Wednesday, September 13, 2006

2006/2007 Football Season Husker News #3 9-13-06

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

Well, here we go...the Husker first real test of the season at USC. We have a number of Bay Area Huskers heading south for the festivities, so wish us luck as we try to out yell the USC fans! Although we are 19 1/2 point underdogs, you'll hear us shouting all the way up the coast if the Huskers pull off a victory. If you aren't going to the game, you should join other Husker fans at our watch sites and cheer on the Huskers. Wear Red, Cheer Loud and Be Proud!
Go Big Red (White and Blue),

Carl

ALERT FOR THOSE DRIVING SOUTH FOR THE USC GAME!!!!!CHP has closed lanes on I-5 at the Grapevine due to brush fires that the California Dept. of Forestry has not fully controlled at this time. The recommended detour/route to L.A. is to take Hwy 101.

FIRE FORCES PARTIAL CLOSURE OF I-5 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA...
See: http://www.news10.net/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=19323

Watch Sites:

Although the game will be televised on national TV, we highly encourage you to join other Husker fans and watch the game at one of our four Bay Area watch sites. It will not only be more fun watching with other fans, you'll get to see the game on the big screen in a great sports atmosphere. And besides, when we win, you'll be able to high five all the other excited fans!

As an added incentive, Jack's Brewing Company in Fremont will have their famous Prime Rib on the menu for Husker beef lovers watching the game...something they typically only have on Thursdays. I would suggest that if you want a tasty slab of prime rib, you should order it early to make sure they don't run out.

BIG RED REVIEW: HUSKERS STORM PAST COLONELS...

Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations
Marlon Lucky produced the first 100-yard rushing game of his Nebraska career in the Huskers' win over Nicholls State.

Big Red Review is your source for a complete postgame recap of Nebraska's 56-7 win over Nicholls State on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Huskers.com provides a complete game story, statistics, notes, quotes and photos from the game.

Nebraska vs. Nicholls State Recap
Nebraska vs. Nicholls State Final Game Statistics (HTML)
Nebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan Postgame Quotes
Nebraska Player Quotes
Nebraska Postgame Notes
Nicholls State Head Coach Jay Thomas Postgame Quotes
Nicholls State Player Quotes
Postgame Husker Audio Clips
Nebraska Season Statistics
2006 Season Photo Gallery


Lincoln - With a steady rain falling from the Lincoln skies above Memorial Stadium, the No. 21 Nebraska football team created a downpour of points on its way to a 56-7 win over Nicholls State in front of 84,076 fans on Saturday afternoon.

The Huskers, 2-0, received impressive balance for the second straight game, both rushing and passing for more than 200 yards on their way to scoring 49 or more points for the second consecutive week. After scoring 49 points in a season-opening win over Louisiana Tech, the Huskers have amassed 105 points in its first two games, the highest combined total to open a season since NU's 1995 national championship team scored 114 points in the first two games.

Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan said he was pleased with the Huskers' preparation and execution throughout the game.

"That was a great game for our team today. I'm really proud of our players and coaches and the way they focused and prepared throughout the week. We came off to a very fast start. I was extremely pleased with the way we began the game. It's an objective of ours to go out and play well in that first quarter, and I thought we certainly accomplished that objective. I'm proud of our offense. I thought we played efficiently today."

While the Husker offense rolled, Nebraska's defense silenced Nicholls State through the air, holding the Colonels to no passing yards, the first time that has been achieved by the Blackshirts since grounding Oklahoma State in 1992.

With the 2006 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame class looking on, the newest group of Huskers rekindled memories of Big Red dominance of years past for the NCAA record 277th consecutive sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska scored on six of its first seven possessions.

Senior quarterback Zac Taylor produced one of the most efficient and productive passing efforts by a Nebraska quarterback in school history, connecting on 19-of-23 passes, including 12 straight completions in the first half, for 202 yards and four touchdowns in three quarters of football before giving way to No. 2 quarterback Joe Ganz in the fourth quarter.

Taylor's 213.77 NCAA pass efficiency rating ranked as the eighth best day by a Husker in the Nebraska record books.

