http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1948676 Nebraska pulls out of 2005 opener with Cougars HOUSTON -- Angry Houston athletic director Dave Maggard, calling Nebraska "gutless," accused the Cornhuskers Friday of backing out of a verbal agreement to play next fall and scheduling Division I-AA Maine instead. "This is absolutely unprofessional in every way," Maggard said in online editions of the Houston Chronicle. "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." Maggard said he arranged a nationally televised game between the Cougars and Nebraska. Then, he said he learned two days ago on a phone call from Nebraska athletic director Steve Pederson that the game won't be played. Now Houston and ESPN are scrambling to find another opponent for Sept. 1 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. "Essentially Nebraska bailed on the game," Maggard told KRIV-TV in Houston. "Our policy has always been … we have never made comment about any potential or future opponent until such time that a contract is signed, and there was no signed contract in this case," Nebraska athletic department spokeswoman Chris Anderson said. Anderson said Pederson would not address Maggard's comments. Mike Soltys, vice president in charge of communications at ESPN, said the game was scheduled for the network's Thursday night opener before Nebraska decided to go in a different direction. "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," Maggard said.
Be careful Nebraska. 1-AA Maine beat division-1 Miss St. this year. Backing out on the Cougars? Karma baby! look out. War Black Bears!
Is Houston decent at all? Sorry don't follow UH football. Also even if UH is good is it worth backing out of a nationally televised game? Nebraska doesn't get many opportunities to be on Ntl. TV, and it seems like that is a big deal in recruiting. Hopefully UH can find an opponent and get the opportuniy to play on Ntl TV.
Take on Sam Houston State, I dare ya! Seriously, this is pretty weak. Nebraska backing out of a game with UH. Could anyone have predicted this say, 10 years ago? Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
I am seriously pissed about this.. it was a -golden- opportunity for the UH program. Hopefully we can find someone to fill the gap.
