Husker FB - Spring Practice Look at the Offense

As promised, a look at the Huskers offense for 2007.

The QB position is the biggest news on the unit, with senior transfer Sam Keller, juniors Joe Ganz and Beau Davis, as well as incoming frosh Patrick Witt all getting snaps this spring. Coach C says the position is wide open but conventional wisdom is that the job is Keller's to lose, although Ganz, with four years now in the system, in particular expected to push him for the job.

A host of experienced receivers return, including seniors Franz Hardy, Maurice Purify and Terrence Nunn, juniors Nate Swift and Todd Peterson, and perhaps sophmore Menelik Holt expected to vie for both playing time and receptions in the fall. At tight end/H-back, seniors JB Phillips and Josh Mueller, as well as junior Hunter Teafatiller, are all back.

Running back should again be a committee, with juniors Cody Glenn and Marlon Lucky, as well as senior Kenny Wilson returning, and possibly former safetyman soph Major Culbert involved as well. Frosh recruit Marcus Mendoza is being touted as a possible return man. The departure of FB Dane Todd leaves seniors Andy Sand and Matt Senske, as well as junior Thomas Lawson and the redshirt freshman with the famous Husker name, Justin Makovicka, as possibilities there. TE Phillips may line up in the backfield there at times as well.

The line appears to be in a state of flux again as the coaches try to find the best combination of talent. Senior Brett Byford is likely to be the starter at center, backed up by junior C/G Andy Christensen. At guard, juniors Mike Huff and Matt Slauson also return, along with senior Jordan Picou, who also can play center, and sophmore Jacob Hickman. Slauson has also started at tackle in the past as well. The departure of LT Chris Patrick to the NFL leaves senior Carl Nicks as the heir apparent as junior Lydon Murtha has been apparently moved over the right tackle spot this spring.

On the injury front, backs Wilson and Senske, linemen Huff and Hickman, soph QB Zac Lee, and redshirt freshman TE Mike McNeill will sit out the spring. On the defensive side, soph DT Craig Roark and soph DB Corey Young will be out and redshirt frosh DT Seth Jensen will be limited after coming off surgery. RB Cody Glenn is listed as day to day.