In the days before Kansas University defeated Nebraska in 2005, an outcome he predicted, former Cornhuskers middle guard and Lawrence resident Kerry Weinmaster held nothing back in expressing his frustration over the state of his alma mater Nebraska’s football program.

“It’s embarrassing,” Weinmaster said. “In two weeks you rush for minus-2 yards against Missouri and rush for, what, 22 yards (16 yards actually) last week against Oklahoma? That’s embarrassing. Nebraska’s noted for ramming it down your throat.”

That was then. This is now: “There are a lot of good things happening.”

Such as Nebraska is winning. And running the ball.

“They’ve got that balance now,” Weinmaster said. “They’re having a lot of success running the ball.”

Part of Weinmaster’s frustration stemmed from what he believed to be the unjustified firing of Frank Solich, an assistant to Tom Osborne during Weinmaster’s playing career (1976-79). Yet, it was more than that.

Weinmaster and many members of Husker Nation feared a year ago that Bill Callahan, now in his third season at Nebraska, was running away from, rather passing away from, Nebraska traditions.

Now, Weinmaster sees a reversal that extends beyond play-calling.

“He’s really reaching out to former players,” said Weinmaster, who was among six players inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame earlier this month. He said he received a letter from Callahan congratulating him and encouraging him to remain an involved part of the family.

A year ago, he received many less-friendly letters from Nebraska football fans upset that he aired his complaints about the program. “Callahan is embracing some of the traditions established by Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne.”

Now that Zac Taylor, KU receiver Brian Murph’s quarterback in junior college, has grown into Callahan’s version of the West Coast offense, and the running game has improved, the changes don’t seem as radical. Sophomore Marlon Lucky’s 7.2 yards per carry is tops among Big 12 rushing leaders. Nebraska ranks second in the conference with 224.2 rushing yards per game and fourth with 248.2 passing yards.

The most important tradition Callahan is adhering to of late is winning. After the 40-15 loss to KU, Callahan’s record stood at 10-10. Since then, it’s 6-1, including a 30-3 victory at Colorado to end the 2005 regular season and a 32-28 victory over Michigan in the Alamo Bowl.

Weinmaster won’t be going to Lincoln for Saturday’s game – son Kyle and three of his buddies from the Free State football team will be using the four season tickets – but that’s because son Philip, a sophomore at Baker University, has a game at Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo.

“I should be able to get back to Lawrence in time to see the game on TV,” Kerry said.

Unlike last year, when he said he didn’t care who won, he will have a rooting interest. When not rooting for the Free State Firebirds or Baker Wildcats, he’s Kerry Husker again.