Sizing up the storylines: Nebraska at Wake Forest
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HuskerExtra.com's Brian Christopherson takes a look at the Huskers' matchup with the Demon Deacons.
Let the big boys feast: Leave the pretty boys out of this. Here’s what everyone really wants to know: Is Nebraska’s offensive line for real? Is it back to the days of running five stretch plays in a row just because you can? The Huskers socked the other guy in the mouth pretty good last week — 96 plays, 625 yards, 413 rushing. That was against Nevada, though. This week, the defending ACC champ. Boston College only mustered 54 yards rushing against Wake Forest in the season opener. Then again, the Eagles didn’t have to run. They threw for 408 yards. Husker coach Bill Callahan says running against Wake Forest is no picnic. He called the Demon Deacons’ front seven the strength of the team. Today we start to find out how good Nebraska’s big boys really are.
Ready for Mo football: After an offseason of missteps and heartache, Husker senior receiver Maurice Purify is back in the game today. A season removed from leading NU in receiving yards (630) and touchdown receptions (7), Purify said he’s faster, in better shape and knows the plays better this year. His teammates and coaches speak of “Mo” with fondness. They know how bumpy his road’s been. After being suspended for the season opener, his older brother was shot and killed just a few weeks ago. Purify went home to California and cried for two days. He’ll wear a T-shirt today that has a picture of his brother. “Hopefully, he’s with me and will help me make those plays I wouldn’t be able to make,” he says. Purify won’t start. Nate Swift will. How many snaps will Purify get? We’re watching. Bet the family car he’ll be out there if the game’s tight and the Huskers are driving for six.
For the first time since Steve Octavien came to Nebraska, he is completely healthy going into the second game of the season.
His smile shows it.
The senior linebacker broke his leg in the opener two years ago. Last year, an appendectomy in the preseason allowed him to never reach his potential.
This year’s different. Against Nevada, he had five tackles, a half-sack and two quarterback hurries.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove used words like “playmaker” and “disruptive” when talking about Octavien’s performance.
He was those things against Nevada and needs to be that way again today for the Husker defense.
Earlier this week, Octavien talked about how he’s trimmed his weight and feels faster this year.
“This is my senior year,” he said. “There can’t be any regrets.”
Demon Deacon to watch: No. 3, Micah Andrews
This is a big game for Micah Andrews.
Coming back from a knee injury that took away most of his 2006 season, the senior running back had an unremarkable stat line of 7 yards on seven carries last week against Boston College.
With a couple of young guys (junior Kevin Patterson and freshman Josh Adams) pushing him for playing time, expect Andrews to play with some desperation.
If Andrews doesn’t dazzle, Husker fans should be on the lookout for Adams, who is coming back from a shoulder injury and might be ready to make an impact.
“We know Josh has really good foot speed, and that’s something he brings to the table,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe told the Winston-Salem Journal. “It’s not that the others don’t run OK. But Josh has got a little bit of a burst, so we’ll see.”
-- Brian Christopherson
Wake the wounded: Again, Nebraska likely misses out on facing one of the opponent’s premier players. Last week, it was Nevada linebacker Ezra Butler, who was suspended. This week, Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner is injured. Skinner (28-for-37 for 236 yards, a TD and three interceptions before his injury) steered Wake Forest to the ACC title last year. The Demon Deacons are now counting on sophomore Brett Hodges, who came in and completed 17 of 23 passes for 130 yards and a TD. How does Hodges respond to starting and will his offensive line prove more helpful than last week? Wake Forest had 2 yards rushing — a stat Kevin Cosgrove surely dreamed about last night.
Winning in white: It should not matter if this game is played in Lincoln, Winston-Salem or Nova Scotia. An elite team should down this Wake Forest bunch without getting its shirts too dirty. Husker players spoke this fall camp about the program being ready to take the steps back to prominence. Well, here’s the staircase. Don’t trip. Of course, the Huskers will be wearing those white jerseys today. An 11 a.m. kickoff. That’s no fun. Since the 62-36 meltdown at Colorado in 2001, Nebraska is 10-15 in true road games. The Huskers are 6-8 in such games under Callahan. Granted, each year has seen an improvement. They were 1-4 on the road his first year, 2-2 his second, 3-2 his third. But Year No. 4 brings with it a rise in expectations. Winning today is anticipated, recommended. Dancing with Southern Cal next week with a loss already in your pocket is a dangerous thing.
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