Gym Cracks By Jim September 22, 2002 FANS PANNED When the Huskers lose big, it's a fair-weather fan free-for-all By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com Western Nebraska Maybe those of you who didn't have access to the Nebraska media (print and electronic) this past week were fortunate. Unfortunately, I did. The state has many "experts" when it comes to Husker football, especially when the team suffers an embarrassing loss. Even "Husker Todd" has expressed his criticism of Coach Solich and the football program. But the criticism started at the top. Tom Shatel, sports editor of the World-Herald, contributed several columns this week regarding the demise of the Huskers. His Tuesday column--Huskers Need To Find A Defense--was typical. His Friday column was headlined--Fan Faces Are Red------With Anger. He writes "Husker fans are usually loyal, and don't mind losing as long as the Nebraska football teams observe the three don’t’s. Just don't look overmatched. Don't look incompetent. And, never, ever quit." I don't believe the Huskers quit. I have played, coached, and watched football since I have been about eight-nine-ten years old. I remember football games that ended in a rout when two teams of comparable ability played. An interception, missed tackle, and suddenly one team is behind by a couple touchdowns. Another miscue and the rout is on. Some of the Husker football "experts" have to get a life. Michael Costello of Gibbon, Neb. writes in the Grandstand column of the World-Herald, "Looking at the schedule the Huskers have left, we (he really means the Huskers, because it's doubtful he's ever played the game) could easily end up 7-6 or worse if (we) don't change our offense and become less predictable by passing more and running less. (We) seem to have the talent, (we) just need to use it with the right offensive plays and the correct defensive schemes." Where does he get this (we)? He's certainly not a member of the Husker football team. Maybe someone should contact Coach Costello and request the right offensive plays and the correct defensive schemes he would employ if he were ELEVATED to the Husker coaching staff. Does Coach Solich need Michael Costello's football mind to help him? I think NOT! "Husker Todd" is quoted as saying in the World-Herald, "Remember when Solich tried to get the jobs at Kansas and Minnesota. What did Kansas and Minnesota see that we didn't?" The article quotes him as a 40-year old all-state football, baseball and track participant in small-town Nebraska. He's the son of a high-school football coach. Whoopee! Probably couldn't cut the mustard as a college football player! No name was mentioned. Here is a 40-year wannabe masquerading as a mascot. I wonder what he wants to be when he grows up? My choice for a Husker mascot would be Jed Burks of Omaha. Burks writes in the Grandstand column, "All I hear from you Husker fans is that you are embarrassed to be a fan with the way Nebraska played against Penn State. Well, you SHOULD be embarrassed. You aren't real fans. You drop your team when it plays poorly and blame everyone possible. Why don't you try to give the other team credit? Get off the coaches' backs and show some class." There were other writers who were positive. But the published comments were probably seven or eight negative letters to each positive letter. There will be better days for the Husker football program. I predicated a 10-3 record before the season started and I stand on that prediction. Feedback Previous Gym Cracks: 09-12-02: World Herald Calling Gym Cracks 09-05-02: Bit By Baseball Bug Gym Cracks 08-29-02: Caring Coaches Gym Cracks 08-22-02: Nebraska "Storm" Hits Colorado Gym Cracks 08-15-02: Cubs Win, Wallet Drained Gym Cracks 08-08-02: To Coors For Cubs Gym Cracks 07-25-02: Major League Madness Gym Cracks 07-18-02: Nebraskans In The Majors Gym Cracks 07-11-02: Kile Death Sheds Light Gym Cracks 07-04-02: Couch Potato Parking Gym Cracks 06-23-02: Top 10 Nebraska High School Nicknames Gym Cracks 06-06-02: Better In The 50s Gym Cracks 05-30-02: Dangerfield of Nebraska Gym Cracks 05-16-02: Baseball Sneak Aways Gym Cracks