Purify making his presence felt
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Even when he’s not “the guy,” like he was in junior college, Nebraska wide receiver Maurice Purify finds a way to make his presence known.
“Here, I’m just working more of a backup role,” Purify said, “and it’s working out in my favor.”
It’s worked out pretty well for the Huskers, too.
Purify, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound transfer from San Francisco City College, hasn’t yet started but enters Saturday’s game against No. 5 Texas as Nebraska’s second-leading receiver.
“Zac feels very comfortable with him in the game,” said Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell, referring to senior quarterback Zac Taylor. “They’re building a special chemistry together.”
It’s happening at just the right time.
In each of No. 17 Nebraska’s last two road games, Taylor and Purify have hooked up for highlight-worthy, game-turning plays.
Against Iowa State, Purify hauled in a 27-yard TD pass from Taylor, who was hit as he released the ball, with three seconds remaining in the first half. It gave Nebraska a 21-7 lead en route to a 28-14 victory.
Purify displayed some steady concentration against Kansas State, when he made a bobbling, 32-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter. Marlon Lucky scored on a 40-yard run on the following play for a 21-0 lead. Nebraska won 21-3.
“I ran a 10-yard stop,” Purify said of his catch, “and the outside linebacker got his hand on it, and I was just able to get one of my hands on it.
“It’s the most interesting catch I had.”
If interesting is code for crucial, Nebraska will take it.
“He’s a big play-maker,” Norvell said. “He hasn’t been in many pressure situations until the last couple of weeks. He’s handled it very well. Every opportunity he’s gotten, he’s done well with.
“He’s earned opportunities, and he’ll get more of them.”
Of Purify’s 15 receptions, 14 have gained first downs, and two of those have been touchdowns.
“Coach (Bill) Callahan just calls the right plays for the right defense,” Purify said.
Purify’s four catches at KSU equaled his season high. He also caught four passes against Kansas. He had two against Iowa State.
That 10 of his receptions have come in conference play is no coincidence. Coaches said from the outset they wanted to slowly work Purify into the receiver rotation and not rush him.
“It kind of helped me out,” Purify said of that plan. “It made me more comfortable on the field, and what I’m doing on every play, every route.”
Purify is rotating with senior Frantz Hardy at the “X” receiver position. He said which player plays largely depends on the play call and route.
“He runs better routes than I do in some routes,” Purify said, “and I run better routes than him in some routes. So they just work us into our strengths.”
Being this patient, though, hasn’t necessarily been easy for Purify. A Los Angeles native, Purify had hoped to be more involved in Nebraska’s game last month at USC.
“I was just a little disappointed,” Purify said, noting he understood Callahan’s run-heavy game plan.
As for his nonstarting role?
“As long as we’re winning,” Purify said. “I’m satisfied with getting a couple of catches, getting in there a little bit.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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