Husker to watch: Brett Byford
No. 59 Brett Byford, 6-3, 300, center
Some wondered how well Nebraska would hold up in the middle of its offensive line after senior center Kurt Mann went down with mononucleosis after the first game of the season.
Turns out Byford, a junior from Hartselle, Ala., has held up quite well.
“You have to give him a lot of credit,” said Husker offensive line coach Dennis Wagner, who praised Byford for being patient while waiting for his chance to shine. “The players love him.”
Mann, who had started 24 straight games before his illness, returned to practice last week but will have to earn his way back into the lineup, Wagner said.
“You can’t just take a guy out of the lineup after he’s played well,” the coach said. “There’s got to be a reason to make the change. I told them, ‘It’s a challenge every day as to who’s going to play.’ If there’s a scenario where they can both play in a game, we’ll do that. But I don’t like changing centers because of the exchange situation with the quarterback.”
Byford today will square off against Quintin Echols, a 6-foot, 316-pound senior nose tackle who’s regarded as a strong defender against both the run and pass. This season Echols has 18 tackles, including three for losses, and a pair of forced fumbles.
Some wondered how well Nebraska would hold up in the middle of its offensive line after senior center Kurt Mann went down with mononucleosis after the first game of the season.
Turns out Byford, a junior from Hartselle, Ala., has held up quite well.
“You have to give him a lot of credit,” said Husker offensive line coach Dennis Wagner, who praised Byford for being patient while waiting for his chance to shine. “The players love him.”
Mann, who had started 24 straight games before his illness, returned to practice last week but will have to earn his way back into the lineup, Wagner said.
“You can’t just take a guy out of the lineup after he’s played well,” the coach said. “There’s got to be a reason to make the change. I told them, ‘It’s a challenge every day as to who’s going to play.’ If there’s a scenario where they can both play in a game, we’ll do that. But I don’t like changing centers because of the exchange situation with the quarterback.”
Byford today will square off against Quintin Echols, a 6-foot, 316-pound senior nose tackle who’s regarded as a strong defender against both the run and pass. This season Echols has 18 tackles, including three for losses, and a pair of forced fumbles.
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