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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 25, 2007
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Updated May 13th.
2007 overall record:
5-7
2007 conference record:
2-6
Returning starters
Offense: 6, defense: 6, kicker/punter: 2
Top returners
QB Joe Ganz, I-back Marlon Lucky, T Lydon Murtha, WR Nate Swift, DE Zach
Potter, DE Barry Turner, S Larry Asante, CB Armando Murillo, K Alex Henery,
P Dan Titchener
Key losses
QB Sam Keller, C Brett Byford, T Carl Nicks, WR Terrence Nunn, WR Maurice
Purify, CB Cortney Grixby, LB Bo Ruud, LB Corey McKeon, S Tierre Green
2007 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: Marlon Lucky* (1,019)
Passing: Sam Keller (2,422)
Receiving: Maurice Purify (814)
Tackles: Steve Octavien (92)
Sacks: Barry Turner* (3)
Interceptions: Bo Ruud, Cortney Grixby (3)
Spring answers
1. New defensive approach: New coach Bo Pelini has infused his defense with a
noticeable change of attitude -- namely, a hustling tendency that was missing
most of last season. New coaches tend to do that. No receiver was allowed to
go without several defenders poking at the ball. Linemen sprinted through the
line after an offensive play. "It will be really visible," linebacker Cody
Glenn told the Omaha World Herald. "Everybody's going to be flying to the ball.
It'll be very physical."
2. Glenn's position switch: Cody Glenn was an underutilized weapon at I-back
before coming to the Nebraska coaches before the spring about a position
switch. He has blossomed as a linebacker and should contend for a starting
position this fall. "He's already become a factor on defense," Pelini told
reporters. "There is no doubt that he has shown the ability that he can be a
heck of a football player."
3. New playmakers emerging: I-back Roy Helu and WR Curenski Gilleylen both had
solid springs and should contend for playing time once fall practice begins.
Helu rushed for a team-high 69 yards in the spring game and Gilleylen produced
a 77-yard TD reception from Joe Ganz that was the longest play in the spring
game.
Fall questions
1. Bo factor: New coach Bo Pelini is bigger than a rock star across Nebraska
with his dramatic ascension as the Cornhuskers' new coach. His honeymoon
period will last until the games begin in August. It will be interesting to
see if that reaction changes after tough early-season games against Virginia
Tech and Missouri.
2. Defensive line production: Nebraska's defensive line was consistently
outplayed last season as the Cornhuskers seldom were competitive in the
trenches. Pelini's first big aim will be to light a fire under players like
NT Ndamukong Suh, who missed spring practice because of an injury. Lack of a
proven pass rush was the biggest reason the Cornhuskers produced only eight
interceptions last season, tied for last in the conference with Texas A&M.
3. No proven backup QB: Joe Ganz flourished when he came off the bench late
last season, but the Cornhuskers could be in a lot of trouble if he is injured.
Backups Zac Lee, Patrick Witt, Kody Spano, Beau Davis and transfer Jim Ebke
all have received scant game experience. Lee and Davis would be the leading
contenders to replace Ganz after the spring.
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 18, 2006
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This is a sound article. I feel the same about the backup QB. Lots of concern there. But then again, Joe didn't have that much experience before being thrown in. I think if these guys understand the system, they can be successful as well.
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 20, 2008
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This article doesn't sound as doom and gloom as some predictions I have heard. I may be overly optimistic but I think the mind set of the players has already changed and once fall football gets here it will only get better. There are some players that are just aching to play and they are going to really push everyone.
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Reputation:91
Level:All-Star
Since:Oct 1, 2007
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Good article here, though its stating nothing new, more of a "Lets continue to point out the obvious" kind of article.
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 30, 2007
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i don't believe that we'll go 2-6 in the conference. we will beat iowa state, kansas state, and colorado for sure IMO and i think we could surprise kansas or texas tech.
