John Mabry: Ruud shows Knight stuff in victory
So which play was the key play in NU’s 34-20 victory against Missouri on Saturday at Memorial Stadium? On defense, there were many from which to choose.
You could say it was the interception that set up the touchdown pass to Hunter Teafatiller, allowing the Huskers to go up 24-3 with five minutes left in the first half.
Maybe it was the 13-yard sack of Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel on MU’s second drive of the fourth quarter. You could also say it was the forced fumble and recovery — again with a hit on Daniel — that sealed the deal in the final minutes.
And to think Bo Ruud didn’t think he had much of a game.
“I really, personally wasn’t pleased with the way I played,” said Ruud, who led the Huskers in tackles with seven. “I mean, I made some pretty big plays, but I didn’t think I did some of the small things right that I usually do. I was kind of disappointed with that.”
But did you see how No. 51 shaked and baked on that 40-yard interception return? Shades of those Lincoln Southeast glory days at Seacrest Field.
“I used to be a full-time I-back, so I used to have the moves,” Ruud said, “but I think you can see that my legs aren’t what they once were. When you run the ball, it takes a lot more energy than just normal sprinting. It’s like an extra something you put into it.”
Ruud finally surrendered to Missouri’s Earl Goldsmith when it was clear a touchdown was not in his immediate future.
“My legs just gave on me,” he said. “I saw a guy coming and just decided to protect (the ball) and take the tackle.”
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove was impressed with Ruud’s maneuvers with the football.
“I liked ’em. I liked ’em,” Cosgrove said. “I especially liked that one when he just pulled (the ball from Daniel) on that last play there.”
Order update
I don’t know that it’s been fully restored, not by a long shot, but the order is at least back in the healthy renovation stage.
The Huskers need to make it to the Big 12 championship game to show signs of progress, and they are well on their way to Kansas City after Saturday’s victory.
NU athletic director Steve Pederson was clearly pleased with what he saw.
“Obviously, our team was extremely well-prepared,” Pederson said. “They played hard. They were focused. I think it’s hard to sometimes get refocused after you have a tough game like we had last week, but they did. They got going early, and then I thought they played really, really well today.”
So the key question is, will a Big 12 North title mean bonuses for everyone on the coaching staff? Or at least keys to the executive washroom in the new Osborne Complex?
“We’re just going to concentrate on Texas A&M right now,” Pederson said.
End zone
* Hey, look Ma, the Huskers got Mizzou to jump offside. It rarely works, but the Tigers’ Stryker Sulak got busted on NU’s fourth-and-1 play late in the fourth quarter. “We don’t work on that really,” said NU quarterback Zac Taylor. “All we have to say (in the huddle) is, ‘We’re going to run this. Don’t move.’”
* Mere mortals aren’t supposed to catch the ball Maurice Purify caught for a second-quarter touchdown. “We shouldn’t have had that play in that coverage,” said receivers coach Ted Gilmore. “But he’s blessed with that big body, and he’s able to knock the corner off and go up and get it at its highest point, which was awesome.”
* Best bowl bets for the Huskers: 1. Cotton, 2. Holiday and 3. Fiesta (hey, why not?).
Reach John Mabry at 473-7320 or jmabry@journalstar.com.
You could say it was the interception that set up the touchdown pass to Hunter Teafatiller, allowing the Huskers to go up 24-3 with five minutes left in the first half.
Maybe it was the 13-yard sack of Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel on MU’s second drive of the fourth quarter. You could also say it was the forced fumble and recovery — again with a hit on Daniel — that sealed the deal in the final minutes.
And to think Bo Ruud didn’t think he had much of a game.
“I really, personally wasn’t pleased with the way I played,” said Ruud, who led the Huskers in tackles with seven. “I mean, I made some pretty big plays, but I didn’t think I did some of the small things right that I usually do. I was kind of disappointed with that.”
But did you see how No. 51 shaked and baked on that 40-yard interception return? Shades of those Lincoln Southeast glory days at Seacrest Field.
“I used to be a full-time I-back, so I used to have the moves,” Ruud said, “but I think you can see that my legs aren’t what they once were. When you run the ball, it takes a lot more energy than just normal sprinting. It’s like an extra something you put into it.”
Ruud finally surrendered to Missouri’s Earl Goldsmith when it was clear a touchdown was not in his immediate future.
“My legs just gave on me,” he said. “I saw a guy coming and just decided to protect (the ball) and take the tackle.”
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove was impressed with Ruud’s maneuvers with the football.
“I liked ’em. I liked ’em,” Cosgrove said. “I especially liked that one when he just pulled (the ball from Daniel) on that last play there.”
Order update
I don’t know that it’s been fully restored, not by a long shot, but the order is at least back in the healthy renovation stage.
The Huskers need to make it to the Big 12 championship game to show signs of progress, and they are well on their way to Kansas City after Saturday’s victory.
NU athletic director Steve Pederson was clearly pleased with what he saw.
“Obviously, our team was extremely well-prepared,” Pederson said. “They played hard. They were focused. I think it’s hard to sometimes get refocused after you have a tough game like we had last week, but they did. They got going early, and then I thought they played really, really well today.”
So the key question is, will a Big 12 North title mean bonuses for everyone on the coaching staff? Or at least keys to the executive washroom in the new Osborne Complex?
“We’re just going to concentrate on Texas A&M right now,” Pederson said.
End zone
* Hey, look Ma, the Huskers got Mizzou to jump offside. It rarely works, but the Tigers’ Stryker Sulak got busted on NU’s fourth-and-1 play late in the fourth quarter. “We don’t work on that really,” said NU quarterback Zac Taylor. “All we have to say (in the huddle) is, ‘We’re going to run this. Don’t move.’”
* Mere mortals aren’t supposed to catch the ball Maurice Purify caught for a second-quarter touchdown. “We shouldn’t have had that play in that coverage,” said receivers coach Ted Gilmore. “But he’s blessed with that big body, and he’s able to knock the corner off and go up and get it at its highest point, which was awesome.”
* Best bowl bets for the Huskers: 1. Cotton, 2. Holiday and 3. Fiesta (hey, why not?).
Reach John Mabry at 473-7320 or jmabry@journalstar.com.
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