Corn Nation: FanPosts

Barking Carnival's Satirical Look at the Big Red

Husker Mike — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:56:19 -0000

Courtesy of the BigRedNetwork, here's a satirical look at the Huskers from Barking Carnival:

"Pelini has inherited a soft Cornhusker team. Calling this team soft is an insult to the Dallas Mavericks. They looked great walking off the team bus until you noticed that they were carrying a playbook the size of Anais Nin’s diaries and that their head coach was wearing ladies glasses. Former coach Bill Callahan brought 250 plays into each game, using around 60. That’s a lot of valuable practice time wasted on shit you’re not even going to use. It’s like practicing foreplay."

The A-11 Offense: Genius or Madness?

huskerlibrarian — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:13:03 -0000

Did you think that the giant wave of spread offenses was the crazy, wacky fad of the month, or that it may spell the end of all life as we know it? If so, then Michael Weinreb on ESPN.com's Page 2 has discovered the surest sign of the Apocalypse yet:

The A-11 Offense

The idea is that you have 2 QBs and three "pods" of 3 people. Everyone wears a number that makes them an eligible receiver. The center and 6 other "receivers" line up at the line of scrimmage (who is on the line depends on the read and play), and you run the offense out of it. The principle underlying the formation is "the ball is faster than the man," meaning that laterals between the 2 QBs are used to counteract the inevitable holes in the line.

Essentially, it's what lays at the bottom of the slippery slope of the Spread. Weinreb describes it as follows: "On film, the A-11 often resembles a hybrid of the spread and an elementary-school fire drill gone wrong."

Apparently, NCAA rules would allow the formation in situations where a kick could be attempted, and its creator is expecting to see up to 70 colleges implement some form of A-11 this year.

Corn Kernels Extra: 17 Current, Former Huskers Competing at Olympic Games

huskerlibrarian — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:10:34 -0000

The Olympics are now a full day old, and Huskers.com has a section open for tracking the progress of the 17 current & former Huskers competing in the Olympic games in Beijing.

Bios of the 17 Huskers can be found there also.

Current Huskers Robin Mackin (Softball, Team Canada) and Pieter Smith (Track & Field, South Africa), as well as 2008 graduate Dusty Jonas (USA, Track & Field) are amongst the field. Associate Softball Head Coach and former Husker player Lori Sippel is also the Head Coach of Team Canada softball.

On behalf of Corn Nation, I'd like to wish all the Huskers well at the Olympic Games. Keep your eyes on this space for updates.

Did you know: United States Olympic Committee CEO Jim Scherr was a National Champion wrestler for the Huskers in 1984 at 177 lbs.

Update: Results so far plus upcoming schedule

Amber Neben placed 33rd in the Road Cycling event this morning, with a time of 3:33:17, 53 seconds behind the gold medalist.

Husker-heavy Canada Women's Soccer is at 1-0-1, with 4 points, to lead Group E. They beat Argentina 2-1 and tied China 1-1. They next play Sweden at 6:45 AM Tuesday morning central time.

Baseball kicks off late Tuesday night when former Husker Adam Stern & Team Canada play China at 10:30 Central Time. Brian Duensing and Team USA have their first outing against Korea at 5 AM Wednesday.

Husker-heavy Team Canada softball starts tomorrow night at 8:30 PM central time against Taiwan.

Former Husker Swimmer Adam Pine swims in the 100m Butterfly for Team Australia, which starts on th 14th (Thursday) at 6:40 AM central time.

Brad Vering is competing in Greco-Roman Wrestling at the 84 kg weight class, which starts at 8:30 PM on Wednesday, 8/13.

Former Husker Peggy Liddick is the head coach of Australia's Women's Gymnastics team, which begins competition on Tuesday night.

Track and Field events begin next Sunday night and continue throughout the week; Huskers.com has a complete schedule of when current & former Huskers are scheduled to compete in those events.

A Sea of Red

DTsker — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:14:06 -0000

I finally got around to picking up a copy of "A Sea of Red" 2008 football annual this weekend. I'm only a couple of stories into it, but...whoa! Congratulations to Jon and everyone else who was involved in putting this together, it is a testament to the NU bloggers and will be a keepsake of mine for years to come. Thanks to Maple Street Press for including Nebraska in their lineup this year and for making such a high quality publication available to Husker fans (without advertising, no less...how great is that?!) I can't wait to find the time to get into the rest of the articles...the book will be sitting right by my seat at the kitchen table until I can digest the rest. My wife might get perturbed by the absence of conversation during mealtimes, but I guess she'll have to get used to it!

