Bill Callahan Costs Us the Cotton Bowl

by Jon Johnston on Jan 1, 2007 6:43 PM CST in Nebraska Husker Football

Shortly into the second quarter of today's 17-14 loss to Auburn, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan called a fake punt on his own 25. The handoff/pitch is mishandled, resulting in a fumble that Auburn gets, then turns into the touchdown that ultimately wins the Cotton Bowl for Auburn. It was a belated Christmas present for Auburn.

Late in the game, Bill Callahan decides to go for it on 4th and 11 rather than try a very long field goal. The choice isn't difficult to understand since it was out of Congdon's range, but the fourth down play was rushed, and Taylor made a poor throw that sailed out of bounds.

Let's chalk this loss up to bad play-calling by Bill Callahan.

Making that statement, I realize, I've committed BLASPHEMY in the eyes of some blaming Bill Callahan for this loss. I'm sure it's HEROIC in the eyes of others. What I find frustrating is that any criticism of Bill Callahan isn't seen as just criticism. It's seen by many Husker fans as supporting Frank Solich. And that's where we are. Three years later, and we still have this split of Husker fans mired in this Frank Solich versus Bill Callahan debate, as if it matters anymore.

I'd like Husker fans on both sides to consider that both statements may be true:

Bill Callahan cost us the Cotton Bowl with some really bad play-calling
He's still the right coach for Nebraska

Comments welcome.

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Callahan

I have a hard time blaming Callahan for the loss. However, his fake punt call was horrible. Tie game early on and deep in own territory. Odds are terrible.

The fourth down call in the 4th quarter was weird. It would have been a 47 yard fg right? Give it a shot.

One thing stuck out to me. We seemed to continue to go back to a few plays that worked in the 1st quarter, but Auburn had them snuffed out (ie-shovel pass that cost us field position at the end).

Tough loss.

by cpoke11 on Jan 1, 2007 7:20 PM CST reply actions

Trick plays and the status quo

It comes down to an earlier post on what you call plays that seem unorthodox. Callahan's evolving offense seems to like to gamble a bit more than most. Maybe, just maybe, there's a niche out there for a team that takes a few more chances. Maybe that will be who we are, I dunno.

There is some evidence that even pro teams are more conservative than they should be, especially on 4th down, statistically speaking.

Its clear, however, that if that play would have worked, everyone would be talking about the size of BC's cojones. I seem to recall that TO's reputation got a huge boost by an unconventional call in a bowl game.

Off topic, but did Sumerall have the mother of all hangovers?

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

by pheidole on Jan 1, 2007 7:53 PM CST reply actions

Congdon can't kick a 48 yarder...

His 42 yard attempt was blocked against Oklahoma, and missed a 42 yarder against Okie State. His opening kickoff in that same direction in the 1st quarter didn't even go 45 yards.

I'm still not convinced that Callahan is the right coach for the Huskers. We did see improvement this season though we still underperform at times.

by Husker Mike on Jan 1, 2007 8:00 PM CST reply actions

I agree...

with Mike on the call on 4th. Though saying he cant kick a 48 yarder because he missed a 42 yarder earlier in the year is not right. He had the distance on that kick to kick it from 50 but he missed it left. I sure would have called a different play and sent more then one reciever out. I think that Bills play calling was what cost us the game today. There is a good a bad time for trick plays (esp. fake punts) and a fake punt from your own 20 in a tie game when the offense has been moving the ball and the d is not letting the other team even get a first down is not that time. It cost us the game. Also the shovel pass on the last drive on third and 9 sucked as did the fourth down play.

As far as Bill is concerned I have not been sure since he was hired that he was the right man for the job and have seen nothing to convince me otherwise. I am tired of watching NU lose games due to his stupid play calling.

And no I am not a Frank Solich fan and disliking Bill and wanting him gone are by no means a show of support for Frank. I just dont like Bill.

by taflorom on Jan 1, 2007 9:54 PM CST reply actions

Hey Jon

I am going to reply to your last game day thread post here.

I didn't say we needed to hire the perfect coach (mostly since there is no such thing) but a good coach would be an improvement. You know people complained of this type of football under Solich saying he couldn't recruit or whatever and now say Callahan is recruiting great football players but the record and the quality of football have not improved. So if the players are so much better, the coaching must be worse right?

by taflorom on Jan 1, 2007 10:38 PM CST reply actions

Jason

This is not a Solich vs. Callahan issue. That was over three years ago. As fans, I'd rather that we look at where we are today and where we're headed.

I'm not an apologist, but I am an optimist. I'd encourage you to hear Callahan's reasoning for some of those questionable calls in his own words.

We're all disappointed in all the missed opportunities this year, but at the end of the day we have excellent facilities, a talent pool that is improving every year, and a good coach. It took TO 21 years to win a national title. Remember when everyone said, "Osborne can't win the big one?"

bigrednetwork.com

by siffring on Jan 2, 2007 8:26 AM CST reply actions

yeah

I saw the press conference quotes, before I wrote this post, and I don't disagree with his reasoning. You can even see some of his frustration in the answers - especially those when he's answering the one about him being hard on himself.

I agree that the players are getting better, and it sounds like better guys are on the way.

I believe it's still a "Solich vs Callahan" issue for a lot of people because some use it as a method of dismissing arguements without listening.

I've normally been supportive of Nebraska coaches to a fault, so we'll see what happens with Nebraska over the next few years. We both know that no one gets 21 years anymore. Hell, they normally don't even get five.

Go Big Red!

by Jon Johnston on Jan 2, 2007 8:32 PM CST up reply actions