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Huskers fall to USC

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Sep 17, 2006 - 01:14:02 am CDT

LOS ANGELES — Nebraska showed for the most part it was indeed ready for the big stage.

It just wasn’t ready to win on the big stage.

Battling toe-to-toe with fourth-ranked Southern California deep into the night, No. 19 Nebraska ultimately had too few answers for the dazzling display put on by Trojan quarterback John David Booty and wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett.

Story Photo
Andre Jones (25) tries to slow USC's Dwayne Jarrett (8) in first-quartrer action. (Ted Kirk)

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Booty, a junior in his first season as starter, completed 25 of 36 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns in guiding Southern California to its 28th consecutive victory at the Los Angeles Coliseum, a 28-10 decision before a crowd of 92,000 — including about 35,000 Big Red fans.

Booty’s favorite target was Jarrett, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound junior who caught 11 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the school’s career leader in the TD category with 31.

Nevertheless, Southern California didn’t put away Nebraska until putting together a long scoring drive midway through the final quarter. It was the Huskers’ first loss in three games this season and five dating to last season.

“Their defense was big and strong, and we had trouble in the passing game and running game,” Booty said. “A lot of teams will give up in the second half. It seemed like they kept fighting and weren’t going to call it quits, and made it tough on us sometimes.”

Nebraska generally stayed conservative on offense and finished with 211 total yards, 330 fewer than its average. The Huskers managed only 68 rushing yards on 1.9 per carry.

NU’s game plan was designed to neutralize USC’s defensive strengths, offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said.

Said Nebraska coach Bill Callahan: “We felt we were making dents.”

Trouble was, Booty and Jarrett were pounding away with a sledgehammer.

“That’s why he’s a Heisman candidate,” Callahan said of Jarrett. “When you watch this guy, he’s a monster.”

Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor finished 8-for-16 passing for 115 yards.

In winning for the 47th time in the last 49 games, Southern California rolled to 399 total yards. The Trojans weren’t dominating, as they were with Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and LenDale White, but they showed flashes of greatness on both sides of the ball.

Booty called the Trojans “a scrappy group.”

“The main thing is, you have to win games,” he said. “I think we’ll get better as the season goes on.”

Booty was arguably at his best during the fourth-quarter drive that essentially clinched the victory. On third-and-5, as Nebraska came with an all-out blitz, he fired a 13-yard completion to Jarrett on a slant pattern. On second-and-20 from the Huskers’ 26, Booty zipped a 19-yard strike to Jarrett.

Tailback Chauncey Washington’s 7-yard touchdown run capped the 14-play, 81-yard march and increased the Trojans’ lead to 28-10 with 61/2 minutes remaining. On the drive, Booty was 5-for-5 for 53 yards.

Southern California had gained control thanks in large part to Taylor’s lost fumble as he attempted to hand off to I-back Marlon Lucky early in the second half. Cornerback Cary Harris pounced on the ball at Nebraska’s 31, and four plays later, Booty zinged a 5-yard touchdown strike to Jarrett to push the lead to 21-3.

“We had some critical penalties and a critical turnover,” Callahan said.

Taylor, though, found some momentum late in the third quarter, firing completions of 21 yards to Terrence Nunn and 36 yards to Matt Herian. Taylor finished the seven-play, 74-yard drive with a perfectly executed bootleg run into the end zone to pull the Huskers to 21-10 with 12:44 left in the contest.

USC, though, held pretty firm from there.

Indeed, the game appeared to swing on two critical second-quarter possessions, one by each team.

Nebraska thought it had moved to Southern California’s 21-yard line on a 15-yard run by Lucky. However, the run was nullified by a 10-yard holding penalty.

Southern California — after crunching hits on back-to-back plays by end Lawrence Jackson and linebacker Thomas Williams — forced a punt. The Trojans then rattled off an 11-play, 71-yard touchdown drive that consumed six minutes. Booty rifled a 3-yard pass to flanker Steve Smith to complete the march, but the big play occurred on third-and-20 at the Huskers’ 25.

Pressured in the pocket, Booty stepped forward to buy time and zipped a 21-yard strike to Jarrett in front of 5-9 cornerback Cortney Grixby, who never had much of an answer for Jarrett.

