Nebraska Cornhusker Football vs. Iowa

[KUGLER] Good evening, I'm Kevin Kugler and welcome to "Big Red Wrap-Up." Last season the Huskers depended on a goal line stand to eek out a 24-17 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. No such heroics were needed this past Saturday. Before most of the fans even had a chance to get into their seats at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska was leading 21-0 on the way to a 38- 14 win over Oklahoma State. Great field position in the first half helped by a blocked punt From Brian Shaw gave the Huskers the short field to work with and the Big Red took advantage. Nebraska scored four touchdowns in the first half to go along with A Josh Brown field goal, and when halftime came with the Huskers leading 31-0, the game was pretty much over. And despite a second half performance that gave the Husker coaching staff a moment of pause, the Huskers walked away with their 24th straight win over Oklahoma State. We'll put the wraps on Saturday's win during the next hour and look back at the highlights of some of the biggest plays of the game. Plus, we'll take a look at Nebraska's upcoming opponent from the east, the suddenly resurgent Iowa State cyclones. And we also have to talk about the past weekend in college football. There were some great games around the nation and some shake-ups in the top 10. That's all ahead tonight on "Big Red Wrap-Up." Let's get right to it, but first we need to introduce our guests. From the "Lincoln Journal Star," Ryly Jane Hambleton. Ryly, great to have you along for the first time this season.

[HAMBLETON] Thank you very much. Nice to be here.

[KUGLER] And for the first time ever, making his "Big Red Wrap-Up" debut, From the "Omaha World-Herald," Mitch Sherman. Mitch, welcome to the "Wrap-Up." We'll take it easy with you tonight.

[SHERMAN] Fire away.

[KUGLER] As always we want you to join in the discussion tonight. Give us a call in Lincoln at 472-1212. Or toll free throughout North AmErica at 1-800-676-5446. If you are computer literate and we aren't but you might be, e-mail us at sports@unl.edu. Be sure to tell our "Wrap-Up" operators your name, where you are calling from, and throw in your question or comment. We start off tonight with discussion about the Oklahoma State game. Ryly Jane, it was a game last year that was down to the wire. It was a game marked by not much Nebraska offense. This year all Nebraska's offense came for the most part in the first half. By halftime, it was over.

[HAMBLETON] It seemed the offense got on track down there. I thought it might be more of the same. The fact that Oklahoma State helped them out so much and made it easier was to Nebraska's benefit. But I really thought that might be the case that they had kind of gotten back a little bit with the feet under them and able to kind of take care of things. Who would have thought Oklahoma State would do what they did.

[KUGLER] Exactly. This is a season that seems to be marked by big plays. Every game Nebraska seems to have more big plays than in the previous game. This last Saturday was no exception.

[SHERMAN] that's a product of their offensive weapons. It was something that missed from last year's offense. With the injuries to the I-backs and the quarterbacks last year, they had to rely on players who were inexperienced or probably should not have been in a position to make big plays. This year with a healthy Bobby Newcombe and Eric Crouch, with a healthy Eric Couple of experienced I-backs, the way things have moved on Offense, it lended itself to an offense that can make big plays.

[KUGLER] It's just been a couple of weeks since we talked about Nebraska's offensive troubles. You don't hear that much over the past couple of weeks. The yardage not quite where it used to be but more in a range where it is acceptable to Husker fans.

[HAMBLETON] Exactly. The funny thing is I can't always quite understand why people get so excited. They were 4-0 and people were where is this and where is that. There's an attitude in college football these days that a win isn't really quite enough. It has to be a statement or something else. That's a puzzling kind of thing. It's kind of hard to see. These are just kids. And I think that's a real hard thing. I'm in the visitors' locker room each week so I was talking to the Oklahoma State players. They were handling it pretty well. Not happy at all obviously with what they did. And trying to figure out how they're going to come out of their tailspin. People are asking them is the season teetering after losing two games. I'm not sure it's quite teetering yet and Bob Simmons was kick to say that. This is not a team that is necessarily ready to fold it in.

[KUGLER] This is a team with lots of injuries. They have the injury problems Nebraska had last year. They lost Tony Lindsay and Kenyatta Wright is gone for a while with a broken hand. This is a team that has had a lot of injury problems so I don't Know why you would expect their season to be down early.

[SHERMAN] Oklahoma State is at a position similar to Nebraska a year ago. Those players you can't replace them on offense and defense. Tony Lindsay is the key to their offense. He makes it work. In addition to them injured, they were playing with Nathan Simmons Not at full speed. He did a lot of damage to Nebraska last year in Kansas city. He had off-season surgery on his knee. Jamal fobbs was a good running back but Oklahoma State lacked the big punch they had. In last year's game they moved the ball on Nebraska pretty well. It was a line of scrimmage dominated by Oklahoma State in that game. This game was the opposite and even more so in the first half.

[KUGLER] The defense for Nebraska has set up nearly every scoring drive this season. Is this a defense that will rank among Nebraska's best ever?

