No fury like a program scorned

By Eric Olson - Associated Press Sports Writer     Oct 11, 2006

Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman runs the ball against Oklahoma State. Freeman will have a bull's-eye on his back Saturday when the Wildcats face Nebraska - the school he originally gave an oral commitment to before changing his mind last December and opting to wear KSU purple instead of NU red.

? The story goes that Josh Freeman’s father sent a text message instead of calling Nebraska coaches to tell them his son was backing out of his verbal commitment and signing with Kansas State.

What would Nebraska linebacker Corey McKeon’s message be if he were to text Freeman this week?

“I’ll see you Saturday,” McKeon said in his best pro wrestler voice.

Nebraska fans have anticipated the Kansas State game since last winter – not so much because it’s been 10 years since the Huskers have won in Manhattan, but because they want to see the Blackshirt defense get after the kid who insulted them by switching allegiances before signing day.

Coach Bill Callahan wanted to change the subject when Freeman came up at his news conference Tuesday.

Asked about that famous text message, a smiling Callahan said: “Oh, there you go again. There you go again. That’s over. Recruiting is over. It’s time to play. So we’re excited about playing, and they’re a good football team … Let me put a few more coachspeak words in there. Next question, please.”

Callahan wasn’t so forgiving at an Omaha speaking engagement last spring when he alluded to Freeman.

“If you’re a prima donna or if you’re a drama queen, there’s no room for you at Nebraska,” he said. “You can go to Kansas State.”

Freeman said Tuesday in Manhattan that he had heard about the remark but didn’t think much of it.

“Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. That’s his opinion,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do about it.”

The fans, many of whom live and die with Nebraska recruiting fortunes, won’t be so quick to forget.

“I have a lot of respect for coach Callahan and the things he’s done as a coach. I think he respects me as a player,” Freeman said. “I don’t feel like there’s any bad blood between me and Nebraska people. Maybe the fans, but not the coaches.”

McKeon said he’d received e-mail messages from fans fueling the Freeman fire, which started in December after he broke his long-standing verbal commitment after being wooed by new Kansas State coach Ron Prince.

“Husker Nation is going to be happy he’s starting this game,” McKeon said.

Freeman, a 6-foot-6, 238-pounder from Kansas City, Mo., made his first start in last week’s 31-27 victory over Oklahoma State. He ran for the winning 21-yard touchdown and completed 10 of 15 passes for 177 yards.

Callahan said Freeman’s size, running ability and arm were on display against the Cowboys.

“Those three ingredients are what we looked at when we recruited him,” Callahan said.

Defensive end Jay Moore said he wouldn’t be targeting Freeman because of his recruiting shenanigan.

“He’s like any other quarterback I’d like to meet up close and personal,” Moore said.

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