LINCOLN, NEB. ? The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ inexperience was a big reason they agreed to play a game on Aug. 24, the earliest date for an opener in school history.

There’s a larger benefit, though: The sooner the ‘Huskers begin the new season, the sooner they can forget about the way the last one ended.

The Nebraska defense, in particular, is eager to prove itself during today’s Black Coaches Association Classic against Arizona State.

“If people out there want to make guesses about what you’ve done in the past on the field or what’s to come of the future, that’s their problem,” defensive end Chris Kelsay said. “All we can do is look at the negative as a positive. We’re using all that for motivation. We’re not really dwelling on it a whole lot.”

Revisiting the Cornhuskers’ 2001 season is insightful, though, only because it was so unusual. They started 11-0, but that was quickly forgotten when they went to Boulder and got beaten 62-36. In the national title game Jan. 3, they lost to Miami 37-14 in the Rose Bowl.

The doubt must have carried over to this season, because Nebraska’s No. 10 ranking is its lowest to start a season since they were 11th in 1992. The ‘Huskers also have lost 11 starters, including Heisman winner Eric Crouch.

Still, the team feels it’s being unfairly punished for its faltering finish.

“We have a lot more to prove this year,” cornerback DeJuan Groce said. “I don’t think people respect us as much as they did last year. We have the kind of players right here and right now that are going to be able to get the job done.”