ESPN.com - NCF/BOWLS99 - Cornhuskers back in the big-time after one-year absence

Thursday, December 30
Big Red status restored in '99

Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. -- For Nebraska, this is more like it. A big-time bowl game, an 11-1 record, a No. 3 national ranking. For the Cornhuskers and their rabid following, last season's 9-4 record and Holiday Bowl loss to Arizona were aberrations.

This year's trip to the Fiesta Bowl and a matchup with Tennessee has restored the Big Red to its rightful status as one of college football's elite, a program where expectations are as high as they can get.

"It's tough but that's also why you go to Nebraska because there are those expectations," tight end Tracey Wistrom said Tuesday. "There'd be a lot of schools out there that would be happy with a 9-4 record. They'd think of it as a pretty successful season. But once something like that happens in Nebraska, you're going to be looked upon as not a very successful team."

The lack of success last season, by Nebraska standards, motivated players to spend extra time in the off-season in the weight room.

"Especially for us in the offensive line," said Adam Julch, Nebraska's 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior tackle. "Everybody said we had a down year last year. ... It just really motivated us not to lose any games this year. We had the one loss at Texas but I think we redeemed ourselves in the Big 12 championship game. I really feel good about this season."

The Cornhuskers have been to an NCAA record 31 consecutive bowl games.

Last year's trip to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego marked the first time since 1992 that Nebraska had appeared in a bowl other than the "big three" -- Fiesta, Orange or Sugar. That string would go back to 1982 if it were not for a 1991 Citrus Bowl appearance.

It was a tough beginning for Frank Solich, who moved up to head coach with the retirement of Tom Osborne.

"Last year was not one of our great seasons," said Nebraska quarterback coach and former Cornhusker star Turner Gill. "I think it was a learning deal for all of us. Obviously you had a coaching change that was a little bit of an adjustment for us all, especially on offense where we had a little bit different responsibilities. And even the players, how do they respond to coach Solich vs. how do they respond to coach Osborne.

"I think last year was an adjustment for us all to see how everything was going to be."

As it turned out, everything would be fine.

From the start, this year's team was obviously better, both in talent and leadership, said sophomore quarterback Eric Crouch, who was Nebraska's quarterback in last season's Holiday Bowl but didn't become Nebraska's starter this season until the third game, when Bobby Newcombe was moved to wingback.

"It was really a tough year for us last year. This year is a lot different," Crouch said. "We've jelled together a lot better. The chemistry of the team is definitely 10 times better than it was last year. Everybody senses that. There's just that feeling."

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Eric Crouch rushes into the end zone on the option. (courtesy ABC Sports)
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On fourth down, Eric Crouch runs in the 31-yard TD. (courtesy ABC Sports)
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Eric Crouch goes 30 yards for the game's first score. (Courtesy: ABC Sports)
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