Husker coaching staff has one less Pelini

To no surprise, the Nebraska football coaching staff will have one less Pelini entering its Jan. 2 Capital Bowl matchup against South Carolina.
Florida Atlantic’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the hiring of Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini (brother of Husker head coach Bo Pelini) as the Owls next head coach on Monday morning. The 46-year old Pelini was formally introduced at a press conference.
Pelini will be the second football coach in FAU history, taking over for Howard Schnellenberger, who coached the final game of his career on Saturday.
According to OwlAccess.com, Pelini will receive a five-year contract with a base salary of $450,000 with the possibility to make more with incentives, such as: Winning the Sun Belt championship and receiving a BCS bowl game invitation: $50,000.00. Winning the conference championship and receiving a non-BCS bowl game invitation: $20,000.00. Receiving an at-large bowl game invitation: $10,000.00. Earning a Top 10 final college coaches’ poll national ranking $25,000.00 and winning the National Coach of the Year Award: $25,000.00.
The question, of course, becomes who replaces Carl Pelini and how soon? The main candidates that are being publicly bandied about are John Papuchis (current Husker defensive line coach/special teams coordinator/recruiting coordinator) along with recently deposed Arizona head coach and long-time Pelini family friend Mike Stoops.
It’s not a given that Bo Pelini will hire either but let’s say for the sake of discussion, do you hire a proven commodity or someone you feel like is a prospect who can grow into the job?
Stoops, who is the brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, comes with a resume having held assistant coaching positions at Iowa, Kansas State and Oklahoma. He went 41-50 in his time as the Wildcats head coach before being fired after a 1-5 start in 2011.
Hiring Stoops would also be a defense mechanism from newly hired Ohio State coach Urban Meyer from hiring Stoops.
Bo Pelini openly backed Stoops after he was fired. Would Bo bring Mike aboard like Bob brought Bo aboard at OU after former Nebraska AD Steve Pederson hired Bill Callahan over Pelini? The Stoops/Pelini family friendship is well-documented but being a good friend does not always equal being a good co-worker. Plus, Stoops is not likely to come cheap and it’s athletic director Tom Osborne (not Bo Pelini) controlling the purse-string. And would Stoops view Nebraska as a weigh station job to eventually become a head coach again?

Papuchis has been a valuable member of Pelini’s staff since 2008 and could potentially grow into the job but the days of coaching staffs staying together for 20 plus years are a thing of the past.
The inexperience aspect would not necessarily be an issue since Papuchis has worn many different hats for Pelini. Plus, Osborne wasn’t born with three national championship rings. Everybody is an up-and-comer at some point in their career.
I think there is a lot of young talent that rises through the coaching ranks. Every big name coach out there was a no name coach at one point. Remember, Kevin Cosgrove was a “proven” defensive coordinator. Bo Pelini when hired by Frank Solich was an “up-and-comer”.
There are no guarantees with any potential hire.
Bo just needs to get the right guy…Anyone who would even get a look from Nebraska is going to be a proven quantity even if he isn’t a media headliner. The big question is do you get a guy who is more recruiter than coach or coach than recruiter?
That’s not an either/or answer. Both are true.

Huskers taking care of two teams they should an encouring sign

Two weeks of the college football season are in the books. Huskers 2, Opposition 0.

No huge surprise there as Nebraska was playing two foes Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State that it was expected to beat and did 49-3 and 38-9 respectively. The true test for how good Nebraska is at the present time will come Saturday when it visits Blacksburg, Va. for a battle against Virginia Tech, which entered today’s 52-10 win over Marshall rated No. 14. The Hokies, who lost 34-24 to No. 4 Alabama one week earlier, held off the Huskers 35-30 in Lincoln last season.

Again, the rubber will meet the road – more on that throughout the week. The first two victories on the surface might reveal very little about how good Nebraska is right now. However, I find it mildly annoying how people like to criticize the Huskers for playing two Sun Belt teams that are basically equal to a mid-level WAC or MAC team. Listening to some National media members and anti-Nebraska fans, you would think the Huskers were the only team to schedule such foes. Those people are a bunch of chumps! Those people are so stupid it takes them two hours to watch 60 minutes.