That drive might not have been the knockout punch. But USC had clearly landed a blow to NU’s midsection.

Trailing 3-0, Southern California went ahead for good on Booty’s 12-yard touchdown pass on a slant route to Jarrett, who beat Nebraska cornerback Andre Jones on the play that ended the first quarter.

Jones, of course, had guaranteed a Husker victory earlier in the week.

Nebraska drew first blood as Nunn reeled off a 31-yard punt return to set up Jordan Congdon’s 38-yard field goal with 3:23 remaining in the first quarter.

Nebraska used some trickery earlier in the period. Lined up to punt from its 36-yard line, punter Dan Titchener instead lofted a perfect pass to wide receiver Todd Peterson streaking up field for a gain of 28 yards.

However, the fake went for naught when the Huskers’ drive stalled at the Trojans’ 37.

Nebraska didn’t pick up its first regular-series first down until 1:39 into the second quarter.


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vybiral wrote on September 16, 2006 11:17 pm:
" keep your heads up we are still the red nation and will own them in lincoln....... "

 Mike Stutzman wrote on September 17, 2006 12:16 am:
" The huskers should have passed more and they would have had this game won easily. When taylor was throwing we were moving great. I think this game will help us the rest of the season, and next year when they come to Lincoln watch out. We will go undefeated the rest of the season though. NO DOUBTS!!! "

 Mannheim and Callahan wrote on September 17, 2006 12:21 am:
" checking the action on the field. "

 fury wrote on September 17, 2006 12:33 am:
" What happened to our passing game? If you have a quarterback with 73% completion rating wouldn't you use it more to open up the run. Also if you would teach the defenders to give the recievers a good bump to take them out of there rythum the defense could get more preassure on the QB intsead of giving him more time and the reciever the ability to get up speed and put on the moves. "

 Good Fight Boys wrote on September 17, 2006 12:49 am:
" Why didn't Cody Glenn play very much? "

 Chris wrote on September 17, 2006 12:53 am:
" Sure didn't look like Callahan coached to win tonight. Good job to the players, you guys will make a good team this year. "

 EDWARD wrote on September 17, 2006 1:06 am:
" AS AN SC FAN...I JUST WANT TO SAY THE HUSKER NATION REPRESENTED ITSELF WELL IN THE SATNDS AS WELL AS ON THE FIELD. I ONLY WISH WE HAD FANS LIKE YOU GUYS. WHEN WE VISIT YOU GUYS NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE A BATTLE ROYALE. GOOD LUCK THE REST OF THE SEASON. I WILL BE PULLING FOR YOU. BEAT TEXAS!!! "

 TG. wrote on September 17, 2006 1:52 am:
" Are you kidding me with that game plan? Nice job, Coach Solich..err....Callahan......way to sit back and enjoy getting beat. Absolutely ridiculous. "

 HuskerFan wrote on September 17, 2006 6:01 am:
" "Great game, the players did a nice job...however, the play calling and DB's are a long, long way from the top of college football." "

 Noah wrote on September 17, 2006 7:27 am:
" That was the worst game planning I've seen from the Husker coaches since the Oklahoma game two-years ago. It was Callahan's "let's-not-lose-too-badly" game plan, and the players and fans deserved better. Callahan said he felt like NU was making dents? We had 68 yards rushing!!! 1.6 yards a carry, and yet we only passed 16 times!!! Again, the players and fans deserved better. Blitzing both safeties on third and long with bad corners overpowered by USC wide outs? That was ridiculous. "

 moonshine wrote on September 17, 2006 7:43 am:
" Callahan wants to sell the West Coast offence to us and not use it. With almost 3 min. before the half he did NOT even try to move the ball down the field and score. THAT WAS COMPLETELY SORRY COACHING. That is NOT the attitude I remember of Nebraska. "

 Eric Heyen wrote on September 17, 2006 7:57 am:
" How I remember the good ol days of Nebraska Football. Where we played to win and not to beat the spread. "

