Huskers 411

Murray, Oklahoma dodge upset, top Utah St.

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:09:09 +0000

Sorry, the page you have requested does not exist at this address.

If you are trying to reach a Boston.com page from a bookmark, the address may have changed, or the page may have been eliminated. Please use the sections above to browse for what you're looking for, or visit our home page

Murray, Oklahoma dodge upset, top Utah St.

Ohio State unsure what to expect from Marshall

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:09:10 +0000

A new head coach and new assistants, some new players and new schemes have made it difficult to pin down precisely what the Thundering Herd may try to do when they visit Ohio Stadium tonight to open the season.

"You go through preseason camp and you try to cover the whole comprehensive realm of what you think you might face," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Monday. "Well, what's been difficult about that for us is that obviously Marshall has a new coaching staff."

Gone is coach Mark Snyder, a former assistant coach at Ohio State, who resigned a day after the Thundering Herd finished the regular season at 6-6. Snyder, who was 21-37 in five seasons, favored a ball-control offense.

First-year head coach Doc Holliday has assembled a staff which has roots in the state but has served programs all around the country.

Holliday has 31 years of collegiate coaching experience that includes stops at Florida, North Carolina State and West Virginia.

So does that mean the Buckeyes should prepare for a two-headed passing attack similar to the Gators ran in the 2006 national championship game against them, when Holliday was on coach Urban Meyer's staff? Will the defense mirror the Wolfpack's? Might the Thundering Herd take on a lot of the characteristics of their in-state rivals in Morgantown?

No. 3 Boise State

BOISE, Idaho - As he stood before his team ready to address goals and expectations in preparation for Boise State's season, Chris Petersen grabbed the attention of his players and changed the message he recited for years.

"Let's prove everyone right," the Broncos' successful fifth-year coach told his squad.

This couldn't be the message coming from Petersen, not after years of eschewing all the public debate about Boise State's place in the college football pantheon. Not after years of claiming to ignore their worthiness as believed by pollsters, pundits and computers.

"People on the outside are giving us some credit and we don't put a whole lot of stock into preseason rankings, but if people are going to say great things and are thinking about us differently, OK then. We'll go ahead," Petersen said. "We've always been kind of coming from nowhere in the past, so now we're certainly not sneaking up on anybody. We'll still have that chip on our shoulder, but it'll be to prove everybody right."

Welcome to the latest chapter in the evolution of the "outsiders" in college football.

Once considered the happy story of the occasional long-shot crashing the BCS's big money party, the non-automatic qualifiers have recently taken up permanent residence, grabbing their share of the millions divvied out from the top-tier bowls.

No. 5 Texas

AUSTIN, Texas - Cody Johnson, a pile-driving touchdown scorer Texas coaches thought would be a short-yardage specialist, is now the starting tailback for the fifth-ranked Longhorns for the season-opening game at Rice.

Considered the third option behind Tre' Newton and Fozzy Whittaker when training camp started, Johnson bulled his way into the starting role by reporting in excellent shape, then dazzling coach Mack Brown in the Longhorns' commitment to a finding a tough, new running game.

"He's quick, he's powerful and our guys don't like tackling him," Brown said Monday.

Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound junior, started one game and rushed for 335 yards and 12 touchdowns last season as Texas went 13-1 and played for the BCS championship. In his only start against Baylor, he ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Newton was Texas' leading rusher last season with 552 yards.

Johnson, who has struggled with conditioning and injuries, had a hamstring problem in spring drills. Brown said he had figured Johnson had settled into being a short-yardage back for his career.

"We said, 'That's OK, it looks like you've decided that's what you want,," Brown said. "You're really good at it and we're going to move on. And all of a sudden, we come back and all I hear is Cody, Cody, Cody. I've heard that for two years. He's worked really hard. I'm pulling for him."

No. 6 TCU

FORT WORTH, Texas - The pyramid of goals that hangs prominently in TCU's meeting room is a visual reminder of what the Horned Frogs have accomplished and what their goals are.

Each time a goal is reached, sixth-ranked TCU shades that box in with the school color.

The chart that was mostly filled out in purple last season when the Horned Frogs became a BCS buster has been replaced by a fresh one. Only the bottom rungs are shaded, with a lot of uncolored boxes above that.

"To see that every day, it kind of ingrains it in your mind," center Jake Kirkpatrick said Tuesday. "It's hard to know that we got so high last year and now we have to restart."

Never before had TCU filled in as much of its pyramid as last year with its first undefeated regular season since 1938.

The only boxes left unshaded on last season's pyramid were "Go To BCS Game - and Win" since the Frogs lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, and the ultimate goal at the pinnacle that has never changed in coach Gary Patterson's 10 seasons as head coach: "No. 1, National Champions."

No. 7 Oklahoma

NORMAN, Okla. - Winning sure looked easy at Oklahoma when there was a group of NFL-bound stars scoring points at a record pace and playing for the national championship.