"I thought Zac was very efficient," Callahan said. "We just wanted to grind it out. This type of game was played in some conditions that we might possibly play in in the later part of the year, so that was a good weather game for us. With a bad weather day, handling the ball, throwing it, protecting, running the ball and having the great ball security we had, I came away really pleased from that."
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HUSKERS TO FACE CHALLENGING WEST COAST ROAD TRIP...

Nebraska vs. USC Pregame Notes

Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media RelationsThe Husker defense looks to continue its early season success on Saturday night against the talented USC offense.

No. 19/19 Nebraska (2-0) at No. 4/2 USC (1-0)

Saturday, Sept. 16 - 7:13 p.m.Central
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (92,000) - Los Angeles, Calif.
Surface: Natural Grass
Series: USC leads 1-0-1
Last Meeting: 1970 in L.A., 21-21 Tie
Television: ABC Saturday Night College Football (National)
Radio: Pinnacle Sports Network (51 stations)
Sirius Satellite Radio: Channel 152

Lincoln - Nebraska will face its first major test of the 2006 season this Saturday evening, when the Huskers take on No. 4/2 (AP/Coaches) USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff between No. 19 Nebraska and the Trojans is set for 7:13 p.m. (CDT). The game will be televised nationally on ABC, as part of the network’s Saturday Night college football package.

The 2-0 Huskers head into the contest with momentum after impressive performances in convincing wins over Louisiana Tech and Nicholls State to open the season. Nebraska has featured an explosive and balanced offensive attack in the wins, topping 250 yards on the ground in both games, while averaging better than 280 yards per game through the air, and producing 49 or more points in both games.

USC will enter Saturday night’s game with a 1-0 record, after a 50-14 dismantling of Arkansas on Sept. 2 in Fayetteville. The Trojans, who were idle last weekend, boast a remarkable 49-4 record since the start of the 2002 campaign, the best extended run in college football since Nebraska was 49-2 in winning three national championship from 1994 to 1997. USC will also bring a 27-game home winning streak and a 33-game regular-season winning streak into Saturday’s game.

Saturday night’s matchup will be just the third all-time meeting between two of college football’s top programs, and the first since a 21-21 tie at the Coliseum in 1970. USC won at Nebraska in 1969. The game also marks the first time Nebraska has been involved in a game between two ranked teams since a 2003 matchup at Texas.
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CALLAHAN, HUSKERS DISCUSS SHOWDOWN WITH USC...

Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan and the Huskers welcomed members of the media to Memorial Stadium on Tuesday for the Huskers' weekly press conference. Huskers.com has all the quotes from Callahan, NU players and USC head coach Pete Carroll. Audio clips from the press conference can be found by clicking here.

Quarterback Zac Taylor
Linebacker Corey McKeon
Cornerback Cortney Grixby
Wide Receiver Nate Swift
Defensive End Jay Moore
Fullback Dane Todd
Offensive Coordinator Jay Norvell
Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove
USC Head Coach Pete Carroll

Nebraska Weekly Press Conference

Pregame vs. USC
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006
Memorial Stadium

Bill Callahan
Nebraska Head Coach

Opening Statement
“Well we’re just grinding away on USC. This is a good football team. This is a good opportunity for our club and our program to get some national visibility. To have an opportunity to play on a national stage, and I can tell you our players are excited. We certainly respect USC in every regard. A fine staff, excellent players and just a great venue to play a top caliber game.”

On his initial reaction to having USC scheduled
“At that first year of coaching, I was mainly just looking at what was up the next year in 2005. I wasn’t looking into 2006, but it’s a great opportunity. It’s a great opportunity to measure ourselves. The challenge is significant, just in terms of the match-ups. We’re excited to play and see where we’re at. Of course, whatever the outcome is it’s not going to define us one way or the other, and we have a lot of season to play. We haven’t even gotten into conference play. But this game will help us get better, no matter what, it will help us get better.”

