Friday, August 26, 2005
Editor’s Note: This is the seventh of 11 articles previewing Kansas’ competition in the Big 12 Conference. The articles will run every day from now until Sept. 1. Monday the Kansan will look at Iowa State.
It’s year two of the Bill Callahan era at Nebraska and for Cornhusker fans, it’s time to win.
Nebraska endured a tough first season under Callahan with a 5-6 record. This season, Callahan is more confident heading into the season because his team is more familiar with the offense that he brought from the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.
2005 Nebraska Football Schedule
Date Opponent Location
9/3/2005 Maine Lincoln, Neb.
9/10/2005 Wake Forest Lincoln, Neb.
9/17/2005 Pittsburgh Lincoln, Neb.
10/1/2005 Iowa State Lincoln, Neb.
10/8/2005 Texas Tech Lincoln, Neb.
10/15/2005 Baylor Waco, Texas
10/22/2005 Missouri Columbia, Mo.
10/29/2005 Oklahoma Lincoln, Neb.
11/5/2005 Kansas Lawrence
11/12/2005 Kansas State Lincoln, Neb.
11/25/2005 Colorado Boulder, Col.
Source: www.huskers.com
Even though last year’s record was not what Callahan wanted, he said his team learned a lot last year, and it would help them this season.
“The biggest thing that I think we have all taken from our first year at Nebraska as a staff, of course, with the players, is we have learned how to overcome adversity,” Callahan said. “It’s tough to come into any situation transitionally and all of a sudden try to create trust and try to create instant credibility with your players.”
Callahan isn’t the only one who thinks this year is going to be more successful. Seppo Evwaraye, senior offensive tackle, feels more comfortable under the new offense and said he thinks the offense will be able to score more points and move the ball more efficiently.
“I remember the first year I was with the playbook terminology, and it looked like Hebrew to me and a bunch of other guys,” Evwaraye said. “This year it wasn’t the same. We remembered a lot of stuff from the season.”
It will be the same offense this season as last, but a different quarterback will be taking the snaps.
Callahan has yet to name a starter for Nebraska’s opener against Maine. Junior college transfer Zac Taylor is the favorite to win the job and was named the preseason Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year by the media.
Taylor played his junior college ball at Butler Community College in Kansas, and has impressed coaches since joining the team.
“I will tell you, Zac has an upper hand predicated on the experience. It is going to be competitive,” Callahan said. “For all those guys, it’s going to be interesting in terms of their battles.”
The wild card in the quarterback race is freshman Harrison Beck. Beck was highly recruited coming out of high school last season, and was considered the first big recruit signing of Callahan’s tenure.
The most stable position on offense will be running back. The Cornhuskers return leading rusher Cory Ross, who ran for 1,102 yards last season and scored six touchdowns. His strongest performance of the year came against Missouri, in which he rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, the biggest unit to replace will be the secondary. The Cornhuskers lost two defensive backs to the NFL, Josh Bullocks and Fabian Washington, The team only returns one starter in the defensive backfield.
The one returning starter is Bullock’s twin brother, Daniel. Daniel Bullocks is on a number of award watch lists heading into the season, and Callahan said he was expecting Bullock to be a leader on the field for the young players.
“We are leaning on his leadership to provide us a catalyst on defense,” Callahan said. “He will be spearheading a young secondary. Secondary is where we lost three starters from a year ago, so his leadership, his ability to communicate, put people in the right spots will be pivotal for us as we begin this season.”
Nebraska’s first real test of the season will come Sept. 17, against Pittsburgh. Other important games for Nebraska will be Oct. 22 at Missouri and Nov. 5 at Kansas.
— Edited by Erick R. SchmidtCornhusker backfield full of talent
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