Husker Football Notes, 11/11: Inexperienced Byford has made progress
digg it!
Facebook
del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska starting center Brett Byford looks to his right and sees a true freshman in guard Jacob Hickman.
When Byford turns to his immediate left these days, he typically sees a sophomore — either Andy Christensen or Mike Huff.
In addition, two of Nebraska’s top three offensive tackles are sophomores.
Byford, a 22-year-old junior from Hartselle, Ala., might feel like a grizzled veteran in the group.
“Actually, I still feel pretty fresh out there,” said Byford, who took over as starter early in the season after senior Kurt Mann was sidelined with mononucleosis. Mann returned to action early last month, but Byford remains the starter.
Before this season, Byford had appeared in only one game — in 2004 against Western Illinois.
However, Byford has drawn praise from teammates for taking control of the offensive line. He said he has grown into a leadership role since taking over as starter.
“I’m a lot more vocal, a lot more confident with my calls,” he said. “A lot of it goes back to preparation throughout the week — watching film so there’s no surprises in the game. That’s huge and definitely builds confidence.
“If you know what you’re doing, it’s fun playing center because you do have a lot of control and you help guys out.”
To be sure, center is a natural leadership position.
“You make a lot of calls depending on the type of play,” he said. “You have protection calls and different schemes. For instance, if I don’t let the tackle know where the guard and I are going (with our blocks), he’s not going to know where to go. Communication is just huge out there.
“If you get out there and have stage fright, it’s going to mess up everybody.”
When Nebraska plays Texas A&M today in College Station, Texas, Byford will make his 10th straight start.
“I’m just taking it one game at a time,” he said. “I’m having a lot of fun. It’s been a good opportunity, and I’m super, super grateful for it.”
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Byford has been the “elder statesman” in the middle of the Nebraska offensive line since Oct. 28 at Oklahoma State, where senior left guard Greg Austin went down with a knee injury. Austin said this week he hopes to return in time for the Nov. 24 game against Colorado in Lincoln.
Meanwhile, the young Husker line has gelled well, Byford said.
“It’s exciting to play with guys this good,” he said. “And being together year-round in practice and conditioning, you develop a friendship. You go out on the field and feel like you can do about anything, just because we’re together. That’s really a cool thing to have.”
PATIENCE: What once was a committee of four Nebraska I-backs essentially has been whittled to two — at least in terms of carries — as junior Brandon Jackson and sophomore Marlon Lucky have carried the brunt of the load in the last two games. Meanwhile, Cody Glenn and Kenny Wilson have a combined eight carries in the last three games. “We’re hoping to get Cody and Kenny involved, too,” said Husker offensive coordinator Jay Norvell. “It’s just been a little difficult the last few weeks the way Brandon’s been carrying the ball.” Since moving into the starting lineup Oct. 7 at Iowa State, the 5-11, 210-pound Jackson, of Horn Lake, Miss., is averaging 108.2 rushing yards per game and 5.5 per carry.
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska has the upper hand against Texas A&M, winning nine of 11 all-time meetings. Today marks the teams’ third contest in College Station. The Aggies knocked off the second-ranked Huskers in 1998, and NU prevailed at Kyle Field in 2002. Nebraska won the last meeting, 48-12, in 2003 in Lincoln.
Most Commented news