Once those stars were sidelined, there was a dose of reality for the players charged with taking over. Instead of cruising right back to the BCS, the Sooners last year suffered through a five-loss season filled with injuries but also with lessons.

"We had a sense of entitlement going into games on Saturdays," said quarterback Landry Jones, who was called upon to replace 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. "Just because we were OU and Oklahoma, we were going to win games, and kind of lost where we came from in hard work and preparation."

Entering their season opener Saturday night against Utah State, the No. 7 Sooners are hoping to right what went wrong from the very start last season.

Along with Bradford getting injured at the end of the first half, Oklahoma played an undisciplined first game of the season in losing 14-13 to BYU. A new offensive line committed penalty after penalty, receivers dropped passes and the defense finally broke down late when it simply couldn't afford to do so.

Instead of blaming the struggles on injuries to Bradford and fellow first-round NFL draft pick Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma wants to prevent the same mistakes from popping up again early this season.

No. 8 Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. - In football-mad Nebraska, it's the biggest state secret.

Four days from the opener, the eighth-ranked Cornhuskers still haven't named a starting quarterback.

Will it be Zac Lee, last year's starter, Cody Green, Lee's backup, or spring sensation Taylor Martinez?

Coach Bo Pelini and his staff aren't letting on. Pelini said Tuesday the answer might not be revealed to fans until Nebraska's offense takes the field against Western Kentucky on Saturday night.

Not even receiver Brandon Kinnie has an inkling.

"You'd think as a receiver I would have a pretty good idea who's going to be throwing me the ball," Kinnie said. "They're all taking the same number of reps. I can't tell. Those guys (coaches) are good at keeping it hush-hush."

Lee and Green have been off-limits to the media since the first day of practice, and Pelini doesn't let players who haven't appeared in a game, like Martinez, to speak with reporters.

Pelini said he hasn't given any of the quarterbacks an indication of who will take the first snap.

No. 9 Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa's resurgence last season was powered by a punishing defense and a rushing attack that eats up yards and time.

Don't expect the ninth-ranked Hawkeyes to abandon their beloved running game in 2010. But don't be surprised if they fling the ball around a bit more than usual either.

Iowa brings back what appears to be their most impressive passing attack in recent memory. The often-conservative Hawkeyes return senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi, a talented receivers in Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt and dependable tight ends Allen Reisner and Brad Herman.

The Hawkeyes probably won't have to get too fancy against FCS school Eastern Illinois in Saturday's opener. But Iowa appears to have more than enough weapons to better the paltry 23.2 points per game it scored last season.

"We would love to have an explosive offensive attack, especially in the pass game. I mean, that can only help us," Stanzi said. "I think we have guys that can go out there and do that."

No. 11 Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. - Darron Thomas will be No. 11 Oregon's starting quarterback for the opener against New Mexico, taking over the Ducks after the dismissal of Jeremiah Masoli.

Thomas has been competing for the job against senior Nate Costa throughout fall camp. While Costa is more of a traditional passer, Thomas is more of a threat on the ground, much like Masoli.

Thomas, a 6-3, 212-pound sophomore, played in five games as a true freshman in 2008, completing 16 of 33 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns.

Called on when Oregon was hit by a slew of injuries, Thomas came close, but just missed on leading the Ducks to a come-from-behind victory at home against Boise State that season. The Broncos won 37-32.

Masoli, now a walk-on at Mississippi, was projected to be a possible Heisman Trophy candidate before his fall from grace at Oregon.

Masoli pleaded guilty to charges connected to the theft of two laptops and a guitar from a campus fraternity house in January.

No. 12 Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. - Running back John Clay is on top of Wisconsin's depth chart, as expected, but coach Bret Bielema says he'll give backups Montee Ball and James White carries against UNLV on Saturday.

Clay is the workhorse for the 12th-ranked Badgers, who face high expectations with 10 starters back on offense. The burly junior rushed for 1,517 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and had surgeries on both ankles in the offseason.

Clay had a tough final scrimmage last week with two fumbles. Bielema said how many carries he gets against UNLV will depend on how Clay handles the work and the flow of the game.

No. 14 USC

LOS ANGELES - After one last preseason workout at Southern California, the Trojans headed to Hawaii on Tuesday night.

And it wasn't for a restful vacation, no matter how much they need it.

The Trojans realize reinforcements for their depleted program aren't arriving any time soon, so their fate rests in their ability to stay on the field through every bump and bruise. Several of coach Lane Kiffin's players are nursing minor injuries, and a handful are out - including their backup center and their most talented freshman receiver.

But Kiffin finally has his preferred offensive line together just a few days before the 14th-ranked Trojans open at Aloha Stadium on Thursday night, and he's cautiously optimistic he can keep a healthy, competitive team on the field beyond the opener.

No. 15 Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH - Season openers aren't supposed to be this difficult for a team such as No. 15 Pittsburgh.

