Huskers Win, First Thoughts

via Huskerextra.

Well, the team played pretty well, although it took a little bit to get started. Up only 14-10, the Huskers managed a very nice 2 minute drill to close out the first half, overcoming a couple of penalties in the process, then broke open the game with a strong drive to open the second half to go up 28-10. The D only gave up a couple of big plays in the passing game, one a spectacular one-handed TD catch, and recovered nicely by forcing a fumble after a 56 yd gainer.

The Huskers got the ground game going with 252 yards with all four young backs involved, Lucky and Glenn pacing the group with 79 and 88 respectively, and the only back not to score was Wilson, who had a nice TD run around the left end called back due to a hold. Glenn retains his role of short-yardage back, Brandon Jackson appears to be the third-down guy, and had a great 25 yd TD run. Taylor looked impressive with 287 and 3 TDs as well, all to TEs, including returnee Matt Herrian, and spread the ball around to multiple (9?) receivers, including Lucky, who caught 3 passes for 42 yds as well. Joe Ganz got some playing time in mop up duty and threw for a score to another TE while leading 2 drives to scores.

The Blackshirts had a a pretty decent day, giving up some yards but few points, with a lot of yonger players getting time in. Grixby led the team in tackles with 6, and both Carriker and Moore got sacks. The really bad news is we lost a couple of backups due to injury. MLB Phill Dilliard, in a situation reminiscient of Steve Octavian last year, started out well with 4 tackles before injuring his ACL and is done for the season. Lance Brandenburgh moves over from SAM and Clayton Sievers takes his spot as Stew Bradley's backup.

Far worse, in a near-disasterous turn of events, CB Isiah Fluellen also went down with a knee on his first play from scrimmage. A converted WR, he had worked his way up to #2 this fall backing up Courtney Grixby, who had gone down temporarily when Fluellen entered the game. Titus Brothers takes over for Fluellen behind Grixby now, with Tyrell Spain staying behind Andre Jones. One of two freshman, Anothony West or Corey Young may have to step up if another CB is needed, or we may need to play a S (perhaps Ben Eisenhart) when playing nickel coverage. This does not bode well for the rest of the season. we could ill afford an injury to the already thin secondary.