Nebraska News: Shawn Watson, Husker QB Competition, Gator Bowl Preparations

News and Notes

Blake Lawrence is making the most of the Gator Bowl preparations.

Theme of the Day: Every Husker beat writer has a man-crush on Shawn Watson. McKewon looks at how the Husker offense became a time-eating machine:

"The Huskers were 12th nationally in total offense, 18th in scoring offense and second in time of possession. After a rocky start with the running game, Nebraska finished 37th, gaining over 300 ground yards twice in Big 12 play. Fifteenth in third down conversion percentage, 14th in passing efficiency, 13th in total first downs. All this while juggling three running backs, working with a new staff and integrating elements of the spread offense into a classic, tight-end-driven version of the West Coast Offense."

Philip Dillard is likely to play in the Gator Bowl.

Again, the Watson man-crush continues. Watson on Callahan:

On another front, Watson was asked if he’s spoken at all recently with former Husker head coach Bill Callahan, now the offensive line coach for the New York Jets.

“Have not, not since the season’s been on. We’ve not,” Watson said. “He’s obviously busy. That’s a different deal. And I’ve been really, really busy. I don’t get a chance to talk to my wife much.”

Does he think Callahan would be pleased with what this offense has done this season?

“I think he would be. I obviously learned a lot of this from him, so he gets a lot of credit. That’s just what it is. We’ve put our spin on it. Yeah, we have. My personality in the playcalling? Yes,” Watson said. “But again, the soundness and some of the things that we do that I think could give us an edge come from what I’ve learned from him. So I’d be remiss, I’d be wrong, if I didn’t say that.”

New 2009 Storyline: Patrick Witt and Zac Lee are neck-and-neck in the QB race. And don’t forget about Cody Green and Kody Spano.

With Green graduating from high school in December, all four quarterbacks are expected to be on campus for the spring semester, ready to take part in conditioning and then spring ball.

The preparation for the Gator Bowl begins, and the Huskers have the "hunger":

“We’re fresh,” Watson said. “That’s kinda what’s nice right now. Everybody’s fresh and our sharpness is there.  The guys have wanted to be here, so their attention is with us. They’re hungry to play again...it’s not been hard at all to keep their attention and their focus because it’s what they wanted.”

Said sophomore running back Quentin Castille: “I feel a hunger in everybody. The coaches, the players. Even though we’re in half pads, we just want to go out there and dominate.”