Thanks again for your collective commitment to providing NU news and information from the fans' perspective. I don't take the opportunity to mention my appreciation of the dedicated work of NU bloggers often enough, so I just wanted to take this occasion to do so.

Jason Peter to appear at Barnes & Noble in Lincoln this Saturday

Jason Peter — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:01:40 -0000

Hi Everyone, hope to see you at my book signing this Saturday in Lincoln.

Saturday, August 8 @ 2:00PM

Barnes & Noble

2910 Pine Lake Road

Lincoln, NE 68516

HERO OF THE UNDERGROUND: NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLER.

REVIEWS:

"Bruising... more harrowing than usual. Peter’s narrative relentlessly focuses on the brutalizing facts, and it is free from the macho posturing and self-congratulatory navel-gazing common in recovery memoirs. Nightmarishly honest."

-Kirkus Reviews

“I enjoyed the hell out of this book, sped through it like a crack fiend. There will be a lot of interest in this part of the world because of his Cornhusker ties. Nebraska is God’s country, but God, as Peter says, is Tom Osborne.”

–Poe Ballantine, author of Things I Like About America and God Clobbers Us All

http://jasonpeter.com

Breaking News: 2008-eligible big man visiting NU on Monday

huskerlibrarian — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:57:53 -0000

The Journal-Star is reporting that Teeng Akol, a 6-10 (or 6-11, depending on the source) is visiting Lincoln this Monday. Akol was committed to South Florida for this fall, but some sort of eligibilty snafu (which the LJS's Brian Rosenthal likens to the Sallie situation) will prevent Akol from playing at South Florida.

Akol is also considering Oklahoma State, who is also sorely in need of a big man. Akol will be a recruit for this fall (assuming he clears the NCAA Clearinghouse), and will fill the major gap in the Husker's lineup for this fall.

I'll update when more is known.

Maric Lands in Granada

huskerlibrarian — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:19:13 -0000

Aleks Maric has found his future home, and it is with CB Granada of Spain's premier league, the ACB. According to the Journal-Star, Maric signed a two-year deal with the club.

Maric, who finished his career at Nebraska as an All-Big XII performer and 7th on Nebraska's career scoring list, was not drafted in last month's NBA Draft. He did, however, work out with Indiana and Portland's Summer League teams.

More information on CB Granada can be found (for Spanish-readers) at http://www.cbgranada.com/.

Bo Pelini Polka

JKY — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:34:29 -0000

BO PELINI POLKA by George Dare is a fantastic way to usher in a welcomed new season with a great coach and athletic director. The song is fun and captures the joyful spirit of Cornhuskers who support their team all the way. You have to go online and listen to this song! I can envision folks at tailgate parties and the games all dancing to George's terrific song. Nice change of pace from current economic woes and helps us transplated Nebraskans enjoy our team. Very nice job, George.

Hoops schedule tidbits: Lincoln buffets brace for Majerus?

huskerlibrarian — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:00:23 -0000

Although the basketball non-conference schedule is not complete, the World-Herald reported today on some things that are known about the non-league slate.

According to the W-H, Saint Louis University, along with Head Coach, Steve Pederson dining partner, and all-around food connosieur Rick Majerus will be playing the first part of a home-and-home series in Lincoln this winter.

In addition, TCU and Nebraska are close to locking up a 4-year deal to play one game at TCU, 2 in Lincoln, and the 4th back at TCU.

This combines with a home date against Creighton and a Pearl Harbor Day visit to Arizona State for what the W-H confirms as the schedule. Earlier this summer, the Lincoln Journal-Star also reported that Nebraska would be visiting Pac-10 bottom-feeder Oregon State, but the W-H did not confirm that date.

Hoops Conference Schedule, Conference TV Schedule Released

huskerlibrarian — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:47:30 -0000

The World-Herald is reporting that 13 of the Huskers' 16 Conference Basketball games will be on the ESPN family of networks, including the Big 12 Network (formerly "ESPN Regional Coverage"). Currently, neither game with Iowa State nor the Feb. 4 road trip to Colorado are scheduled for TV coversage. Nebraska still has its own TV deal with Fox Sports, and those three games may yet find their way to television.

The Conference Schedule is as follows:

Jan. 10 (Sat.): Missouri, ESPN2
Jan. 14 (Wed.): at Iowa State
Jan. 17 (Sat.): Kansas State, Big 12
Jan. 21 (Wed.): at Oklahoma, ESPNU
Jan. 24 (Sat.): Oklahoma State, Big 12
Jan. 28 (Wed.): Kansas, ESPN2
Jan. 31 (Sat.): at Texas Tech, Big 12
Feb. 4 (Wed.): at Colorado
Feb. 7 (Sat.): Texas, ESPN
Feb. 11 (Wed.): Bye
Feb. 14 (Sat.): at Missouri, Big 12
Feb. 18 (Wed.): Colorado, ESPNU
Feb. 21 (Sat.): at Kansas, Big 12
Feb. 24 (Tues.): Texas A&M, ESPN2
Feb. 28 (Sat.): at Kansas State, Big 12
March 4 (Wed.): Iowa State
March 7 (Sat.): at Baylor, Big 12

The noncoference schedule should be released before the beginning of fall classes.

