Husker News and Notes: Gator Bowl Selection Edition

Morning one-liners:

Tim Griffin’s early analysis on the Nebraska-Clemson Gator Bowl.

New Mexico has interest in Shawn Watson for their head coaching vacancy.

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“He doesn’t want to take just any job,” Gary Barnett recently told the Journal Star. “It’s got to be a good fit for him. He’s deeply loyal to Nebraska.”

Competition for the New Mexico job reportedly includes Dan McCarney. The former Iowa State head coach (1995-2006) and current defensive line coach at Florida was expected to interview for the position Sunday, according to multiple reports.

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Bo Pelini is "excited" to play in the Gator Bowl.

Buy the way, the Gator Bowl selection is official, along with the complete bowl schedule.

Sam McKewon looks at the key offensive players in 2008.

Primers on Clemson football and traditions.

Husker coaches are excited about the extra practices a bowl game affords.

Tom Osborne on Bo Pelini’s first year: very good.

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“I was looking for the team to play hard, to turn the attitude around, the confidence level. Bo and his staff did that,” Osborne said during a teleconference announcing the Huskers’ Gator Bowl matchup with Clemson.

Osborne said two factors weigh heavily in his evaluation.

Did the players play hard?

“Bo and his staff got them to do that,” Osborne said. “They played with intensity all the time.”

Did they get better, stay the same or get worse?

“There is no question our team improved throughout the year,” Osborne said.

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ESPN’s Mark Schlabach ranks the Gator Bowl 13th overall among 2009 bowl games.