"I'm trying to stop them,"the Nebraska defensive coordinator said. "I'm not worried about thecrowd. Seriously, were they bad?"

The crowd wasn't as bad as what lined up against Ball State's offense Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

The Blackshirts if you dare use that term were shredded for 610 yards by a Mid-American Conference team that didn't even post a winning record a year ago. Somehow, Nebraska escaped with a 41-40 victory.

"It starts with me," Cosgrove said. "I just got to do a better job. That's a good football team. They have some weapons. We have to play better."

Through three quarters, Ball State's offensive production was almost as good as last week's opponent. No. 1 USC had 453 yards during its 49-31 win last Saturday night.

The Cardinals (2-2), sporting the nation's 31st-ranked offense, posted 427 yards with 15 minutes to play. Ball State converted six of its first seven third-down opportunities.

"We were just looking and trying to find somebody to make a play," said junior defensive tackle Kevin Dixon said. "We need to have the mindset, 'Yo! I'm going to make this play.' "

Sophomore free safety Rickey Thenarse blamed Nebraska's defensive struggles on two things: A hangover from the USC game and being tired for a physical week of practice.

In an attempt to shake off the USC struggles, the Nos. 22- and 24-ranked Huskers (3-1) had their first full-pads practice since the preseason.

The result: Ball State posted the fourth-most yards ever against Nebraska. It was the highest offensive outburst by a Husker opponent since Washington had 618 yards in 1991.

Sophomore quarterback Nate Davis threw for 422 yards the most by a foe since Texas Tech's Sonny Cumbie had 436 during an embarrassing 70-10 Husker loss in October of 2004.

Ball State receivers Dante Love and Darius Hill were poised to help Davis pull an upset. Love had 10 receptions for 214 yards and a spectacular 58-yard touchdown to put the Cardinals ahead 31-28 with 54 seconds left in the third quarter.

Love's receiving total is the fourth-highest by an NU opponent and most since Louisiana Tech's Troy Edwards dropped 405 yards in the 1998 season opener. Hill had five catches for 93 yards and a 20-yard TD in the second quarter that tied the game at 7.

"No. 86 (Love) and No. 88 (Hill) are two impressive guys," Cosgrove said. "I give them a lot of credit."

A key to Ball State's passing game was Nebraska's lack of pressure up front. Junior defensive end Zach Potter recorded a sack just the third by the Huskers this season.

On numerous occasions, Davis wasn't touched as he waited or scrambled in the pocket en route to dissecting the Husker secondary.

"We can do a few different things," Cosgrove said about the pass rush. "We were trying to get Steve (Octavien, a starting linebacker who had a team-high seven tackles) in there at rush end. We'll work on it. We'll get better."

As Ball State marched up and down the field, especially during a three-touchdown third quarter, Cosgrove kept his cool on the sideline.

"You can't flinch," Cosgrove said. "You can't panic. Keep your poise. Keep on coaching."

In the end, that worked. Somehow. Even though the Cardinalscarved up Nebraska for 183 yards in the fourth quarter, they were limited to a 22-yard Jake Hogue field goal over the final 12:50.

Now, the Husker defense prepares for Big 12 Conference play fresh off allowing 40 or more points in consecutive weeks for the first time since the end of the 1990 season against Oklahoma and Georgia Tech.

Since Nebraska limited Nevada to 185 yards in a 52-10 season-opening win, its next three opponents have racked up 1,439 yards. Will the Blackshirts face a drastically different offense during Saturday's league opener against Iowa State?

"I would say similar (to Ball State)," Cosgrove said.

The Huskers have a week to figure out how to deal with that.

I just shook my head as I read this article this morning. I highlighted the quotes from our Mr. Cogrove. I mean seriously. At the end there, is he saying we are going to be as bad against Iowa State?! Thats his prediction? Jesus. *Shakes Head* We have a FEW things to work on? HA HA HA Hope he decides to come back from NEver Never Land soon.