2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Huskers ready for a shootout against Mizzou
Ben Gouldsmith
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Sports
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On paper, both teams go into the matchup with offenses that look much more efficient than their defensive counterparts.
A shootout, then, would not be out of the question - and that is just fine with NU senior quarterback Sam Keller.
"If it comes down to it and that's the way the game takes shape, then I'm all for it," Keller said. "I like scoring and I like throwing touchdowns."
Keller has averaged 299.4 passing yards per game to rank fourth in the Big 12 Conference, while Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel is second on the list with 327.8 yards a contest.
The Cornhuskers' and Tigers' offenses both rank in the top eight in the league in scoring, passing and rushing, while both defenses rank in the bottom five in points allowed, rushing defense and passing defense.
Still, NU Coach Bill Callahan was hesitant to say Saturday's tilt will be an offensive extravaganza.
"I don't know how it's going to turn out. Who knows?" Callahan said. "A lot of times you think that's how it will unfold because statistically when you look at each team, you say to yourself this is the way it's going to be.
"Sometimes the games may not unfold like that. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't."
The last two times the Huskers have traveled to Columbia, Mo., the Tigers had no problem putting up points. Missouri won by an identical score of 41-24 in both 2005 and 2003 at Faurot Field.
In the most recent meeting in Columbia in 2005, the Tigers collected 523 total offensive yards to the Huskers' 279, though both teams had different quarterbacks and a host of other players who are no longer in the programs.
Last season in Lincoln, the Huskers outgained Missouri by 56 yards in a 34-20 win.
But this season Nebraska must go on the road and deal with a Tiger crowd known for its raucous behavior and ability to disrupt opponents' offenses. It probably doesn't help that the game is scheduled to start at 8:15 p.m.
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