41 posts tagged “ncaa”
I'm glad that I held off, Nebraska ended up winning their last 5 regular season games along with sole possession of the North crown (they split it with Missouri in 2008, with Mizzou holding the tie breaker). The stadium is down the street from my apartment, I've thought about taking a taxi to the game. I have a few friends going, I even thought about buying a parking pass so I could tailgate with the other Husker faithful. The only problem is that my ticket is on the South side where all the Texas fans will be seated. This diehard, who has lived behind enemy lines since leaving Nebraska in 1995, will be seated among the burnt orange Saturday night at 7. Ugh. I hope that I can find an open bar at Jerry World.
Earlier tonight while browsing online, I figured I'd check to see if tickets were still available and the asking price per. Wow! The area where I'm seated (or will be) is going for almost $300.00....WTF? Nice price gouge there. Of course, if I wanted to make a quick buck (or $300 for that matter), I could pawn this ticket on gameday... Nah. Hey, you never know... there could be some miracle that the Pelini brothers could have under their collective hats for the Big Red to knock of Mack Brown's undefeated squad and really shake up the BCS picture. I'm sure that teams like Cincy and TCU will be among the Husker faithful cheering for the upset. I'm holding off on my end of the year travel plans until Saturday has been decided. Also, when you try circulating for an after party, make sure you double check your "finished" product before you submit it.
I love college football.
Geaux Big Red!
ULL radio man Jay Walker comes away enthralled by the Lincoln experience.
Sep 28
Monday, September 28, 2009 8:53 AM
This is my 18th season covering Cajuns football. And, for eight years before that, I had the opportunity to broadcast selected games on TV as well.
I've been to nine SEC stadiums. (I'll go to a tenth next season at Georgia.) I've seen the grove at Ole Miss, experienced the Gator Chomp, the Mississippi State cowbells, been a part of Alabama football in both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. I've been called "Tigerbait" in Baton Rouge and experienced some pretty good hospitality in South Carolina.
I've said hello to the folks at Illinois and Minnesota. Felt September heat in Tempe, AZ.
Been to Manhattan, Lubbock, Austin, Stillwater and College Station. College Station was probably the best. Folks say "Howdy" when they see you. And they say "welcome."
Haven't been to the Horseshoe, the Big House or Happy Valley. Nor have I seen Touchdown Jesus.
But I've been to College Football Nirvana.
It's located in Lincoln, Nebraska.
From the time we touched down ("Welcome to Lincoln," the police officers doing the escort said) to the time we left the stadium ("Thanks so much for coming, have a safe trip home. We hope you'll come back again") every Cajun fan felt like a guest.
That's right. A guest. Not the opposition...not the enemy....a guest.
Check into the Cornhusker Marriott, not far from campus. Fans of Big Red Nation are already there. Smiles, handshakes....welcome to Lincoln. Good luck tomorrow.
Board the bus for dinner. Arrive at Misty's, Lincoln's famous steakhouse (I mean, you gotta eat a steak, right?). There were about 25 in our party. We had to wait about twenty minutes for them to get everything ready. No problem. As soon as the patrons saw the Cajun gear, they wanted to talk...introduce themselves....welcome to Lincoln....thanks so much for coming. Hope you enjoy the game.....
Is this for real??
And, it continued throughout the evening and into the night. We made lots of friends. We Cajun people make friends pretty easily, but it's even easier when folks want to be friends.
In Lincoln, they all want to be your friend.
Gameday is different in Lincoln. They tailgate, sure....but it's tougher because, well, there's just not a lot of tailgaiting spots. But they do open the soccer field next to the stadium. Families can let the kids roam free. Nebraska radio does a pregame show there. And, a band plays during the commercial breaks.
I did an interview at the soccer field with the Nebraska radio folks. And then, had a pretty good trek to the media entrance. At each gate, the sight was the same. Hundreds lined up, waiting for the gates to open so they could get into the stadium and watch their team warm up.
By the time Nebraska came out, about 45 minutes before kickoff, the stadium was about 65% full. There was no "hey, let's stay outside and pound a few more beers."
Because it was gameday. And they came to see football.