Anyhow, now that I’ve released that suppressed anger, one thing you must keep in mind is that during the past six years, Nebraska has played nonconference foes that it should have dominated only to scuffle for a win or even lose.

In 2002, the Huskers needed two DeJuan Groce punt returns for touchdowns to overcome Troy 31-16. In 2004, Nebraska gifted-wrapped 12 points in a 21-17 home loss to a Southern Mississippi team that didn’t even finish on the Top 25 radar.

In 2005, Nebraska struggled to 25-7 (Maine), 31-3 (Wake Forest) and 7-6 (Pittsburgh). Maine is a Div. I-AA team and not a very good at that but yet the Huskers clinged to a 15-7 lead in the fourth quarter before pulling away. The Wake Forest win was somewhat deceptive because keep in mind Nebraska scored three defensive touchdowns.

In 2007, Nebraska was a missed 55-yard field goal away from losing to Ball State of all teams before holding on for a 41-40 win. In 2008, Nebraska led San Jose State 14-12 early in the fourth quarter before pulling away for a 35-12 win.

Nebraska’s two decisive wins, however, will not decide how Saturday’s game in Blacksburg transpires. Nonetheless, it was important to allow second and third teamers the reps they need to develop.

More on VaTech later.

Arky State a potential landmine but Huskers should prevail

Collegefootballnews.com labeled last week’s Florida Atlantic game as a “lamdmine” contest. That term is often used in association with games where your team is likely favored but if not careful could wind up on the short end.

If anything, Nebraska’s 49-3 won over the Owls was fat from a trap game. Last season should show us that Saturday’s home game against Arkansas State has a much greater landmine potential than Florida Atlantic ever had, even though yours truly and many other prognosticators (mainstream message and message board posters alike) felt the game would be close for about a half.

Here’s the parallel I draw. Nebraska’s 49-3 season-opening win over the Owls versus the 2008 opener, a 47-23 win over Western Michigan. Most teams are going to be jacked up for night games – especially season-openers against a team you are expected to beat. Plus, the Huskers became a punching bag for the media, and rightfully so, after a 2007 season that saw the team go 5-7.

Nationally, the 2008 team was looking to unload on someone, Western Michigan just happened to be in the way. The 2009 team entered the season-opener simply looking to build on the momentum it generated from going 9-4 in head coach Bo Pelini’s season.

Nebraska’s Week Two opponent in 2008 (San Jose State) and 2009 (Arkansas State) are somewhat similar with a twist. The biggest difference is that the Arkansas State game precedes a crucial road game at No. 14 Virginia Tech, which edged the Huskers 35-30 in Lincoln last season.

Rewind to last year’s home game against San Jose State, where Nebraska entered as a heavy favorite and won 35-12. The Huskers held a slender 14-12 lead early in the fourth quarter before pulling away.

The other common denominator, San Jose State and Arkansas State are also day games followed by night games with a lot of emotion that is hard to top.

Part of that presents reason for concern but if there is one point of emphasis that is different is this: Pelini knows how to “coach in the moment.” Last season, he had to go out of his way to build up the team’s confidence that had been shattered. This year, it’s about keeping the team grounded.

Pelini is just the type of coach to say, “You’re not as good as you think you are,” or “You’re not good enough to take anyone lightly – ad that includes Arkansas State.”

Smooth debut for Big Red

Burn this, Howard!

Florida Atlantic made some news just a few days before Saturday’s 49-3 loss to Nebraska. The Owls recently lit an over-sized Nebraska "N" on fire during a pep rally in Boca Raton.
Over 1,000 fans were at Florida Atlantic's pep rally, where head coach Howard Schnellenberger ignited the Nebraska "N.”

The event was video-taped and placed on the internet, which has reached Lincoln. Owls quarterback Rusty Smith even semi-joked how it took gasoline to burn the “N.” Hey Rusty, that’s what happens when you combine matches with gasoline. What chemistry class did you fail at Florida Atlantic?

Honesty, that event had nothing to do with Nebraska, which hosts Arkansas State Saturday Sept. 12, taking the Owls behind the woodshed.