[HAMBLETON] I think it certainly could. You look at the defenses in the national championship years and I think people lots of times look back at some of-- Nebraska is known for offenses. And the 1983 offense that was so marvelous. This defense could. This might be-- the players will hate this-- but it might be more Of a no name defense because they're all contributing to it. There are big names but there's not a Grant Wistrom.

[SHERMAN] I would think it's too early to rank this defense with some of The great ones-- the 1984, 1995 defense-- not because they have not Played enough games but because the offenses they have played have been fairly one dimensional. Not to an extreme. Iowa certainly was not. With the exception of this last week, B.J. Tiger at quarterback for Oklahoma State, he is a mobile guy but lax experience. They have not played the quarterbacks that throughout the past few years have given Nebraska problems. As you look at the Big 12 schedule there are not a lot of those guys on the schedule. You never know what will happen down the road but it looks like a defense that, you know, certainly has the potential to rank among the best.

[KUGLER] It's hard when you talk about quarterbacks that scramble to look around and find too many like that this year. There aren't that many other than Joe Hamilton.

[SHERMAN] He gives anybody fits. Throughout the big 12, Eric Crouch is the best example of a quarterback who does that. I don't think Nebraska's defense would like going against Eric.

[KUGLER] We have three Big Red trivia questions as usual. Here is the first trivia question. Be the first correct caller and you will receive one of our Nebraska ETV ceramic mugs. Ryly Jane says they're in big demand. One winner per household this season. The Huskers allowed their first rushing touchdown of the season on Saturday when Jamal Fobbs ran in late in the fourth quarter. What is the least amount of rushing touchdowns Nebraska's blackshirts have allowed and what year was it? Be the first correct caller and you will receive our ceramic Nebraska ETV mug. Ryly Jane, you mentioned that you go into the Oklahoma State locker Room. Ron in Lincoln wants to know... Is it a coincidence that you are the only woman on staff and you go to the opposing team locker room? What are the toughest and easiest questions you have to ask?

[HAMBLETON] It is a coincidence that I'm the only woman writer at the newspaper. For the most part we have the people who work with Nebraska on a daily basis go to the Nebraska locker room. They know the players and coaches and will be able to elicit the most response. It makes the most sense for me to go to the visiting locker room. Probably the most difficult questions are, you know, facing a kid like the Missouri deep snapper after that game. That's always hard. I work with high school kids for the most part and I don't like to put kids in a bad light and put them in a bad situation. So that's hard for me to do. He was a champ. He was a trooper. He handled it. These kids are more mature than I probably give them credit for. So that's always a difficult thing when you have to deal with that. The most fun is-- it's rare-- but when I deal with a team that walked off the field with a victory.

[KUGLER] Last season you had the opportunity a couple of times.

[HAMBLETON] It happens but not real often.

[KUGLER] Oklahoma State are a little down in some people's minds. Mitch, assess the job that bob simmons has done down there. This year a little down. How is his coaching job?

[SHERMAN] I think he is doing a great job. I think last year they fell on tough times after the Nebraska game. It looked like they were headed to a bowl game and there were lofty predictions for them the start of last season and they lost the 24-17 game where I think it took everything out of them with the goal line stand at the end. They had so much riding on that. If they win the game, they're probably not a 5-6 team or 6-5 team at the ends of the season, I think they're a bowl team. In a conference like the Big 12, even when it is not a super Conference sending seven, eight teams to a bowl game, there is still a lot of parity. Oklahoma State is I would say in the middle of the road. They're even with a lot of teams from the South, teams like Texas Tech and Texas right now and Oklahoma. They all seem to be at the same point of evolution of their program. I think Bob Simmons because he has had a head start on some of the coaches will take Oklahoma State to the top of the South.

[KUGLER] He has coached in bad luck the last couple of years.

[HAMBLETON] Those are the things that happen in college football, in any college sport or high school sport. You run into a couple of those things and the season goes. I was thinking about the history of the Nebraska-Oklahoma State series. Always a black and blue series. Always the hard-hitting game and not a lot of the big blowouts through the history. And that has been a game often that did-- Oklahoma State came in with great hopes and then all of a sudden they had trouble after that. Historically, that's been a real tough one for Oklahoma State.

