Bill Callahan Costs Us the Cotton Bowl
by corn blight
on Jan 1, 2007 6:43 PM CST
in Football
7 comments
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
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Callahan
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
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Trick plays and the status quo
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?
by pheidole on
Jan 1, 2007 7:53 PM CST
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Congdon can't kick a 48 yarder...
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
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I agree...
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
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Hey Jon
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
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Jason
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?"
by siffring on
Jan 2, 2007 8:26 AM CST
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yeah
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.
by corn blight on
Jan 2, 2007 8:32 PM CST
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