 Ahusker wrote on September 17, 2006 8:03 am:
" Good to see where we stand with the upper crust. But, what happened to our game plan of being a West Coast offense. We played trying not to get blown out, not playing to win. Has to be frustrating for the players, abandoning the offense. Defensive backs coaches need to reevaluate their calls. No team should be able to make up 3rd and a country mile consistetly, like USC did. Players played their hearts out. Coachs need to take the run playbook and the pass playbook and make 1 book out of the two. Nice job team!!! Watch out for Troy. "

 Kris wrote on September 17, 2006 8:04 am:
" What a sad day for Zach T. to find out that your coach has no cofidence in you. This is NOT Nebraska's loss, but Callahan's. Bill looked intimidated. "

 sarge wrote on September 17, 2006 8:17 am:
" team played good, coaches played to not win but not get embarrased, should be ashamed of themselves "

 ab wrote on September 17, 2006 8:28 am:
" Pretty pathetic showing for the Hucksters. Cali's Criminals showed no offense and the defensive secondary did not even bother showing up for the game. You had to love it when USC turned the loudmouth Jones around in circles. The coaching staff gave everyone the distinst inpression that they knew they were going to lose, so by running the ball they could at least keep it close. Where was the vaulted Zac Taylor? Even Brent Mushbergers misguided, gushing praise of the Hucksters can't convince many folks that the Hucksters are back. Little Red just didn't live up to their hype this week. "

 JBW wrote on September 17, 2006 8:36 am:
" Where was the West Coast Offense? 115 yards total passing, and 211 total yards? At least when Osborne and Solich were coach, we would have a lot more rushing yards. "

 huskersagainstbrent wrote on September 17, 2006 8:41 am:
" Huskers, you guys did well against a #3 rated team. I was glad to watch the game on ABC, but absolutlely HATE, I mean HATE, to listen to Brent Mussberger as a commentator. What is the crap about "this great program trying desperately to crawl out of this game without being embarassed"? What kind of a comment is that? The continuous barrage of anti-Husker comments is simply ridiculous. The only consolation I get anymore with him is that one of Lincoln's finest ticketed him for an open container. Dare him to set foot in Lincoln again. "

 Gene wrote on September 17, 2006 8:44 am:
" Pete Carroll won a National Championship in his third year, Bob Stoops in his second or third. IF we're going to be able to compete we would have seen it by now. "

 Husker Bill wrote on September 17, 2006 8:47 am:
" We were competitive the first half. Then the defense stopped USC's firsts series in the second half. That was big...really. Then Luckys fumble was a critical turning point....it took away the good defensive stand, then formed the rest of the game. They are good and the Huskers should have been a bit closer than the score ended. Oh well....GO BIG RED! "

 DB wrote on September 17, 2006 8:53 am:
" The coaches were trying to make "dents" with the running game, but had a good scoring drive with the passing game. Poor play calling. Our strength is our passing game not the running game. This loss is on the coaches. "

 huskerfan wrote on September 17, 2006 8:59 am:
" If Andre Jones takes one thing from ths weekend...It's that freshmen players should be seen not heard...prove yourself before you shoot off your mouth!!!! "

 Not Ready wrote on September 17, 2006 9:12 am:
" It didn't look like the coaching staff was ready to win, just dont look bad. 6 min. to go and we go 3 and out but take a min and 1/2 to do it. Players played HARD, I guess it was a learning experience for the program "

 Max wrote on September 17, 2006 9:20 am:
" The team played hard, and can be proud. The coach lost that game. You can't come in with the West Coast Offence, sell it to players and fans, then abandon it when you play your toughest opponent. Make adjustments when you see that trying to run the ball up the middle isn't working. "

 Big 12 North wrote on September 17, 2006 9:43 am:
" We won't win the National Title but we WILL WIN THE BIG 12 NORTH. USC might even be good enough to win the national title. "

 mad wrote on September 17, 2006 9:58 am:
" that what happens when you play to not get blown out and give up on even trying to win the game. let taylor put the ball in the air coach. "

 Huskman wrote on September 17, 2006 10:10 am:
" Did anyone else feel that USC could do just about anything it wanted any time it wanted. I felt like they could have completed a pass or run for a first down anytime it became crucial for them. They where always in control of the game with no sense of urgency "

