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› The Husker Faithful BLOG
february 01, 2012 04:37pm
Huskers miss out on Peat, but get Valentine, Moore & Curry
Heading into signing day, the Huskers 2012 recruiting class stood at 14. DT Aaron Curry of Keller, Texas picked the Huskers over Iowa in his announcment this morning making the total 15. Four-star athlete Alonzo Moore became the 16th member of the class and Vincent Valentine rounded out the 2012 class at 17.
But it was the one who got away that will get much of the attention. Andrus Peat, a 5-star offensive lineman, who has a brother already at Nebraska and a cousin on the way, decided to take his talents to Palo Alto and play for the Stanford Cardinal. Nearly every recruiting expert thought Peat would join his family members and become a Husker. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.
Devian Shelton is the other big name who got away, wooed by a very late USC offer.
The loss of these two recruits takes the shine off what was set up to become a very good class. Still, it ended up being a pretty good class, depending on which recruiting service you fancy.
The Huskers were ranked #32 in the country by Rivals heading into Signing Day. Getting three out of their final five targets moved them up to #24 with a 3.35 average star rating. Fellow Big Ten members are ranked as follows: Ohio State (#4), Michigan (#6), Purdue (#34), Michigan State (#40), Iowa (#41), and Penn State (#50).
Here's a look at the Huskers 2012 class...
By position:
QB - 1
RB - 1
WR - 1
TE - 1
OL - 2
DL - None
DE - 2
DT - 2
LB - 4
DB - 1
P/K - None
ATH - 2
By state:
Arizona - 1
California - 3
Colorado - 1
Georgia - 1
Illinois - 2
Louisiana - 1
Missouri - 1
Nebraska - 1
Ohio - 2
Texas - 2
Utah - 1
Virginia - 1
By Rivals.com stars:
5 stars - None
4 stars - 6
3 stars - 11
1 star - None
By player
Jared Afalava
Linebacker
South Jordan, UT (Bingham H.S.)
6'3" 220 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
LeRoy Alexander
Athlete
Toledo, OH (Whitmer H.S.)
6'2" 190 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Zaire Anderson
Linebacker
Riverside, CA (Riverside C.C.)
6'1" 220 pounds
4 stars
Signed LOI
Tommy Armstrong
Quarterback
Cibolo, TX (Steele H.S.)
6'2" 210 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Thomas Brown
Linebacker
Gardena, CA
6'2" 215 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Sam Cotton
Tight End
Lincoln, NE (Southeast High School)
6'4" 240 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Imani Cross
Running Back
Gainesville, GA (North Hall H.S.)
6'1' 220 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Aaron Curry
Defensive Tackle
Keller, TX (Fossil Ridge)
6'3" 298 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Greg McMullen
Defensive End
Akron, OH (Hoban)
6'5" 255 pounds
4 stars
Signed LOI
Alonzo Moore
Athlete
Winnfield, LA (Winnfield H.S.)
6'2" 170 pounds
4 stars
Signed LOI
Avery Moss
Defensive End
Tempe, AZ (Corona Del Sol)
6'4" 245 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Michael Rose
Linebacker
Kansas City, MO (Rockhurst)
6'0" 230 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Mo Seisay
Cornerback
Eastern Arizona Community College
6'2" 200 pounds
4 stars
Signed LOI
Paul Thurston
Offensive Lineman
Arvada, CO (Arvada West)
6'5" 274 pounds
4 stars
Signed LOI
Vincent Valentine
Defensive Lineman
Edwardsville, IL
6'3" 300 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
Jordan Westerkamp
Wide Receiver
Lombard, IL (Montini)
6'2" 190 pounds
4 stars
Signed LOI
Corey Whitaker
Offensive Lineman
Murrieta, CA (Vista Murrieta H.S.)
6'5" 270 pounds
3 stars
Signed LOI
january 10, 2012 11:24pm
Very few teams maintain superior play year-in and year-out
The stat about Nebraska finishing in the Top 25 for the third season in a row and joining only seven other teams to accomplish the same feat got us thinking. How many teams have finished in the Top 10 in each of the last three seasons?
Only Alabama and Boise State have managed to finish in the Top 10 in each of the past three seasons. We all know how Boise State does it, by playing a weak schedule for the most part, typically stepping up to face one tough non-conference opponent a year. Alabama has done it the old fashioned way, by earning it.
Some Husker fans aren't happy with Top 25 finishes for their team. Urgent memo...there's nothing wrong with consistently finishing in the Top 25. As evidenced in our previous blog post and above, not many teams are up to the task. Let's consider it a starting point, a foundation if you will. Something to build on. Does it add hardware to the trophy case? Not the crystal kind Husker fans want, but the great Nebraska teams of the past didn't just jump up and snag a couple trophies without first having established a foundation.
Husker fans want championships. They feel entitled. But college football has changed dramatically since Tommie Frazier and Scott Frost were running and passing at will against SEC teams in national championship games. Scholarship limits have flattened college football. The days of one or two teams dominating a conference for decades on end are over. Coaching turnover, a bad recruiting class and rules violations are just several of the potential roadblocks for one team running roughshod over an entire conference for an extended amount of time.
