Previous Columns from 2010:
By: Husker Dan
In last month's column, I was critical of the 2009 Husker offense and noted that the key to the Huskers' run for conference and national honors this fall must begin with retooling the offense. I also warned that if Zac Lee were the starting quarterback this fall, that the program would be in trouble. I was wrong After the Huskers' dominating performance in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona, we learned that Zac had been playing most of the season (since September 12th) with a torn ligament in the elbow of his throwing arm. And to complicate matters, he played most of the year with a bad ankle, which limited his ability to run effectively. So in order to give Zac some time to heal last fall, Husker Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson decided to give true freshman Cody Green a chance to play. But it became apparent that after two starts, a wounded Zac Lee was still better than a healthy Green. This is not to take anything away from Green, but he was a true freshman last year and needs more experience and maturity before he can be expected to lead the Husker offense in 2010. The Year in Review If you had told most Husker fans back in August that Nebraska would win 10 games, beat Oklahoma, win the Big 12 North, come within one second of winning the Big 12 Championship, go to a warm weather bowl game and get Nebraska's first ever shut out in a bowl game, they would be as happy as Bob Devaney with a case of Budweiser. To be sure, this Husker team in many ways overachieved. But had it not been for a couple of plays, Nebraska could easily have been competing for a national championship. Let me say that again, Nebraska could have been competing for a national championship. And please consider where the Huskers were just two short years ago: a 5-7 record, no bowl appearance, a defense ranked 116th in the nation, a fired coaching staff and a new athletic director. And this year the Blackshirts went from worst to almost first. The emergence of Ndamukong Suh, helped this group get the national recognition they so deserved. Bo Pelini and his staff have done a remarkable turnaround in just two short years. And special teams were also a huge reason why the Huskers performed so well last year. Alex Henery who added punting chores to his place kicking duties, became a deadly field position weapon. But unfortunately, the offense was the missing link in an otherwise great season. The Best Game of the Year Runners Up Worst Game of the Year Toughest Loss of the Year Best Win of the Year Player of the Year: Most Improved Player The Biggest Surprise Player Biggest Disappointment
The 33-0 Holiday Bowl win over Arizona. Clearly, this was the Huskers' most complete game of the year.
The 10-3 win at Lincoln over the Oklahoma Sooners.
Hands down, the Iowa State game in which the Huskers had more turnovers (eight) than they had points (seven) in a 9-7 home loss.
13-12 loss to Texas
10-3 over Oklahoma
Ndamukong Suh. He was the AP National Player of the Year and was a First Team All American. He also won the Lombardi Award, Chuck Bednarek Award, the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Award and finished fourth in the Heisman.
Matt O'Hanlon. We knew he could play, but he developed into the best open field tackler on the team.
The emergence of true freshman Rex Burkhead at running back.
The Husker offense
Ndamukong Suh's tossing of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy to the turf in the Big 12 Championship game.
Ugliest Play of the Year
Niles Paul's ignoring an incomplete pass that was clearly a lateral that was returned for a touchdown in a home loss to Texas Tech.
And there you have it-the highs and the lows of the 2009 Husker football season. You may write me at huskerdan@cox.net.
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