All photos by professional photographer Dennis Hubbard.

Certainly the best looking part of the game.

Continue reading this post »

Not sure if you really want to see it, but here's the animated drive chart from the Virginia Tech game.

OK, admit it.  We all knew that Nebraska had a lot of issues, but deep down, we really hoped that the 2008 version of the Huskers would break free of the shackles of mediocrity and transform themselves back into relevence in a prime-time broadcast.

Well, back to reality.  Nebraska lost 35-30 to Virginia Tech, though the Huskers did have their chances.  Bo Pelini says the Huskers made way too many mistakes yesterday to a good team.  The pessimist looks at last night's statistics, and worries what a high powered offense could do to the Big Red.  The optimist looks at the mistakes that were made, and wonders what this team could do if those mistakes are corrected.

So let's grade last night's performance:

Offensive Line:  C  In those rare occasions that they were asked to run block, they opened up some small holes and gave the backs two to three yards to work with.  But there were some issues with pass protection in the first half.

Running Backs:  Incomplete  The I-backs combined for 19 rushes.  Only two in the second quarter.  I had hoped that type of playcalling left Lincoln last year.

Quarterback:  C-  From the end zone, you could see that interception coming as soon as Joe Ganz threw the pass.  While Ganz didn't lose the game, he need help to win, and the play calls in the Virginia Tech game required Ganz to win it himself.

Wide Receiver:  B+  Nate Swift might go into the Nebraska record books as one of the most underappreciated wide receivers to ever wear a Husker uniform.  Without Swift, Nebraska never even sniffs a comeback last night.  However, he needs some help from somebody other than Todd Peterson.

Defensive Line:  C+  Early on, they got some pressure on Tyrod Taylor.  But as the game went on, the Hokies started to find some running room.

Linebackers:  B-  Cody Glenn was all over the place yesterday, leading the team in tackles.  Phillip Dillard was right behind him.

Secondary:  D  Way too many blown coverages yesterday.  Fortunately, Tyrod Taylor didn't take advantage of that.  Problem is that Chase Daniel will.

Coaching:  D-  Only 19 carries for the I-backs yesterday.  Very little downfield passing.  An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the head coach.   One difference this year is that this staff will treat this game as a learning experience for both coaches and players.

Overall:  D+ The Hokies made the plays yesterday, and the Huskers didn't.

Elsewhere in College Football:

USC:  F  Just because it didn't look like you had much resistance on your road to Miami doesn't mean that you could stop and take a break.  With your remaining schedule, it's going to be difficult to play your way back into contention.

Alabama:  A+  Except possibly the Sooners, nobody's been more dominant.

Kansas State:  D+  Wildcat fans are a little concerned about their defense after giving up 37 to the Ragin' Cajuns.

Colorado:  D-   Who'da thunk that the Seminoles could score 39 points on a 1-A opponent?

Service Academies:  B+  Navy knocked off top 25 Wake Forest, but Army couldn't quite knock off the New Baylor.

My real reaction?

EEEEEEEEYYAAAAAAGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I'm pretty sure your reaction isn't that much different. Keep in mind though, this is an overareaction, not much thought, but plenty of angst.

- We started flat? We have played nobody to this point, we have a coming out party and we're not impressed with the new car in the driveway?

- Joe Ganz sucks when he drops back, but there was little rolling, not many screens. If I ever see a seven step drop again.... oh. hell.

- Nate Swift has now proved himself one of the greatest Huskers ever.

- Composure. I'm not exactly sure what Bo did to draw a penalty late in the game, but it transferred to his defense when Suh got whislted later for another personal foul. If we had a chance before that, well, we lost it.

We knew what we were getting in Bo Pelini. Let's not kid ourselves. The emotion, the explosiveness of the guy, he's going to give us something  at a cost. You prepare for that?

- Not me. Someone more reasonable said this in the game thread:

Taflorom:  at least we played until the end and had a chance to win. I feel better about this loss then any we had under BC. We looked like we gave a shit and it wont be long until Bo has us playing with the big boys. We did it tonight and will continue to do it all season. I still think we will beat either Mizzu or TT if not both. Good job Big Red.

