Players look back at 70-10
BY DON WILLIAMS
AVALANCHE JOURNAL
Brandon Carter was on his official recruiting visit to Texas Tech the last time Nebraska played a football game in Lubbock. Carter already had pledged to the Red Raiders a few months before, but seeing them whip the Cornhuskers 70-10 let Carter feel good about his decision.
Tech quarterback Graham Harrell and safety Darcel McBath, now fifth-year seniors, were first-semester freshmen when the Raiders dealt the Cornhuskers a loss for the ages on Oct. 9, 2004.
“I was sitting in the stands, but I remember it was pretty bad,” McBath said Monday. “I don’t expect anything like that to happen to them very much or even again. That was an accomplishment by us.”
McBath, watching from the bleachers with other redshirts, recalls being wowed by receiver Jarrett Hicks, who caught touchdown passes of 22 and 80 yards that night.
“I was like, I hope I get to play while he’s around,’ ” McBath remembers thinking. “Our team did a great job on offense and defense. Something like that definitely makes you excited to play for your team, beating a team who everybody in the country knows like Nebraska.”
Nebraska, which is back in town for a 2 p.m. game Saturday, set school records for points allowed and margin of defeat that night four years ago. The Cornhuskers, who won two national championships in the 1970s under Bob Devaney and three in the 1990s under Tom Osborne, have never recovered.
They even rewrote the school record for points allowed with a 76-39 loss at Kansas late last season. Just last week, the Cornhuskers were pounded 52-17 by Missouri as the Tigers scored their first win in Lincoln in 30 years.
In the 2004 game at Jones AT&T Stadium, Tech led only 21-10 at halftime. But with Nebraska throwing five interceptions and losing two fumbles, the rout got out of hand.
The 70-10 debacle was game six in the Nebraska coaching tenure of Bill Callahan, who was fired last November after his second losing season in four years. Nebraska had a 10-3 team the year before Callahan took over.
“There was a lot of anticipation, excitement. We felt like it was an important game for us,” Tech coach Mike Leach said. “We kind of got on a roll and were lucky enough to get a bunch of turnovers that turned into more points. The score was that high partially because of how many times they turned it over. Maybe we’ll get lucky enough to get a bunch of turnovers this time, too, so we’ll see.”
In hindsight, three national titles in quick succession – 1994, 1995 and 1997 – probably put in place a ridiculously high expectation level that set off the chains of event leading to the downward spiral. Osborne’s successor Frank Solich, the head coach from 1998 to 2003, went 58-19 with four seasons of double-digit wins in his last five years. He coached Nebraska to the Big 12 title in 1999 and to a loss in the 2001 season’s BCS title game, the Rose Bowl.
Former athletic director Steve Pederson axed him, too.
Leach said it’s too easy to say that Solich’s ouster is the sole reason for the Huskers’ fall.
“Way back in the day, you didn’t have to worry nearly as much about Missouri on that side of the (conference) or Kansas,” Leach said. “A lot of those (North Division) teams have emerged. Then you combine the Big 12 with all that, and you’ve got Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech figuring into that deal. That’s added to it.
“The other thing that needs to be considered is you have the additional teams having success recruiting very aggressively, so it all adds up. It’s just a constant battle to stay on top.”
To some, though, it’s hard to look at Nebraska and not remember what the red “N” on the white helmet signifies.
Harrell figures new coach Bo Pelini will revitalize the program. Pelini helped coordinate Oklahoma’s defense in 2004 and LSU’s the last three years.
“Obviously he’s a great coach, just (looking at) his track record,” Harrell said. “With his defenses at previous spots, he knows what he’s doing. He’s going to bring them back and they’re going to be a program like they’ve been in the past before long.”
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My favorite memory of that Nebraska game(I watched on TV) was late in the game when we were winning by a ton of points and we were defending the north end zone. Nebraska ran up the middle on a dive or something, and we tackled the guy, and there’s just a huge pile of humanity there where there once was a ball carrier. A couple of seconds later you here somebody underneath that pile hootin and hollerin as if he had just won the SUPERBOWL or something. So the refs dig everybody off, and there is Mike Smith with the football inbetween his paws. I’m quite sure the guy didn’t even fumble it, but Mike did such a great job of acting that they gave us the ball. VERY smart play by one of the most under-rated players to ever come thru here. But it was hilarious that he would do that when we were up 40 some points on them., with probably 2,000 people in the stands .
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Sleepless……I think it’s time for a nap. Though you express some positives, you always seem to throw in a bit of negativity.
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We are getting ready to put it on you Dirt Monkeys…we aren’t the same team that went down there in 2004!
