Callahan: Troy presents challenge
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Still talking about last week’s game against the Trojans? Well, you might want to look ahead to this week’s version.
The Troy Trojans, who visit Lincoln on Saturday for a 6:10 p.m. kickoff at Memorial Stadium, have certainly caught the attention of Nebraska coach Bill Callahan and his staff.
“This is a hell of a football team,” was Callahan’s way of describing Troy.
Not buying it? Well, the Trojans did lead then-No. 9 Florida State on the road until the Seminoles scored twice in the final six minutes to win.
Last week against Georgia Tech, the Trojans entered the fourth quarter tied at 14-14 before losing 35-20.
“To take those two teams, on the road, deep into the fourth quarter, is pretty admirable,” Callahan said. “To take Florida State to the wire … was a great eye-opener for our staff and players.”
Perhaps a needed eye-opener, given No. 23 Nebraska is coming off a road loss. Callahan said Troy is a good challenge for the Huskers, who are trying to bounce back.
“It will be an extremely competitive game,” Callahan said. “They play hard, they’re tenacious, they’re physical, they’ve got speed, they match up. They’ve got good football players.”
THENARSE MOVES: True freshman Rickey Thenarse appears at cornerback on this week’s depth chart. He’s listed No. 2 behind Andre Jones. Thenarse had been listed as a No. 2 safety. “We know Rickey’s got athletic ability,” Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “We took a look at him earlier. We wanted to get his feet wet on special teams, and he’s been doing an outstanding job on special teams. He’s gained a little confidence in himself, so we’re taking a look at him right now.” Cosgrove said Titus Brothers and Tyrell Spain are still in the picture, particularly if NU plays a nickel package. “We’re trying to find the right depth that we need to compete,” he said.
GOOD DEFENSE: Cosgrove had good things to say about his Blackshirts’ performance in Saturday night’s 28-10 loss to USC. “We did so many good things,” he said. “It’s obvious there’s things we need to clean up. But that’s a pretty darned good football team we played. We had our chances.” Cosgrove noted Nebraska played the run well through three quarters but missed a couple of calls in the fourth quarter, when USC controlled the ball. “We couldn’t get off the field on third down in the fourth quarter,” he said. “They made their plays and we didn’t.” USC collected 399 yards of offense (235 through three quarters). Nebraska had a sack, forced one fumble and had five pass breakups. “We had our hands on balls,” Cosgrove said, “and both times, if we would’ve caught them, they would’ve been touchdowns.”
HERIAN PROGRESSING: Three games into his comeback season, senior tight end Matt Herian has impressed Callahan the most with his blocking ability, the coach said. “He’s blocking more physical and more tenacious now than what he did a couple of years ago,” Callahan said. “That’s impressive to see on film. He’s getting after guys.” Herian, who missed last season with a broken leg, has eight catches for 135 yards in his only season playing with quarterback Zac Taylor. “He’s not the fastest guy in the world, but he’s just so smooth running,” Taylor said. “He gets himself open. Any time you call a play where he’s the primary (receiver), he’s going to get himself open and he’s going to make the catch. I haven’t seen him drop the ball yet.”
OOPS: Remember the lone sack Taylor suffered against USC? The Trojans hit Taylor pretty hard, the ball popped loose, and USC returned it to the end zone, although the officials called Taylor down. Taylor admitted Tuesday that may not have been the case. “I think I did fumble it,” Taylor said. “I think I just got lucky on that. I thought they scored.” The play was not reviewable because it was blown dead.
CONFIDENCE IN BYFORD: Center Brett Byford, in his second game starting in place of the ill Kurt Mann, was named Nebraska’s offensive player of the game by the Husker coaches. Byford, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound junior, will start a third straight week as Mann continues his recovery from mono. “He did great. I have a lot of confidence in Brett,” Taylor said. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders, and he’s a really smart kid. It’s amazing. He wasn’t nervous at all going into the game, as far as I could see. I’m proud of Brett. We’re going to need him more as the season goes on.”
MATCHING UP: When asked if it was possible to beat a team with as much talent as USC, Callahan pointed to Nebraska’s victory over Michigan in the Alamo Bowl. The Wolverines finished 7-5 last season but are coming off a 47-21 victory at Notre Dame that vaulted Michigan into the top five. “We felt coming out of that game (in the Alamo Bowl) that was one of the most talented teams that we played,” Callahan said. “Not much has changed from that team, in terms of personnel. They were highly, highly talented.”
ETC.: Linebacker Steve Octavien was held out of Tuesday’s practice with what Cosgrove called “a twinge.” Cosgrove said he’d be fine. … Nebraska’s starting linebacking corps combined for 28 tackles against USC.
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