wrote:

>I'll agree with some of these, particularly #7 (no quit in the Huskers).
>At 1.9 yards a rush, it's hard for me to agree with #4.  Certainly the
>running game was hampered by our game plan which failed to establish a
>passing game to loosen up their defense.  The O-line got a few nice
>holes, and a lot of plays went nowhere.

I apologize for not having expressed my thought more clearly.

The Trojan devensive front seven is not only one of the best in the 
country but one of the deepest. The Husker O-line is young, 
relatively inexperienced, and not terribly deep, especially without 
Kurt Mann. (Byford played well, but the Huskers did seem to miss 
Mann.) That our O-linemen could open up any gaping hole for their 
backs was remarkable, but that they did it frequently was impressive; 
however, that they couldn't do it consistently should come as no 
surprise. (In hard games, a lot of running plays go nowhere, so no 
surprise there.)

Assuming the return of a full-strength Mann, from now on the O-line 
should be able to play against any defensive front seven, including 
that of Texas which it will face on home ground in Memorial Stadium. 
It is hard to imagine that any defensive front seven in the Big XII 
North will overcome them.

>I have no idea what you mean by #10, "it seemed to me that Callahan was
>using the USC game at least in part as a proving ground for the Huskers'
>major objective, winning the North Division. I think he may have
>succeeded."  I have no idea what you think was proved in this game,
>other than not getting blown out in part because of a conservative game
>plan.

To my way of thinking, Callahan was playing two games simultaneously, 
one to beat USC and the other to prepare for winning the Big XII 
North, the team's stated primary objective. As he has frequently 
stated, to do that his team must be able to run against opponents, 
unlike last year. While gaining only 68 yard on the ground - - modest 
result indeed - - against USC yesterday, it was certainly nothing 
like the minus 49 yards the Huskers pinned on the Gators in '96. Now 
THAT was a failed rushing attack. Sixty-eight yards against the 
Trojans is at least something to build on.

Refer to my first answer, above. the Husker O-line ought to be an 
improved weapon for the remainder of the schedule, which should make 
an important difference all the way around.

>I worry that the players wonder how much confidence the coaches
>have in them.

I have to assume the players were fully briefed on Callahan's game 
plan and the reasoning behind it. That he followed it despite 
penalties and setbacks ought to give players additional confidence in 
him, not less.

>  Re: #9, Musberger usually annoys me, but I didn't think he was too bad
>last night.

Musburger wasn't at his worst last night, that's true, but Bob Davie 
and his sidekick made themselves past masters at stating the 
blatantly obvious.

Steve Stone