Welcome to Nebraska - Virginia Tech game day thread! 

Please join us for comments and conversation about the game today. To post, you need to create an account by clicking on the 'Sign Up" button at the upper left. All you need is an email address.

Once you join Corn Nation, you're free to join any other SB Nation blog with the same account if you want to annoy our Big 12 counterparts, or something like that.

If you need more incentive, accounts are free!

Internet-Streaming Audio: KRNU, Huskers.com
Radio:  Affiliates

Live Stats: Huskers.com

Nebraska Injury Report (from The Sports Network)

Player Stats To Date:

It’s finally arrived: The first “big game” in the Bo Pelini era. In fact, each and every game from here on out can very well and should be considered “big games”. Virginia Tech offers the best of an admittedly poor non-conference slate, but it’s a night game, will be regionally-televised, no doubt some solid recruits will be in attendance and Nebraska has an ability to sell itself as a program again.

This works for the kids in uniform and ones that could choose to put one on in the coming days. After VT comes Mizzou, but Tiger fans as much as I’d love to get into that dustup, I’ll look forward to writing about the black and gold next week. What does Nebraska have to do to make sure that they’re undefeated going into my next “Keys of the Game” article?

1.) Get Ganz time – As Joe has shown us when he has time in the pocket he can work over a secondary until he’s not only zipping passes through (and in some cases over) them but can zip through them as well. I would advise Coach Watson not to go to the “Option Well” too many times this week as VT will be looking for it, but a sweet faux-option dropback/playaction job would be gorgeous. Much like NMSU, Joe needs to have the time to be the player that he is and he is good enough to get the job done.

2.) Mix it up! – Establishing the running game will be key in defeating the Hokies. Regardless of if Nebraska wants to win by one or 100, all facets of the offense Watson wants to provide need to be there. We saw this against NMSU, but the Hokies have slightly better talent*. It is imperative that Lucky and Helu are able to do damage and if that’s the case, Castille needs to bruise some bodies as well. If Virginia Tech allows Nebraska to bring a balanced attack to this game, they’ve lost.

*Ya think?

3.) Marketing time is over – We’ve all seen the shirts that Bo knows defense or how Bo shoots and kills water buffalo with slingshots and marshmallows or how he can skin a buck in 2.4 seconds. That’s great. The ACC’s not exactly lighting the world on fire as a conference right now, but let’s see some action to back up the marketing and branding.

Virginia Tech does not bring two quarterbacks that cannot be corralled to this matchup. Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor are two different styles of QB, but both can be contained and shut down by Pelini.

This will, however, be a true test for the defense as a whole as RB Darren Evans has shown the ability to make things happen, so I believe that the front seven and specifically Ty Steinkuhler and Ndamukong Suh are going to play one of the biggest roles of this game. If they can keep the middle closed allowing the ends to crash and the line syncs? Nebraska can control this game from the outset. If, however, holes form, it’s going to be a long day.  

I’m not too worried about safety play this week. More cautiously optimistic, actually. Larry Asante upped his game a bit last week plus Anthony West returns to a secondary that can use all of the healthy depth and talent it can get its hands on. In summary, I don’t think that this is going to be a high scoring affair.

I think that if either team breaks 20 points it’ll be no more than 23 and Beamerball will likely translate to both sides of the game. We have Zach Potter. Every kick is blockable, do you hear!? Look for a close, defensive battle (ugly game) that could be won by either side.

The Virginia Tech/Nebraska game will move to 7:00 PM with kickoff at 7:15 and be televised on ABC on a split national basis opposite Illinois/Penn State. 

We'll post a coverage map when it becomes available next week.

I suppose that the Hokies will be none too happy they're playing In Lincoln at night, but it doesn't enthrall me. I was looking forward  to a 2:30 pm game to be honest. Another night game..... ah well, I guess that means more beer will be involved. I suppose that's not all bad. 