The only thing surprising about Nebraska’s win was the smoothness of its performance. Since head coach Bo Pelini is a perfectionist, you can bet your next paycheck that he will find something to get the team’s attention. However, considering this was the first game of the season, the performance was pretty smooth – which is an encouraging sign for a team that made a few too many mental mistakes for Plini’s taste diring a 9-4 campaign in 2008.

Offensively, the Huskers took a “use the pass to set up the run” approach. Even with the passing game being more mainstream in football, an efficient ground-game is still vital. However, the tried and true “run to set up the pass” theory is outmoded.

In the first half quarterback Zac Lee was 10-of-15 for 153 yards for two touchdowns, finishing the contest 15-of-22 for 213 yards. The completion percentage would have been even better if not for a few dropped passes. Running back Roy Helu carried 16 times for 152 yards and three touchdowns despite not playing the last quarter and a half before giving way to true freshman Rex Burkhead. At halftime, Helu had 12 carries for 56 yards.

In a nutshell, you pass to get the lead, you run to seal the win. Lee was not asked to do a lot in his Div. I-A debut but he didn’t need to. However, at some point, the rubber will meet road.

Defensively, the Huskers faced an Owls team that has talent at both quarterback and receiver but it mattered none with little running game (FAU produced just 3.5 yards per carry). Plus, the Owls had no answer for Husker defensive tacle Ndamukong Suh. Then again, who does. It’s not just Suh’s seven tackles and one sack. It’s his relentless pursuit of ballcarriers downfield and the double-teams that he consumes.

Nebraska’s pressure was like a blast-furace early in the game before declining later as the Owls went to more max-protection looks. Even more encouraging was the solid play of the Huskers young linebackers and the fact that the defense produced three takeaways after getting just 17 last season. The tackling was also pretty sure as well.

The special teams performance was also encouraging after last year’s inconsistent efforts and Jared Crick came up huge with a blocked field goal.

IN A NUTSHELL

Very good performance for a first game. There were a few delay of game penalties and false starts but nothing too glaring. Keep in mind; the Huskers are breaking in a new quarterback.
The coaches kept the play-calling pretty simple considering the opponent. It’s not like the Owls are going to be in a January bowl game. Nonetheless, the team executed the game-plan it was asked to execute which is always encouraging.

Huskers to open with solid win

It’s here ladies and gentlemen. Gameday in Lincoln, Nebraska as the Huskers start Year Two of the Bo Pelini.

Nebraska took a step toward respectability in going from 5-7 in 2007 to 9-4 last season. The big issue now is building on last season’s success and continuing that forward momentum on Saturday in the season opener against Florida Atlantic.

There are plenty of things that stand out about this game. Owls quarterback Rusty Smith is being tabbed as one that has the ability to play in the NFL. The question is, will they be able to protect him? With Nebraska’s dominant defensive line, I think not. If the Owls opt to double-team defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, that opens it up for defensive end Pierre Allen and vice versa. If the double both, Jared Crick or Barry Turner will beat one-on-one blocks.

What about the linebackers and secondary? The Huskers have a ton of youth at linebacker which is significant because linebackers are asked to do a lot in Pelini’s scheme. However, Nebraska’s dominant defensive line will take pressure off both the linebackers and safety.

And what about the secondary forcing turnovers? Takeaways came by the bushel in 2003 when Pelini was the defensive coordinator as the Huskers produced 47 that season but only 17 in 2008. Reports from the Husker camp have been that the defensive backs have shown improvement on getting to the football, which is encouraging. And frankly necessary.

Turning to the offensive side, true freshman Cody Green is listed as No. 2 behind Zac Lee. Will he see action? Probably so but will it be by design early in the game, say the third or fourth series or if it’s a blowout?

Another thing I find compelling was that after the two-deep depth chart was released, the word “or” appeared 17 times. In one respect, that number shows that the team has many interchangeable parts, which is great but at some point roles need to be defined to prevent chaos.

Prediction: This game could either be close for a half before Nebraska wears down the Owls or the Huskers could get a big lead early and it’s an even game thereafter. Regardless, Nebraska wins 45-20.

Florida Atlantic no pushover -- but not a landmine game either

As one that frequently visits collegefootballnews.com, I am always intrigued by the term “landmine games.” That term is often used in association with games where your team is likely favored but if not careful could wind up on the short end.

