Storylines for Troy
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
ON THE REBOUND: Nebraska generated considerable momentum with three triumphs to end the 2005 season. The momentum continued into the offseason and increased with two easy wins to begin this season. Then came last week.
In Nebraska’s 28-10 loss at third-ranked Southern Cal, the Huskers tried a conservative approach on offense designed to keep the game close until the late stages and perhaps allow NU to pull off the upset. Some NU fans have reacted angrily to Bill Callahan’s game plan, saying he was trying to avoid getting blown out. Critics have had a heyday, as was the case following last November’s 40-15 loss at Kansas.
The Huskers rallied down the stretch, showing admirable resilience. Big Red fans hope NU reacts in similar fashion today.
THIRD TIME A CHARM? Troy led Florida State 17-10 in the fourth quarter before losing 24-17 in Tallahassee. Troy was tied 14-14 with Georgia Tech entering the fourth quarter last week in Atlanta before losing 35-20.
Trojans coach Larry Blakeney said some fan had told him the team was 1-2-2 this year. “One win, two losses and two moral victories,” the coach said. Trouble is, Troy isn’t interested in moral victories, Blakeney said.
Since moving to Division I-A in 2001, the Trojans are 1-10 against teams rated in the top 25. Sooner or later, Troy will pull off a major upset. “It was exactly the same story,” Troy linebacker Ryan Babb told the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser after the Georgia Tech loss. “We were able to pull it off and should have pulled it off. We’re just not doing it.”
LITTLE CARRYOVER: Another opponent, another significantly different offense compared to the previous week — that’s been the theme for Nebraska’s defense this season.
NU this week prepared for a Troy spread attack that will use four- and five-receiver sets and will throw the ball vertically as well as horizontally (think “bubble” and “hitch” screens). Troy wants quarterback Omar Haugabook to release the ball quickly to negate NU’s pass rush. The Trojans want to make the Huskers’ big defensive linemen run more than they have all season to help control the horizontal stuff. First-year Troy offensive coordinator Tony Franklin expects plenty of resistance.
“It’s almost like the days of old at Nebraska talent-wise,” Franklin said of the Huskers’ defense. “If you watch film of them three years ago, it’s totally different now. They’ve improved. Their front four manhandled USC at times. Florida State’s front four was very good, but Nebraska’s is better.”
POUND, POUND, POUND: Armchair offensive coordinators enjoyed a big week in Husker Nation second-guessing Callahan’s plan of attack at USC. So I’m going to give it a try.
I’m guessing Nebraska today will stick to the ground game much of the time. Troy’s linebackers are relatively small, and the Trojans are missing their starting middle LB. What’s more, a pounding, physical ground game might be a shock to Troy’s system, considering the Trojan defense practices daily against a spread attack that emphasizes passing and isn’t particularly physical. NU should have an edge in overall depth, and a physical ground game tends to wear down defenses.
“We got a little beat up physically the last couple weeks,” Franklin said. “We drop off considerably when you get to our (reserve players), and that starts to show in the third and fourth quarter.”
Indeed, remember NU’s mantra: Pound the rock!
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