[Updated 09/24/08 - 5:30 pm - with coverage map]

Note - Corn Nation will be running a game day thread for the Virginia Tech - Nebraska game. You're welcome to join us whether you're a Husker or a Hokie. I don't have a problem with Hokie fans as long as we're all respectful of the game.

In fact, I'd love to have a few Hokies show up, it would be interesting to get the different perspectives on the game - as I stated, as long as we're all respectful.

A while back CN was contacted by the Virginia Tech blog "Gobbler Country" while they were looking for information about what to do when coming to Lincoln.

furrer4heisman is the head dude over at Gobbler Country, when I asked for bio information he stated "I'm a Hokie fan living in Sooner country". I'm not 100% sure what to make of that. I worry about the guy's mental state, you know? Perhaps he's really some kind of missionary, teaching the Okies modern farming techniques or something.

BTW, he'll be heading to Lincoln this weekend, so be nice to all those Hokie fans just in case.

Oh, we did respond to Gobbler Country in like fashion. You can see our answers to their questions here.

1. Tyrod Taylor picked up his game in the 2nd half against North Carolina. Do you think that was a breakout moment for Taylor and the program?

I don't think so. While Tyrod certainly was a key figure in the comeback, I think it is owed more to the run game and the offensive line (and the defense, of course). Remember, both touchdowns came on the ground. Tyrod is still an inaccurate passer and a lot of it has to do with his footwork and getting balanced before he throws. Once he gets that down, then he will break out.

As far as the program goes, it was a pivotal moment. We haven't had a comeback like that since 1995 and we're not known as a team that can storm back when down by 10 or more. It was a big moment in my book.

2. A lot is being made of Frank Beamer's dance in the locker room. Is that a sign that he thinks the Hokies are back on track, or was he just happy they pulled a game out of the fire?

Frank did a similar dance after the Hokies won the ACC Championship Game in December. I think he just does it to reward the players for persevering. It's just fun to watch.

3. If there was a player you'd say wouldn't be on Nebraska's radar as a threat but should be, who would that player be and why?

Sean Glennon. Something tells me we're going to need him this game. It's just a gut feeling. Tyrod might still be a bit gimpy from last week and I think the matchups against Nebraska work in Glennon's favor, if you believe the anonymous coach quoted in that Rivals article. I'm not sold on Nebraska's secondary and if it's true that your pass rush is lacking, this would be a good game for Glennon.

I think the Huskers will have success stopping our run game (at least early on), so it will up to the quarterback to win the game with his arm. Glennon can do that if given time in the pocket. I'm not sure Tyrod can yet. That's one reason I think it's Glennon. The other is that I'm sure the Huskers have Tyrod, Darren Evans and Macho Harris squarely on their radar.

4. What does Nebraska have to do to beat Virginia Tech?

Force turnovers and contain Tyrod Taylor. If Tyrod is able to make plays in the first half and take the team on his shoulders, watch out. I don't think the Huskers have any one player on defense that has his athleticism. But if the defensive game plan is able to slow him down and make him make bad decisions when throwing the ball, the Hokies are in trouble.

Stopping the Hokies on offense will come down to stopping the run to force passing downs and then containing Tyrod if he tries to scramble. North Carolina was able to do that for one half.

5. Conversely, how does Virginia Tech beat Nebraska?

They can't get down early. We won't be coming back from down 14 in Memorial Stadium. If they can come out and make plays to get rid of the early jitters, they'll be fine. I think Tech's defense will be able to stop the run and do well against the pass when they need to. However, mobile QBs have given them fits this year and I think Ganz has more get-up-and-go than most people will give him credit for. If they can limit the number of plays he makes both throwing and running, we'll win the game. I'm confident that if it's a close game, someone on defense will make a play that wins it for us.

6. What sort of a ballgame do you anticipate this being? Offensive shootout? Defensive struggle? Battle of the Outhouse Stars?