 DH wrote on September 17, 2006 10:18 am:
" My question is why were we trying to run it so much. Taylor had more completions in the first two games then he had attempts in this game. I know that Callahan is trying to establish the run but if we didn't even try to throw it down the field until the fourth quarter. "

 Francis wrote on September 17, 2006 10:34 am:
" That was an awful offensive game plan. Let's try a pass on 1st down before the 4th quarter, please! It reminded me of the 30-3 OU game. "

 T.J. wrote on September 17, 2006 10:42 am:
" Where was the down-field passing??? I don't understand this gameplan at all. It seems to me and many others that we had a chance to take advantage of a banged up USC secondary and instead we ran the ball. "

 SeattleHusker wrote on September 17, 2006 10:58 am:
" I don't know enough about the subtlety of football to make anger based criticisms but I "watch" a lot and it seems to me a quarterback needs some opportunity to get into a rhythm. Obviously 1.9 yards per carry suggests the running game was not proving to be an effective approach. And yet, we ran, and ran, and ran, to the obvious frustration of Taylor. As you suggest in your article, when given the opportunity to throw he indeed "found some momentum". I read all the excuses posed for the "conservative" play calling approach posted by various fans on the blog. There were several explanation attempts between all those displaying anger and frustration. However didn't we defeat Michigan at the end of the year last year? Michigan's coach Carr didn't appear afraid to lose in his game against Notre Dame now did he? Dozens and dozens of camera angles showing Pete energetically patrolling the sideline with hardly a single shot of Bill staring at his clipboard and chewing his lip. I guess I can understand the production coordinators assumption that nobody wants to see a deer caught in the headlights. Unfortunately I fear Nebraska fans are in for a long hard lesson in the differences between masterfully constructed publicity and reality. Indeed, a red state through and through. "

 evs wrote on September 17, 2006 11:17 am:
" Everybody thinks the Huskers are such an awesome team , and yes they do have an impressive record , But most of the teams they play every year don't have very good records . Troy St., San Jose St. etc..... These teams suck ,And the Huskers show how good or should i say bad they are when they play a team Like USC. "

 Dont'care anymore wrote on September 17, 2006 11:20 am:
" Oh Great we get the Great Fan award and get embarressed on the Field.Something tell me that Edward is Husker Red all the way "

 Brent L wrote on September 17, 2006 11:35 am:
" We have to have someone better than Courtney Grixby. It doesn't take teams very long to realize that he is the weak link on defense. USC's receivers owned him. "

 Marius wrote on September 17, 2006 11:47 am:
" I think we played OK. I believe we are better than that. We run the ball way too much. If we would have tried passing more, I have no doubt we would have been talking about totally different result. WERE WE TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE LOSS OR WHAT? I got a feeling that our head coach did/does not believe much on this teams passing ability or/and QB be ability against turnover, or just the total offense. WELL, WELL, WELL, it is just one game. We have a good chance to win a lot more, although the game against TEXAS will be challenging if our game plan will be the same as what we showed in LA. I STILL BELIEVE AS I ALWAYS HAVE. GO HUSKERS....... "

 redhead wrote on September 17, 2006 11:47 am:
" vybiral wrote on September 16, 2006 11:17 PM: "keep your heads up we are still the red nation and will own them in lincoln......." strong fighting words, sounding a litle like Freshman Jones. I remember the Arkansas fans talking about the rematch with USC from the embarrasing blowout last year and look what happened the 1st week. "

 DALE - LOS ANGELES wrote on September 17, 2006 11:53 am:
" UCLA fan who watched the game. I have read all your comments and most of you hit it right on the head. Nebraska spent virtually the whole night running the ball. Think about the one drive they scored the TD and look at the big pass plays that occurred when you threw down field. 34 pass attempts in the first game of the season and 23 the second. How can you have only 17 pass attempts when you are down 11 to 18 points a good chunk of the game. Nebraskas philosophy appears to be you pass more when you ahead and run the ball when you are two touchdowns or more behind. Like someone said....."the west coast offense was abandoned". HOWEVER..YOU GUYS ALSO DROPPED SEVERAL POTENTIAL INTERCEPTIONS THAT RESULTED IN 14 POINTS to USC. Were talking balls that went right through the hands. And Brent Mussberger..his commentary made me want to VOMIT. He was so pro SC and I really thought some of his comments about the Husker program were a little degrading. Listen......I've got my own troubles being a UCLA fan. Good luck in the future and God bless to all of you. From what I have seen, Cornhusker fans have always been nothing but a class act. "

