Where did the Huskers go wrong? It's a lengthy list

Sporting News, The, Jan 8, 2001 by Tom Dienhart

The potential on offense is exciting when factoring in talent such as Carter, running backs Muss Smith, Jasper Banks and Bruce Thornton, receivers Terrence Edwards, Damien Gary and Durell Robinson and tight end Randy McMichael. The offensive line will return almost intact.

The only thing that might temper Georgia's hopes in Richt's first season is the fact Florida and Tennessee looked poised for big seasons after retooling in 2000. But that shouldn't dampen the spirit of the Bulldogs, who finished 8-4, including an Oahu Bowl win over Virginia, for what the future might hold.

"It's hard to say how far away this program is from (winning the national title), but that's the goal, for certain," says Richt, who joins Chuck Amato and Brad Scott as the most prominent Bowden proteges from a FSU staff that has changed little over the years. "That's exactly the goal we're going to bring when we get in here." --T.D.

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New Georgia coach Mark Richt scored a coup when Rodney Garner said he would stay on as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. Garner is one of the nation's best at wooing talent. His presence may make it easier to land D.J. Shockley, a high school quarterback from Georgia who is one of the nation's top prospects.... Speaking of recruiting, new Oklahoma State coach Les Miles may have corralled his biggest recruit when he plucked Darrell Wyatt off Kansas coach Terry Allen's staff. Wyatt, who had been the Jayhawks' assistant head coach, will serve as passing game coordinator for the Cowboys, but his real talent is recruiting.... It seems there are a number of folks at Syracuse feeling restless about not going to a bowl despite being eligible with a 6-5 mark. That prompted Orange A.D. Jake Crouthamel to send a 2,000-word letter to the local paper to quell discussion as to why Syracuse, which went to bowls in 11 of the previous 14 seasons, was home for the holidays. Some feared Syracuse was excluded became of its drab, mn-oriented offense. But it's no time to panic-Cecil Howard, nicknamed "The Diesel," is on the way, and he's considered the school's biggest quarterback recruit since Donovan McNabb.... New BYU coach Gary Crowton has retained former coach LaVell Edwards' defensive staff, so don't expect many changes from a unit that figures to be solid despite some losses up front. One tweak could be the use of more zone blitzing next season.... Kansas State has a good option at quarterback next season beginning with Ell Roberson, who has been compared to former Wildcat great Michael Bishop. But if something happens to Roberson, who is only 6-0 and 190 pounds,, K-State can turn to 6-5 passer Marc Dunn from Ricks (Idaho) Junior College, considered the nation's top junior-college quarterback. Bill Snyder and his staff are aces at combing the JC ranks for good talent, a major reason why the Wildcat program has succeeded.... Illinois' defense kept it from a second straight bowl season. That's where Phil Snow comes in. Snow is the Illini's new defensive coordinator, a post he held for seven seasons at Arizona State. His main task will be toughening up an Illini front that was instrumental in allowing foes an average of 232 rushing yards per game in 2000, ranking 114th out of 115 schools. At ASU, Snow liked to be physical up front and gamble in the secondary. He'll have the personnel to do that in Champaign.... First it was RB Kevin Brown heading for UNLV after starting his career in the Washington State backfield. Next it may be Deon Burtnett joining the Rebels. Burtnett set a Cougar freshman record with 974 yards rushing in 1999 before losing his job to David Minnich.