I think its going to be a slugfest. Both teams will probably try and establish the run early and both teams have been good at stopping the run so far this season. It's going to come down to who wins the field position battle and who makes the most of the other's mistakes.

I think the teams are evenly matched, but if Tyrod makes plays with his feet early or Glennon comes in the game and makes plays through the air in the second half, it could go the Hokies way. I'm picking 27-23, Virginia Tech.

7. Be honest. Where do you think the Hokies and Huskers are right now in the grand scheme of college football?

The Hokies right now aren't an elite football program and won't be until they start winning games like these. Getting blown out at LSU and losing to Kansas (I'm mean, c'mon, they're f****** Kansas) in BCS bowl games are not what elite teams do. We're a young team that next year or 2010 will have the talent to compete for a national championship. Whether or not that comes to fruition is another thing entirely. There's a hump they still have to get over. Us, Texas and USC are the only three teams to win 10 games each of the last four seasons. But one of those teams doesn't have a national title in that span.

Nebraska I think tried to adjust to modern college football when sticking to its roots may not have set it back as much as it thought. College football, in my opinion, is still run-first. Teams are just doing it in different ways now. I think Tommie Frazier would have been amazing running the spread. I don't think you can look at their current record and say, "Oh, they're back." But you can't say they're the same team they were last year. They're far from it. I think this is the kind of year where the Huskers will beat someone they have no business beating, but will also lose to someone they have no business losing to, at least by Nebraska standards.

Before I wrote a preview of the Virginia Tech I wanted to get an idea of how Hokie fans are feeling about their football team, so I hit the blogosphere. What I found is that they’re really hating on their current offensive coordinator, Bryan Stinespring. They’re hating on him so much there are two blogs dedicated to his firing.

The blog ‘Jason from Arlington’ got started after a caller challenged Hokie head man Frank Beamer on a radio call in show a couple weeks ago. The caller’s insistence that the offense be changed and Beamer’s response (both of which can be heard here) set off a media storm heard as far away as.… Blacksburg?

Continue reading this post »

You've seen 'em, I've seen 'em, the emails, posts, requests for a "Black Out" game. They show up every year like urban legend emails, despite constant rebuttal.

It's a bad idea for everyone to wear black to a Nebraska football game. Maybe not you, because you're special, but everyone else, trust me they would look bad in black. Bad as in bad as in not good.

In an effort to convince you, once and for all, that it's a bad idea here are 20 reasons to not wear black to a Nebraska football game.

Continue reading this post »

ABC and ESPN announced their preliminary schedule of televised Big XII football games...and noteworthy by absence is Virginia Tech/Nebraska.  Not sure if ABC/ESPN is merely holding on their plans for September 27th, or if this one might fall to FSN.  I know one thing...it'll be televised.

I originally thought this would be an ABC prime time affair...but I also would have expected it to have been announced now.

Here is the ABC/ESPN schedule as announced today:

Aug. 30 (Sat.): Illinois vs. Missouri in St. Louis, ESPN, 6:45 p.m.

Sept. 6 (Sat.): Cincinnati at Oklahoma, ABC, 2:30 p.m.; Texas at UTEP, ESPN2, 9:15 p.m.

Sept. 12 (Fri.): Kansas at South Florida, ESPN2, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 (Sat.): Arkansas at Texas, ABC, 2:30 p.m.; Oklahoma at Washington, ESPN, 6:45 p.m.

Sept. 17 (Wed.): Kansas State at Louisville, ESPN2, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 (Thur.): West Virginia at Colorado, ESPN, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 (Fri.) Baylor at Connecticut, ESPN2, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 (Sat.): Texas vs. Oklahoma in Dallas, ABC, 11 a.m.

Nov. 27 (Thur.): Texas A&M at Texas, ESPN, 7 p.m.

Nov. 28 (Fri.): Colorado at Nebraska, ABC, 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 (Sat.): Big 12 championship game, Kansas City, Mo., 7 p.m.

In another note, the season opener between Nebraska and Western Michigan is expected to be televised by FSN ...time still to be determined.