For Nebraska, the Baylor Bears have commonly been seen among the mainstream media that covers the team along with message board posters and bloggers as such a team that could spoil the Huskers fortunes in 2009. For starters, Nebraska visits Waco on Oct. 31 – one week before it hosts what is likely to be a Top Ten if not Top Five Oklahoma team. The argument has beckoned that the Huskers could be “looking ahead” to OU. I say, baloney because Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini is just the type of coach to preach the message, “you’re not good enough to overlook anyone.” Plus, Pelini and his staff have shown the ability to “coach in the moment.”

Baylor gave the Huskers a pretty good tussle in Lincoln last year before the Big Red prevailed 32-20. Bears quarterback Robert Griffin gave the Nebraska defense fits (rushing for 121 yards, throwing for 134 more) but keep in mind the Blackshirts were still finding their way at that point.

The Bears, who went 4-8 last season, might not be the easy out they’ve been in past years but let’s keep in mind 1995 was the last season Baylor went over the .500 mark, going 7-4 that year. The closest to breaking even the Bears came since then was 5-6 in 2005.

CFN.com has actually tabbed the Huskers opening game opponent (Florida Atlantic) on Sept. 5 as a landmine game. I won’t disagree that Owls will not be your “name the score” type of win. In fact, I can very easily see matters unfolding like last year’s 47-24 opening game win over Western Michigan. The type of game where Nebraska was not in danger of losing per se but close enough to keep the starters in the game much of the way.

However, I think CFN.com (which is a reputable news organization) errs in judgment when it prints, “In 2007, Ball State came in to Lincoln and came within an eyelash of pulling off the upset, losing in a fun 41-40 shootout. Husker fans came away raving about QB Nate Davis, and they'll do the same this year after seeing FAU QB Rusty Smith. The Owls are fearless road warriors, and while they don't have enough on defense to beat Nebraska, they're good enough to make part one of the Husker's three-game date with Sun Belt teams a memorable battle.”

There are two things wrong with that statement. True, it won’t be the first time the Owls have faced a traditional power. FAU has faced teams from a BCS conference 16 times. Keep in mind, however, that Florida Atlantic is 1-15 all-time vs. BCS conference teams and has been outscored 678-170 in those games.
Also, comparing the Ball State game of 2007 to the 2009 opener is much to do about nothing. There is no way you compare the 2009 Nebraska team (while still flawed) to the one that stepped on the field against Ball State. That defense was truly awful (maybe the worst that ever set foot on the Memorial Stadium turf) and had just gotten clubbed to death by USC one week earlier. I don't see that happening in the first game. In fact, I think Nebraska should be able to pound the ball right down Florida Atlantic’s throat.
I will give Owls head coach Howard “Give Me Some Conditioner For My Mustache” Schnellenberger credit for one thing. Since beating Minnesota in 2007, he has made it clear Florida Atlantic’s goal when playing the big boys isn’t just to get a big check -- he expects his teams to compete even if the opponent has been playing football at a much higher level for a much longer period of time.

The Huskers must be mindful of that because losing this game would be devastating on opening day and at home. It could spiral the season out of control but I don't see it happening. The Huskers will not lose this game.

Florida Atlantic (7-6 in 2008) took some beatdowns when they went to BCS schools (52-10 loss at Texas, 17-0 loss at Michigan State, 37-3 loss at Minnesota) last year and they lost quite a bit from that team. I don't think this one qualifies as a scare game.

If there's a landmine game on the schedule, it's the next week against Arkansas State. Nebraska could get caught looking ahead to Virginia Tech, Arkansas St has played well against Big 12 teams in the recent past, and the Huskers 'let down' game last season was in Week Two against San Jose State (35-12 win).

I also actually think the players and the team is looking to unload on somebody and make a point. Florida Atlantic just happens to be first up. If that happens, it's possible they could roll into game two overconfident but I think Pelini will keep them grounded.

Well, there is always a chance as Michigan found out with Appalachian State in the Big House in 2007 but I think it's remote and believe we will win, but stranger things have happened on opening day. Point being, I think Nebraska has to show up every game because the Huskers are not a point like they were in the 90's where they just show up and blow teams out. I hope they will be soon but the fact is they are not there yet.

