Tuesday, September 23, 2003
The nation's No. 1 defense is led by defensive coordinator Bo Pelini of Mooney.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Some of the swagger is back at Husker Nation.
After opening the season with three straight victories, Nebraska has climbed to No. 15 in The Associated Press poll and restored hope to fans in this football-crazed state.
Still, coach Frank Solich isn't getting caught up in the rising tide of optimism about a team that finished 7-7 in 2002, the Cornhuskers' worst season in 41 years.
"Three games tells you a little bit, but it's not the whole answer to anybody's season," he said. "We need to keep forging ahead."
On the strength of the nation's top-ranked defense and despite their suspect offense, the Huskers have rolled off victories over Oklahoma State, Utah State and Penn State.
First road test
Their first road test comes Thursday night at Southern Mississippi.
To be sure, the Huskers' successful start was unexpected.
They were left out of The Associated Press preseason poll for the first time since 1968.
When they reappeared in the ratings at No. 23 after beating Oklahoma State, it marked the first time they had been ranked since late last September, when their streak of 348 consecutive weeks in the polls ended. The streak began in October 1981.
Nebraska moved up to No. 18 after beating Utah State and moved up three more spots after defeating Penn State.
"Where we're at is probably where we belong," Solich said. "Hopefully we'll continue to play well and move up, but there are so many battles ahead that will determine where this team ends up."
Another unbeaten start
Nebraska is unbeaten after three games for the seventh straight year, and for the 10th time in 11 years.
"People are energized," athletic director Steve Pederson said. "We beat an excellent Big 12 team in Oklahoma State, and we beat a historic power in Penn State. We got wins that gain attention. There's more excitement at being 3-0 than there has ever been."
Solich began laying the groundwork immediately after the 2002 debacle.
He broke up one of the longest tenured staffs in major-college football. He fired three assistants, reassigned another to an administrative position, and two longtime staff members retired.
Solich also passed off the play-calling to new offensive coordinator Barney Cotton.
Pelini most popular
Of his six new hires, the most popular has been defensive coordinator and Youngstown native Bo Pelini -- the only new staff member with no previous ties to the Huskers. He came to Nebraska after nine years as an NFL assistant, most recently with the Green Bay Packers. He is a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High.
His no-nonsense, run-to-the-ball philosophy earned him instantly credibility with the players.
"We just know how to play the game a lot better this year," middle linebacker Barrett Ruud said. "Everybody believes in what Coach Pelini wants to get accomplished, and that's half the battle."
The defense has held opponents to only one touchdown a game and has not allowed a score in the second half.