Husker Football Notebook, 9/23: Brandenburgh gets blackshirt
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska junior Lance Brandenburgh has been awarded a coveted black practice jersey.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker received his blackshirt this week in the wake of his four-tackle performance in last week’s loss at Southern California, Nebraska safeties coach Bill Busch said Friday morning.
Speaking at the Big Red Breakfast in Omaha, Busch said, “We’re really excited about Lance and the way he’s playing.”
Brandenburgh, a native of Overland Park, Kan., is a versatile defender, capable of playing all three linebacker positions. This week, for instance, he’s listed as the No. 2 middle linebacker and also would back up starting strongside linebacker Stewart Bradley if Clayton Sievers is unable to play today because of an undisclosed injury apparently suffered last week.
Nebraska coaches have been awarding black practice jerseys to high-level defenders since the 1960s.
Husker weakside linebacker Steve Octavien remained without his black jersey as of Thursday. He was awarded one initially this season, but had it stripped due to academic reasons, he said.
TROJAN ALERT: Nebraska fans probably ought to be aware of Troy junior Leodis McKelvin (No. 34), regarded as one of the most dangerous return men in the college game. “Their punt returner is probably as good as we’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Busch, in his third season at Nebraska. The 41-year-old Busch also is NU’s special-teams coordinator. “Our coverage has to be exceptional against this guy,” Busch said. The 5-11, 181-pound McKelvin last season ranked 16th nationally in punt-return average (12.6 yards) and 24th in kickoff returns (25.8). He burned Alabama-Birmingham with a 73-yard punt return and South Carolina with a 100-yard kickoff return. This season, teams apparently are punting away from McKelvin, as he has just two return chances in the last two games. On the season, he has averaged 11.4 yards on eight punt returns and 18.2 yards on four kickoff returns.
SPECIAL NOTICE: Busch said Nebraska coaches tend to favor players making tackles on special teams when it comes time to consider personnel for regular positions on defense. “It’s really simple,” the coach said. “If you can run down and make great plays on kickoff coverage, then you can play in the game. But if you’re not making plays on (kickoffs), then you’re not going to play on regular downs. That’s just the way life is.” Busch mentioned two true freshmen on the depth chart who have made an impact on special teams — backup cornerbacks Corey Young and Rickey Thenarse.
PAT ON BACK: Busch said he’s “extremely happy” with the play of first-year starting safeties Tierre Green and Andrew Shanle. Green, a junior from Omaha, is tied for second on the team with 14 tackles, and Shanle, a senior from St. Edward, has eight stops. Busch noted that the offenses Nebraska has faced this season have been mostly perimeter-oriented, perhaps limiting the safeties’ chances to make a lot of big plays. Busch also singled out junior Bryan Wilson, who backs up Shanle at free safety. “Bryan’s really stepped up,” Busch said.
QUICK AND QUICKER: Nebraska junior I-back Kenny Wilson is “the fastest running back I’ve ever been around,” Busch said. That’s somewhat revealing considering Busch every day watches speedy sophomore Marlon Lucky in practice.
PROPS TO RUUD: Husker junior weakside linebacker Bo Ruud was named the team’s defensive player of the week after recording nine tackles against Southern California. “He was really, really active,” Busch said of the Lincoln Southeast graduate. “He just played a heck of a game.” Junior center Brett Byford was the Huskers’ offensive player of the game.
TO THE POINT: Yes, Busch fielded a question regarding the hot-button topic of the week — Nebraska coach Bill Callahan’s offensive game plan against Southern California. Some fans criticized Callahan for being too conservative. “It’s really simple on the situation with the game plan,” Busch said flatly. “Everything that coach Callahan and (offensive coordinator) Jay Norvell call in a game has been researched and studied, and is precise and calculated. Whatever calls are made are the best thing for University of Nebraska football at that time. End of story. Next question.” The crowd of about 175 applauded.
QUOTABLE: Busch, noting Troy comes off road games at Florida State and Georgia Tech, exhorted the Big Red breakfast crowd to show up today at Memorial Stadium and cheer loudly. “We need to match whatever Troy’s seen crowd-noise-wise, and give a little extra,” Busch said. “If you have a little extra juice in you, let’s get the place cranked up a little.”
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