We should be happy our team has finished the last three seasons in the Top 25. We should also understand that neither Bo Pelini nor his staff or players are satisfied with that result. This year got away from them as did last year. It's something that needs to be corrected yesterday if Nebraska wants to return to the elite level.
Alabama had one penalty in the entire game last night against LSU and it wasn't on the offense. Even though Nick Saban and the Tide had the game in the bag when the penalty took place, Saban was furious. He's a perfectionist and his team nearly pitched a perfect game. Bo could do more to prevent the undisciplined play we've seen from the Huskers all too often, especially in big games. Too many penalties and turnovers. The great teams don't do that. The fixes aren't complicated and the team isn't that far away. If Bo can close out the 2012 recruiting class with a few key pieces, they very well may be on their way. Only hindsight is perfect.
january 10, 2012 12:22pm
Huskers finish season ranked 24th in polls
Coming off a Capital One Bowl loss to South Carolina, the Huskers finish the season ranked 24th in both polls. Nebraska is one of only eight teams who have ranked in the Top 25 in the final AP poll the last three seasons. The other seven are: Wisconsin, TCU, Alabama, LSU, Oregon, Virginia Tech, and Boise State.
While many Husker fans, dare I say a majority, are not satisfied with nine win seasons, especially when the losses occur in the fashion they did this year, Nebraska is in pretty select company with that list. It's quite obvious how hard it is to maintain a high level of performance year in and year out.
Teams that aren't on this list include Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Texas, Oklahoma, and Penn State. Those are some big names.
So while the sting of losing yet another bowl game to a team that we had a chance to beat is very disconcerting, the team under Bo Pelini has accomplished something. With a few key additions, this team can win a Big Ten Championship and play in a BCS bowl game. Let's hope the recruiting season ends favorably for the Huskers so we have some momentum heading into spring practice. Keep the faith.
january 03, 2012 11:11pm
2011 Season Review by Eddie Ventura
By the end of Nebraska’s inaugural Big Ten season, the Cornhuskers finished 9-4 (5-3 Big Ten). Those numbers are exactly the same as Bo Pelini’s first year as head coach of Nebraska. Four losses every season is not good.
With four straight wins, the season started off great. Nebraska looked like they could be, or were, the best team in the Big Ten. The defense was supposed to be outstanding. There was CB Alfonzo Dennard in the secondary, LB Lavonte David stopping running backs from getting into the secondary, and DL Jared Crick frightening quarterbacks across the nation. New offensive coordinator Tim Beck (former running backs coach) promised more of a spread offense. Even having to play some of the top teams in the nation, the Cornhuskers were still considered the front-runner to play in the first ever Big Ten Championship.
The 2011-2012 season started off as one of the regular "big dogs" against "little dogs" games. Tennessee-Chattanooga coach Russ Huesman said, "We may have a kid or two that could get a backup role, and obviously every one of their guys could come start for us." Nebraska stomped on Tennessee-Chattanooga 40-7.
After that beat down came the Fresno State game, which gave Husker fans everywhere quite a scare. The Bulldogs led most of the game, but Nebraska came out on top with a 42-29 win. It came as no surprise to many since Fresno is typically one of the non-AQ teams to upset many BCS schools.
We could consider the next two wins (against Washington and Wyoming) "easy" and they did seem to come with ease, but there were still some wrinkles left to iron out before Big Ten play began.
The first Big Ten game for the Huskers came with a lot of excitement. ESPN’s College Gameday was down in Madison, Wisconsin and "Coach" Lee Corso even wore one of the iconic "cornheads," choosing the Huskers over the Badgers. Even after a reassuring first quarter, Taylor Martinez ended three straight drives with interceptions and Nebraska went on to lose the game 48-17.
Then came three straight wins against Ohio State, Minnesota and Michigan State. Nebraska came in a favorite against Ohio State, but apparently waited until they were down 21 points to finish the greatest comeback in Nebraska Cornhuskers football history. Minnesota was as predicted, not a blowout but a fairly easy win. Facing Michigan State, Nebraska was considered an underdog yet managed to beat the Spartans.
Nebraska became leaders of the Legends division after the win over Michigan State, then they faced Northwestern. The Cornhuskers came in favorites to the game yet lost in embarrassing fashion with many mental mistakes and turnovers.
Nebraska then went on to beat Penn State in one of the most memorable college football games in history, not because of what happened during the game but what happened leading up to it.
Nebraska traveled to Michigan the following week, a team that looked stronger, faster, and more disciplined than the Huskers. Michigan ran all over Nebraska’s defense, with Denard Robinson leading the way. The defeat of new rival Iowa made it seem like the loss to Michigan would be the Huskers' last.
Coming into Orlando, Florida, the Huskers had to face South Carolina and head coach Steve Spurrier. The previous time Steve Spurrier faced a Nebraska team he saw the back of a certain #15 jersey (Tommie Frazier’s) for three straight hours.
Steve Spurrier put that last game against Nebraska behind him and led his team to a 30-13 win over the Huskers.