By the time the band was ready to come out, 86000 strong were in their seats. They stood and clapped along when the Cornhusker Band played "Fight on Cajuns" to honor their guests. And when the band played "There is no Place Like Nebraska" I knew that the statement was true.
For the first time ever in my years covering the Cajuns, I did not hear a single boo when the Cajuns came out of their tunnel onto their sidelines; in fact, I heard a smattering of applause.
During the game, 86000 cheered as Nebraska rolled. They didn't leave at halftime to go out and start drinking (and remember it was 34-0 at the half). Some were outside, but they had passes to get back in and by the time the second half was ready to kick off, they were all back in their seats.
In the fourth quarter there were STILL over 80000 in the stands. Security keeps an eye out for the sign of alcohol in the stands, which is how trouble starts. If they see alcohol they don't turn a blind eye. After all, college football is about a FAMILY atmosphere.
And when it ended, the fans stayed for another Cornhusker tradition. They applauded the Cajuns as they left the field.
Now you might say...sure, it's easy to clap for someone when you just beat them 55-0. But they do that when their team LOSES. The newspaper on Saturday morning reprinted a handwritten letter from Florida State coach Bobby Bowden after the Seminoles got a hard fought 18-14 win years ago. Yep, the Nebraska fans cheered them as they left.
More of the same post game. There was a young man in a wheelchair where the Cajun players were getting their postgame meal. As each player came out, the young man thanked them for coming and wished them safe travels home. Many of the players stopped to chat for a minute.
Then it was over. And, as the buses left for the airport, the fans that were still there waved and applauded. No one finger salutes. No "you suck" chants. Simply, safe travels, my friends.
If the two teams should play again in the future, plan ahead Cajun Fans. Make the long drive or the relatively short flight. Come in Friday...leave Sunday. And, you will learn what REAL college football atmosphere is about.
Because, trust me.....there is no place like Nebraska.
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Final Team Standings |
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Session V Recap |
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Final Brackets |
Lincoln – Jordan Burroughs became the 10th national champion in Husker history by capturing the 157-pound title during Session VI to lead Nebraska to a fourth-place team finish at the 2009 NCAA Championships. With a fourth-place finish last season also, NU has claimed back-to-back top-five finishes in consecutive years for the first time. For the second season in a row, Iowa captured the team title with 96.5 points while Ohio State finished second (92) and Iowa State claimed third (84.5).
“It feels great to be a national champion,” Burroughs said. “It took three years, but I finally got it done. I’m just happy to be here and happy that my teammates and my family are able to be here and watch me.”
A junior from Sicklerville, N.J., Burroughs topped second-seeded Michael Poeta of Illinois in the final, 5-1. As usual, Burroughs was the aggressor in the first period, and earned a critical takedown with just two seconds left in the period. Burroughs escaped 10 seconds into the second to go up 3-0, but neither wrestler could score the rest of the period. Poeta escaped with 1:57 left in the third and turned up the intensity looking for an equalizing takedown, nearly catching Burroughs on several occasions in the final period. Another Burroughs’ takedown with two seconds left sealed the bout. He went 35-0 during 2008-09 to become the first Husker national champion ever to complete a season undefeated. Poeta finished as runner up for a second consecutive season with a 17-1 record.
“Every time I shot a double leg he would jump back knowing I was going to shoot from my knees,” Burroughs said. “I finally found an opening at the end of the first period and got two and it kind of set the pace for the match. I knew he had to come after me. That’s when I’m best is when people are chasing me.”
Nebraska’s Craig Brester also advanced to the finals, but lost to second-seeded Jake Varner of Iowa State, 2-1, at 197 pounds. Brester, a junior from Howells, Neb., was hard pressed to generate offense against the three-time NCAA finalist Varner. Neither wrestler scored in the first period, and Varner earned an escape eight seconds in the second. Brester chose down in the third in an attempt to escape and tie the match at one, but Varner earned riding-time advantage to take the win before Brester escaped. Brester went 33-4 in 2008-09 with three of his losses on the season coming to Varner.
Head Coach Mark Manning has coached 27 Huskers to All-America honors during his nine seasons at Nebraska. He has also led NU to five top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships. NU’s 78.5 points this year are the second most it has ever scored at the tournament, trailing only a 79.5-point performance in 1993.
