Muhammad can't reach promised land
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
PITTSBURGH — Nebraska defensive end Wali Muhammad had only one regret following a career performance Saturday against Pittsburgh.
He didn't reach the end zone.
That's always a dream any time a defensive lineman intercepts a pass, like Muhammad did in the first quarter at Heinz Field.
And Muhammad didn't even have that far to go. He stepped in front of 5-foot-8, 200-pound split end Joe DelSardo and snagged the ball at the Pittsburgh 6-yard line, with only green grass before his eyes.
"I tried to score," Muhammad said, "but I let a little guy your size tackle me."
Reporter-sized or no, DelSardo dragged down Muhammad at the 2-yard line.
No worries. I-back Cory Ross scored on the next play, jump-starting the Huskers in their 24-17 victory.
Muhammad's interception was the beginning of a big day for the 6-1, 250-pound junior. He also forced a fumble, deflected two passes and recorded a tackle for loss.
Among his most notable plays: He batted down a Tyler Palko pass at the line of scrimmage on a third-and-1 play early in the fourth quarter.
And on Pittsburgh's final drive, Muhammad grabbed Palko's leg and dragged him from behind, holding the quarterback to a 3-yard gain when it looked as if Palko had room for more.
"Hopefully, I'll get a blackshirt this week," Muhammad said. "But if not, it's all right."
Muhammad is just glad to help the Blackshirts improve in one area they felt they failed in last week: Turnovers.
A week after forcing only one turnover in a 21-17 loss to Southern Mississippi, the Nebraska defense grabbed three interceptions in the first half against the Panthers. They resulted in 10 NU points.
"It was key to get a lot of turnovers this week," Muhammad said. "We needed to get back to causing fumbles, causing all kinds of mayhem on the field. We did all right."
The only turnover that didn't lead to points was Josh Bullocks' first interception of the season. The junior safety, who intercepted 10 passes last year, had a 38-yard return to the Pittsburgh 36, but the drive quickly stalled after a holding penalty.
"He just threw the ball on a corner route, and I just ran over there and snagged it," Bullocks said.
Fabian Washington, who injured his knee on that play, also had an interception. He stepped in front of flanker Greg Lee, caught the ball and returned it 19 yards in the first quarter to the Pittsburgh 4.
That led to a Sandro DeAngelis field goal for NU's first points.
"They helped the offense get in good field position," Bullocks said of the early turnovers. "Last week, we didn't have enough turnovers, and we weren't able to put our offense in good field position. This week, it started in the first half."
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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