Husker to watch: Steve Octavien
No. 15, Steve Octavien, 6-foot, 240 pounds, WILL linebacker: Facing Nicholls State's triple-option offense, Octavien and the rest of Nebraska's linebackers figure to see plenty of action after being somewhat quiet in last week’s win against Louisiana Tech.
Octavien, listed No. 2 on the Husker depth chart behind Bo Ruud, recorded two tackles last week in a backup role. After a strong spring in which he at times showed exceptional explosiveness, Octavien admitted he entered preseason drills last month slightly overweight. Two weeks into preseason camp, he had his appendix removed and dropped from 241 pounds to 233, he said.
A junior from Naples, Fla., Octavien has come back "OK" from his surgery, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said earlier this week.
Asked if Octavien has shown the same explosion lately that he displayed during spring practice, Callahan said, "I saw his explosion on special teams (against Louisiana Tech)."
Callahan recalled one instance in particular. "On kickoff coverage, he folded back and made a play on the return man — you saw an explosive flash," Callahan said. "He's getting back to where he was."
Octavien started last year's season opener and made four tackles before suffering a season-ending broken leg.
Octavien, listed No. 2 on the Husker depth chart behind Bo Ruud, recorded two tackles last week in a backup role. After a strong spring in which he at times showed exceptional explosiveness, Octavien admitted he entered preseason drills last month slightly overweight. Two weeks into preseason camp, he had his appendix removed and dropped from 241 pounds to 233, he said.
A junior from Naples, Fla., Octavien has come back "OK" from his surgery, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said earlier this week.
Asked if Octavien has shown the same explosion lately that he displayed during spring practice, Callahan said, "I saw his explosion on special teams (against Louisiana Tech)."
Callahan recalled one instance in particular. "On kickoff coverage, he folded back and made a play on the return man — you saw an explosive flash," Callahan said. "He's getting back to where he was."
Octavien started last year's season opener and made four tackles before suffering a season-ending broken leg.
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