Husker fullbacks get a grip on new roles in new offense

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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL

Nebraska fullback Steve Kriewald caught one pass last season.

One.

So when he learned over the winter the Huskers were switching to a West Coast offense, Kriewald figured he and his cohorts should probably get a head start on testing their grips.

"We'd be there in the winter time all the time, catching balls out of the juggs machine," Kriewald said. "We were getting ready, so at least we could act like we know what we're doing."

Funny thing is, through one week of spring practice, Kriewald feels as though little's changed.

"Actually, so far, we've run a lot of isos and we've worked on a lot of basic run plays, for the most part," he said. "We've been doing a lot of inside run, and basically still a lot of straight-up-the-middle stuff."

Been catching the ball any?

"Yeah, we have been," he said, "in 7-on-7 stuff, and some team patterns, too."

And as the fullbacks learn more about Nebraska's new offense, they'll realize they'll have ample opportunities to catch the ball more often out of the backfield.

"They're asked to do a lot of things, in terms of catching the ball, and also being a person that can do the same thing as a tight end can do," Nebraska running backs coachRandyJordan said. "That's the thing that Ireally enjoy about the fullback position, that it allows you to not only just block, but to be able to touch the ball, also."

Kriewald, a 5-foot-10, 245-pound senior, is listed No. 1 on the pre-spring depth chart, ahead of 5-10, 235-pound sophomore Dane Todd.

No, they weren't recruited for the West Coast offense. But Jordan believes the duo can be effective in coach BillCallahan's system.

"One thing they are, they're big," Jordan said. "Kriewald, I was messing with him, and I said, 'Man, you're bigger than most fullbacks in the (National Football)League.' His size and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is going to help."

Jordan said the fullbacks do ball drills every day, and that they'll need time to get used to running routes in open space.

"They're used to doing things confined," he said, "and Ithink their ball skills will improve as we continue to throw balls to them.

"They have to continue to stay in the books, and they have to learn the offense, not memorize it."

No problem, says Kriewald, noting the offense hasn't been been too difficult to learn. So far.

"Ithink for the fullbacks, this offense is really a pretty simple offense," he said. "A lot of the pass plays, we run the same route. And the run plays are pretty simple to understand.

"We do a lot of shifting, more than we ever have. I guess that's the biggest change. And we're excited ... to be able to get the ball in open space. It's a little better than getting it with 10 guys around you at the line of scrimmage."

And once you get a 245-pound fullback rumbling free in open space with only a defensive back in the way ...

"It's a mismatch,"Jordan said, "and that's what we're all about, trying to create mismatches."

Kriewald is the only fullback with extensive playing experience, althoughJordan said he's been impressed with Todd, and that Grant Miller is also showing potential.

"Dane has been a pleasant, pleasant surprise," Jordan said. "I didn't really realize that he can block as well as he can. He's a guy who likes contact, and that's what Ilike.

"Grant is coming into his own. He's going to be a good addition, once he picks up the offense. If he catches on to the offense, he could be used maybe in a one-back situation, with two tight ends. He's not only a fullback, but he has skills to be able to run the ball, also."

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@;journalstar.com.