“We would have liked to have won both of those matches, but this is a very tough stage to compete on,” Manning said. “Jordan did a great job against a great competitor who was in the finals last year. Jordan has really made himself a complete wrestler and has put the work in. Craig has done the same thing.”
2009 NCAA Championships
Scottrade Center - St. Louis, Mo.
Final Results
Session VI Attendance: 17,385
Total Attendance: 97,111
Final Team Standings:
1. Iowa – 96.5
2. Ohio State – 92.0
2. Iowa State – 84.5
4. Nebraska – 78.5
5. Cornell – 73.5
Nebraska Results:
149 Pounds
First Round: Heinrich Barnes (Oregon State) by dec. over Robert Sanders (NU), 11-3
Consolation: Kevin LeValley (Bucknell) by major dec. over Robert Sanders (NU), 10-1
157 Pounds
First Round: Jordan Burroughs (NU) by tech. fall over Hadley Harrison (Clarion), 23-7
Second Round: Jordan Burroughs (NU) by fall over Colton Salazar (Purdue), 2:27
Quarterfinals: Jordan Burroughs (NU) by major dec. over Cyler Sanderson (Iowa State), 14-6
Semifinals: Jordan Burroughs (NU) by major dec. over Gregor Gillespie (Edinboro), 12-4
Finals: Jordan Burroughs (NU) by dec. over Michael Poeta (Illinois), 5-1
Jordan Burroughs (NU) finishes first.
165 Pounds
First Round: Stephen Dwyer (NU) by dec. over Mike Galante (Lehigh), 6-1
Second Round: Andrew Rendos (Bucknell) by dec. over Stephen Dwyer (NU), 5-2
Consolation: Stephen Dwyer (NU) by dec. over Keegan Davis (Oregon State), 7-2
Consolation: Nick Marable (NU) by dec. over Stephen Dwyer (NU), 7-5 TB2
174 Pounds
First Round: Brandon Browne (NU) by major dec. over Erick Decker (Old Dominion), 12-4
Second Round: Brandon Browne (NU) by dec. over Nathan Lee (Boise State), 9-6
Quarterfinals: Brandon Browne (NU) by dec. over Quentin Wright (Penn State), 4-1
Semifinals: Mike Miller (Central Michigan) by dec. over Brandon Browne (NU), 7-3
Consolation: Brandon Browne (NU) by fall over Steve Anceravage (Cornell), 7:18
Consolation: Raymond Jordan (Missouri) by dec. over Brandon Browne (NU), 4-0
Brandon Browne (NU) finishes fourth.
184 Pounds
First Round: Vince Jones (NU) by fall over Riley Orozco (Cal St.Bakersfield), 4:15
Second Round: Vince Jones (NU) by major dec. over A.J. Kissel (Purdue), 11-3
Quarterfinals: Vince Jones (NU) by dec. over Kirk Smith (Boise State), 2-1
Semifinals: Jake Herbert (Northwestern) by major dec. over Vince Jones (NU), 11-1
Consolation: Phil Keddy (Iowa) by dec. over Vince Jones (NU), 6-1
Consolation: Joe LeBlanc (Wyoming) by dec. over Vince Jones (NU), 9-2
Vince Jones (NU) finishes sixth.
197 Pounds
Pigtail Round: Craig Brester (NU) by major dec. over Charles Silber (American), 16-3
First Round: Craig Brester (NU) by dec. over Joe Fagiano (Hofstra), 10-3
Second Round: Craig Brester (NU) by major dec. over Jesse Strawn (Old Dominion), 14-5
Quaterfinals: Craig Brester (NU) by dec. over Cayle Byers (George Mason), 2-0
Semifinals: Craig Brester (NU) by dec. over Tyrel Todd (Michigan), 7-2
Finals: Jake Varner (ISU) by dec. over Craig Brester (NU), 2-1
Craig Brester (NU) finishes second.
First Round: Kyle Massey (Wisconsin) by dec. over Tucker Lane (NU), 4-3 TB2
Consolation: Tucker Lane (NU) by dec. over Ricardo Alcala (Cal Davis), 6-0
Consolation: Tucker Lane (NU) by dec. over Justin Dobies (North Carolina), 4-2 SV2
Consolation: Christopher Birchler (East Stroudsburg) by dec. over Tucker Lane (NU), 4-3
Nebraska fell short of the national rankings when the final football polls were released around the midnight hour. The Huskers received 64 points in The Associated Press poll (the equivalent of a ranking of 29th) and 62 points in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll (a ranking of 30th).
