Brian Rosenthal: It's time for the Huskers to play the way they say they can
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How many of you felt better about Bill Callahan and his coaching staff after hearing Corey McKeon and Zac Taylor defend Nebraska’s head football coach? “He takes too much blame,” said McKeon, Nebraska’s starting middle linebacker. “It is on the players just as much as it is on any coach. We’re all accountable. Personally, I can’t stand it when Coach sits there and takes fault for things he shouldn’t. The players are making mistakes.”
Said Taylor, the Huskers’ starting quarterback: “It’s the players, it’s us, not getting the job done. If (Callahan) is under fire, it should be us under fire. It’s nothing he’s done. He’s a great coach and we’re back behind him, 100 percent.”
Now, how many of you are waiting to see what happens Saturday against Kansas State before letting those comments from McKeon and Taylor win you over (or at least pacify you for another week)?
I am. If what McKeon and Taylor say is true — that players love Callahan, that it’s their fault for the team’s recent struggles — then they’ll find a way to beat Kansas State.
They’ll find a way to tackle, block, throw passes, catch passes and win those one-on-one battles against a team with equal talent. They’ll find a way to prevent K-State from scoring first. They’ll find a way to run for more than 21 yards. They’ll rediscover their pass rush.
Nebraska should not lose this game. Kansas State is an average-to-below-average football team. Away from Manhattan, the Wildcats are simply bad. Statistically, they rank in the top 50 in only three of 13 NCAA categories. (Their highest ranking, 29th, is in kickoff returns, no doubt because they’ve had a lot of practice.)
The Wildcats don’t have more talent. They’ve suffered just as many key injuries as has Nebraska, if not more. They’re not a good road team. They’ve lost four straight games, and they seem to be regressing, not improving.
What’s more, the Huskers are playing for bowl eligibility. And they should be playing to prove they do, indeed, believe in their leader.
None of this is to say Nebraska can’t lose to Kansas State. But if they do, fans aren’t going to buy the excuses. And don’t blame the loss on the fact NU doesn’t have enough five-star players who will declare for the NFL after one season.
What about the new system? Doesn’t Callahan need more time to implement his players in his system?
Yes, any level-headed fan — Callahan supporter or no — should’ve understood from the beginning that patience would be needed with this transition. That may still be true. But that same level-headed fan wants to see a little improvement from the players Callahan has had for two years — regardless of how many stars they have, or what system they’re running.
But in some cases, even with some players who’ve been here only a year, fans and media have seen what, to the naked eye, looks like regression.
Example: How upset are you today if Nebraska had lost 40-15 at Kansas in the second week of October, and lost a thrilling, hard-fought game to Texas Tech last weekend? Or even if the Huskers had lost to Kansas by only three or four points?
That’s why people are in an uproar. Not because NU lost. Not because the 36-game winning streak against Kansas is gone. But because they’re seeing more missed blocks, more bad passes, more sloppy tackles, more false starts and fewer rushing yards than they did a month ago.
Is that because Nebraska lacks talented depth at some positions (offensive line, secondary) and is tiring? Is it because Stewart Bradley isn’t playing? Are those reasons for four losses in five games? Or excuses? And if the Huskers are that shorthanded and hurting for talent, then why did we never see any help from the “quick-fix” junior college transfers in the offensive line? Or a series or two for highly touted Leon Jackson at safety?
Callahan said he sees improvement, internally. That’s a fair statement by a coach who sees things we may not. But how many people believe him? Especially when numbers (Nebraska is statistically worse offensively this season than last) say otherwise?
Even some of Callahan’s supporters, and some of those who were undecided or trying to be patient, have turned.
Others say coaches aren’t to blame, and agree with McKeon and Taylor, that the players should take responsibility. Coaches don’t miss tackles or jump the snap count.
Fine. But don’t those errors, particularly the ones that occur over and over, reflect a team’s coaching and leadership?
A victory Saturday won’t satisfy everyone, and it shouldn’t. There are still questions about this staff, win or lose to K-State. But the fact is, Callahan isn’t going anywhere. Not after this season, and probably not after next season, either.
That’s why Nebraska fans had better hope McKeon and Taylor are right, that they believe in their coaches, and that their current slide isn’t a reflection of their leader.
Beating K-State will help back their claims. So will playing competitively in Boulder and avoiding a meltdown.
Anything less could mean a serious situation.
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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