Posted: Tuesday, September 7, 2004 7:00 pm
If Nebraska coach Bill Callahan had his druthers, he'd stick an earpiece in quarterback Joe Dailey's helmet and communicate with him via wireless microphone.
Alas, this isn't the NFL. Such technology isn't allowed at the college ranks.
"That may cost a little bit of money," Callahan said, "so I'm not sure the athletic directors will be happy about that."
Callahan certainly would be, though. That's how he's used to communicating with his quarterbacks from his days with the Oakland Raiders. Saturday night's game against Western Illinois was the first he's gone without it.
Callahan said he adjusted well but feels helmet communication with quarterbacks would be a positive addition to college football.
"You have young people playing this game. The fans want to enjoy it. They want to see a great product out there," Callahan said. "Why not eliminate any potential for error that could happen through a communication error? I find you can do more things and your offense can open up more if you had that type of system if you're in constant communication with the play calling."
Callahan said it also serves as a calming effect for the quarterback. He said coaches would be able to speak to him just like they do throughout the week in practice.
He's also realistic in his wishes.
"I see some benefits," he said. "but I don't know if that's in the nature of college football."
WHAT ABOUT REPLAY? A natural follow-up conversation to the helmet communication topic was Callahan's thoughts on instant replay at the college level. The Big Ten Conference is experimenting with instant replay this season, and Callahan referred to a play in Saturday's Wisconsin game that was replayed and, in his opinion, slowed down the game. "It took momentum right out of Wisconsin's offense, and I do agree with that," he said. "If you're going to do it, the procedure's got to be quick." Callahan, although he's used to instant replay from the NFL, said he didn't know if college fans would appreciate it.
DEFENSE SOLID: Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said his unit would have to refine some of its technique and improve man-coverage technique but seemed generally pleased with the Blackshirts' performance Saturday night. NU collected seven sacks and held Western Illinois to minus-3 yards rushing. Nebraska also forced five turnovers, exceeding its goal of three. Even the tackling was sound, he said. "That is unusual for a first game," Cosgrove said, "so I'm pleased with that."
GOOD AND BAD: Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said he was pleased with three areas of NU's offense Saturday night. The Huskers averaged 7.9 yards on first down; they had 16 plays that covered 15 yards or more; and they were perfect inside the red zone. But he also said the offense needs to better secure the football NU threw four interceptions commit fewer penalties and have a better overall tempo. "Our tempo faded a little in the second quarter," Norvell said. "We've got to continue to be consistent in our tempo throughout the game."
SPECIAL WORK: Not surprisingly, the subject of special teams was brought up Tuesday. Callahan said he knows his team needs work in that department after allowing two long kickoff returns and losing the ball on two punt returns and two kickoff returns Saturday night. "We've got to do a great job, and I know our kids are challenged," he said. "Coach (Bill) Busch, I have a lot of confidence in his ability to coach special teams and the players we have plugged in those positions to play. I feel confident they'll get rectified. Talk is cheap right now. We have to go out and do it."
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Callahan announced offensive, defensive, special-teams and scout-team players of the week for the Western Illinois game. They are Matt Herian and Willie Amos on offense, Ira Cooper on defense, Andrew Shanle on special teams, Brandon Rigoni on scout-team defense and Joe Ganz on scout-team offense.
ETC.: Cosgrove said linebacker Chad Sievers, who missed the Western Illinois game with a sore back, is expected to play against Southern Mississippi on Saturday. Nebraska allowed no sacks against Western Illinois. "That's our goal no sacks," offensive lineman Brandon Koch said. "We want to keep Joe healthy." Defensive end Jay Moore played in a game for the first time since midway through his senior season of high school in 2001.
Brian Rosenthal