[KUGLER] We have a winner in the first trivia question. First, we need to take a look at the highlights of the game we have been talking about. Nebraska-Oklahoma State at Memorial Stadium. Another sellout crowd. The 230th straight sellout at Memorial Stadium for those of you wanting an answer for a potential future trivia question for us. A bad play starting for Oklahoma State. Nathan Simmons fumbles on the first play of the game. Clint Finley able to pick up the loose ball. Coming up the Huskers second down and nine. Bobby Newcombe on his first reverse of the day. He ran four of these on Saturday for 35 yards. That one picks up 11 yards and a first down for the Huskers in the first quarter. Watch the blocking up front on this touchdown from Eric Crouch from Four yards out. That's a way you remember offensive lines blocking. Easy to get in from four yards out. The Huskers leading 7-0 at that point. Now Eric Crouch to the air and finding what has become his favorite target and certainly his favorite target on Saturday. Tracey Wistrom, the start of a huge day for the tight end. Four catches for Tracey Wistrom. That got the Huskers down to the two. Easy stroll into the end zone for Correll Buckhalter. 55 yards rushing. Could have been more on 11 carries. The first of two touchdowns on the day for Correll. Just seven minutes left in the first quarter at that point. B.J. Tiger under heavy pressure gets away a couple of times but is brought down by Chris Kelsay and Loran Kaiser. Brian Shaw day. A big blocked punt for Brian Shaw. One play later after the blocked punt after a first and goal. Second and goal coming up for the Nebraska offense on the eight yard line. Again, Correll Buckhalter with an easy toss, easy stroll into the end zone. Not touched on either of the touchdown runs and that capped the eight yard drive. Nebraska 21-0 lead. A field goal from 36 yards out by Josh Brown early in the second quarter made it 24-0 Nebraska. Watch Correll Buckhalter here. Should have probably been in the end zone on this one. He will be the first one to tell you that. He stepped out of bounds at 44 yard line. Could have been a huge play for the Huskers. A nice 22-yard run for Buckhalter. To the air again, Eric Crouch getting hit and falling away but gets it to Wistrom. Four catches and 116 yards on the day. A Josh Brown field goal missed at the end of the half. 31-0 Nebraska at halftime. Back to work and right back to the air. Crouch finds Wistrom again. Wistrom having a great campaign and has become Eric Crouch's favorite target. Dan Alexander from six yards out, banging in to a couple of folks on the way in. 80-yard, six-play drive giving Nebraska a 38-14 lead. The final score is 38-14 Nebraska with the win as they kind of coasted there towards the end of the game in the third and fourth quarters. That was the one thing that gave the Husker coaches a cause for concern. 240 yards rushing for Nebraska. 145 passing. Ryly Jane, when you look at the stats, what stands out the most?

[HAMBLETON] Gee, that's hard. I think what I notice right away is no turnovers. I think that's a real crucial thing especially you say the numbers may not be huge, 240 rushing and 145 passing, they're not huge numbers but they are if you are not turning the ball over and are taking it away. Sometimes numbers are not a good measuring stick actually. I think this might be a game that shows that a little bit.

[KUGLER] I think you're right with the fact that Nebraska had short drives on Saturday they didn't have a chance to rack up those stats. Mitch, you look at Eric Crouch and the way he throws the ball this year. He throws it with so much more touch than last season. Really is able to get a little more air under the ball sometimes and hold it up their for receivers to run under it.

[SHERMAN] I think the touchdown pass, the 16-yard pass and the play action to Wistrom-- that was the first replay I had seen. You notice he kind of flicked it. He didn't put much on it, didn't put too much on it. If he did, it would have gone out of the end zone and less, it could have been intercepted. He lead the receiver perfectly. He has improved his throwing. It was an area last year that maybe needed a little bit of work. Eric has always been a great runner back through high school and his Millard North days. As Ryly Jane saw many times, he has been an option aficionado since the first time as a quarterback as sophomore at Millard North. His passing is coming along.

[KUGLER] Eric Crouch talked about his passing today at the press Conference.

[CROUCH] I really worked hard over the summer with the receivers to get timing down on passing routes. I think that's a big factor. The part that-- you know, when I was here the first couple of years, I tried to strong arm things and flow them as hard as I possibly could and now maybe lighten it up and be more accurate keeping my body close together when I throw and keeping myself under control. I think that's one of the things that is helping out my percentage in passing and this fall as far as competing against Bobby for the spot, it really helped me out. I know every day I was trying to get better as far as throwing the ball and running the ball. There have been a lot of things that helped out. The fact we have receivers that are going to catch the balls and make plays after they catch it. That's one thing that has helped our offense at this point.

[KUGLER] His confidence, his abilities as a quarterback have grown a lot over the last couple of weeks since being named the number one quarterback. He has looked like a number one quarterback for the Huskers.

[HAMBLETON] I think so as Mitch said. His ability to run the option was never in question. That was apparent. It becomes more apparent each week. The time-- his timing on pitches and that sort of thing are just so wonderful. You also have to take into consideration a lot of the other things. The defensive people at Oklahoma State raved about the tight ends' blocking, not just receiving but blocking. They said that was what made the option game work because the tight ends were going upfield getting the safeties so they couldn't come back and the be pitch man. When you put it all together, that's a pretty wonderful kind of situation to have where you have tight ends catching that many passes and also springing things to the option game.

[SHERMAN] That has to be great for Ron Brown to hear. Coming into the year, one of the concerns was the inexperience of the receivers. As we know, Nebraska receivers are asked in most year toss block more than they are to catch passes so for an opposing team to rave about the blocking of tight ends and wingbacks and split ends is as good a compliment as you could get as a Nebraska receiver.