2009 Nebraska football game-by-game crystal ball

Huskers Illustrated, you have inspired me to reach to greater heights. I just had my official 2009 football yearbook mailed to my home in Napa, CA this past weekend.

The magazine previews the 2009 season in-depth with Ndamukong Suh -- the Huskers hulking defensive tackle featured on the front cover. If looks could kill quarterbacks like Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Todd Reesing, Zac Robinson and Robert Griffon would be a pile of dust.

The edition includes but is not limited to roster breakdown, opponent breakdown, position breakdown and media breakdown. Media members that cover the team regularly pick the Huskers record plus a synopsis for the reason behind their picks. The most pessimistic are Ken Hambleton (Lincoln Journal Star) and Terry Douglass (Grand island Independent). Both pick the Huskers to finish 8-5 including their bowl game.

The X-Factor is taking into account which media members pick the Big Red to reach the Big 12 Title Game. Keep in mind, some people are favoring Kansas. The ones are definitely picking Nebraska to win the division are Dave Hunt (KLKN TV Lincoln). Chris Schmidt (Huskers Illustratred radio), Lane Grindle (Husker Sports Network), Brian Christopherson (Lincoln Journal Star), Brian Rosenthal (Lincoln Journal Star), Jeff Wilkerson (KLMS, Lincoln), Sean Callahan (Huskersillustrated.com), Dirk Chatlain (Omaha World-Herald), John Schuetz (KETV, Omaha), Mike’L Severe (KOZN, Omaha) and Matt Schick (KETV, Omaha). The records range from 9-5 to 11-3. The last time the Huskers won the Big 12 North in 2006 under Bill Callahan, the team went 9-5 but perhaps should have gone 11-3 -- or at least 10-4 anyhow.

Though I am a member of the mainstream media here in the Napa Valley, I am not among the mainstream media in Nebraska covering the team even though I was at one time in my life. So here at Wine Country Husker headquarters at my non-palatial condo here in Napa, CA, I have decided to get bold and take a stab at the Huskers 2009 game-by-game breakdown. Last season, I picked 10-3 in Bo Pelini’s first season with Nebraska beating Wisconsin in the Alamo Bowl. I was one game off as Nebraska went 9-4, beating Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

I have sipped a little bit Kool-Aid as we speak. The Napa Valley kind but here’s our breakdown:

Nebraska 38, Florida Atlantic 17

The Howard Schnellenberger storylines resonate throughout the week. Florida Atlantic is one of the best the Sun Belt has to offer but the Huskers race to a 21-3 lead at halftime and that advantage swells to 35-3 after three quarters. Roy Helu rushes for three TDs and Zac Lee throws for two more. The Owls get two touchdowns in garbage time. Nebraska’s more experienced defense generates three turnovers and five sacks.

Nebraska 41, Arkansas State 14

For the second time in as many weeks, the Huskers produce a big lead, this time 24-7 at halftime and 31-14 after three quarters. Prince Amukamara’s interception (one of three picks for the Blackshirts) for a touchdown in the fourth quarter punctuates the win. Quentin Castille rushes for three touchdowns while Zac Lee throws for another.

Virginia Tech 24, Nebraska 20

Both offenses moved the ball efficiently in the first half in front of a nationally televised audience. The Hokies lead 21-14 at halftime but in the second half both defenses bowed their necks, especially in the red zone. The Huskers are still seeking that truly signature win against an elite club. Nebraska battles hard but falls short. Bo Pelini says in his postgame press conference, “moral victories suck.” Pelini does not need to make that statement but further cements his status among Husker fans as “Our guy.”

Nebraska 44, Louisiana-Lafeyette 10

The Huskers start like a house of fire looking to put the Virginia Tech loss behind them on the way to a 27-7 halftime lead. Nebraska’s best defense was a keep-away offense as Quentin Castille rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Helu added 65 more while Lee threw for a pair of touchdowns. Kody Spano gets into the box score with a fourth quarter scoring pass. The Huskers are 3-1 heading into Big 12 play with two dragons to slay.