Commentary from HuskerLibrarian:

Last year, the starting conference schedule included both Kansas games in the first 2 weeks of league play. Two confidence-destroying losses to the eventual National Champs later and the Huskers were off to an 0-4 start in league play.

This year, the Huskers start with what will be 4 highly winnable games in the first 5 (it'll be a tough order to win at Oklahoma, who may be the best team in the league next year, when Nebraska hasn't won in Norman in 10 years).

Better still, there is no long road trip in the conference slate, and only one two-game trip. Four of the first 6 at home should also be a big plus, especially when only one of the first four road games is against a team (OU) who is likely an NCAA tournament team. This is setting up for a good chance at a strong start in conference, which should mean fewer "must-win" games in the last three weeks.

NU will plunge once again in 2008

NUFantasyland — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:20:23 -0000

Haha... wow. NU fans are still living in their fantasy lands aren't they? Bo will be good for the NU program, but just like the last couple coaches, he won't do anything for the program to return to the good ol' days.... "the 90's". That will NEVER happen again. The Huskers haven't done anything much in the 2000's at all and probably won't until, well who knows how many coaches later... NU will probably go to a bowl game though this year under new coach BO, ONLY because, well yet AGAIN they have a really weak non conference schedule, (oh no, yes, wait, they did schedule VT, watch out!), but other than that, wow another stellar lineup for the non conference. The huskers are really out to prove somethine aren't they? haha. yeahhhhh.. And also the first five games are at HOME? yet AGAIN? hmmmm.... something weird there AGAIN??? Desperate times always call for desperae measures right? yes they do...... C'mon NU, get your stuff together.. face the real world facts... You are nothing now..... Stop talking each year like a national championship is on the way, because it is NOT.

Former Husker Duensing on US Olympic Baseball Team

huskerlibrarian — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:23:53 -0000

Apparently, a last-minute opening has created a spot for former Husker Brian Duensing on the USA Olympic Baseball Team. Duensing is currently playing for the Twins' AAA Affiliate in Rochester.

Also, Adam Stern, another former Husker, will be playing for team Canada. Canada and the USA will meet on August 1 for an exhibition.

Team USA Baseball Schedule at Olympic Games (all dates/times CDT):

August 13 5 AM South Korea

August 13 9:30 PM Netherlands

August 14 10:30 PM Cuba

August 15 9:30 PM Canada

August 18 6 AM China

August 19 6 AM Chinese Taipei

August 20 6 AM Japan

Semifinals: August 21 9:30 PM/August 22 5 AM

Bronze Medal Game: August 22 9:30 PM

Gold Medal Game: August 23 5 AM

Medal Ceremony: August 23 8:25 AM

Graham Spanier

speedomike — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:06:02 -0000

What's up Nebraska people? Penn State fan here. I've got a question for you guys. There is a lot of speculation about what's going to happen with Paterno after this season, and a lot of PSU message boards are making it out to be some sort of battle royale between JoePa and PSU's president, Graham Spanier. Within some of the discussions, there have been some comments from people about how Spanier has a lot to do with the coaching mess you guys went through with Solich, Callahan, etc. But that's not making sense to me. Spanier left Nebraska in 1995. Osborne coached two more years, then Solich took over for a few years. Right? So, I'm trying to figure out how much that really could have to do with Spanier. I was hoping the Corn Nation could provide some insight. Thanks.

Oh, and are we officially scheduled to play you guys in 2014-15? I really liked our home-and-home from a couple years ago.

Maric -- NBA Summer League News

KC Gunner — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:22:54 -0000

Aleks Maric played for the Indiana Pacers at the Orlando Magic's Summer League this past week, and below are the links to the stats for each game, in case any interested Huskers Basketball fans wanted to see how Aleks did:

Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, Game 4, Game 5

According to the Pacers' roster notes, it looks like they had 3 centers on their roster, Courtney Sims, Vladimie Gulobovic and Aleks. Aleks and Vladimie generally came off the bench, but Aleks started their 4th game.

Aleks was a DNP (did not play) in the 5th game, but according to this article in the Journal-Star, that's because he was traveling to play for the Blazers on their summer leage team in the Vegas Summer League, which actually started yesterday. The Blazers play their first game Monday, against the Washington Wizards' summer team.

