Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star is my kind of sports writer. He recognizes what Nebraska football is made of and is eloquent in his delivery.
Superior Nebraska offensive linemen were the surest bet around. They were the foundation of the Cornhuskers’ dynasty, the program’s identity and its greatest natural resource.
Nobody grew ’em like Nebraska, and although several factors have contributed to the program’s fade from the national scene for much of this decade, the decline up front feels like a crunching pancake block to the faithful.
Kerkhoff is also a good reporter. Good reporters speak to the right people.
“For the last few years, it’s been tough to watch,” said Matt Hoskinson, a guard on the 1995 and 1997 national championship teams. “Nebraska’s known for tough, nasty linemen, and we just haven’t had that.”
Speaking of good sports writers on this beat, Samuel McKewon of Nebraska State Paper is among the best, if not the best. He also has written recently about the Huskers’ offensive line. Looking at the play of left guard Keith Williams, a 6-foot-5, 315-pounder, McKewon notes:
Williams didn’t start to play with more nasty until Barney Cotton got ahold of him. Williams started the last ten games in 2008, and steadily improved.
There’s that “N” word again.
If our line does bring the nastiness this fall, we’re going to like where it takes us. Big time.