The Panthers are going into Thursday night's game at Utah with a first-time starting quarterback (Tino Sunseri), a center who went on scholarship only last week (Alex Karabin), two new starting cornerbacks (Ricky Gary and Antwuan Reed), plus a new middle linebacker (Dan Mason).

That's a lot of inexperience to take into a stadium where the home team hasn't lost in three years.

With only one senior who's a returning starter on offense - left tackle Jason Pinkston - it's by far the youngest of the six teams Dave Wannstedt has coached at his alma mater.

No. 19 Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Coach Joe Paterno has tabbed freshman Robert Bolden as the starting quarterback for No. 19 Penn State.

Bolden beat out two sophomores, Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin to start Saturday's opener against Youngstown State.

It would be the first time a true freshman opened the season as the starting quarterback for Penn State. It would also be the first start for a true freshman quarterback for Paterno since Wally Richardson in 1992.

Paterno said in a statement Wednesday that Bolden had a slight edge over the other two candidates, but that he was confident that all three quarterbacks were ready.

Ohio State unsure what to expect from Marshall

My Final Answer on Big Ten Conference Alignment

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:09:14 +0000

The mysteries of Big Ten Conference Alignment have become much clearer in the last couple of weeks. Although no final announcement has been made, comments from Athletic Directors across the league have made it possible to predict the final outcome of Big Ten Division alignment.

What we know:

Wisconsin and Iowa will be split into separate divisions

My Final Answer on Big Ten Conference Alignment

Tailgating Like None Other

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:09:09 +0000

Many Nebraska fans cannot wait for the switch to the Big Ten to create new rivalries. Others are concentrating on the farewell year in the Big Twelve that gets underway on Saturday. To get prepared, one Omaha family hosted an early tailgating party -- complete with former UNL marching band members performing.

For the 4th year, Jeff and Jen Fitzke turned their backyard into a makeshift football field. "Everyone had fifty-yard line seats," says Jeff.

To make the experience seem like Memorial Stadium, they even recreated the menu. "We have all the stadium food. We catered in Valentino's, Fairbury hot dogs, and Runza's."

The UNL graduates do this as a way to practice for the real thing this weekend. The party keeps growing says Jen Fitzke, "Maybe 25 our first year and 60 this year."

In addition to the food, they used landscaping paint to paint the yardage markers on the ground. And just like a game -- approximately two hours into their party -- it was halftime.

Jeff played his alto sax. Jen on her trumpet. Several other former Husker marching band members joined in. The tuba players even remembered some of the choreography.

Neighbors didn't seem to the mind. "Except for a few Colorado fans down the street," says Jeff.

This time next year, tailgaters may set their ire on fresh opponents -- but the songs remain the same.

Tailgating Like None Other

All chairback seats must be rent at Husker games

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:09:09 +0000

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska football fans who enjoy a more comfortable seat are going to be required to rent chairback seats this year and not allowed to bring their own to Memorial Stadium.

There are 18,000 new chairback seats available. Rental is $4 if pre-paid for the season and $5 on game day.

Associate athletic director for facilities and events Butch Hug said many chairbacks sold in stores are larger than Memorial Stadium's allotted seat space. Hug said the department's new chairbacks have thicker seats and fiberglass backs that are molded for the comfort of the fan and do not take up the knee space of the person seated behind them.

The Huskers open the season Saturday night against Western Kentucky.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln athleics: http://www.huskers.com

All chairback seats must be rent at Husker games

Big 12, once known for its quality QBs, isn't so secure behind center

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:09:10 +0000

Big 12 Headlines Big 12, once known for its quality QBs, isn't so secure behind centerColumn by CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News

Big 12, once known for its quality QBs, isn't so secure behind center

Carlton: Texas-Texas Tech has look of a potential upset

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:09:10 +0000

Business Videos

Celebrities Videos

Charities Videos

Classic Cowboys Videos

Concerts Videos

Cowboys Videos

Elections 2008 Videos

Entertainment Videos

Food Videos

General News Videos

High School Sports Videos

Holidays Videos

Humor Videos

Carlton: Texas-Texas Tech has look of a potential upset

Football Opens 2010 Season at Kansas

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:09:11 +0000

North Dakota State University (3-8, 2-6 Valley Football) is scheduled to play the University of Kansas (5-7, 1-6 Big 12 North) at 6:10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at Kivisto Field at Memorial Stadium (Field Turf/50,071) in Lawrence ... The coaching matchup features a pair of former Nebraska Cornhuskers ... NDSU head coach Craig Bohl

Football Opens 2010 Season at Kansas

Sports Handicapping Service Projects Missouri Tigers Behind Nebraska Cornhuskers

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:09:05 +0000

Get VIP & Front of Line passes at the hottest VEGAS clubs

Gambling links

HorseRacing Tips

BetUsSportsbook

Sports Handicapping Service Projects Missouri Tigers Behind Nebraska Cornhuskers

ACA's Eldridge looking to be a more complete QB

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:09:11 +0000

ACA's Eldridge looking to be a more complete QB