2008 Woodie Awards
BLAND: Football season opener paints optimistic view
Evan Bland
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: Sports
On a night chock full of big plays on the field, the one involving Mike Ekeler was certainly among the most entertaining.
If you attended the game, you know which one I mean.
If not, all you missed was Nebraska's linebackers' coach doing his best Scooby-Doo impression, jumping into a post-play celebration of players following a third-down stop in the second quarter.
That was fun. And, for the first time since beating Kansas State last season on Nov. 10, Cornhusker fans got to join in on the party.
It's hard to believe Saturday's 47-24 rolling of Western Michigan was only Nebraska's second win since September 2007. A lot has happened in the last 365 days, and a season-opening victory against a solid Bronco squad was a good, early step in the right direction for Big Red.
Unlike the Ball State game of last season, the Huskers didn't fall into a shoot-out at home. The defense even - gasp - collected a three-and-out on the opening series and managed a couple turnovers.
Perhaps the best story for Nebraska was Cody Glenn, a man who played like his hair was on fire the entire game. The running-back-turned-linebacker finished with a game-high 12 tackles, a forced fumble and three pass breakups.
Heck, it was his deflection that set off Ekeler in the first place.
"When you're hitting people, you don't get hurt that much," Glenn said afterward. "My body feels great, and I feel like I could play another game right now."
Glenn - along with quarterback Joe Ganz - represents two of the biggest things Nebraska has going for it in 2008. They showed why in the opener, with Ganz adding 345 passing yards and four aerial touchdowns to his ever-improving resume.
But of course, the game wasn't perfect.
There were flashes of last season's struggles as the second quarter bled into the second half. Western Michigan drove down the field with ease at times, converting short crossing routes into bulky gains after the catch. The Huskers shut down WMU's rushing attack, but the Broncos didn't need to run since they piled up 342 yards through the air.
If you attended the game, you know which one I mean.
If not, all you missed was Nebraska's linebackers' coach doing his best Scooby-Doo impression, jumping into a post-play celebration of players following a third-down stop in the second quarter.
That was fun. And, for the first time since beating Kansas State last season on Nov. 10, Cornhusker fans got to join in on the party.
It's hard to believe Saturday's 47-24 rolling of Western Michigan was only Nebraska's second win since September 2007. A lot has happened in the last 365 days, and a season-opening victory against a solid Bronco squad was a good, early step in the right direction for Big Red.
Unlike the Ball State game of last season, the Huskers didn't fall into a shoot-out at home. The defense even - gasp - collected a three-and-out on the opening series and managed a couple turnovers.
Perhaps the best story for Nebraska was Cody Glenn, a man who played like his hair was on fire the entire game. The running-back-turned-linebacker finished with a game-high 12 tackles, a forced fumble and three pass breakups.
Heck, it was his deflection that set off Ekeler in the first place.
"When you're hitting people, you don't get hurt that much," Glenn said afterward. "My body feels great, and I feel like I could play another game right now."
Glenn - along with quarterback Joe Ganz - represents two of the biggest things Nebraska has going for it in 2008. They showed why in the opener, with Ganz adding 345 passing yards and four aerial touchdowns to his ever-improving resume.
But of course, the game wasn't perfect.
There were flashes of last season's struggles as the second quarter bled into the second half. Western Michigan drove down the field with ease at times, converting short crossing routes into bulky gains after the catch. The Huskers shut down WMU's rushing attack, but the Broncos didn't need to run since they piled up 342 yards through the air.
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