He said he was proud of how his players battled and that things are headed in the right direction. He went so far as to say last week's home loss to Purdue might have been a turning point for the team because of how well it practiced in the ensuing days. The players held each other accountable. They did so during a week in which receiver Tyjon Lindsey and running Greg Bell decided to leave the program because they felt they were being underused.

Perhaps the departures drew the team closer.

"I'm excited to be their coach," Frost said of his remaining players, "and I think these guys are excited for the rest of the season."

Frost's upbeat demeanor was in some ways predictable. He had challenged his guys in harsher tones in previous weeks. He's basically trying to find the right buttons and keep his team in a positive frame of mind.

After all, Nebraska last lost five games to start a season in 1945. The Huskers never have lost their first six.

How high's the water, mama? Three feet high and risin' … Well, the hives are gone, I've lost my bees. The chickens are sleepin' in the willow trees.