Brian Rosenthal: Spielman impressed with Huskers' sea of red
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Chris Spielman is used to seeing seas of red. The Lombardi Award winner, after all, played four seasons at Ohio State.
Until last week’s Virginia Tech game at Memorial Stadium, though, Spielman, 42, had never seen Nebraska’s version.
Now, he’s been in Lincoln two weeks in a row. Spielman was the color analyst for ESPN television coverage of the Virginia Tech and Missouri games.
“I think it’s awesome,” Spielman said before Saturday’s game. “I’ve been to a lot of great places — a lot of great places. It’s unique because it’s the only show in town.”
Spielman, a native of Canton, Ohio, who graduated from Ohio State in 1988, said Nebraskans remind him of the people of Ohio — and not just because of the mutual school colors.
“They make no apologies for being passionate about college football,” Spielman said of Nebraska fans. “It’s fun to see them celebrate that, because I celebrate it at home with my kids, and I’m sure it’s passed down from generation to generation.”
Spielman, by the way, was an Ohio State senior when a freshman from Youngstown joined the Buckeyes. His name was Bo Pelini.
Of course, it was too early then for Spielman to recognize any head coaching traits in Pelini. But he knew Ohio State had a smart football player who played in the secondary and understood defensive concepts.
“It was interesting,” Spielman said. “Last week when I was here, I heard him talking about teaching the kids conceptually about the scheme, and that’s the type of player he was. The position he played, he had to know the whole concept of the defense.
“In watching him in the NFL, I knew it was just a matter of time (before Pelini would be a head coach). He’s passionate about football, and as smart as he is, it was just a matter of time.”
Tobin visitsThe last time former Missouri player and assistant coach Vince Tobin saw Missouri play in Lincoln, the Tigers upset Nebraska 35-31. That, of course, was 1978.
Tobin returned to Memorial Stadium on Saturday, a guest of former Lincoln mayor Bill Harris. Tobin first met Harris and his wife on a cruise last February, and a friendship was formed.
So, is Tobin a Tiger good luck charm?
“Well, I guess I was that year, anyway,” Tobin said of the ’78 game.
Tobin was with the Tigers from 1961-1976, the first four years as a player. He ended his tenure as Missouri’s defensive coordinator, and then coached in the CFL. Tobin attended the ’78 game scouting for the British Columbia Lions.
Tobin, head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 1996-2000, is now retired. He had interviewed for the Missouri job when the Tigers hired Larry Smith.
Tobin has remained a Missouri fan. His take on the Tigers now?
“They’ve got a chance to get good,” Tobin said, “and stay good.”
Going deep
* It’s nice to see former Huskers recognized each week. Among those on the big screen Saturday were Mike Rucker, Joba Chamberlain, Alex Gordon and Darin Erstad.
* Rush Limbaugh made a return visit to Lincoln. His pre-game comment on Missouri? “These guys are way bigger than Virginia Tech.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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