That's Impressive

Pretty good weekend for Chadron State's record setting running back Danny Woodhead. The only question is which day was better?

Saturday: Woodhead opened the 2007 season with an average outing, at least for him, racking up 290 yards rushing with 4 TDs. That's on the road against a fellow pre-season Top 25 team in Washburn--forget for a moment that they're called the Ichabods--and it's safe to assume that every defense the Eagles face this year will be focused on one thing: stop Woodhead. Can anyone do it?

Sunday: The New York Times unveils its college football preview. I start reading the same USC Tailback U piece I've already read 12 times this season and, because I'm dedicated (read: bored) I continue the story on page 12 and bam, there's Danny Woodhead. He didn't get quite the inches that mad-bomber Colt Brennan did, but he does have a much better haircut. Nevertheless, the article is a good one albeit erroneous in one respect: Chadron definitely has more than one stoplight. In fact, the town has a Super Wal-Mart which qualifies it as a metropolis in the Panhandle.

The piece raises an interesting question as pro scouts continue to visit the home of Fur Trade Days: could Woodhead have played D-1 football? And, by D-1 football we mean at Nebraska.

Given the current questions of durability surrounding Nebraska's backfield it's an interesting idea to entertain. At this point in their careers, Woodhead is similarly sized to Huskers freshman Marcus Mendoza (5'9" 200lbs. versus 5'10" 185lbs.). Of course, that wasn't the case out of high school, but four years later you have to wonder what might've been.

Alas, Woodhead will never suit up for the scarlet and cream but he seems to be getting along just fine as it is. Corn Nation asks today if you'll be following Woodhead's season.

I most certainly will and I'll even do it from the comfort of my own New England home. CSC plays UNK on October 20th live on CSTV. Wonder who's responsible for that?

Photo: CSC.edu