 FYI wrote on September 17, 2006 12:11 pm:
" OK - It took me awhile to figure out just what our game plan was last night, but it sure makes sense today. Before the season even began, the word was that the Huskers would be very good, but if they lose Taylor to injury, the seasons' shot. The O-line is much improved, but if we'd had a lot of passing in the game plan, Zac would have taken a lot (and I mean A LOT)of punishment. It takes time to get those receivers that wide open, and the end of the third quarter proved it could be done, but at what cost? The rest of the season? Callahan took Taylor to the locker rooms at Arrowhead stadium to show what the REAL goal is. The Big Twelve championship game and the possibility of a BCS berth. This pre-conference match-up with USC means nothing except more ratings for the networks on "Separation Saturday". We have a good stable of excellent running backs - so use them. The Blackshirts played their guts out and got good penetration on the line. If this game were toward the end of the season, the plan would have been much more balanced and you would have seen a lot more passing. So in my view, Callahan and the staff come across as being a whole lot smarter than they're given credit for. Take cheer Husker Nation. The season will look much better than the game did last night. GO BIG RED! "

 I was there wrote on September 17, 2006 12:16 pm:
" and it was disgusting. All the nebraska people there were trying so hard to rock that stadium and the one man who could keep fans in it let the clock run out with three minutes left. Let me tell you that the crowd was DEAD after that. I literally feltsick to my stomach. It was a slap in the face to 35,000 who came far and wide. The worst part is, I think everyone in the stadium knew Nebraska could have took it to them at any time. USC fans were confused and asking Huskers in the parking lot what went wrong. The whole weekend was amazing, but the game was appalling. "

 nudahunga1 wrote on September 17, 2006 12:51 pm:
" thanks fyi , i agree . i thought the samething , but couldn't figure it out . i was more hurt that the huskers lost . but some how i knew they could have won if they had to . i was not impressed with SC at all . i know the huskers are a better team than what i saw last nite. ALBUQUERQUE. "

 Mike wrote on September 17, 2006 12:54 pm:
" Well the game last night was easily put in one word... Embarassing... Everyone was right, from the oddsmakers (the only double digit dog for a top 25 team), T.V. commentaries, and the whole country, this game was a game to see where the Nebraska program was at, a gut check. And now we all know. West coast offense: joke.... Top 25 team: Not.... Bowl potential: Whatever .com bowl we can get. Nebraska got man-handled up and down the field on both sides of the ball. It looked like men against boys for the whole game. The score of the game didn't tell the real story, we should have been beaten by at least 30+ points. I was confused why Callahan was playing the calls he did throughout the game, but now I understand, running the ball kept the clock running so the score wasn't 35-7 at halftime. Looks like another 6-5 season for the Huskers. "

 Pat-Wichita wrote on September 17, 2006 1:01 pm:
" Was impressed with the Huskers for the first 2 games this year-could pass and rush. But on 9/16, they could do neither, nor catch the ball when they could have had interceptions. Agree that the TV commentators could find nothing good to say about the Huskers for 3 hrs, but drooled for 3 hours over USC. "

 why? wrote on September 17, 2006 1:22 pm:
" Callahan was just trying not to get blown out. That is obvious when Jay Norvell is quoated by saying " we just wanted to keep it close". Thats not husker football. It never has been and never should be. Thank god pederson brough in Callahan to run the west coast offense. "