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 13, 2008
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If backup quarterback is one of our biggest concerns this season, we're in a lot better shape than anyone would have predicted before Spring Ball. I also believe that problem will be remedied with playing time against some of the softer teams early in the schedule. Build a lead then get backups in the game to develop them. This is something that Frank Solich did not do well. It hurt the team's depth, which showed up in his second and third seasons. Callahan didn't do much better by giving 80 percent of the practice snaps to the starting QB. That works in the pros where you have a guy under contract for multiple years. In college, you might have to replace a guy after one or two seasons as a starter.
I agree that Zac Lee will contend for playing time. I also think Patrick Witt will be a factor. Bo might protect Kody Spano with a redshirt. I might be too skeptical, but I doubt Beau Davis will add much to the QB situation.
2007 overall record:
5-7
2007 conference record:
2-6
Returning starters
Offense: 6, defense: 6, kicker/punter: 2
Top returners
QB Joe Ganz, I-back Marlon Lucky, T Lydon Murtha, WR Nate Swift, DE Zach
Potter, DE Barry Turner, S Larry Asante, CB Armando Murillo, K Alex Henery,
P Dan Titchener
Key losses
QB Sam Keller, C Brett Byford, T Carl Nicks, WR Terrence Nunn, WR Maurice
Purify, CB Cortney Grixby, LB Bo Ruud, LB Corey McKeon, S Tierre Green
2007 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: Marlon Lucky* (1,019)
Passing: Sam Keller (2,422)
Receiving: Maurice Purify (814)
Tackles: Steve Octavien (92)
Sacks: Barry Turner* (3)
Interceptions: Bo Ruud, Cortney Grixby (3)
Spring answers
1. New defensive approach: New coach Bo Pelini has infused his defense with a
noticeable change of attitude -- namely, a hustling tendency that was missing
most of last season. New coaches tend to do that. No receiver was allowed to
go without several defenders poking at the ball. Linemen sprinted through the
line after an offensive play. "It will be really visible," linebacker Cody
Glenn told the Omaha World Herald. "Everybody's going to be flying to the ball.
It'll be very physical."
2. Glenn's position switch: Cody Glenn was an underutilized weapon at I-back
before coming to the Nebraska coaches before the spring about a position
switch. He has blossomed as a linebacker and should contend for a starting
position this fall. "He's already become a factor on defense," Pelini told
reporters. "There is no doubt that he has shown the ability that he can be a
heck of a football player."
3. New playmakers emerging: I-back Roy Helu and WR Curenski Gilleylen both had
solid springs and should contend for playing time once fall practice begins.
Helu rushed for a team-high 69 yards in the spring game and Gilleylen produced
a 77-yard TD reception from Joe Ganz that was the longest play in the spring
game.
Fall questions
1. Bo factor: New coach Bo Pelini is bigger than a rock star across Nebraska
with his dramatic ascension as the Cornhuskers' new coach. His honeymoon
period will last until the games begin in August. It will be interesting to
see if that reaction changes after tough early-season games against Virginia
Tech and Missouri.
2. Defensive line production: Nebraska's defensive line was consistently
outplayed last season as the Cornhuskers seldom were competitive in the
trenches. Pelini's first big aim will be to light a fire under players like
NT Ndamukong Suh, who missed spring practice because of an injury. Lack of a
proven pass rush was the biggest reason the Cornhuskers produced only eight
interceptions last season, tied for last in the conference with Texas A&M.
3. No proven backup QB: Joe Ganz flourished when he came off the bench late
last season, but the Cornhuskers could be in a lot of trouble if he is injured.
Backups Zac Lee, Patrick Witt, Kody Spano, Beau Davis and transfer Jim Ebke
all have received scant game experience. Lee and Davis would be the leading
contenders to replace Ganz after the spring.
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Level:Amateur
Since:Jun 23, 2007
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This message has been removed by the administrator.
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 28, 2006
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Right now I'd have to say that the ISU game is the only game you can confidently put in the Win column in the North. Win the KSU game and the Huskers are bowl bound with a 6 win season.
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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ESPN's outlook for Nebraska
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Oct 1, 2007
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