LINCOLN, Neb. -- In a program where the words "excellence"
and "championships" used to easily roll off tongues, the talk has
turned to "hope" at Nebraska.
The conversation changed drastically after losses to Missouri
and Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks by a combined score of
86-20.
Prospects of the Cornhuskers (4-3, 1-2 Big 12) repeating as
North Division champions are fading fast. The buzz around here now
is about whether fourth-year coach Bill Callahan will make it to a
fifth season at Nebraska, despite signing a five-year contract last
month.
Following a 45-14 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday --
Nebraska's worst beating at home since 1958 -- Callahan had no clear
answer when asked why anyone should believe things will get better
this year.
"You just have to believ e," Callahan said. "You have to keep
hope alive for those kids. You can't walk away from them and point
fingers and blame and do anything like that. We're all in it
together."
The Huskers' confidence on defense has been obliterated by what
collectively has been some of the worst performances since the
pre-Bob Devaney era, which began in 1962.
Oklahoma State, which hadn't won at Memorial Stadium in 20
visits since 1960, set an opponent first-half scoring record while
getting out to a 38-0 lead.
The Cowboys averaged 7.8 yards a play and finished with 551
yards, making them the fifth straight opponent to amass 415 or more
yards.
"It's hard to defend a lot of things that are going on right
now," Callahan said. "Our players are trying. They're certainly
trying. Again, it's just not enough. We make some plays, we get a
team backed up in third-and-long situations, and then they convert
on a screen play, whatever it may be. It's really disappointing."
Offensively, the Huskers generated 335 yards, but Sam Keller
threw for only 129 against one of the nation's worst pass defenses.
Maurice Purify, who came into the season as one of the Big 12's top
returning receivers, has become an afterthought. He caught just one
pass for 24 yards against OSU.
The running game showed some improvement in the second half and
may have a budding star in freshman Quentin Castille, who ran for
102 yards on 20 carries.
But Nebraska didn't make a first down until its fourth
possession. The Huskers punted five times, turned over the ball
three times and turned over the ball on downs twice.
Nebraska scored touchdowns on two of its last three series,
leading Callahan to believe that he has not lost his team mentally.
"They came back and competed, and I thought we ran the ball
better," Callahan said. "We were getting a rhythm there in the
second half."
Keller gave an impassioned monologue after Saturday's game about
what he and his teammates are going through and how they haven't
lived up to the expectations of the program and the state.
He pointed to his chest, saying there is a pain inside that
won't go away.
"Everybody has to fall in line, the leaders have to take this
over, and we have to make something of ourselves," Keller said.
Contrary to the view of many observers, Callahan said he
believes his players are giving a good effort. He said they are
pressing, afraid to make mistakes.
"There are a lot of good football players doing what you are
asking," he said. "I just see it and feel like we're not doing it
collectively. I don't know. This is a strange game."
The Huskers play Texas A&M at home this Saturday, then play
three of their final four regular-season games on the road. Tough
games at Texas (Oct. 27) and Kansas (Nov. 3) are on consecutive
weeks, and the Huskers might find themselves fighting for bowl
eligibility when Kansas State comes calling Nov. 10.
"Any time you are faced with a little bit of adversity -- in our
case, a lot of adversity -- the only way we can go is up," Keller
said.