Marlon Lucky had 33 touches against Nevada (30 carries, three receptions) and 28 touches against Wake Forest (24 carries for 90 yards plus four catches for 34). He also adroitly blocked a blitzing
Posted: Saturday, October 6, 2007 7:00 pm
Marlon Lucky was asked if he felt frustrated Saturday by Nebraska's inability to produce big rushing numbers against Wake Forest. The Huskers managed 115 rushing yards (3.4 per carry) a week after pounding out 413 against Nevada, including 233 by Lucky on 7.8 per attempt.
Lucky's answer was emphatic.
"I'm an all-purpose back," he said in what sounded like a declaration. "I don't get too excited about 200 yards rushing. I like to catch the ball and run the ball. Those things go hand-in-hand."
Bill Callahan would appreciate Lucky's self-imposed "all-purpose" label. The West Coast offense guru forever preaches balance. Balance, balance, balance. Without offensive balance, Nebraska figures to have little-to-no chance of upsetting top-ranked Southern California on Saturday night.
So, the Huskers may once again lean hard on their all-purpose back, as they have in the first two games, with true freshman bruiser Quentin Castille serving as the top backup.
Intimidated by big and bad USC?
Nah, Lucky said.
"I mean, we play every team the same," he said. "We need to come out and execute our offense. You know, bring it."
Lucky has been "bringing it" often. The junior had 33 touches against Nevada (30 carries, three receptions) and 28 touches against Wake Forest (24 carries for 90 yards plus four catches for 34). He also adroitly blocked a blitzing cornerback on Sam Keller's crucial touchdown pass right before halftime in the 20-17 triumph over Wake.
Lucky's an all-purpose guy who is playing with a sense of purpose.
Even so, he flies under the radar nationally. This is a big year for running backs in college football. The college game arguably hasn't witnessed such an impressive array of ball carriers since the 1970s. Darren McFadden. Steve Slaton. Ian Johnson. Ray Rice. Mike Hart. And on and on. You seldom hear Lucky's name mentioned in discussion of the great ones.
That obviously would change if Lucky breaks loose against the Trojans, on ABC, in prime time. This is the type of game in which careers are defined and legacies enhanced. Lucky's legacy at Nebraska as it stands? Well, the third-year junior is regarded as a good back at a school that has produced several great ones. We know 'em when we see 'em.
 Lucky has shown flashes of greatness. If he performs magnificently against USC, well, letâs just say he would then begin to approach the ridiculous expectations he encountered coming out of North Hollywood (Calif.) High School in 2005.
Let's face it, those expectations will be hard to reach no matter what Lucky does this season or next. Those unrealistic expectations have been frustrating at times, he said. Make no mistake, though: The 6-foot, 210-pounder clearly is playing with more confidence this season. He's pumping his legs harder and running smarter. But he has more levels left to climb. He still dances indecisively at times when he should just turn on those powerful jets and bolt upfield.
It's probably unwise to do the indecisive dance with USC's linebackers.
Southern Cal also has a modicum of talent on offense. Maybe you saw that two-page spread in a recent issue of Sports Illustrated. It showed seven Trojan I-backs walking forward wearing stern glares. Chauncey Washington. Stafon Johnson. C.J. Gable. Desmond Reed. Yeah, those guys. Could Lucky have cracked the lineup at USC?
Funny, but we're still wondering just how good Lucky can be. Lucky put up those big numbers against Nevada, but that was Nevada. He ran well against Wake Forest, but couldn't pick up some key first downs in short-yardage situations. How about using the 245-pound Castille in third-and-short?
At any rate, Carroll obviously has high regard for Lucky's prowess.
You know the story. Carroll and a few of his assistants showed up for one of Lucky's games during his senior season at North Hollywood. The coaches stood in one of the end zones in their USC polos. Very inconspicuous.
Yes, there was a time Lucky considered attending USC. "Up to the point that coach (John) Blake started recruiting me," Lucky said of the ex-Husker assistant. "I mean, he was a heck of a recruiter. He's like a best friend to me. He's like a father, a role model. He was cool. If I was down, I'd go talk to him."
Blake is now coaching defensive linemen at North Carolina. Lucky misses him, but has little time these days for living in the past, particularly when the immediate future holds so much promise.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.