NU Football Notes, 10/26: Husker coaches praise OU defense
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Here’s a somewhat scary thought:
Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said Oklahoma’s defense, in many ways, is better than last year’s unit.
The Huskers didn’t score last year against the Sooners until kicking a field goal on the game’s final play.
“They’re a great, athletic bunch,” Norvell said Tuesday. “It’s hard to look at them on film and think that they have the record they have (4-3), because they’re very talented.
“As a group, they just run. They run to the ball, they’re very explosive. They use their hands well. They try not to give you anything.”
Oklahoma enters Saturday’s game with the Big 12 Conference’s No. 2 overall defense and the nation’s No. 3 rush defense.
“The last three weeks they’ve just really clamped down, tried to really pressure people in every way,” Norvell said. “I think they’re the best front seven we’ve seen all year.”
Linebacker Rufus Alexander leads the Sooners with 58 tackles, including 10 behind the line of scrimmage. Oklahoma has forced 15 turnovers (nine fumbles, six interceptions).
“They’re awfully physical on defense,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said. “Without question, the best linebacking corps I’ve seen to date.”
WANTING TO RUN: Norvell said penalties and turnovers were the main factors in Nebraska virtually abandoning the running game against Missouri. The Huskers attempted only 13 rushes (not counting six attempts by quarterback Zac Taylor, four of which were sacks). “That’s what hurt our running game more than anything,” Norvell said of NU’s 12 penalties and three second-half turnovers. “We had some excellent runs in the game, and they were negated by minus-yardage plays and sacks. Plus, we got behind a little bit. We just have to play to our strengths and play in a normal down. That’s the biggest thing.” Nebraska is averaging 109.4 rushing yards per game, a mark that ranks 96th nationally.
BECK READY: Joe Ganz is still listed as the No. 2 quarterback on this week’s depth chart. But Norvell echoed Callahan’s comments from Monday in that true freshman Harrison Beck is ready to enter the game behind Taylor, if needed. “Harrison has been getting a lot of reps, and we’ve been preparing him to get ready to play,” said Norvell, who coaches the quarterbacks. “He’s been improving all the time. He’s going to be in position to play if we have to play him.”
MORE SPREAD?: Don’t be too surprised if you see Oklahoma use some elements of the spread option attack that Missouri ran last week. Freshman quarterback Rhett Bomar may not be Brad Smith, but he’s mobile enough to make plays. “They run a little bit, (but) nothing like we saw last week,” Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “They have a little quarterback counter in there. He’s run quarterback draws. They run some option. They have the whole game. They’ll be in empty-(backfield sets). They have a unique offense with a lot of different things.” Bomar has gained 239 yards rushing but has lost 166 yards, mostly in sacks.
STILL BIG: Longtime rivals Nebraska and Oklahoma don’t meet every season because the teams are in separate divisions of the Big 12 Conference. That doesn’t lessen the importance of the rivalry, says Lincoln native Bo Ruud. “Even when Oklahoma was down in the mid-90’s, it still meant something every year,” said Ruud, a sophomore linebacker for the Huskers. “They always came out and tried to give us a great game, or whatever. Even though it only plays every two years on and off, it’s still a huge deal.”
SLOW STARTS FOR D: For three straight games, Nebraska opponents have scored touchdowns on their first drive of the game. Most of the damage was done through the air. Texas Tech, Baylor and Missouri each completed passes on the first play of the game. “I think that’s something we’ve really got to concentrate on this week, is to not give up a pass or two that gets their offense really rolling,” Ruud said. “That’s something we’ve got to stop.”
PREPARING FOR ALL: Sooner sophomore running back Adrian Peterson has been battling a high ankle sprain and didn’t play last week against Baylor. In his place, Jacob Gutierrez, the team’s fourth-string tailback, ran for 173 yards on 30 tries. Kejuan Jones didn’t play because he was suspended. “We’re preparing for Peterson to play, or any one of their tailbacks,” Cosgrove said. “They have a stable of them. They’re good backs, so I don’t think their offense is going to change. It seems with Peterson in there you may see a little more power and outside plays, but while they run certain plays like that, they’re in the same offense.”
ETC: The 1971 Game of the Century between Nebraska and Oklahoma played on the Husker Vision screens during Tuesday’s practice. “I love the last drive,” Norvell said. “That’s my favorite.” … Norvell said wide receiver Isaiah Fluellen, who’s missed the last two games because of injury, practiced Tuesday and is “getting closer” to returning.
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