Overall, Nebraska finished with a 9-4 (5-3 Big Ten) record. Even though Bo Pelini kept up with Tom Osborne's tradition of nine wins every season, so many things went wrong this season that kept Nebraska from contending for the Big Ten Championship, let alone the Legends division.
Edward Ventura is a 16-year old Nebraska Cornhuskers fanatic. He is the creator of one of the LARGEST Nebraska Football Facebook pages and is a Nebraska sports junkie.
Follow Eddie on Twitter: @EddieHusker
december 30, 2011 08:09pm
Huskers in Orlando, hit Best Buy for some shopping
Part of the Capital One Bowl swag for players was a $420 gift certificate to Best Buy, which had to be used on the bowl trip. Today, the Nebraska football team went shopping. Rex Burkhead eyed a Norelco trimmer/shaver. Some players chose to buy gifts for family and girlfriends. Others loaded up on DVDs and video games, iPads and cell phones. But it wasn't all shopping for the guys. Towards the end of this HuskerOnline.com video, Brandon Kinnie shows off his dance moves.
It's back to work for the Huskers, with a couple practices remaining before Monday's game against South Carolina.
december 22, 2011 05:30pm
John Papuchis is your new defensive coordinator
Bo Pelini announced today that John Papuchis has been promoted to defensive coordinator and Rick Kaczenski has joined the staff. Papuchis had been the defensive line coach, which will be Kaczenski's new role. No word yet on whether Papuchis will retain the special teams coach and recruiting coordinator roles, but it's highly unlikely.
december 20, 2011 08:14pm
Iowa assistant likely to join Huskers staff
Rick Kaczenski, currently Iowa's defensive line coach, is rumored to be joining the Huskers staff soon. John Papuchis would likely be elevated to defensive coordinator with Kaczenski taking over the D-line duties from J.P. Kaczenski is a Notre Dame grad and has been at Iowa since 2005. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz tonight announced Kaczenski has left the program to pursue other coaching opportunities. Ferentz didn't say where he was headed and nobody at Nebraska will confirm Rick is N...yet.
december 13, 2011 06:43am
Caputo, Martin in trouble over the weekend
Senior center Mike Caputo was arrested for DUI around 1am Sunday. Apparently, he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car, which was running and had the lights on.
In past years, Bo Pelini has suspended players arrested for DUI, including Rickey Thenarse and Baker Steinkuhler before last year's Holiday Bowl game against Washington. If Caputo were suspended, either Cole Pensick or Spencer Long would assume the role of center.
Caputo has been a leader on the offensive line throughout his career at Nebraska. At 6'1" and 275 pounds, he is an undersized lineman, but Caputo makes up for his size with his toughness and tenacity.
Eric Martin was charged with leaving the scene of an accident on Sunday as well. Apparently, he backed into a car in the North 27th Street Wal-Mart parking lot and left without providing any information.
Bo Pelini has yet to announce who will be the Huskers' defensive coordinator next season. Out on the road recruiting, it's possible Pelini already has someone in place and is waiting to announce it upon his return to Lincoln.
In other Husker news, Ron Brown is not retiring.
The Capital One Bowl game can't get here quick enough.
december 04, 2011 06:59pm
Nebraska headed to the Capital One Bowl to play South Carolina
It's official, Nebraska is headed to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando to face the SEC's South Carolina Gamecocks on January 2nd. South Carolina is ranked 10th in the last AP poll and finished 9th in the BCS poll.
The Gamecocks two losses occurred to Auburn (16-13) and at Arkansas (44-28). The only other ranked team SC played was #17 Clemson, who they beat 34-13. They do not have a mobile quarterback.
december 03, 2011 11:27am
Husker football recruiting update
With the loss of Deion Jones to LSU, here's how the Huskers class looks today.
By position:
QB - 1
RB - None
WR - 1
TE - 1
OL - 1
DL - None
DE - 1
LB - 2
DB - None
P/K - None
By state:
Colorado - 1
Illinois - 1
Missouri - 1
Nebraska - 1
Ohio - 1
Texas - 1
California - 1
By Rivals.com stars:
5 stars - None
4 stars - 3
3 stars - 4
1 star - None
By player:
Zaire Anderson
Linebacker
Riverside, CA (Riverside C.C.)
6'1" 220 pounds
4 stars
Committed 10/19/11
Tommy Armstrong
Quarterback
Cibolo, TX (Steele H.S.)
6'2" 210 pounds
3 stars
Committed 9/19/11
Sam Cotton
Tight End
Lincoln, NE (Southeast High School)
6'4" 240 pounds
3 stars
Committed 6/20/11
Greg McMullen
Defensive End
Akron, OH (Hoban)
6'5" 255 pounds
4 stars
Committed 6/23/11
Michael Rose
Linebacker
Kansas City, MO (Rockhurst)
6'0" 230 pounds
3 stars
Committed 7/5/10
Paul Thurston
Offensive Lineman
Arvada, CO (Arvada West)
6'5" 274 pounds
4 stars
Committed 6/24/11
Jordan Westerkamp
Wide Receiver
Lombard, IL (Montini)
6'2" 190 pounds
3 stars
Committed 5/6/11
