Ross shows adaptability

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BYSTEVENM. SIPPLE

I-back Cory Ross acknowledges he was nervous about the change.

In Ross' lifetime, Nebraska football always had been defined by "straight option, run-the-ball, in-your-face football," he said.

This spring, however, Ross finds himself immersed in the program's switch to a West Coast attack that's more inclined toward diversity.

"You throw and run,"Ross said. "We're going to throw a whole lot more than Nebraska's ever seen. So there were a lot of questions - (by) me, other I-backs, the quarterbacks and offensive linemen. Everybody was a little nervous."

Now, nine practices into the 15-practice spring season, Nebraska players' nervousness has been replaced by a resolute spirit to embrace the new schemes, Ross said.

"Now you see people running around the field, knowing what they're doing, getting better and better every day," he said. "Seeing that, you know this offense is going to be special."

Judging by his performance thus far this spring, Ross could be a special player in the new system.

A junior from Denver, Ross appears to have taken his play to another level since last season. And that's saying something, considering that during the final four games of 2003 he carried 94 times for 436 yards, an average of 4.6 yards per rush.

In scrimmage work on Saturday, Ross broke off a 50-yard yard run (his longest run last season was 23 yards). The 5-foot-6 Ross said he has dropped about five pounds to 195. He appears to be running with more confidence and quickness.

"I feel like I've got more muscle," Ross said, crediting new Nebraska football strength coach Dave Kennedy for at least part of his improvement.

In addition to his strong running, Ross evidently is using his muscle as a blocker. During Monday's practice at Memorial Stadium, Ross shined in a blitz-pickup drill, said Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan.

"He's very physical," Callahan said of Ross. "For a small back, you might think, 'Boy, this guy can't pick up a blitz.' But he steps right up there and fronts up the blitzers and gets pad under pad.

"He's becoming more complete."

Ross' strong suit, however, is his ability as a quick, decisive and instinctive runner capable of hiding behind behemoth blockers and darting into daylight.

"He can see holes that aren't there," Nebraska right tackle Darren DeLone said. "His vision is, man, it's unbelievable. He can cut off of my block so quick and so fast that I'll still be blocking someone and he's already down the field."

Ross' prowess as a receiver shouldn't be overlooked. Although he caught only two passes last season - one that went for 26 yards against Kansas State - Ross reminds you that he played receiver as a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver.

What's more, Ross, as a high school senior, showed he can catch the football by making five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

"It's fun learning the West Coast offense,"Ross said. "We've got good coaches out here and getting to know them is fun. The competition is pretty fun, too."

Ross was placed atop the pre-spring depth chart ahead of No. 2 Tierre Green, a redshirt freshman. Junior David Horne and redshirt freshman Kade Pittman, a converted receiver, also are in the mix.

"We're learning about burst and catching the ball, just being an all-around back,"said Ross, who's soaking up the knowledge of new running backs coach Randy Jordan. "He's trying to instill in us that we need all those things to play in the West Coast offense."

Ross thrived in the last game for Nebraska's previous run-oriented offense, carrying 37 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the Huskers' Dec. 29 Alamo Bowl victory over Michigan State. Ross' 37 carries were a school record.

"Every now and then I like to look at that," Ross said. "That was last year. Right now, it's all about learning this West Coast offense and getting some victories."

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.