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Sorry Nate, it looks like we are.
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sleepless…lol…i love it…keep posting…Wreck Em Tech!
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hey stop running…..learn how to spell. you must be an Nebraska hillbilly. no one will take you serious with all those mistypes. fyi “are” is actually spelled “our”, but i am sure it’s a struggle for you to tie your won shoes.
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hey stop running…..learn how to spell. you must be an Nebraska hillbilly. no one will take you serious with all those mistypes. fyi “are” is actually spelled “our”, but i am sure it’s a struggle for you to tie your own shoes.
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Sorry guys, but any illusions of a win this weekend are just delusional. We suck plain and simple and as much as it stings to say it, I don’t think we will ever be successful again.
Don’t get me wrong, I will still be cheering and rooting with all of my might, I just think that it is futile…
TT: 66
NU: 20
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You buffoons that comment on “stop runnin”, make fun of your own people attempting to make fun of The Mighty Big Red. Things may be down now, but it will not always be that way. You know it; I know it.
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Texas Tech is one of the few teams who through the last, what, 10 years, has had a winning record? And with between 8 and 10 wins every year? That’s a legacy in the making. NU had 35 years of 9-win seasons, and now 7 years of inconsistent wins-losses.
NU has great respect for the Red Raiders, though some of my cohorts would disagree. It’s unfortunate that TT has not been able to win the B12S, you’ve had your opportunities but just haven’t quite been able to get there.
The Huskers are in a rebuilding year, new attitudes, new assignments, new traditions so-to-speak.
That being said, I sorrowfully expect a Husker loss to a very talented Texas Tech team. If, a really really big if, NU can get some pressure on your offense, NU might be able to keep it from a total blow-out. If NU plays with the mistakes they did against MU and VT, it’s very possible it could be another big-time blow-out.
Good luck to you, Red Raiders! But I hope the Huskers have better luck!!!
GBR!!!
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Ain’t college football grand……………
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I just hope all the fans of Texas Tech take the time to really appreciate what you have right now. As a life long Husker fan I can tell you there was a time when I assumed the Huskers would allways be on top.
You have a very good team that should beat Nebraska without much problem. Be proud of your team, be respectful of the opponent and lets just hope it’s a good game. I wish your team all the good fortune possible, but remember……..We will be back!
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Give me a break. When Texas Tech can consistenly beat the Huskers, then you can talk smack. But until that time, shut your mouths and play football. Huskers with big time upset Saturday! Hope you can stomach that.
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Texas Tech is going to go far this year. I’m a Husker fan but we aren’t anywhere close to the caliber of Texas Tech….yet! Hope it’s a respectable game and nobody gets hurt.
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Husker Bob,
Perhaps you have already forgotten that Tech HAS beaten the huskers consistently; we’ve won the last 2 games in the series and Saturday will make it 3 in a row. Next year after win in Lincoln the streak will be 4 in a row. Is that consistent enough for you?
Need further evidence of just how far the once mighty Huskers have fallen? YOU are our homecoming game! As you were for that 70-10 game that ended up being the worst beatdown in your school’s history.
So get real Husker Bob. Your team is not the Big Red it was in the 1990’s. And if you are honestly expecting a victory in Lubbock on Saturday, then you are just setting yourself up for the same kind of disappointment that you have been dealing with ever since you fired Solich.
Bo Pelini may be able to bring Nebraska back to the type of national prominence now enjoyed by Texas Tech. But it’s not going to happen this week. Or this year or next year. It will take time.
In the meantime, learn to accept your place as a doormat and spare yourself further disappointment.
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Settle down BOB! I think the Big Red Dean is more of true Husker fan than you are. I respect the Husker’s football program and fans, so be a real Husker fan and learn about your tradition instead of spewing vitriol. Here is hoping for a well played game on both sides! Go Tech!
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Tech doesn’t have a chance. Sorry to spoil Homecoming michael.
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Texas Tech national prominence….? Win your division first then talk later. Once you at least take a December trip to K.C. or Dallas then you can say at least your talked about.
On a national scale TT is seen as a team that can score alot of points with no defense. A team that nobody would want to play preconference. You guys need to beat a USC or Florida on the road to gain national prominence. Not scoring 70 on bad teams every year and that includes Nebraska.
You will win on Saturday against the Huskers if you play your B game. But bring your C game watchout.
GBR. We are everywhere…I can’t ever say I ever seen or talked to anyone in the state of FL that was a TT fan. No bumper sticker or anything. My landscaper does wear a Texas hat though….
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Florida Husker,
The reason “you” are everywhere is because anybody who has ever spent 5 minutes in Nebraska wants to flee!