[KUGLER] We want to welcome Jamie in Norfolk. How are you?

[JAMIE] Good. How are you?

[KUGLER] great. What's your question.

[JAMIE] I have a question for Ryly Jane.

[KUGLER] She is here.

[JAMIE] She said since she was in the Oklahoma State dressing room, did they prior to the game or halftime or after the game really feel that it was going to come down to a fourth and goal deciding game and is Matt Hoskinson going to be at Homecoming?

[HAMBLETON] I'm not sure about that. I think the Oklahoma State players came in thinking about last year's game and the fact that they were able to take it down a fourth and one. They were playing for that. Jamal Fobbs talked about it. Zach Warner, their defensive end, all of them talked about building from the game last year. I think they were thinking they could do that. I don't think once the game got started that went through their minds very much.

[KUGLER] What did you think of the game Saturday?

[JAMIE] Thought it was great. You know, just straight up great. Is Matt Hoskinson going to be there this weekend?

[HAMBLETON] We're not sure. Any insight on that?

[HAMBLETON] I really don't know.

[SHERMAN] I don't know. I haven't seen Matt since he left his senior year days.

[KUGLER] We will keep our eyes open for him and pass it along next week. Chris from Omaha for Ryly Jane... are there any blue chip players left in Nebraska that have not committed to the Huskers in the early commitment period?

[HAMBLETON] I think there are a couple that are out there. Jermaine Phillips up at Omaha Central is weighing his options right now. He is a wonderful runner. Richard Ross, receiver at Lincoln High, has not made a decision. He is trying to figure out whether football or basketball. Once he gets that figured out, then the decision of which college might be easier. I hesitate to say whether someone is blue chip. It's such a relative kind of term. There are wonderful players out there and some of them are really coming on. There are young kids that I think Nebraska will have their eye on In the future very certainly. Some juniors here in the city of Lincoln that have played marvelously. There are a few out there that might still-- Nebraska might still take a look at. I'm trying to think of someone else. Center at Lincoln southeast, Ryan Schumacker. He proved last week in a big game how valuable he was. He opened the way for Southeast to win the game.

[SHERMAN] I will take notes here while you do this so I have to cover recruiting. I think Nebraska has most of the best players from the state wrapped up. They have a running back from Central but Schumacker is a big player and so's Ross. And there's a receiver from Bellevue West. It seems like a good year for in state guys.

[KUGLER] It's always time to talk recruiting in the state of Nebraska When you talk football. We have our first winner in our first trivia contest. Price Rivers in Omaha knew the answer to this trivia question. What's the least amount of rushing touchdowns the blackshirts have Allowed in a season and what year was it? Price Rivers knew that Nebraska allowed only four rushing touchdowns in 1966. So, Price, congratulations, you are the winner of our Nebraska ETV ceramic mug. Mark in Omaha wants to know if the Huskers will use Dan Alexander As a fullback this season. Dan talked about that today about whether he would play fullback. They have him working out.

[SHERMAN] He played fullback last Saturday for a couple of plays. After Willie Miller went down. Kingston was out with an injury. Tyrone Uhlir at one point was the only healthy fullback Nebraska had Except for Judd Davies who is trying to redshirt. We will see Alexander a bit on Saturday.

[KUGLER] How difficult is it to keep from pulling Judd Davies out of redshirt? Is it hard for the coaches to see him and not want to stick him in a game especially when they are short?

[SHERMAN] It looks like it since they keep suiting him up. They're pretty set now. They want to redshirt. You don't want to lose eligibility six, seven games into the season. They feel they have three good players in Willie Miller, Tyrone Uhlir, and Ben Kingston.

[KUGLER] As I mentioned as if by magic we have Dan Alexander talking about maybe playing fullback in addition to I-back duties.

[ALEXANDER] When Makovicka was here he was running at wingback and tight end. He was a great player. We like to see players in this program that can move around and do different things. It doesn't bother me a bit. I want to come out and help the team whatever that role is. So I have stepped up to it and say whatever they ask me to do, I will do that because the coaches with their experience know so much more about the sport than I do. I just kind of trust in their decisions.

[KUGLER] Well, it's one of those situations where you hear Dan Alexander talk and you realize this is a kid that gets the concept of playing on a national contending football team. He is all about team and that's all he ever talks about. It is never him or his stats. It's whatever I can do to help the team. That's refreshing to hear.

[HAMBLETON] It is. It's the thing that is supposed to be what athletics is about even in the day and age of bottom line and big money. That's what it is supposed to be. We noticed it in any kind of game. last night in the NFL game, one player ran back a punt a long way and sticks his finger up in the air and says me, me, me. Another one merely scores a touchdown and merely lays the football down and goes back to thank the guy that blocked for him. It's nice to see that more often.