Although the article quotes Aleks' agent as saying Aleks doesn't have much of a shot at making the Blazers roster for 2008-09, their summer league team should give him plenty of playing time to attract attention from other teams.

Corn Kernels Extra: Three Huskers make Olympic T&F Teams

huskerlibrarian — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:11:53 -0000

It was an interesting high jump finals at the US Olympic Trials for 2008 Husker Grad Dusty Jonas, who made the US Olympic Team after a bizarre sequence of events -- he was able to make the team after a jumpoff, even though he tied for 6th, because he was tied with the only other jumper who had previously achieved the "A" standard.

2004 Nebraska Grad Priscilla Lopes-Schliep won the 100m hurdles at the Canadian Olympic Trials with a 12.78s run, and automatically earned a trip to Beijing.

Incoming Nebraska Junior Adam Wolkins finished second in the Javelin at the Canadian trials with a throw of 220-7, and will also join Team Canada in Beijing.

Hoops Picks Up Big Recruit

huskerlibrarian — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:23:01 -0000

The Journal-Star and World-Herald are reporting that 6-9 (and still growing) center/PF Vander Joaquim will be decommitting from San Diego and committing to Nebraska, following the assistant, Brain Roese, who recruited him.

Joaquim is a native of Angola, and has played as a member of their national team. He averaged 21 pts and 17 boards during his junior season of high school.

Joaquim is looking to be the first cornerstone in the 2009-10 incoming freshman class, big enough to make an impact and talented enough that he'll likely play right away.

Corn Kernels Extra: 7 Current & Former Huskers Alive at US Olympic T&F Trials

huskerlibrarian — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:31:54 -0000

The U.S. Olympic Trials are underway in Eugene, OR, and seven current or former Huskers are still in the running for spots on the US Olympic Team.

2008 grad Kayla Wilkinson is in tonight's Javelin final (10:20 PM CDT), while current Husker sophomore Epley Bullock begins the women's high-jump qualifying tonight. Former Husker Ann Gaffigan has preliminary rounds of the 3000m Steeplechase tonight as well.

2008 grad Dusty Jonas, who holds the world's top High Jump, has his preliminary on Thursday, along former Huskers Anne Shadle (1500m), Melissa (Price) Myerscough (hammer throw), and Jeni Steiner (shotput).

Former Husker Ray Scotten competed in the pole vault preliminaries, but did not qualify. A number of other current & former Huskers are participating in their native countries' Olympic trials as well.

NBA Teams Pass on Maric in Draft

huskerlibrarian — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:06:13 -0000

Not entirely unsurprisingly, Aleks Maric was not drafted in last night's NBA Draft. Projections before the season estimated that Maric might have been as high as an early 2nd-round pick, but the flood of underclassmen and international players -- especially big men -- combined with doubts about his explosiveness to push Maric out of the draft entirely.

Maric's agent says they are working to get him onto a summer league team in hopes of making a roster as a free agent. Otherwise, he will probably find himsel playing overseas.

This now marks 9 years since Nebraska had a player drafted in the NBA Draft. In the 1990s, Nebraska had a relatively strong crop of NBA-caliber talent with draftees Eric Piatkowski, Erick Strickland, Mikki Moore, Tyronn Lue, and Venson Hamilton.

Finally -- A Basketball Recruit

huskerlibrarian — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:39:14 -0000

It appears that this Friday, when Doc Sadler returns from an out-of-town trip, that Eshaunte Jones (who decommitted from Indiana) will be signing at Nebraska, according to Rivals. The Journal-Star's Life In the Red Blog is reporting the same thing. Jones is a 6'4" Shooting Guard who, according to his Scout.com profile has a strong outside shot.

Jones will be filling the gap left by Roburt Sallie's ineligibility. Sallie committed to Memphis last week, and is expected to see significant playing time for the National Runners-up.

In other news, Danny Nee and Erick Strickland will be inducted into the Nebraska Basketball Hall of Fame this fall. Nee is Nebraska's all-time winningest coach, and is responsible for 5 of our 6 NCAA tournament appearances. Strickland was a standout player, and has since made a living in the NBA. Congrats to both.

Can Someone Help Out Eric Sorenson at the CWS?

corn blight — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:16:48 -0000

CSTV's Eric Sorenson posted a bunch of CWS pictures , including one of the color guard, and he's wondering what the heck they're wearing. He's also wondering whether or not the 'cupcake' (bat girls) are a necessary part of college baseball.

My guess was that the color guard is part of the Nebraska Navy.

Anyway, head on over there, take a look, and let us know what that picture is all about.

Thanks....