Regardless of what hat your landscaper wears, Tech is in the national spotlight and is ranked # 7 in both polls. Tech is a team that others fear.
Nobody fears Nebraska anymore.
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Michael,
Is this the first time the Ruby Raiders have been in the Top Ten? Wow…way to go. We all take our annual vacation to Lubick. What a place that is. Enjoy your short term rankings. It ain’t going to last.
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My name says it all. Tech will destroy the Huskers and anyone who says different is an idiot. It’s over, NU fans….. Over.
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o yea and micheal who the fuck fears tech HAHAHAHAHAHAHAhHHAHAHA
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Florida Husker,
I agree, TTU does need to win the toughest division in college football to be taken seriously. Look at the records of the Big 12 South. We have four teams that are 5-0 and three of those are in the TOP TEN. Yes sir, winning the Big 12 South would be a major step toward a National Championship like Nebraska has won in the past. And, hopefully this year we will see that happen. What an awesome conference!!!!!
By the way, please look a little closer at the cars and trucks on the roadways of the Sunshine State. My beautiful wife drives a bright red convertible with a Nebraska license frame and a Texas Tech Alumni sticker on the rear window. My car has the same only reversed. We always enjoy meeting people from Nebraska and Texas Tech as we travel Florida, most are very positive people who are loyal to their schools.
This year: Wreck’em Tech.
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One thing about having your program be down is you start to see who are true fans and who just jumped on the bandwagon when things were good…
FACTS: TT is an offensive team that can hang points on ANTYBODY….Usually the biggest obstacle TT has is staying out of its own way and not making mistakes at critical times.
The defense is in fact UNDER-rated, and seems to get better with each passing year. This makes sense as they get to face one of the world’s most imaginitive offenses on a daily basis…
Husker fans (TRUE Husker fans) can remember a time when the Great Tom Osborne was nearly run out of town because he “couldn’t win the big game.” Winning the big game that puts a program firmly in the national limelight is the next obstacle that TT overcomes….. (I’ll call it now folks…Red Raiders beat the Horns this year, and push the Sooners in a game that is decided on a last second field goal.
The Nebraska program is rebuilding; something that will take time and patience. Pelini is the right coach for the job, but he will need time to get his players that fit his systems. The man is a people person and a players coach; ask any of his previous players at previous programs.
Having Nebraska down may be the best thing for true Husker fans! Once we “thin the herd” of the bandwagon jumpers and those have most definitely drank too much of the Big Red Kool-Aid, the return to prominince will be sweet.
Enjoy your program, TT fan. You have paid your dues and you are on the verge of greatness.
Here’s to a great game on Saturday…one that TT wins, but hopefully the Huskers make some strides and show that we are moving in the right direction.
GBR!!
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Husker Boob,
For the record this is not our first time in the top 10. Tech was ranked in the top 10 in 2005 which was also the last time we played (and defeated) Nebraska.
While Tech may not stay in the top 10 for the rest of the year, 2 things are certain.
1. It will not be the cornhuskers who knock us out of the top 10.
and
2. The cornhuskers will not be ranked AT ALL anytime soon.
The bad news for you Boob and the rest of you Little Red fans, is that Texas Tech is the #1 ranked passing offense in the nation averaging 439 yards per game. So what, you say? Well, Nebraska ranks 97th in the nation in pass defense giving up 250 yards per game. The cornhuskers are also number 11 in the Big 12. After this weekend, the black shirts will be really black and blue.
stop running and start throwing……..
First of all, pick a shorter and less stupid sounding name.
Second, if you don’t fear the nation’s best offense with that bunch of scrubs you call a defense in Nebraska, then you are dumber than your name implies.
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My my, I am surprised to see so many comments on this story. Did someone post the link on the Nebraska page?
I certainly have a lot of respect for Nebraska and what they’ve accomplished over the years. However, I certainly do not feel sorry for them; they’ve had more than their fair share of success and championships, etc. Now its someone else’s turn, i.e. Texas Tech, Missouri. I hope for a clean, injury-free game on Saturday. I also hope that all the Nebraska fans coming in for the game are treated with respect and courtesy.
Go Raiders, and Wreck ‘em Tech
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Husker Fans,
Y’all are a class act. Pelini will have your program turned around before long, but hopefully not until after Saturday :). Hang in there. To those traveling to Lubbock, have a safe trip. We’ll see you at the game. God bless, and Wreck ‘em.
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I am a LIFELONG Tech fan who has been through all of the bad times in the last 33 years, but since the Big 12 was born, Tech has been the ONLY team with a winning record and a trip to a bowl every year! That is an accomplishment that I am very proud of. I think it’s time that we make the jump from bowl game to BCS bowl game though if we ever want the national respect that we as Tech fans think we deserve.
