Alamo Bowl notebook, 12/29: John Cook gets inside look at NU's game plan
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
SAN ANTONIO — Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook returned to the Alamodome on Wednesday, showing support for the Husker football team in the Alamo Bowl. Cook, however, received a few more privileges than an average Husker fan. At the invitation of Nebraska football coach Bill Callahan, Cook sat in on Husker team meetings at the team’s downtown hotel this week.
“It’s quite an operation,” he said.
For instance, Cook said nine rooms were set aside for meetings and video study.
The camaraderie among coaches throughout the Nebraska athletic program is impressive, Cook said. He gave credit to Husker athletic director Steve Pederson for fostering the positive atmosphere.
“I think Steve has created a real family feel,” Cook said.
Earlier this month, Cook’s volleyball team fell to Washington in the NCAA final.
Linebackers hurting
ESPN flashed a shot of injured Nebraska linebacker Stewart Bradley on the sideline holding a sign reading “Give us injured linebackers some love.” Moments later, as if on cue, NU weakside linebacker Lance Brandenburgh hammered tight end Tim Massaquoi with a teeth-rattling hit along the sideline. Brandenburgh, a sophomore starting in place of injured classmate Bo Ruud, also had a big hit on Massaquoi in the first quarter. Brandenburg finished with six tackles.
Corey McKeon, the only Nebraska starting linebacker who hasn’t been lost to a season-ending injury this season, broke his finger on the first play of the game.
“He told me that after the game,” Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “I didn’t even know it. That’s all I need, one more guy to go down.
“I had all the confidence in the world in Lance,” Cosgrove said. “That’s a great football player. He’s played well all season.”
Strongside linebacker Adam Ickes, who had six tackles and forced a fumble, also has been playing hurt, nursing a serious groin injury. The senior has been starting in place of Bradley, who was injured in the fifth game of the year.
“He’s beat up,” Cosgrove said. “He’s a tough guy. He certainly played a large part in our season.”
Passing Kinney
Nebraska senior Cory Ross had three receptions to push his season total to 43, breaking NU’s single-season record for receptions by a running back. The previous mark was held by Jeff Kinney, who had 41 in 1969.
No strangers to Alamo
Wednesday’s appearance was Nebraska’s third in the San Antonio game in the last six years.
In the 2000 Alamo Bowl, the Huskers trounced Northwestern 66-17, and defeated Michigan State 17-3 in 2003.
The game also marked NU’s 36 bowl appearance in 37 seasons and its 43rd overall. The Huskers brought a 21-21 all-time bowl record into the game. They have won seven of their last 10 bowl games since 1994. Five of NU’s nine bowl games from 1993 to 2001 were at least for a share of the national title and the Huskers won three of those games (1995, 1996, 1998).
Etc.
Former Husker free safety Josh Bullocks, now a regular contributor for the NFL New Orleans Saints, watched from the NU sideline. ... Joey Robison, a Husker special-teams fixture this season, suffered an apparent knee injury on Steve Breaston’s 69-yard kickoff return in the first quarter and didn’t return to the game. ... Husker tight end Josh Mueller (knee) played on special teams but not on regular downs. ... Temperature inside the Alamodome was set at 72 degrees. ... The temperature outside reached 78 Wednesday.
Brian Rosenthal contributed to this story.
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