After a 26-21 Gator Bowl win over Clemson, it was wondered if the Huskers (9-4) might find their way into the rankings for the first time since the first week of October last year. Nebraska hasn’t finished a year ranked since after the 2005 season when an Alamo Bowl victory over Michigan vaulted NU to 24th in both polls.
I just don't understand how the Cornhuskers could not have cracked the top 25 in either poll after finishing the season at 9-4? The team won 9 games under first year head coach Bo Pelini, including a season-ending four-game winning streak, against Kansas, Kansas State, Colorado and Clemson. Nebraska was able to pull together to play as a team after last year's squad rolled over for former coach Bill Callahan.
Baffling.
The AP rankings:
1. Florida (48) 13-1 1,606 points
2. Utah (16) 13-0 1,519
3. USC (1) 12-1 1,481
4. Texas 12-1 1,478
5. Oklahoma 12-2 1,391
6. Alabama 12-2 1,264
7. TCU 11-2 1,193
8. Penn State 11-2 1,153
9. Ohio State 10-3 1,013
10. Oregon 10-3 997
11. Boise State 12-1 938
12. Texas Tech 11-2 916
13. Georgia 10-3 903
14. Mississippi 9-4 857
15. Virginia Tech 10-4 713
16. Oklahoma State 9-4 534
17. Cincinnati 11-3 506
18. Oregon State 9-4 467
19. Missouri 10-4 435
20. Iowa 9-4 317
21. Florida State 9-4 246
22. Georgia Tech 9-4 223
23. West Virginia 9-4 144
24. Michigan State 9-4 138
25. Brigham Young 10-3 137
Others receiving votes:
California 128, Pittsburgh 106, LSU 95, Nebraska 64, Tulsa 61, Northwestern 53, Ball State 13, Boston College 11, Rutgers 11, Rice 8, Arizona 4, Kansas 2.
The USA Today coaches' poll:
1. Florida (60) 13-1 1,524
2. Southern California 12-1 1,393
3. Texas 12-1 1,389
4. Utah (1) 13-0 1,375
5. Oklahoma 12-2 1,333
6. Alabama 12-2 1,157
7. TCU 11-2 1,114
8. Penn State 11-2 1,091
9. Oregon 10-3 1,011
10. Georgia 10-3 904
11. Ohio State 10-3 874
12. Texas Tech 11-2 867
13. Boise State 12-1 809
14. Virginia Tech 10-4 740
15. Mississippi 9-4 620
16. Missouri 10-4 549
17. Cincinnati 11-3 493
18. Oklahoma State 9-4 480
19. Oregon State 9-4 407
20. Iowa 9-4 250
21. Brigham Young 10-3 248
22. Georgia Tech 9-4 219
23. Florida State 9-4 217
24. Michigan State 9-4 179
25. California 9-4 116
Others receiving votes:
West
Virginia 101, Tulsa 68, LSU 65, Northwestern 63, Nebraska 62,
Pittsburgh 38, Arizona 21, Ball State 14, Rice 14, Boston College 6,
Rutgers 5, Kansas 3, Kentucky 3, Connecticut 2, Houston 1.
Third string IB Quinten Castille had an outstanding game filling in for both Roy Helu Jr. and Marlon Lucky. Both Helu and Lucky were nursing nagging injuries and Castille came ready to play. On the other side of the ball, the defense dominated the head to head matchup vs. Clemson's starting lineup.
The recap:
GEAUX BIG RED!
Cheers
Get it? Gator "BO"wl? HA.
Bo & Dabo have their similarities, but they've traveled different paths. But, Steve Sipple says Bo Pelini deserves a pay raise.
It clearly pays when the student-athlete helps the team earn post season action. BTW, the Gator Bowl has a 2.5 million dollar payout to the university.
Gator Bowl -- Nebraska vs. Clemson
The haul: Oakley Split Thumps (electronic sunglasses)
...cheer for Nebraska!
Cheers.
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