HuskerOnline's Christmas Wishlist for Nebraska Athletics
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!
The HuskerOnline team has put together a Christmas Wishlist for Nebraska Athletics for this upcoming year. This list includes hopes for Husker football, basketball, volleyball, and recruiting. In between opening gifts, drinking hot cocoa, and spending time with your family, dive into our wishes.
Some might require more Christmas magic than others, but Christmas time is the best day to dream.
Sean Callahan’s Christmas Wishlist
A Nebraska bowl game: Boy, it’s been too long. My No. 1 Christmas wish for Nebraska is to play in a bowl in 2023. At this time next year, I hope we are all spending a week somewhere warm and sunny watching Nebraska football.
A comeback year for Thomas Fidone: Nobody has had more bad injury luck than tight end Thomas Fidone. He’s due for some good luck in 2023.
A win over Coach Prime in Boulder: Seeing Nebraska lose in Boulder during the 2019 season was punishment as Husker fans took over Folsom Field. Winning in Boulder in 2023 would sure be fun to spoil Deion Sanders’ debut at CU.
A win over Wisconsin: Nebraska got the 2014 Iowa monkey off its back this year. They need to get the 2012 Wisconsin one next. My wish is to see the Huskers carrying the Freedom Trophy out of Madison next year.
The next generation Memorial Stadium: I want Trev Alberts and Nebraska to go big with the next version of Memorial Stadium. They need to knock things out of the park with their future renovation plans. I can’t wait to see what plans they have in store.
Steven Sipple’s Christmas Wishlist
A history of Nebraska book for Mark Whipple: He spent one very trying season as the Huskers’ offensive coordinator, then blew out of town quickly. Really quickly. We never really got to know him. But you can tell he’s got a great sense of humor. A sense of humor comes in handy in a season like 2022.
An adequate offensive line for Casey Thompson: He didn’t have one as Texas’ starter. He sure as heck didn’t have one this season. But he never complains.
Rest for the A.D.: Trev Alberts was under intense pressure for most of the fall. He fired Scott Frost on Sept. 11 and then began a long process that concluded with the hire of Matt Rhule. It was a complicated hire to complete. One can imagine Alberts having a lot of restless nights. My advice: Head to the Caribbean for a couple of weeks. Get away. I’m guessing nobody in Barbados would recognize Trev.
Some early Big Ten “Ws” for Hoiberg: Nebraska’s Big Ten schedule is a bear. Of course, it is. Fred Hoiberg’s team could use some early steam starting Dec. 29 against Iowa to bolster confidence. Back-to-back road games against Michigan State and Minnesota are up next. You get the picture.
A lot of nice Mexican dinners for John Cook: He really likes Mexican fare. He’s a big fan of Mazatlan. Here’s hoping the veteran Nebraska volleyball coach makes time for a lot of relaxing evenings in the restaurant. He’s earned it.
Robin Washut’s Christmas Wishlist
A long-term answer at point guard: Every offseason since Fred Hoiberg took over as head coach at Nebraska has been a revolving door at point guard. All four players – Cam Mack, Dalano Banton, Alonzo Verge Jr., and now Sam Griesel, have been uniquely talented. All have been dramatically different. The Huskers desperately need some long-term stability at that spot.
Bring back some PBA magic: There was a time when Nebraska home games at Pinnacle Bank Arena were an event. They’ve felt more like a chore over the past couple of seasons. My wish is for the Huskers to get some of that PBA mojo back and some regular buzz going again for Nebrasketball home games.
Play at The Sanford Pentagon again: Nebraska’s trip up to Sioux Falls, S.D., in 2018 was one of the most memorable Husker games I’ve ever covered. Not only did NU don’t boat race Oklahoma State, but the game brought out a much rowdier fan base than usual. I know Nebraska is definitely interested in a return trip. Make it happen in 2023.
Sell beer at Nebraska baseball games: Nebraska finally made the leap this year by approving alcohol sales at Husker basketball home games. It’s beyond time to do it at NU baseball games. The infrastructure is there; just turn on the taps.
Win an NCAA Tournament game: This one goes without saying, and I’ll wish for it until it happens. I’m not suggesting it happens this season, but maybe next year? My one taste covering a Nebraska NCAA Tournament game nine years ago was short but amazing. Husker basketball fans have been through so much. I would love for them to experience that again and finally get the monkey off the program’s back.
–Robin Washut
Abby Barmore’s Christmas Wishlist
A return to the Final Four: Nebraska volleyball fell in the Sweet 16 this season after making it to the national title match in 2021. Husker fans aren’t satisfied unless their team is competing for a championship. They haven’t been completely happy since 2017, Nebraska’s last title.
A clutch hitter or two: The Huskers need a dynamic hitter that they can set to deliver a kill on match point and she will deliver. Maybe former Florida pin hitter Merritt Beason can be that.
Elite setter play: It’s no secret that Nebraska’s setting held them back big time in 2022. I wish for the Huskers that they will have an elite setter or two next season. This setter will be able to get the best out of her hitters and set up in huge moments.
Beat Wisconsin: Nebraska hasn’t beaten Wisconsin in 10 matches. The Huskers are desperate to take down the Badgers, so of course, this has to be on my wishlist.
Take back the attendance record: Wisconsin broke the NCAA single-match attendance record last season when they hosted Florida at the Kohl Center. In order for Nebraska to take back the attendance record, they’ll need to play in Pinnacle Bank Arena. Even then, PBA will need to hold over 1,300 more people. Alberts is working on that part.
Bryan Munson’s Christmas Wishlist
Winning the LOS: Doesn’t it all need to start here? Nebraska needs to get tougher up front. They need to roll two or even three teams deep on both sides of the football. There is a need for some attitude on top of it all in the trenches.
Beat CU: September 9th. My birthday. Next year, I want the Huskers to win in Boulder and remind leadership at Colorado that you can only try and keep Nebraska fans out of your stadium. That day and game are circled and underlined twice on my calendar.
Nebraska recruiting class breakdown – Defense/Special Teams
Offensive Identity: Too many times this past season and even over recent seasons, I had no idea what Nebraska was trying to do offensively. There were too many questionable calls based on down and distance. As an offense, they tended to be their own worst enemy going three and out, not taking time off the clock when they should, etc.
More disciplined: There have been too many penalties in horrible situations that killed drives offensively or gave the opponent another set of downs. Nebraska needs to clean it up, and Matt Rhule and his staff can do that.
A certain 2024 quarterback: Nebraska has an opportunity to make a splash in 2024. I don’t need to say his name because you all know who I am referring to. The best recruit in the 2024 class is back in play, and Nebraska has a chance. How do you not mention this when it comes to 2024?