 Anne C-Omaha wrote on September 17, 2006 1:25 pm:
" In life, if something you do nets the same poor results over and over again, do you continue the same behavior and expect different results? That is one definition of insanity. I think most people try something different. So do good football coaches. One thing I heard all week leading up to the game was that USC's secondary may have some weaknesses and youth, so I thought surely we would attack them as part of our game plan. I will never understand the wisdom of taking the game, this HUGE GAME, out of the hands of our best and most talented playmaker on offense, Zac Taylor, and continue to run on first, second, and even third and long situations. Boy, we really fooled them :) Perhaps the run would have been more effective had we aired it out and thrown down the field to our many capable wide receivers and tight ends. I put the entire responsibility of this loss on the coaching staff. I feel as if Callahan didn't give our players the CHANCE to win the ball game. And if his logic was to make sure Zac is healthy so that we can play for the Big XII championship, well, then that kind of thinking will get us nowhere. Zac is one tough kid, which is one reason we all love him, and one of the reasons he and all of the players came to NU was to play in a big game like this and to have the opportunity to win! Last night left me feeling underwhelmed, frustrated, and even disgusted with the play calling. My final rant is in regards to the defensive scheme where our players are SO FAR OFF their receivers lining up, they completed almost every short pass for a first down and burned us for some long ones too. I am a die-hard fan and will always be, but last night left a bad taste in my mouth. GO HUSKERS! "

 ron wrote on September 17, 2006 1:34 pm:
" I would have preferred the team to have played to win and gotten blown out than what happened last night. At least they would have gotten a little respect. Callahan shows he has no confidence in his team and that should be a major concern. "

 MJ wrote on September 17, 2006 2:03 pm:
" Although I respect the NU football program, I was embarrassed for coach Callahan and his seeemingly chicken hearted attempt at winning this ballgame. Was it just me or did it appear that coach C was more concerned about protecting from a blowout than winning the DAMN football game. USC was not playing that well the table was set for a upset. The Trojan secondary is their weekspot why not try and exploit the young secondary? I need someone from the Husker Nation to help me out with the game plan. The Cornhusker players deserve more than just playing to keep it close or keeping it respectable, real Huskers play to win! To hell with the final score a loss is a loss. "

 Husker fan wrote on September 17, 2006 2:03 pm:
" Bill Cacallahan, I believed in you until today..Tom Osborne and Frank Solich had more guts than you.. They took chances to win.. You did not take any chances at all...Your all talk. You could see on Zaks face like what is going on? And what happen to Cody Glenn? Palini would have made a better head coach.. In big games coaches coach big. You showed no confidence in your team.. Watch out because these players will no longer believe in you. Coach you had nothing to lose last night, win or lose but play to win. No wonder you got ran out of Oakland. Show some guts and recruit Nebraska kids.. That is what made Nebraska great in the 90's in the offensive line. We are proud to be a husker. Are you proud to be a husker coach or are you just lucky to be coaching at all? You must think Nebraska people are real stupid, that they they can't see through you. Bill, I am not attacking you but last night you should no heart. Look in the mirror and examine your self. Good luck the rest of the year. "

 Disappointed in plan wrote on September 17, 2006 3:13 pm:
" I thought we were not ready. There just diid not seem to be a game plan. There were very few deep routes to lossen up the D. Watch Texas Football. You never have a clue what the next play will be. From an option, screen, deep routes, pitches, QB sneaks, it is all there. Last night, there were very few shotgun formations, no options, just plain old dive plays like in high school. On Defense were we blitzing, stunts, crashing, zone then man? It seemed like a lazy performance. I think the other two prior administrations had us prepared, since about 1993, much better then last night. "

 Donovan wrote on September 17, 2006 3:14 pm:
" You've got to go for the jugular in a game of this calibur, NU did not even try. Playing soft isn't going to work, USC was in charge from the beginning and they knew it. "

 "Peter's son" picked a peck of pickled... wrote on September 17, 2006 3:43 pm:
" Here's an Idea! Let's get a bunch of T-Shirts with the following printed on em: Front of shirt ("Callahan's HUSKERS" Playin to Lose and staying out of the Black) Back of shirt: LIFE IS BETTER LIVING IN THE RED! (Supported by an image of a Checkbook Ledger with the Ending Balance being Negative) We could all then wear the shirts at the next Televised Husker Game and Show our Support for our fearless leader and "Make a Dent" in the Sarcassam that has followed the Superior Game Planning of Coach C! And if our Offensive game Planners ever achieved a "C" average in Mathematics, they can teach my kids.. Because at 1.9 yds per carry we can Easily continue to get First downs every 6th down played! Oh wait, my cat just informed me that in football you only get 4 downs to... Oh Nevermind... Next thing you know the Men's Basketball team coached by "Doc" will be Running a Princeton type Offense, only instead, we won't shoot, we'll just let the shot clock expire each possession. Then after the games this season our coaching staff can brag about how we chose to "Neutralize" our opponents strengths, rather than attack any possible weaknesses. Sidenote: I am Not A Raiders Fan, and watching that team play poorly ever since Callahan's second year as their coach has been nice. But I CAN NOT forget the time that Raider QB Rich Gannon Blasted into Callahan's Play calling during a nationally televised game, in which the Raider Offense was inept. At the time I thought of Gannon as a Big Baby... But seeing the "disgust" on the Husker's QB face as we chose to "Dent" the USC team, made me wish that Gannon was our QB for this game, so "He" could say what was on "Many" of our Minds..... "