On the difficulties of transitioning from the success of the first two games to the challenges that USC presents
“I think it’s a natural progression of sorts, where the guys come out of training camp and are looking for new opponents, somebody else to go beat up against. And that’s allowed us to really progress, especially when you have young players. So there’s a natural progression where inexperienced players, newcomers, maybe guys that you’re counting on in certain roles get a chance to get a little bit more playing time. And I could tell you, that’s been invaluable. It really has. It’s allowed a lot of guys to play, especially when you get into the area of special teams, you get to see guys cover kicks that maybe you haven’t gotten the chance to see. And I think that area, more than anything, is where you can really see a lot of young players emerge, at least for us anyhow. But I think it’s been great, it’s been a good two-game opener for us and it certainly sets the stage for us to go into Southern California and do the best we can based on what we’ve already competed against.”

On whether the game against USC can define the Nebraska football program
“Like I said, one game isn’t going to define this season. I’m not going to let it for these players. It’d be great, we’ll treat the win just like we would any other win where we’d celebrate for 24 hours and then we move along to the next opponent. But this is a game that is important to us. We want to do well, we want to measure ourselves against a great football team and a great program, and then take that into the next game and into the conference play, and that’s our goal. Our goal hasn’t changed, our goal is still to win the (Big 12) North Division Championship. We haven’t achieved that goal yet, so we remain focused on that. And I explained that to our team and our players yesterday that they know exactly what the goals are and we just want to do the best we can and do as well as we can when we go out to USC.”

On comparing the offense of USC to the Nebraska offense
“I think we’re pretty similar in a lot of respects. I look at our running game and our passing game and there are a lot of similarities conceptually. I think all the personables are essentially the same. I think a lot of it’s derived from what Jon Gruden (Head Coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) did at Tampa Bay and what we did in Oakland, at least that’s what I see on film anyhow. But each coach and each coordinator and program puts their own spin on the West Coast offense. They’ve certainly done an excellent job getting the correct match-ups they want to get in and featuring the types of plays they want to for those match-ups. So I think they’ve done an excellent job across the board plugging their players into the system and vice-versa, they’ve done a great job.”
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HUSKERS STAY LOW-KEY... (thanks Mac!)

Prominent Nebraska football players, one after another, filed toward a makeshift tent set up by an ABC-TV production crew Tuesday in the north end zone at Memorial Stadium.

The TV folks wanted to interview Huskers about the big game coming up.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:
http://journalstar.com/articles/2006/09/13/sports/
doc450722c45c319567425166.txt


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TROY GAME TO BE TELEVISED ON PPV...

The University of Nebraska Athletic Department announced that the kickoff for the football game against Troy on September 23 is scheduled for 4 p.m. (Pacific). The game will be offered through FSN's pay-per-view division. We won't know the PPV schedule or channel until next week so I'll update you when we know more details. Be prepared to show up at the watch sites that are willing to show the game and we'll pass the hat to defray their costs (can be as much as $400) for the broadcast.

Lincoln - The Nebraska Athletic Department has announced that its Sept. 23 football game against Troy will kick off at 4 p.m. (Pacific) at Memorial Stadium. The game will be telecast on a pay-per-view basis by Big 12 Special Order Sports, FSN’s pay-per-view division. It will be available on participating cable systems in Nebraska and nationwide to satellite dish customers.

The suggested retail price for the game is $29.95 (for individual home satellite/cable subscribers). Full information on how to purchase the telecast, including a complete list of participating cable systems and satellite providers, will be announced as soon as it becomes available. Please check Huskers.com and FoxSports.com (search: Midwest) for updates in the coming days.

Participating cable and satellite providers will offer the telecast to their customers on a specially designated pay-per-view channel. The telecast will not pre-empt FSN’s regularly scheduled programming.
Visit FoxSports.com (Search: Midwest)
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HUSKERS IN THE NFL - WEEK 1...

Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations

Josh Brown posted a 42-yard game-winning field goal to give the Seahawks a 9-6 win over Detroit in their season opener.

The opening weekend of the National Football League was highlighted by game-winning performances from several former Huskers, including a former Blackshirt and former Husker specialist.