Nebraska 41, Missouri 24

The real Missouri is back and the Huskers slay a dragon in what has been a House of Horrors. The first three quarters are a seesaw battle in front of a Thursday night ESPN audience as the Tigers erase a 20-10 Nebraska lead at halftimes to take a 24-20 lead after three quarters. Bo Pelini challenges his team on the sideline and they respond. The Huskers dominate the fourth quarter as Lee throws for two touchdown tosses while Blake Lawrence’s 57-yard interception return to paydirt seals the win late in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska 35, Texas Tech 24

The Huskers slay yet another dragon as the Memorial Stadium noise is deafening as the Huskers play their 1,200th game in school history. Just like last year, the Husker offense plays keep-away led by Roy Helu’s 146 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The Huskers lead 14-10 half but made the Red Raiders fight uphill even further as Zac Lee connected with Mike McNeill for a touchdown pass. The Blackshirt defense bends but does not break. Ndamukong Suh intercepts a pass – shades of LeKevin Smith’s INT – only he holds on to the ball and the Huskers seal the win.

Nebraska 34, Iowa State 3

Coming off two emotional wins, Nebraska starts slow as the game was a scoreless tie after one quarter but takes a 14-0 halftime lead as Zac Lee connects with Mike McNeill for a touchdown and Quentin Castille powers his way into the zone. The Huskers control the line of scrimmage with the O-and-D Lines. Defensively, the Huskers produced five sacks and two interceptions.

Nebraska 31, Baylor 20

The dreaded trap game in Waco before a marquee matchup the following week in Lincoln. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin gives the Huskers headaches in the first half as the game is tied at 17-all at intermission. The Blackshirts put the clamps on Griffin in the second half while Zac Lee connects with Menelik Holt for two second half touchdown tosses to seal the Husker win.

Oklahoma 38, Nebraska 21

The crowd noise is off the hook, just like old times for NU-OU matchups. The Huskers show they have narrowed the gap but OU still has superior talent and depth. The Sooners lead 24-17 at halftime before pulling away in the second half. Sooner head coach Bob Stoops, known for his arrogance, says, “Don’t be fooled, Nebraska is on its way back.”


Nebraska 31, Kansas 21

The Huskers see this as a chance to close in on the division title and they do in a hard fought road victory. The Jayhawks strike first but Castille answers with two rushing touchdowns to give the Huskers the lead for good. Nebraska puts it away in the second half with an Alex Henery field goal and a Zac Lee to Chris Brooks touchdown. The Blackshirts force three turnovers and harass Todd Reesing throughout the day.

Nebraska 41, Kansas State 7

Bill Snyder has the Wildcats playing better but they still lack the depth to beat the Huskers. Nebraska leads 17-0 after one quarter and 27-0 at halftimes and wins going away on Senior Day. Nebraska gets its backups some much needed work heading into the bye week.

Nebraska 23, Colorado 17 (OT)

Husker fans might not like calling this a “rivarly” game but anything can and does happen when these two teams meet. With the Big 12 North title in hand, the Huskers fight off a gallant Buffs effort. Nebraska wins the overtime coin toss and defers. Ndamukong Suh gets a sack, forced fumble and recovered fumble all in the same play. The Huskers get the ball back and go for the jugular as Zac Lee hits Mike McNeill for a 25-yard strike to win the game. Denver Post communist, err columnist Woody Paige writes his typical diarrhea of the mouth column the next day.

Big 12 Championship Game

Texas 28, Nebraska 24

Nebraska needs a win to secure a BCS bowl game while Texas still has National Title hopes. The Longhorns break Nebraska’s heart again as Colt McCoy hits Jordan Shipley with just over three minutes remaining in a seesaw battle. The Huskers bid to respond with a game-winning drive falls short. Bo Pelini challenges his team to finish the season with authority.

Cotton Bowl

Nebraska 34, Alabama 17

The Holliday Bowl expresses interest in the Huskers while Nebraska has never been too keen on the Cotton Bowl. However, Cotton Bowl officials see a prime opportunity to match two brand name programs together – Nebraska and Alabama. Bo Pelini promises not to go for any fake punts on his own 30, a la Bill Callahan. Sorry -- could not resist.

The Huskers lead wire-to-wire as Zac Lee converts some clutch third down passes. Lee throws for two touchdowns and runs for another. The Blackshirts force four turnovers and record three quarterback sacks.

Husker fans say, “Take that, SEC!”