RUNNING GAME (A)

The committee still exists, but Marlon Lucky is quickly becoming the chair. Now, is the California native ready for the big stage in his home state? Lucky is running with better vision, power and speed than at any point last season, but can he gain the same chunks of yardage against USC? Nebraska’s ground game is vastly improved, but next week will be a critical test. That’s when the committee’s fresh legs may be needed. Cody Glenn got another short-yardage touchdown before halftime, but gained nothing on another fourth-and-1 play in the third quarter. That was probably the lowlight of the day for the running game.

PASSING GAME (A)

Zac Taylor was rather sharp in putting together a passing efficiency mark of 213.77. There didn’t appear to be the same number of wide-open receivers this week, and good coverage by Nicholls State actually led to the first (and only) sack of Taylor this season. Through two games, it appears Taylor is ready to show his stuff off for a national audience. That wasn’t the case last year at this time. Keep your eyes on Maurice Purify next week.

AGAINST THE RUN (B)

One long run by Nicholls State in the fourth quarter was enough to prevent the Blackshirts from earning an A. Grant Thorne’s 49-yard run to the 1-yard line, and Broderick Cole’s subsequent touchdown, were the last plays run against the first-team defense. “We had a little lapse there,” linebacker Stewart Bradley said. “Guys let up a little bit. You learn from it.” The second-team unit had been playing most of the second half, but the Blackshirts were sent back out because of a sudden-change situation, Bradley said. On the positive side, great work from safeties Tierre Green, Andrew Shanle and Ben Eisenhart, all of whom made solid plays. Green’s speed was a factor.

AGAINST THE PASS (I)

Incomplete. Nicholls State attempted only three passes, and for the first time since 1992, a Nebraska opponent finished with zero passing yards. The crazy thing is, with only three passing attempts, the Huskers still managed one cornerback injury scare. Not a good ratio. Andre Jones was rolling around along the sideline after a hit, and says he remembers nothing about the play. He eventually returned after the head injury. Interesting that his replacement was Tyrell Spain, and not Titus Brothers. Near as we could tell, Brothers didn’t play. Of course, the million-dollar question: Is this secondary ready for Dwyane Jarrett and Steve Smith? “Those are good receivers,” Jones said. “It’s going to be a challenge. I’m looking forward to it, because this is what’s going to determine how good our DBs are, right here.”

SPECIAL TEAMS (B)

Against USC, Green best not try returning any kickoff that goes five yards deep into the end zone. He managed a 23-yard return in that situation Saturday. Jordan Congdon missed his first field-goal attempt of the season, hitting the right upright on a 37-yard attempt. Looked like a case of bad luck for Todd Peterson, whose rump got in the way on a punt return that Nicholls State recovered. Would anyone else feel better about booting the ball into the end zone on kickoffs and not risking a long return next week? The coverage was better Saturday, but not sure it’s USC-ready. Nice punt returns by Nate Swift … ironically the only times the receiver touched the ball.

PENALTIES AND GAME MANAGEMENT (A)

Nebraska had only three penalties, and if there’s any positive going into next week, it’s that these Huskers appear focused and organized, which lessens the chance of a total implosion (a la Penn State ’02, Texas Tech ’04) should some things go awry against USC. Another great two-minute drill to end the first half with a touchdown. A little nit-pick here … why not let the clock run a little more before calling that last timeout before halftime? Not that Nicholls State was going to do a whole lot with 23 seconds, but you-know-who just might.

PLAY CALLING (A)

Things, not surprisingly, were pretty basic. Is there anything special in store next week? Good to see coaches working Purify slowly into the mix. Not so good to see Taylor out there quite that long. One series into the second half would’ve sufficed.

OVERALL (A)

The Huskers looked focused and took care of business as expected. Now, are they ready for USC? Aside from the well-noted concerns about the secondary, Nebraska appears as ready as it possibly could be for a major test on a national stage only three weeks into the season. There don’t appear to be major issues elsewhere on defense, the running game and offensive line have greatly improved, Taylor has performed as well as expected, and the special teams, while needing work, certainly haven’t been shoddy. It’s time. Let’s see what happens.