[KUGLER] "Big Red Wrap-Up" is available over the internet so alert your friends and family outside of our viewing area that we can be found at net.unl.edu. Just follow the prompts and you will be online with us. He can listen on our live show or enjoy the "Wrap-Up" at a later time. Check back on previous programs as well to see if we knew what we were talking about. net.unl.edu. Back to the questions. Ty e-mails us from Kansas. Says he is a Husker fan stuck in Kansas. This team reminds me the 1995 Huskers, what do you think? I don't know if they're as dominant. That was maybe the best in college football history.

[SHERMAN] The 1995 team didn't need to throw the ball at all with Tommie Frazier running the offense and as a senior and a couple of I-backs Like Lawrence Phillips and Ahman Green as a back-up. They could run for 500 yards without batting an eye. This team is not like that. It has a strong offensive line and good running game but the backs are certainly not as flashy as those two. They're going to need to rely on the passing game to open up the run whereas that team could come out and run 10 rushes in a row and get 100 yards. That's the way it was for that team.

[KUGLER] Have we seen Frank Solich asserting his mark on this Husker Football team over the last few weeks, opening up the offense, doing trick things-- I don't want to say trick-- but utilizing reverses and throwing to the tight end more?

[HAMBLETON] I think you would have to say that. Whether try to go put his mark on the team, he has opened up things a little bit. It's not trap left, trap right. We aren't seeing the same play over and over and over. He is really mixing up the offense. That means that he is using what tools he has. Like Mitch said, this is not a team that will be able to go out and Run it down your throat the entire game. They are going to mix it up and make your defense have to deal with Not knowing whether to cover Bobby Newcombe as a runner or Receiver. The tight ends are going to mess you up as blockers or they're going to catch passes. That seems to be what this team's talent is to keep defenses off balance a little bit.

[KUGLER] At the press conference today, Frank Solich talked about mixing up the offense in his second year as head coach.

[SOLICH] You know I talk about us being a multiple offense. I think we're multiple when we have to be. We will still start off trying to run the football but we will mix in a fair share of passes and I believe that's probably going to be the thing that will open up our running game a little bit. At least I see it that way at this point in time. We have been faced with a number of defenses that have really crowded a lot of people to the line of scrimmage and, you know, at times you are able to make big plays through the running game that way but it was probably easier to get a few things done and get big plays through the passing game when you have everybody up close to the line of scrimmage. We have tried to mix it up lately. I think that has added to what we're doing offensively. I would still like to run the football better. I would like to control the game with a running football team and hopefully that's still going to happen.

[KUGLER] Which is more difficult to defend, Mitch? If you get a team like the 1995 team thaw know are going to run the ball at you, they're daring you to stop the run knowing you can't stop it or a team like this one where Nebraska can run the ball but will mix up the offense a little bit?

[SHERMAN] You can't stop the 1995 team with the guys at the spots they were. If this team tried to run that offense, I don't think they would have as much success. I think this offense is more difficult to stop if dealing with even personnel. They made an effort to throw the ball in the first couple of plays. That was just kind of a message that, you know, the Southern Mississippi game is behind us. We're going to be more diversified than that. So be ready for Nebraska to pass.

[KUGLER] Well, there were a lot of great games, not only the Nebraska game which I don't know if you consider it a great football game this past weekend but there were a lot of great games throughout college football. That caused a shake-up in the polls. Let's look at the coaches' poll first. Michigan with a win over Purdue. Virginia Tech moving up to number five. Florida drops to seven. K-state with a win over Texas. Michigan State leading off with a big game this week Michigan State and Michigan. Michigan State better than people expected them to be this year. A&M falls to 12 with a shocking loss to Texas Tech. East Carolina at 18. May be an overlooked team. They have really just one more challenge against Southern Miss. Him mime at 21. Mississippi rounding out the top 25 with a 4-1 record. In the a.p. poll. Florida state, penn state, michigan, and Nebraska. Virginia Tech getting the lone first place vote. Georgia rounding out the top 10. K-state at nine in the a.p. Alabama moves up to 12 with their win over Florida. Great football game in the swamp this past weekend. East Carolina at 16. Wisconsin 3-2. They're back at number 20 after their blowout of Ohio State. There is Ohio State at 21. Look at who is in at 25. Glen Mason resurges. The Gophers are back. Maybe they will win the Big 10 this year. Maybe not. They're 4-0. We will give them their due until they lose a game. For Minnesota being 4-0 for Glen Mason, that's a big achievement getting into the top 25 for the first time in I don't know how long.

[HAMBLETON] I haven't the foggiest notion how long it has been. It's been quite sometime. There were some crazy games. It was kind of strange to just hear them coming in over my shoulder as I was writing my story. Folks are watching the florida-alabama game and I'm not believing what I'm hearing that they both missed their kicks and wait, there's a flag. Just almost do what you can to lose the game. That was amazing.

[SHERMAN] Don't forget about Marshall. They're undefeated. Marshall is one of those teams that could go undefeated and not get in the B.C.S. unless crazy things happen. Funny statistic. They're the only team in the country that has outscored Nebraska in the 1990's. They spent seven years as a 1-AA team. I think they have a one point lead over Nebraska in offense.

