NU doesn't know severity of Steinkuhler's injury
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By the Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska lost a key part of its defense when junior defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler left the field less than five minutes into the game.
“It’s a knee injury, to what extent, I’ll have more information (today) and probably the next day after he gets some rest and we get an opportunity to evaluate it,” Husker coach Bill Callahan said.
Junior Kevin Dixon replaced him, even producing a memorable moment midway through the third quarter when he tipped a pass by Nevada’s Nick Graziano and then intercepted it.
“We have really good depth,” Dixon said. “Coach stresses that in practice, so once these type of situations come (Ty getting hurt) somebody can just fill right in and play. The depth was really big for us.”
Dixon said the defensive line came out Saturday with something to prove.
“We were in the locker room crowded around saying, ‘We got to come out and make a statement.’ It’s the first game, and we had a lot of doubters, so we just wanted to come out and play real hard and give it all we got.”
Scoreboard watching
One of the day’s biggest roars came in the first quarter, when it was announced that Appalachian State had defeated fifth-ranked Michigan 34-32.
Don’t think Callahan didn’t hear it.
“I think we all saw what happened today up in Ann Arbor,” Callahan said. “I certainly didn’t want that happening today here.”
Youth is served
Nebraska played seven true freshmen: running backs Quentin Castille and Roy Helu, cornerback Anthony Blue, place-kicker Adi Kunalic and linebackers Thomas Grove and Blake Lawrence and receiver Niles Paul. In addition, redshirt freshmen tight ends Dreu Young and Mike McNeill both caught the first passes of their careers.
Quick hits
Husker senior receiver Maurice Purify sat out because of a one-game suspension. You can be certain quarterback Sam Keller is looking forward to his return next week.
“When Mo gets back it will be beautiful and we’ll have all our horses,” Keller said.
Sharp in red zone
The Huskers were 7-of-8 in the red zone, the lone exception being when they took a knee inside the 5-yard-line as time ran out.
Another option
Yes, that was the option. Twice, in fact.
“Look out, Eric Crouch,” quarterback Joe Ganz joked.
Ganz, in his first series backing up Sam Keller, gained 9 yards on an option keeper in the fourth quarter. It was part of Nebraska’s final scoring drive, capped by Major Culbert’s 17-yard run.
“It’s like a little package for me, if I get in the game,” Ganz said. “We were talking about running it later on down the road.”
The second option play wasn’t as successful. Ganz pitched to Cody Glenn, who was tackled for a 6-yard loss. A missed block by tight end Mike McNeill spelled doom.
“The first one we ran is the one we really practice all the time,” Ganz said. “The second one we ran is the one we throw in here and there.”
Huskers stack up
Nevada coach Chris Ault heaped praise on the Huskers in comparing them to other top teams Nevada has played.
“Boise State in our conference is a really fine team. Nebraska is certainly deserving of their national ranking. They can play with anyone in the country,” Ault said. “We played Miami last year and they’re a very good football team. I don’t believe they had the chemistry last year that certainly Nebraska does.”
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