Nebraska Football: 11 Things the Cornhuskers Do Very Well
For a state with a population just south of two million, Nebraska football has carved out a national identity. Across the country, college football fans know that if the Cornhuskers are good; they will be an important part of the national landscape.
But when people see Nebraska, what are they looking for? Let's take a look at the things that Nebraska does well, both historically and currently.
Play Defense
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If Bo Pelini's teams are known for anything, they're known for how well they play defense. The Blackshirts have returned with a vengeance under Pelini, and even without much offensive support, Nebraska played in two straight conference championships. The whole "scoring points" thing might be up in the air, but so long as Pelini prowls the sidelines, Nebraska's defense will be solid.
Run the Ball
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The first thing most people think of when Nebraska football comes up is a powerful running game.
While the Bill Callahan era moved NU away from that for a time, we have seen Nebraska return to its roots in many ways. Last year, Roy Helu amassed what might have been the quietest rushing totals in NU history. With Rex Burkhead returning and a lot of RB talent in this year's draft class, look for Nebraska to continue their rushing ways.
Play 11-on-11
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Throughout their years of success, Nebraska has always had quarterbacks with the ability to tuck the ball and run, forcing the defense to play 11-on-11 and opening things up for the rest of the team. From Turner Gill to Tommie Frazier to Eric Crouch to Taylor Martinez, speed at the signal-caller position has been a hallmark of Nebraska football.
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Punt and Kick
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Darin Erstad. Josh Brown. Kris Brown. Sam Koch. Alex Henery.
Scoff if you will, but punters and kickers are crucial to the success of a football team. A skilled punter can be worth more in total field position than a dominant pass-rusher. A reliable placekicker can put more points on the board than a fantastic wide receiver. Ask Bobby Bowden how important kickers are in terms of big-time wins and losses.
Nebraska has a history of producing great special teams players, and more importantly, of understanding how crucial those specialists are in the success of a team.
Sell out
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No, this isn't about the sellout streak, that's coming later.
Sometimes, Pelini's teams don't do the smartest things on the field. But under Pelini, the Cornhuskers never lack a will to win and the energy to give maximum effort. (Well, almost always, but Nebraska fans have pretty much agreed that last year's Holiday Bowl didn't actually happen).
Show Up on Gameday
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For 311 consecutive games, there isn't a ticket to be had in Lincoln to see the Cornhuskers. Since November 03, 1962, Nebraska has sold out every home game. That kind of loyalty from a fanbase is a selling point for recruits, and a motivational tool coaches use to help players get ready to win.
Cue the "of course there's a sellout streak, there's nothing else to do in Lincoln" comment threads in three, two, one...
Respect Opposing Teams
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One of the Nebraska traditions that I have always thought deserved more attention was the custom of Nebraska fans applauding the opponents off the field, win or lose. It's not just Nebraska fans that have noticed how special this tradition is. Check out this. And this. And this. And this. And this.
Some dislike the tradition as smacking of arrogance or condescension. Some believe such civility and sportsmanship has no place in a world of anonymity-fueled vulgarity and bile. Some see the misbehavior of a portion of NU's fanbase and see the tradition as hypocrisy.
It's true that not every Nebraska fan lives up to the ideal this particular tradition calls for. But the fact that the ideal exists in the first place, and that many fans (even after the loss to Texas last year) still observe it is one thing Nebraska has done well for a long, long time.
Travel
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Opposing teams in the Big 12 could always count on a visit from Nebraska to help their attendance figures. Even schools as prestigious as Notre Dame weren't able to prevent the Sea of Red from washing over their stands on game day. And bowl organizers across the country salivate at the thought of having Nebraska—and the legions of fans who will follow the Cornhuskers—participate in their bowl.
Get TV Ratings
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Yes, I know, these people aren't watching television. YOU try finding a compelling picture of people watching television!
Each year, when it comes to average ratings, Nebraska consistently is in the top five or top 10 nationally amongst college football teams. The Cornhuskers share that space with teams such as Ohio State, Texas, Michigan, USC, Alabama, Penn State and Notre Dame, despite having south of two million people living in the state.
Commit Penalties
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One hundred nine penalties. 993 yards in penalties. Last year, Nebraska was second in the nation in the dubious statistic of penalties committed. Some Nebraska fans took that as prima facie evidence of a conspiracy against Nebraska from the Big 12 honchos in retribution for NU leaving the conference.
If so, it was a particularly well-planned conspiracy, as Nebraska was ninth nationally in penalties in 2009 and 19th nationally in 2008. The fact is, Bo Pelini's teams play quickly and aggressively. And, when you combine that with a disturbing history of not playing intelligently at times, you end up with a team that draws a lot of yellow laundry.
This is one area of Nebraska's "success" that Pelini would dearly like to remedy going forward.
Be Entertaining
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There aren't many coaches that have a television camera on them at all times in the course of a televised game. But between his well-publicized series of red-faced, vein-popping rants, the will-he-or-won't-he drama of Taylor Martinez, the conspiracy theories and the penchant for soul-destroying near misses in championship games, Nebraska football is never boring to watch.
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