I have lived in Nebraska for the last 11 years and been able to attend many Husker games, including three of the last 4 against Tech, and have met all kinds of Husker Fans. The TRUE Husker fans are such a class act!
Here’s hoping to a GREAT win for Tech, and Husker fans, “True” Husker fans, keep your heads up, this program will return.
GTT! GOOOOOOOTEEEEEEEXXXXXXXXXAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS TEEEEEEEECCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHH! GO TEXAS TECH!
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Michael in Houston,
I’ve been to Lubbock several times on business. There is absolutely nothing there except a statue to Buddy Holly. The wind blows like crazy and it feels like buckshot because of all the dirt/sand. When it rains, it rains mud (literally) because of the dirt in the air. Great people. But don’t be bagging on NE when you live in Bagdad west.
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To all the Red Raider fans:
I would like to apologize for the Husker trolls who seem to have pervaded your blog. Husker Bob and the like are not true Husker fans, just part-time wannabe’s who take enjoyment at making pot-shots at real fans, no matter what team they root for. Most of these idiots went out to Mizzou’s and VT’s sites and did the same crap out there.
They don’t represent anything except to let everyone else know that even Nebraska has it’s fair share of idiots and eggheads.
So please do as we try to, and ignore their lame comments and jabs. As we say in our blogs, “do NOT feed the trolls!!”
Anyway, looking forward to a spirited game this weekend. Here’s hoping the Red Raiders can take the B12 all the way once they fly over the speed bump that is Nebraska!!
Go Big Reds!!
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Thanks Dean for becoming a sniveling little idiot. I’m sure you are a “real” husker fan. Learn to not speak for others. You probably are in the West stadium sitting on your hands as to not hurt the opponents feelings. Give me a break! Give your seat up for a real fan!!!
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HEY Big Red Dean,
Don’t worry Any team (blog) has their share of idiots and loudmouths,This is the time and place for Tech to be,Fate has taken care of that.Nebraska is a class act even in defeat,That is why I think (MIZZU”S) Chase Daniel was nothing but a cry baby about the spit last weekend.To all TECH fans-shut the smack, get a ticket be there on Sat and don’t sit down…. YELL—And have it where you cant even hear yourself think.It’s called spirit something Nebraska has always had. AS WELL AS TECH!!!! Like I said– TECH is where it is and deserves to be there, DON’T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. if you give respect you get respect……here’s hoping for a great win on Sat.
GO!!!!! FIGHT!!!!! WIN!!!!!!!!!
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Let’s just take an analytical look at the numbers here… from that perspective alone, Tech is the obvious choice. However, as my dad always says, anything can happen in football. I’m just hoping for an exciting game – no more 70-10 please!
To “Michael in Houston”: half of your “consecutives” are in the future. Do you really want to stick to that for your argument?
To “stop running”: I hate putting down fellow fans, but either get a vocabulary and learn some punctuation, or stop writing. You are making all of us Nebraskans look bad. One can be from small-town Nebraska and not be a hillbilly!
Texas Tech, I sincerely mean it when I say “Have a great game.” I’m standing behind our coach and our players – play your hearts out guys, and GO BIG RED!
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As a “true” Husker fan living in North Texas, I am amazed at some of the lame comments being submitted by fellow Husker fans. One of the things that I have always been proud of is hearing compliments from OU Fans, A&M Fans, Texas Tech Fans, and Texas Fans, regarding their visits to Lincoln Memorial Stadium and the class of the Fans no matter who won the game. I am a realist and understand that we are going through some tough times, but so have several other “legacy” programs in the past. The Big Red will rise again!!! Good luck to the true TT fans this weekend! GO BIG RED!!!
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To “Husker 27″:
Your generalizations and stereotypes of Lubbock are rediculous. I don’t think anyone would claim that Lubbock is Palm Springs, but its certainly not as bad as you make it out to be. To say “there is nothing there except a statue” could not be more false. Malls, restaurants, museums, parks, and of course the University in the center of it all. Maybe you should have spent a little less time “on business” and a little more time looking around.
Also weatherwise the majority of time we enjoy an abundance of sunshine & low humidity.
Wreck ‘em Tech
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Don’t they know? The “N” stands for knowledge! : )
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Well that was sure an impressive display from a #7 ranked team. Real explosive offense against a week Husker team. You are so lucky to get a win in that one. You all better tone down your smack and quit drinking the TT kool-aid. Huskers will be moving up and TT will be heading down the rest of this season.
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Wreck ‘em Tech???? Not hardly.
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