[KUGLER] The weed eater bowl could have a terrific match-up with two unbeaten teams that no one plays attention to.

[HAMBLETON] I miss the days of the bowls where you had games like that, where the early games were sometimes the best ones. That has not happened a lot.

[KUGLER] Maybe the most shocking was the a&m loss to texas tech. Spike Dykes was being roasted over the coals in Texas. He was hanging on by a thread. All of a sudden a win over A&M and things were looking brighter.

[SHERMAN] Somebody is looking out for Spike Dykes. Whenever people get down on him, he will do something like that it seems. You would think after their loss earlier, they wouldn't be able to give texas a tough time. That's the parity. The Big 12 will be a wacky season.

[KUGLER] It's the nature of rivalries. Those rivalries are always something special between the Texas teams. Here is our second trivia question. Be the first correct caller and you will receive the 16-month Big Red 2000 calendar. You can only win once this season. With last week's game against Oklahoma State, the Huskers have Appeared on TV in four of the first five games this season. What's the most Nebraska games ever televised in a single season including bowl games and what season was it? Be the first correct caller and you will win the all new year 2000 calendar. It was no time before the 1940's. Back to the discussion. Great hint.

[HAMBLETON] What a hint, Kevin.

[KUGLER] It's a terrific hint. Bill in Lincoln e-mails us. I heard that Buckhalter pulled his hamstring and Alexander was playing some fullback. Who are they looking at I-back?

[SHERMAN] Correll was back in practice today. Dan is still going to start at I-back even though he took snaps at fullback. Correll had a hamstring pull yesterday, I think left over from the game. He was back today. Maybe he did it on the running out of bounds. Diedrick has been the number three guy all year. He has played well enough to put his name on the depth chart. After that, you don't have anybody that is not redshirted. There is four guys who they're trying to redshirt. It seems strange to redshirt four I-backs in one season. Deantae Grixby is not really redshirting but as it gets further and further into the season, it will be hard to play him. He is recovering from an ACL tear. I guess you would have to consider him the next guy after Diedrick.

[KUGLER] Does Correll Buckhalter deserve to start? This is a topic we talked about a little last week. It's a coaching decision. The coaches have decided to stay with Alexander for the time being. Correll Buckhalter has looked like Eric Crouch the first couple of weeks of the season. He has come off the bench and looked like a fresher and better player the last coup of weeks.

[HAMBLETON] I'm sure the Nebraska coaches have looked closely at it. Sometimes the best way to do things is stay with what they are and sometimes you have to take into consideration what the personnel are, who your opponent is, that sort of thing to have such different looking backs as Alexander as Buckhalter causes problems for the defense. To know that you are going to use those two and alternate them, you know, as long as egos stay tucked in behind where they're supposed to and Dan Alexander talks about team and obviously Correll has talked about that this year, learned a lesson on that this year on his own. As long as they understand that, I think leave well enough alone.

[SHERMAN] It seems like kind of a non-issue. The quarterbacks definitely was an issue. Everyone talked about it. It was in the news every day. Questions at practice every day. The press conferences were dominated by questions of the Quarterbacks just because of the nature of the position. At I-back, you can rotate those guys play by play, series by series. It really doesn't matter. You know they're both going to get their carries. Correll had 11 carries last week. If he plays better than Dan even though not starting, he will get more carries.

[HAMBLETON] The rhythm for them is not as important.

[SHERMAN] The offense is one important piece of it but other guys are not depending on him as much.

[KUGLER] It's strange to hear that because Nebraska is thought of as an I-back school but now it has become a quarterback dominated system. The quarterback has to be real solid. The I-back maybe is a product of the system.

[HAMBLETON] That's the way it has-- you think about it over the years even in the years when the great I-backs, there were always quarterbacks who were able to put it all together. Few don't have someone there to do it, those were the years Nebraska struggled when they didn't have a quarterback who could bring it all together. They didn't have to be the star but they had to have everybody in the huddle on the same page and feeling the same way and thinking the same way.

[KUGLER] We mention the Texas A&M and Texas shocker. Let's look at the rest of the scores. Baylor gets on the win column 23-10 win over North Texas. poor North Texas. They beat Texas Tech and A&M. By all rights, ranked six or seventh in the country. Kansas wins in a game they trailed and had to come back and beat S.M.U. A tough one for Oklahoma. The first loss of the year. They lead in the game but Notre Dame had a come back. A huge win for Notre Dame. Kansas State over Texas. Maybe a bit of a surprise there as well. Not that K-State won but in such a dominating fashion 35-17. Missouri a win over Memphis 227-17. There's the Texas A&M and Texas Tech score 21-19. Nebraska 38-14 winners over Oklahoma State. We have a winner in our second Big Red trivia question. Is that Kansas state win a surprise seeing them with a win over Texas? Texas wanted revenge and didn't get it.

