• Video: Postgame press conference with Bo Pelini and selected players:



• VIdeo: Postgame press conference with Arizona coaches, players:



* * *

SAN DIEGO — Arizona called a timeout on fourth down at the Nebraska 8-yard line. 1:41 left.

The ensuing play carried absolutely zero significance to the outcome of the Holiday Bowl. The Huskers led 33-0. They were finishing a turbulent 2009 on top.

But during the timeout, Ndamukong Suh and Barry Turner traded barbs with Arizona offensive linemen.

“What could they say?” linebacker Phillip Dillard said. “They had 5 (total) yards for like an hour and a half.”

Arizona players had called Nebraska's second-ranked scoring defense “overrated.” They had said the Big 12 was “soft.”

At least that's what Bo Pelini told his team. (A coach would neeeeever embellish or fabricate details for motivational purposes.)

On fourth down, P.J. Smith blitzed the quarterback and knocked down Matt Scott's final pass. Nebraska's first-ever bowl shutout was secure.

Except Suh wasn't done talking. He had a few last words for those Wildcats.

When he finally pulled himself away from the debate, college football's best defender did something very unlike Ndamukong Suh:

He curled his mammoth arms and flexed like Hulk Hogan.

The Huskers showed character Wednesday night, and that's nice because a frustrating night in Dallas could've left them apathetic.

The Huskers showed chemistry, and that's nice because those frustrating few months on offense could've left them at each other's throats.

But you know the adjective I like best after watching this ridiculous mismatch?

Mean.

Nebraska was mean.

The Huskers stored up three weeks of anger and dumped it on hapless Arizona.

They stuck out their chins. They puffed their chests. They walked like Don Corleone. It was like somebody spiked Nebraska's fish tacos with testosterone.

“They were talking all game,” safety Larry Asante said. “They were talking when we were out there warming up. They were talking, talking, talking. We'd just had enough.”

“We were sending a message,” Dillard said. “Talk is cheap.”

There were a few other messages: Winning football games is more about will than scheme, more about heart than head.

The thoroughbred recruits are still going to go to Florida and Texas.

But give me some spunk, give me some hubris and I'll show you future championships.

Give me Dillard and Matt O'Hanlon. Give me Rex Burkhead and Niles Paul. Give me Pelini.

The coach's in-your-face approach to life gets him in hot water occasionally.

But. But! Pelini's indomitable will to win is contagious, and his players compete with passion you usually see on Sundays. Even when the game doesn't mean much.

This was the 10th win of the season — NU hadn't won 10 since 2003.

But this was also Pierre Allen coming off the edge, flattening Nick Foles and doing a (rather inappropriate) sack dance.

And, the next play, Foles running for his life and taking a shot to the chin from Dejon Gomes.

This was that offensive line — look at that offensive line! — moving defenders like a snowplow.

This was Zac Lee standing bravely in the pocket while pass rushers reached for him. Three weeks ago, Lee would've danced and ducked to the turf. But this time he hit Paul perfectly in stride.

Then it was Paul spiking the ball in the end zone. Then it was Paul flexing.

This was O'Hanlon, the kid who didn't make honorable mention all-state as a senior in high school, pursuing a ball carrier like a heat-seeking missile, fearlessly diving at Juron Criner's knees.

And, of course, this was Pelini keeping most of his Blackshirts on the field with two minutes left against his old friend, Mike Stoops.

Suh flexed his biceps and a party broke out on the NU sideline.

Players took every cup of water they could find and sopped each other — one big Gatorade shower for Coach Bo just wouldn't do.

Asante, who started on the NU defense that allowed 65 points in the last game of the 2007 season, felt the brunt of the attack.

Splash. Splash. Splash.

Asante wiped his eyes. When he opened them, he saw Roy Helu, arm cocked, holding a full cup. Uh-oh.

Then something very unlike Nebraska happened.

“No more,” Asante said meekly.

Helu grinned, dropped his hand and saved the cup for someone else.

Finally, a Husker had shown mercy.

Contact the writer:

649-1461, dirk.chatelain@owh.com

Video highlights from the Nebraska game