NU Notes, 11/1: Norvell going back to ISU

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Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell hopes one of his good friends is really sad come Saturday.

That friend would be Iowa State head coach Dan McCarney, whose team controls its own destiny to win the Big 12 North.

"We have a lot of history," Norvell said. "The one thing about coming back and coaching here is that you get to coach against your friends. Dan is really a close friend."

The two have known each for more than 20 years. McCarney coached the defensive line at Iowa when Norvell was a player there. They assisted together at Wisconsin, and then got together again at Iowa State, where Norvell was an assistant under McCarney from 1995-97.

"He's one of my favorites, with a great sense of humor. One of the funniest people you'll ever meet," Norvell said. "(He's) just a hard worker and a tremendous football coach."

HAPPY BLACKSHIRTS: Nebraska had 33 missed tackles in a 45-21 loss to Kansas State two weekends ago. Senior defensive back Kellen Huston wasn't sure how many tackles the Blackshirts missed in a 24-3 win against Missouri on Saturday, but he was sure of one thing. "It was nowhere near 33. I'm positive," Huston said. "Tackling was night and day." The Ankeny, Iowa, native said the team had probably more passion against the Tigers than any other game this season. "When we were in the locker room getting ready for everything, (linebacker) Chad Sievers and I got all the team up about 10 minutes before we usually do. We just said, ‘You know what? If you're not going to put it all out on the field, don't go out there ...'" Huston said. "Because we're still in this hunt. Even though we've lost two games in this Big 12 we're still in this hunt."

UGLY PICTURE: Some Nebraska players were daring to look at a photo — not for the squeamish — of tight Matt Herian breaking his left leg. Norvell said he hadn't seen it, nor did he want to. "It's kind of an unspoken code," he said. "You don't really want to see those things. If you drive racecars, you don't want to see people getting in crashes. If you play football, you don't want to see that kind of stuff."

ROSS INJURIES: The Ross boys continue to be hampered by injuries. Nebraska receiver Ross Pilkington has been largely ineffective the past three games, including no catches Saturday. Norvell said he's still slowed by hamstring and toe injuries. Also walking wounded is Husker running back Cory Ross, who was limping severely after the Missouri game from a nagging turf-toe injury. In spite of it, he managed a career-high 194 yards rushing. "For people who haven't had that, it's one of the most painful injuries you can have," Norvell said. "It's one of those things where you fight to get in position to play on Saturday and then you're just in pain on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, so it's hard on him. And he really cares. Some guys probably don't fight as much to get on the field as he has. I really respect how he's fought and his teammates really respect it."

THE DONALD: With Nebraska hanging to a 17-3 lead in the fourth quarter against Missouri and the Tigers driving, Husker cornerback Donald DeFrand was on the field. Despite not seeing many snaps this year, DeFrand responded by claiming a key tackle and pass breakup. Huston said DeFrand came in for him because he was cramping up. "They put (DeFrand) at one of the corner spots and Lornell in the slot where I was covering because Lornell has more snaps playing that slot position," Huston said. "He just did an amazing job coming off the bench for us."

RENEWED OPTIMISM: Folks were beaming in the Husker camp Sunday. The cause of competing for a conference championship was alive and well. "The picture is really clear to everyone," said junior offensive lineman Seppo Evwaraye. "We win the games on our schedule we're going to be in Kansas City and that's everyone's goal right now, especially the senior class. I don't know if they've even gone to a Big 12 championship. So we need to get it done for them."

-- Brian Christopherson