With New Orleans leading 19-14 over Cleveland with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Saints’ defensive back Josh Bullocks intercepted a Charlie Frye pass intended for Braylon Edwards on the New Orleans 30. Bullocks returned the interception 14 yards and stopped a potential game-winning drive to secure the Saints’ season-opening win.

Bullocks added five solo and one assisted tackle in the game to lead a Saint’s defense that held Cleveland to just 186 net yards. Linebacker Scott Shanle also added four tackles and two assisted tackles during the win

Defensive back Ralph Brown recorded one solo and one assisted tackle for Cleveland in the Browns’ losing effort.

Place-kicker Josh Brown posted the other game-winning performance with a 42-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter to give the Seahawks a 9-6 win over the Lions. Brown’s three field goals (20, 51, 42) accounted for all of Seattle’s points.

Detroit center Dominic Raiola recovered a fumble in the hard-fought loss for the Lions.

Atlanta’s Demorrio Williams totaled five tackles in his starting role at linebacker for the Falcons in their 20-6 win over the Carolina, while Panthers free safety Mike Minter racked up six tackles and defensive end Mike Rucker added three stops.

2005 NU graduates Sam Koch and Cory Ross were part of one of two shutouts in the NFL’s opening weekend as the Baltimore Ravens held off Tampa Bay 27-0. Koch shined in his regular-season NFL premier with six punts for an average of 47 yards, with a long of 56.

Tampa Bay’s Barrett Ruud had three solo and five assisted tackles in the Buccaneer’s loss to the Ravens.

Buffalo’s Chris Kelsey provided a spark on the Bill’s defense during a heartbreaking 19-17 loss to New England, snagging four tackles, including two on the Patriots’ first six plays. Kelsey also added one sack and one forced fumble. However, New England’s last-minute efforts proved to be too much for the Bills, as the Patriots closed the fourth quarter with a field goal and a safety. Patriot’s center Russ Hochstein’s blocking efforts allowed quarterback Tom Brady to throw for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

Strong safety Mike Brown led a dominant Chicago Bears defense that shut out Green Bay for the first time in 238 games, compiling three tackles to help hold the Packers to just 267 net yards on offense.

Green Bay’s Ahman Green made up most of the Packers’ offense in the loss with 20 carries for 110 yards, including a long run of 14 yards.

Kyle Larson had five punts for an average of 42.6 yards in Cincinnati’s 23-10 win over Kansas City, putting enough hang-time on the ball to allow the Bengal defense to hold the Falcons’ Dante Hall to an average of just 1.7 yards per return.

Kansas City offensive guard Will Shields helped provide time for backup quarterback Damon Huard to complete 12-of-20 attempts for 140 yards and one touchdown in the Chiefs’ opening loss.

Philadelphia’s Correll Buckhalter had eight carries for 50 yards, including a long run of 20 yards, in the Eagles 24-10 win over Houston.

The Texans’ Kris Brown made a field goal from 34 yards while center Zach Wiegert blocked for a David Carr performance of 18-for-27 for 208 yards and one touchdown in Houston’s home opener.

Tennessee’s Kyle Vanden Bosch recorded six solo and two assisted tackles, as well as one sack, in the Titan’s 23-16 loss to the New York Jets.

Oakland’s Adam Treu and Fabian Washington and San Diego’s Ryon Bingham and Carlos Polk will face off on Monday night. Overall, a total of 31 former Huskers are currently on active NFL rosters.

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NO. 1 HUSKERS RISE ABOVE MINNESOTA'S CHALLENGE...

Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media RelationsThe Huskers celebrate their win over Minnesota on Sunday.

Lincoln – Behind double-doubles from Sarah Pavan and Jordan Larson, No. 1 Nebraska survived Minnesota’s upset bid, posting a 28-30, 30-25, 20-22, 30-22 victory over the Golden Gophers to win the Ameritas Players Challenge Sunday afternoon in front of national television audience.