[SHERMAN] I'm not surprised to see Kansas State win. Texas needs to prove more before you can call them the class of the Big 12 South. They have a great recruiting class and people were ready to hand Them the Big 12 title. It will take a couple of years for that to mature. Kansas State still has the attitude, the feeling that they're a great team. Some of that comes from last year but the message that that game sends me and the message that Kansas State's win sends me is don't punt to David Allen. He has basically won two games for those guys. A message to future opponents should be loud and clear. Kick it out of bounds but don't punt to him.

[KUGLER] Seven returns tying Johnny Rodgers. Seven in a career is amazing. Which Big 12 offense could give Nebraska's defense the most trouble this year? That's an interesting question to think about when you look around The Big 12. Does anyone in the big 12 have the offense that can give Nebraska's defense trouble this year?

[HAMBLETON] Well, you look at-- as Mitch said earlier, you look at the quarterback and how diverse they are. That has been maybe where Nebraska has had problems in the past. It's with a quarterback who can change direction on them and do that sort of thing, be unpredictable. There doesn't seem to be a real unpredictable Big 12 team out there I guess simply because of the fact they have won pretty big. You have to look at Kansas State as a team that Nebraska is going to have to be concerned about. You don't punt to Allen. You don't do certain things against Kansas State. You can't or you will be in trouble.

[SHERMAN] I would have said Texas A&M before last week. Randy Mccowen showed he could do some things. Texas-Nebraska is going to be a big game. Nebraska can't go in there thinking they're likely going to win because of what Kansas State did down there. Texas's offensive line looks suspect at this point but that place is going to be rocking for that game and you don't know what to expect. They do have a dangerous offense. Major Applewhite is a good quarterback.

[KUGLER] Let's look at the Big 12 standings. The North division not much shake-up there. Nebraska and Kansas State and Colorado on top. Iowa State, Missouri, Kansas round out the lower third of the North Division. This is the division way up in the air now. Texas with a loss, A&M with a loss, Oklahoma State. Oklahoma and Texas Tech are the only ones without a loss. If Oklahoma could win the South division, the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry renewed in the Big 12 Championship game. I'm sure there are a lot of fans that would like to see that rivalry renewed.

[HAMBLETON] That was probably the most disturbing part of the Big 12 Conference and the North-South and all that is that the Nebraska-Oklahoma game would not happen every year. Here is one of the years it is not supposed to happen and it might anyway. It's a tad early to go out on that limb and it doesn't look like that limb is going to hold that weight. There are a lot of games left to be played down there. Texas is not going to go away. A&M is not going to go away. It's nice for oklahoma go oat off to this start and getting going in the south but that's a long ways off.

[KUGLER] Let remember that one win is over Baylor. Let's not get the parade started through Norman just yet. Bryan Adams of Lincoln knew what the most Nebraska games were televised and what season. He knew the answer is 11 were televised last year including the Holiday bowl. I don't think it is Bryan the singer unless he moved his singing voice to Lincoln . I noticed during the first half, Nebraska had three defensive linemen in the game, almost a 5-2 look. Will this become a trend or was this a specific game plan for Oklahoma State?

[SHERMAN] That was a kind of move on the run type of thing. Oklahoma State was using an unbalanced offensive line. Instead of bringing in a second tight end, they brought in another offensive linemen and would play five linemen on one side of the center. With a look like that, Nebraska had to get more bulk into their defense so they took a linebacker out and put a defensive tackle in. We had Jason Lohr and Loran Kaiser in the game at the same time. It was not something Nebraska will do on a regular basis unless teams go with the unbalanced line.

[HAMBLETON] It wasn't very successful.

[SHERMAN] Oklahoma State, maybe something they regret. They had more success running their offense in the second half. The offense they were accustomed to than the special' phones for the Nebraska game.

[KUGLER] Why didn't they do anything in the second half? They had a 38-0 lead about three minutes in. May be hard to keep your focus in a game like that.

[HAMBLETON] I think that's the case. These are not professionals. They're college students. They're kids. There's a certain amount of adrenalin. When that kind of goes away when it is 38-0, it's hard to keep the focus. That maybe is the difference between a great team and not a great team is the ability to keep that. I'm sure what the-- that's what the coaches were concerned about that there were-- that level of concentration went away.

[KUGLER] We have one more trivia question for you tonight. It is time for the third trivia question. Be the first caller with the correct answer and you will receive The VHS copy of "Coach Osborne: More Than Winning." One winner per household this season. Iowa State currently leads the nation in rushing with 328 yards per game. What was the last time a Big 8/Big 12 team other than Nebraska led the nation in rushing and what team was it? Be the first correct caller and you will receive a VHS copy of "Coach Osborne: More Than Winning." Seems like a good time to start talking about Iowa State. They come in 3-1. This is a team that should be 4-0. They had a second half collapse after leading K-State in Ames. McCarney has had an influx of junior college talent. That seems to be working.

[HAMBLETON] Plus Davis running. That's not a bad place to start. He is running as well if not better than his brother did. That's kind of a nice thing for Iowa State to be in that situation. I'm sure they would have loved to have been able to finish off that K-state game and have that in their repertoire knowing they can do that. That still remains to be seen if they can stick with a lead.

