Quote:Nebraska pulls out of 2005 opener with Cougars
'This is the most unprofessional thing I've dealt with in my 30 years in this business' -- Maggard
By MICHAEL MURPHY
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
Houston athletic director Dave Maggard thought he had found the perfect way to kick off the 2005 football season when he arranged a nationally televised game between the Cougars and Nebraska.

That's what he thought, anyway. ADVERTISEMENT


Today, Maggard, the Cougars and ESPN are scrambling to find a another opponent for UH after the Cornhuskers backed out at the last minute, instead scheduling Division I-AA Maine for their season opener.

Maggard learned about the sudden change two days ago on a phone call from Nebraska athletic director Steve Pederson. And to say Maggard wasn't happy about the turn of events would be a colossal understatement.

"This is the most unprofessional thing I've dealt with in my 30 years in this business," Maggard said. "I'm very, very surprised by all this. This is something that doesn't belong in Division I athletics.

"I'm very, very angry about this."

Sources close to the Nebraska program said the team's staff, after last season's 5-6 finish and the defections of several players, did not want to take the chance of getting spanked by the Cougars on national TV. So they instead will open the season at home against the Black Bears on Sept. 3.

The Cougars? It's late, but they're scrambling to fill the hole in the schedule.

"This is absolutely unprofessional in every way," Maggard said. "It's gutless. Spineless. They're going to have to live with it. I've lost a tremendous amount of respect for that program. I think that for college athletics, it's shameful.

"We're going to figure out a solution, but they (the Huskers) are developing a reputation for hanging people out to dry. I think it's a sad commentary on the people running that athletic program."

michael.murphy@chron.com

Punk Beeoch ... If I could summon all of my Ricky James/ Homey the Clown pimp slap powers .... i'd go up side the head of the Nebraska AD.

prettyricky Wrote:"This is the most unprofessional thing I've dealt with in my 30 years in this business," Maggard said. "I'm very, very surprised by all this. This is something that doesn't belong in Division I athletics.

Wow... for someone who has had to deal with TCU in recent years, that's saying something...

OwlJacket Wrote:

prettyricky Wrote:"This is the most unprofessional thing I've dealt with in my 30 years in this business," Maggard said. "I'm very, very surprised by all this. This is something that doesn't belong in Division I athletics.

Wow... for someone who has had to deal with TCU in recent years, that's saying something...

Dammit, I was thinking the same thing, but OwlJacket had my computer first so he stole the joke. :laugh:

Shuck Nebraska.

Gutless, classless, and cowardly. Oh well, thats Nebraska football! I hate those sumbitches.

Isn't Steve Pederson the same Nebraska AD that upgraded his coaching staff by dumping Frank Solich to get that west coast wizzard who didn't realize it is illegal to pass in Nebraska? Apparently, he also thought he was upgrading his schedule to dump Houston and go with that juggernaught from Maine! Hope his move costs them dearly in recruiting the Texas area. Good luck on getting a decent replacement.

No need to hate them anymore. We have replaced those buck toothed curn humpers with the Oregon Ducks and we still get to keep our opening spot on ESPN. The fact that this game is at Reliant isn't bad because that means we should get to beat Rice at home this year.

Eat'em up Coogs!!!