STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Saturday, September 9, 2006 7:00 pm
It’s rare for a Nebraska defensive player to earn a prized black practice jersey, then have it taken away.
It’s perhaps even more unusual to have a black jersey put “on pause.”
However, Husker weakside linebacker Steve Octavien said coaches have stripped him of his Blackshirt temporarily because of an undisclosed academic issue.
“I didn’t lose the Blackshirt, it’s on pause,” Octavien said Saturday after making six tackles to tie for the team high in Nebraska’s 56-7 dismantling of Division I-AA Nicholls State.
“There are some things I need to take care of academically,” he said. “I’m working on that right now.”
Octavien, a junior from Naples, Fla., insisted his Blackshirt wasn’t taken away because of on-field issues. He said “class stuff” was the reason, declining specifics.
“I have to do good not only on the field, but off the field, too,” he said.
Octavien, listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind Bo Ruud, said his play in the first two games has been “mediocre.” He recorded two tackles in Nebraska’s season-opening win against Louisiana Tech.
“I thought Steve improved today,” defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “I think his focus was a lot better. Steve wants to play and he wants to play well. Bo’s played well, and it’s great competition at that position. That’s the way it’s going to be.”
Cosgrove declined comment on Octavien’s black jersey situation.
After a strong spring in which he at times showed exceptional explosiveness, Octavien entered preseason drills last month slightly overweight. Two weeks into preseason camp, the 6-foot Octavien had his appendix removed and dropped from 241 pounds to 233, he said.
“I’m just feeling out the game still,” he said Saturday. “But it’s time. With this upcoming game (Saturday at Southern Cal), it’s time to step it up and really make some big plays.”
Octavien earned a starting role to begin last season but suffered a broken leg early in the second quarter of the opener.
Nebraska coaches have been awarding black practice jerseys to top defenders since the 1960s.
BYFORD GETS FIRST START: Thinking his son would receive at least a little playing time in a Nebraska blowout win Saturday, Joe Byford left behind his pawn and gun sales business in Hartselle, Ala., and traveled to Lincoln.
“It turned out to be pretty good timing for him,” Husker junior Brett Byford said after making his first career start Saturday in place of senior Kurt Mann.
Mann sat out with a virus that is being monitored carefully by team doctors, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said.
“Kurt had blood tests taken the other day, and those results still have not come back,” the coach said.
Mann’s fever at one point reached 102 degrees before coming down.
“I just told him, ‘Relax, get better, we need you,’” Callahan said.
The 6-3, 300-pound Byford played well, Callahan said.
“The exchanges (with quarterback Zac Taylor) were excellent,” the coach said. “Whether it was out of the (shot) gun or whether it came underneath (Byford), the management and communication were very good.”
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT: Nebraska coaches weren’t pleased last week that Louisiana Tech averaged 17.6 yards on eight kickoff returns. Husker coaches were happier Saturday after Nicholls State averaged 12.3 yards per return, with a long of 26.
“Our coverage really improved,” Callahan said. “We came down the field with more physicalness and (a better) temperament.”
SHAKING OUT COBWEBS: After playing only a couple of plays last week, Husker cornerback Tyrell Spain saw ample playing time Saturday behind starters Cortney Grixby and Andre Jones.
“It feels pretty good — it helps to get the cobwebs out and run around and have fun,” said Spain, who moved from wideout to corner in preseason camp. “I enjoyed it.”
Nebraska junior Titus Brothers, after playing extensively as a backup at corner last week, didn’t see action Saturday.
In addition to Spain, true freshman Corey Young, a Millard North graduate, saw ample playing time at corner.
BLAKEMAN RETURNS: Former Husker Clete Blakeman returned to Memorial Stadium for a Nebraska game, but this time, he was wearing stripes.
Blakeman was the referee for Saturday’s game. A quarterback from Norfolk, he lettered for the Huskers in 1985-87.
IN A NUTSHELL: Chris Bunch, who came off the bench when Nicholls State’s starting quarterback Vincent Montgomery injured his right knee, wasn’t at a loss for words to describe the Blackshirts. It’s just that one word told the story for him.
“They’re fast. That’s all you can say. They’re fast,” Bunch said. “Our line did the best job they can do, but they were just too fast and big.“
DIFFERENT HUSKERS: Nicholls State defensive lineman Greg Casnave played against Nebraska in 2004 as a freshman with Southern Mississippi, which beat NU 21-17. The difference between the two Husker teams?
“Against Southern Miss, they ran the option and stuff. This time they were more balanced with passing and running,” he said.
YOU COME, YOU PLAY: Colonels coach Jay Thomas said he played just about every player who made the trip.
“We began subbing early in the first quarter and we continued to sub throughout the game,” he said. “Once we got into the middle of the third quarter, we played our third defensive line the rest of the second half.
“They (the Huskers) are so big and so physical. They have a number of weapons. Our defense really fought tooth and nail.”
ETC.: In his college debut as a punt returner, Husker wideout Nate Swift relieved starter Terrence Nunn late in the game and had two returns for 49 yards, including a 33-yard burst. … Nebraska won for the 37th time in its last 38 nonconference home games. … Taylor moved into seventh place on NU’s career passing list with 3,142 yards, 175 short of the top five.