 USC Fan wrote on September 17, 2006 4:06 pm:
" I think Nebraska was intimidated, and to all you nebraska fans your team is not as good as you think. Your whole team looked scared, Lucky and Jones played horrible and they talked the most before the game. Go SC! "

 Andy wrote on September 17, 2006 4:17 pm:
" Yes, Nebraska will have apretty good record at the end of the year, but playing Troy, L. Tech, Nichols State....come on, who makes up these schedules? I would rather be 6-6 playing Ohio state, Michigan, Iowa, N. Dame, Tenn, Florida, Miami, Fl. State, etc. etc. then playing small towns and getting a win. "

 Dave wrote on September 17, 2006 4:18 pm:
" The husker offense sucked no passing no running no first downs. Soon to be no head coach wake up Callahan. "

 Andy, at game, from Santa Monica wrote on September 17, 2006 5:41 pm:
" Some Husker fans complained that there was to little passing...but the USC "D" was almost overwhelming in that regard...you can't just pass for the sake of it...NU I guess did ok--though I would have liked more strength...as Callahan said before the game...USC got a lot of top prospects...maybe more than any team...and they we're athletically visibly bigger and better--just a fact of life...as some Trojan supporters told us--"you've got next year to look forward to (at Lincoln)" - maybe in the rest of the Bog 12 games Taylor will have more time to let the potentially strong offense unfold...let's hope--and for the Big 12 North championship first.. "

 Old Guy wrote on September 17, 2006 6:32 pm:
" The heralded WCO (William Callahan Offense) looked a whole lot like the Bill Jennings offense to me. (Only other old guys will understand that.) The defense, however, may be good enough to handle the remaining Louisiana minor league team and most of the weak Big 12 (except Texas). "

 Luke wrote on September 17, 2006 8:22 pm:
" What kind of gameplan against a top 5 team involves taking the ball out of your best players hands for 4 quarters. The coaches played to keep it close, the players played their hearts out to win. Callahan, I don't know what you were thinking, Lord knows you're the only one. You knew USC's secondary was banged up, you knew they have one of the best set of linebackers in the nation. If speed was an issue why on earth did you consistantly try to bouce it outside all the time? Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. You and your staff let a lot of people down this weekend, and you obviously don't have any faith in those 11 guys you put out there. Hey Zach, start optioning out of that crap they send in from the sidelines. "

 Brady wrote on September 17, 2006 9:54 pm:
" I'm with Luke. Well said. The players came to play, unfortunately the coaches came to run out the clock. "

 What a disappointment wrote on September 17, 2006 10:02 pm:
" The entire game I was waiting to see both USC and Nebraska prove themselves. The Callahan game plan was embarassing. It was an obvious keep it close, don't play to win strategy. I'm boggled by the fake punt call? Why fake a punt, take the big chance then never throw the ball vertically for 3 full quarters? USC is totally overrated. They have talent, but didn't show a whole lot. This is a game Nebraska could have won, had Callahan given the team a chance. What a disappointment. "

 bewildered wrote on September 17, 2006 10:04 pm:
" Callahan played to lose,,,bottom line, just sickening, before today I was a huge fan of his, no more, how can you be with a coach wo plays to lose, just simply unbelievable "

 Disappointed, NOT defeated wrote on September 17, 2006 11:41 pm:
" To Zach Taylor and the rest of the team....we believe in you, and know you have a lot of talent. Keep your heads up, and put this one behind you. "

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