Lovecchio started, but Holiday was neck and neck with him all summer for the starting job. Davie selected Lovecchio because he didn't want to go on the road to Lincoln with a guy taking his first snaps.
I mostly agree with you on Nebraska fans of that era. They were a tad smug at that stage, but one might argue they had a right to be. Really, the ones not on message boards were pretty knowledgeable, likable fans.