Frustration and not knowing his comments may have gotten the best of Nebraska quarterbacks coach Jay Norvell as he vented his frustration with a profanity laced tired over officiating during a radio broadcast feed.
Norvell was apparently unaware that his comments could be heard over a live internet feed of the radio broadcast.
Norvell was being interviewed on the Pinnacle Sports program “Coaches Wrap up” just minutes after his Huskers lost to Oklahoma 31-24. The over the air-broadcast went to commercial so those listening on the Pinnacle Sports network did not here the comments. However the internet feed of the broadcast did not air the commercials and instead kept Norvell's mike live for his off-hand comments to be heard.
Norvell took the opportunity during the break to voice his displeasure at the officiating crew that handled the game. Speaking to an unheard person Norvell said that he knew he wasn’t supposed to comment on the officials but “they are the worst friggin' officials in the world"
Nebraska’s defense leads the nation in quarterback sacks, however opponents have only been called for one holding call all year long. It’s a point that hasn’t been lost on observers and certainly not on Norvell.
"Lead the nation in sacks and we can't get a (expletive) holding call.” Norvell vented.
He then labeled the officials derogatorily as “Texas officials”
Norvell's comments weren't the only outburst aimed at the officials by the Nebraska coaches.
Following Oklahoma's fourth quarter touchdown Head Coach Bill Callahan got into a shouting and finger pointing match with Usechek after Callihan insisted the officials missed what he felt was an obvious holding call on the play.
The Oklahoma game was the second Nebraska game this crew, headed by Referee Steve Usechek of Northglen, Colorado, has worked. Former Nebraska quarterback Clete Blakeman was a linesman in the Baylor game.
In the two Nebraska games this crew worked they flagged a total of 25 plays without a single holding call. In the six other games Usechek's crew has worked they have called 12 holding calls in 97 penalty calls.