The Huskers (7-0) took their own tournament title for the second consecutive weekend, as Pavan totaled a match-high 23 kills on. 407 hitting and 11 digs for her first double-double of the year and seventh of her career. Pavan earned tournament MVP honors, as the 6-foot-5 right side hitter averaged 5.90 kills on .409 hitting, 2.30 digs and 0.70 blocks in three victories, including a pair of sweeps over ranked teams.

Larson joined Pavan on the all-tournament team after posting her fifth double-double of the year with 17 kills and 11 digs. Larson totaled 12 of her kills in the final two games, including five kills on nine swings in the finale. Rachel Holloway was the third Husker on the all-tournament team, as the setter totaled a career-best 57 assists, eight digs and seven kills. Holloway helped the Huskers hit .337 as a team, including .405 in game four.

Tracy Stalls was the third Husker to finish in double figures in kills, as the junior tied or set career highs in kills (14) and attempts (30) while leading NU with five blocks.

According to Nebraska Head Coach John Cook, Minnesota’s strong effort was just what the Huskers needed to face after opening the season with six consecutive sweeps.

“This was a good match for us to play,” Cook said. “We got pushed hard, and I was pleased with how our team responded to the challenge. The way Minnesota was playing early, we had to be prepared for a long battle. We kept plugging away and started wearing them down.”

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BLUE ANGELS PERFORM AT LINCOLN AIRPORT AIRSHOW SEPTEMBER 22 & 23...
As an added attraction for the Troy game, the U.S. Navy Blue Angel Flight Demonstration Team will perform during an airshow at the Lincoln Airport the weekend of the Troy game. Their flight performance is scheduled to conclude about an hour before the game starts at 6 p.m. Central Time. Wouldn't be surprised if there is a fly-by at the stadium before or after the airshow.

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FUNNY CLIP TO ANGER BUFF FANS OUT THERE...
There is a video clip roaming the internet that spoofs the 'death' of the CU football program.

I didn't attach it here (over 1MB) but if you want a copy let me (Carl) know and I'll send it along separately. I will help as well send this file Brian(Webmaster)

You can view the file on the main web page by clicking the CU LINK

(and comments about CU's schedule from John...thanks!)

Dear Mr. Sportsknowitall:
Since Chadron State handled Montana State, which handled Colorado, shouldn't the Buffs have to play Chadron State on the day after Thanksgiving instead of playing the Huskers?

No. Because there would be no interest in such a mismatch. Chadron State would be favored by too many points. ;o)

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TICKET EXCHANGE...
Buyers:


Sellers:

This is from Charlotte Perry of the San Diego alumni chapter:

At first I didn't have any tickets and now I have two extra tickets for sale ...My friend in New York bought them for $160.00 in New York but he would sell them for $150.00 each.

They are in Section 14, Row 27, seats 7 and 8..

Let me know if you or any friends are interested. I will be leaving for Los Angeles on Friday morning. Home phone is (858) 454-7798 or I can always be reached on my cell phone at 858-213-7798.

HuskerPedia TicketPedia website (I noticed some of the prices have come down a little as the game gets closer...unfortunately not the ones behind the Husker bench)...
http://www.ticketpedia.com/ResultsTicket.aspx?evtid=305160

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NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT:

* Hahn Would Forego Salary Until State Economy Greatly Improves
Democratic candidate for governor offers ideas for scholarships, western residence and foregoing salary until Nebraska economy gets much better. Let's hear about these proposals.
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/09/13/450822ac1505b


* NU Defense Could Make Statement At USC
Let's hope so! http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/09/13/450833e444a3f


* UNO Chancellor Resigns Amid Scandal Over Expenses
You look at the facts in this whole thing and a person wants to ask the parties involved: Did you think you were gonna' get away with this crap, like, forever? http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/09/12/4506d6877a583


* UNL Prof Arrested Over Distributing Explosives
Goofy. Really goofy. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
RT/2006/09/12/4506dca77f8c9


* The Biggest Victory By A Nebraska College Team This Season: Chadron State Over Montana State!
The men on the CSC team will have a story to tell for a long time. Besides, what has NU done to date? http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2006/09/12/4506f4ee47676

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