[SHERMAN] I think it's a tough thing for Iowa State to come into this game after an off week. It will be interesting to see how they rebound psychologically from that. It was really tough. The way things played out in the second half of that game for Iowa State. At halftime you thought they had the game in hand. They had 330 yards of offense in the first half against the Kansas State defense that probably does rank as one of the best in the country. So Nebraska is going to have its hands full. Regardless of what people think of Iowa State's history and past, they have a legitimate running attack. I think they're well deserving of the number one ranking. Big linemen and Davis is shifty and fast and durable.

[KUGLER] We head down I-80 and welcome Jim into the "Wrap-Up." How are you?

[JIM] I'm doing fine. Thank you, sir. I would like to say that I keep hearing people say Nebraska is going to be playing basically florida state or penn state for number one. I would like to say Nebraska has about six, seven ball games for us to play first and then have to win the big 12, then they can play for number one but I don't want to see Nebraska get the cart before the horse. Thank you very much.

[KUGLER] Thank you very much, Jim. I think the coaching staff would be the first to agree with you. That's where the one game at a time cliche came in and is so often used in football and has a lot of basis to it.

[HAMBLETON] That's how they become cliches unfortunately for writers.

[KUGLER] Let's take a look at highlights of Iowa State. Cyclones 3-1 coming in. This is a vastly improved Iowa State team. Their offense especially. Darren Davis has had a phenomenal start to the season. He has had a great career at Iowa State and has his brother's Iowa State rushing record in sight. Maybe was not going to happen until the start he had this year. Davis leads the nation. 177 yards a game. You can see him there. He has become the whole offense for these guys. Here is a look at a segment of offense that may be underutilized. J.J. Moses flanker who snuch into the end zone there. The quarterback may be an unknown commodity, Sage Rosenfels. What have you heard or seen about sage rosenfels?

[SHERMAN] He is the guy who compliments Darren Davis. He seems to be a pretty good passer. His statistics were not bad against Kansas state. Darren is going to be the main cog in their offensive load. They need to develop some kind of passing attack against Nebraska if they want to run the ball.

[KUGLER] Defensively, this Cyclone team may be underappreciated I guess you could say. They are 41st in the nation against the run. Second best versus the pass. They're around Nebraska in total defense. They're number five in total defense. Talk about a no name defense, Ryly Jane, Iowa State. If Nebraska's is no name. Iowa State doesn't even have numbers on their jerseys.

[HAMBLETON] Maybe that works for the best. Then you don't have to worry about the star system. Whoever makes the play makes the play. That works real well sometimes.

[KUGLER] Defensively as I mentioned, they're fifth in the nation. Let's temper that a little bit because their defensive statistics have been built against Indiana State, Iowa, UNLV, and K-State. Frank Murphy here breaking free for a 27-yard run. It is possible to get yards on the ground against this team.

[SHERMAN] Iowa State got tired. K-State tired them out in the second half. It was obvious. The holes were getting big in the offensive line for K-State.

[KUGLER] We look at the Iowa State schedule. Indiana state, Iowa. The closeness of that score indicates such an intense rivalry in the state of Iowa. That's the second year in a row Iowa State has won over Iowa. Then 24-0 with UNLV. Second half of the schedule, road trip toss Texas Tech and Kansas. Those are winnable road games for this team if they can get the running game going. They have a chance for a good season. The toughest games will be in Ames, Iowa this year.

[HAMBLETON] Certainly a stretch here that will be difficult with Nebraska, Colorado, and Texas. That's not a very nice kind of stretch to be in when you are just trying to kind of establish yourself in coming off the loss to K-State. These next three games, win or lose, how they play them will tell a lot about whether or not they can do anything at the end of the schedule. It looks like they have opportunities.[KUGLER] We have a winner in our third trivia question tonight. Let's get to it. Congratulations to Jim of Lincoln , Nebraska. The last time a Big 8/Big 12 team other than Nebraska that led the nation in rushing and what team was it? Oklahoma in 1987. Iowa State leads the nation in rushing this year. Jason in council bluffs wants to know is Iowa State a 33-point underdog? For entertainment purposes, I'm sure, Jason. Lack of respect for them or show of respect for Nebraska.

[SHERMAN] It's the history of the series. The average margin of victory over the last six or seven years Since Iowa State upset Nebraska in 1992 is probably about that margin. You know that's-- you never know about the odds makers. Last week looked strange, too, but it came down to a fourth down play in the fourth quarter and it turned the tide.

[HAMBLETON] That's the history of gambling. They want enough money on both sides and the only way is to set those kind of lines.

[KUGLER] We are out of time. The hour has flown by. We thank you for joining us and thanks to Ryly Jane and Mitch as well. We will show you highlights next week on "Big Red Wrap-Up." For our Nebraska ETV sports production crew, I'm Kevin Kugler, good night. See you next week on the "Wrap-Up."