Friday Flakes: The Curse of Frank Solich and a Zac Taylor Update

Well this is a new one.

There have been a few highs and some tremendous lows since the firing of Frank Solich. There were multiple avenues of blame. First and foremost was Steve Pederson. He was the one that fired Frank Solich and ended up hiring somebody outside of the program in Bill Callahan. Then there was the Pelini era followed by the Riley era.

Husker fans could pick and choose who was a fault for the two decade downfall of Nebraska football. Even some would say that Nebraska fans were at fault for the precipitous slide.

I felt that at this point we had exhausted all possibilities. That is until now. Maybe my head was in the ground on this but I had never heard of the Curse of Frank Solich until three days ago.

Matt Reynoldson, a sports reporter for KLKN, tweeted out the interesting tidbit earlier this week. He said he was taking a class at UNL. The class was called Ancient Greek Athletics. On that fateful day, Frank Solich’s granddaughter came in to talk about curses (supposedly the topic was in the wheel-house of that class). She mentioned that there was a curse on Nebraska football. It would remain in place until Nebraska had righted all the wrongs in how Frank Solich was treated when he was fired.

Earlier this week Frank Solich made his first public appearance in Nebraska since he was fired. He stood there with both Tom Osborne and Scott Frost. It appears that some wrongs are being righted.

It is possible that Frost knew about the curse? When he said “they better get us now” was that with full knowledge that the curse would be lifted in January 2019? Can we get the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal-Star to get on this story? This appears to be important.

So regardless of whether you believe in curses, remember that topics like this are great for the off-season. So for that reason I thank Matt Reynoldson.

The thread can be found below.

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Zac Taylor Update: Maybe to the Bengals?

I know most people are like....NO ZAC! DON’T DO IT! NOT TO THE BENGALS! THAT IS CAREER SUICIDE!

But it might be the best job security type job in the NFL. I mean Marvin Lewis had that job for 16 seasons! He was never particularly successful.

If Zac goes there then I think the Bengals will be my second favorite NFL team. I am glad that he isn’t going to be in the NFC North.

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From Oklahoma State Defensive Tackle Transfer Darrion Daniels

I like it.

On to the flakes...

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Nebraska Sports

4-Star DB Noa Pola-Gates Explains Why Nebraska Stands Out

Nebraska football already has an impressive 2019 recruiting class coming in, but the Huskers aren’t done just yet. Perhaps the top target on the board is defensive back Noa Pola-Gates.

The four-star player, likely to play safety in college, is the top remaining uncommitted recruit out of Arizona.

Huskers go back to basics in effort to repair defensive fractures | Men's Basketball | journalstar.com
Whatever Nebraska lost defensively in losses at Maryland and Iowa to drop to 1-3 in Big Ten play, the Huskers have spent the last two days trying to find.

Roby realizing potential at right time for Huskers | SaukValley.com
When Nebraska men’s basketball coach Tim Miles was recruiting Isaiah Roby and trying to sell the 6-foot-8 forward from Dixon on his program, he envisioned Roby using his length and athleticim to make an impact all over the court.

Now 14 games into his junior season with the Cornhuskers, the 2016 Dixon graduate feels he’s finally fulfilling that plan.

Huskers have a pair of talented receiver recruits visiting in coming weeks | Recruiting | journalstar.com
Nebraska's not done trying to add to its already talented 2019 crop of wide receiver recruits.

Huskers' expectations are not changing thanks to a deep, energetic freshman class | Gymnastics | journalstar.com
The Nebraska men's gymnastics team sees no ceiling on what it can accomplish in 2019.

Much of that stems from the Huskers' recent success at the NCAA Championships, where they have finished seventh (2016), sixth (2017) and fifth (2018).

Tyler Berger named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week
Tyler Berger (Prineville, Ore./Nebraska) has been selected as TheMat.com Athlete of the Week on Jan. 8, 2019.

Berger, a senior and two-time All-American for Nebraska, pulled off a big win over the weekend, defeating No. 2 ranked Ryan Deakin of Northwestern in a dual.

Morgan has confidence in unproven group of Husker receivers behind Spielman | Huskers | beatricedailysun.com
Stanley Morgan is just like you, Nebraska fans, in at least one way this offseason.

He’s not quite sure who is going to step into the role as the Huskers’ No. 2 wide receiver alongside junior JD Spielman when the fall rolls around.

Osborne: Award for Solich may offer 'a little bit of closure' | Football | journalstar.com
OMAHA — If you’re a Nebraska football fan, or even a sports fan in general, it was a remarkable scene:

Non-Nebraska Sports

How Nick Saban remains an elite recruiter without texting
In an era of booming personnel departments and flashy graphics, Alabama's best recruiting asset remains the aura of Saban. And he only communicates one way.

Mike McCarthy taking the year off from coaching - Yahoo Sports
Mike McCarthy is taking some time off from coaching, but plans to be "locked and loaded" for the 2020 season.

Nikola Jokic has turned the Nuggets into something special - Yahoo Sports
Through Jokic’s generational vision and unique skill set, the Nuggets see one of their own: a terminally laid-back star ready to lead a team of basketball junkies.

“STICK TO SPORTS!” Nah.

Physicists puzzled by strange numbers that could explain reality - Big Think
Eight-dimensional octonions may hold the clues to solve fundamental mysteries.

The Lebanese saint who unites Christians and Muslims
St. Charbel Makhlouf is known in Lebanon for the miraculous healings of those who visit his tomb to seek his intercession – both Christians and Muslims.

Rotating Black Holes May Serve as Gentle Portals | RealClearScience
One of the most cherished science fiction scenarios is using a black hole as a portal to another dimension or time or universe. That fantasy may be closer to reality than previously imagined.

Speaking of portals, I tweeted this out yesterday..

The Best Thing I Saw On The Internet This Week x 2

Hope you got a couple laughs. Have a great weekend!