Callahan punished for gesture at referee

The Associated Press

Published: Friday, November 4, 2005 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, November 4, 2005 at 2:44 a.m.

LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska coach Bill Callahan was publicly reprimanded by the Big 12 Conference on Thursday for making an apparent throat-slashing gesture after an argument with an official during the Cornhuskers' game against Oklahoma.

The disciplinary action came five days after Callahan engaged in a heated exchange with referee Steve Usechek following Kejuan Jones' touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cornhuskers' 31-24 loss. Callahan argued that holding should have been called on the play.

Video showed Callahan raising his right arm to his throat, index finger extended, and making a slashing motion after Usechek walked away.

Callahan has denied any wrongdoing but has acknowledged that he made a gesture out of frustration and intended no malice toward the officials.

Callahan said he didn't know what a public reprimand entails, but as far as he's concerned the incident is behind him.

''It's over. The decision's been laid down. It's over,'' Callahan told reporters after the team's practice Thursday afternoon.

NO. 24 LOUISVILLE 42, PITTSBURGH 20: Michael Bush rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns and Art Carmody tied a school record with four field goals as No. 24 Louisville survived a wild start and beat visiting Pittsburgh.

Louisville (6-2, 2-2 Big East Conference) has won two straight after losing its first two league games.

and temporarily falling out of the top 25.

He replaces Robert Johnson, who had struggled at times during a season that saw Arkansas go 2-5 so far, 0-4 in the Southeastern Conference.

Dick, a freshman, had been red-shirted, but Nutt decided that the team needed his skills at quarterback.