Offensive lineman Murtha was on field
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By BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star
A 310-pound man trotted onto the field among a bunch of other 300-pound men, and there was much rejoicing.
The big guy folks were worried about not seeing was left tackle Lydon Murtha. There was scuttlebutt that Murtha wouldn’t be able to against Southern Cal after he wasn’t seen on the practice field Wednesday.
But after Bill Callahan huddled up his troops for their first offensive play of the game, Murtha came sprinting onto the field with cohorts Matt Slauson (right guard), Brett Byford (center), Andy Christensen (left guard) and Carl Nicks (left tackle).
Most people thought NU would have to play great to win, and a good offensive line that was in sync improved the odds. It’s an offensive line that helped pave the way to 413 rushing yards in the opener, and did enough right against Wake Forest that Sam Keller passed for 258 yards.
Slauson and Murtha were key in Nebraska’s first big play of the game, a 17-yard screen pass to Marlon Lucky.
Murtha was the guy NU ran behind for the Huskers’ first score, when Cody Glenn twice barreled his way toward the end zone, the second try good for a 1-yard touchdown.
Class time
One of the more dramatic 2-yard penalties in recent Husker memory comes with a look at the rule book.
Here was the situation: Nebraska was lined up for a 21-yard field- goal attempt with late in the opening quarter. But Trojan linebacker Rey Maualuga was penalized for what officials call “disconcerting,” when he intentionally tried to draw a false start.
Here’s how the rule reads: “No player shall use words or signals that disconcert opponents when they are preparing to put the ball in play. No player may call defensive signals that simulate the sound or cadence of (or otherwise interfere with) offensive starting signals.”
Synopsis: USC was making some noise of its own, got caught and penalized half the distance to the goal, Glenn made them pay with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Injury report
At last, the conversation can turn to what Ty Steinkuhler can help accomplish, instead of just pondering about when he’ll see the field again. The junior defensive tackle from Lincoln Southwest made it in the game the second time the NU defense took the field.
Safety Tierre Green injured his shoulder in the third quarter against Wake Forest and didn’t return, but was back in action Saturday.
USC return man Vincent Joseph was injured on a kickoff midway through the second quarter Saturday. He was carted off following a 10-minute delay and taken to a local hospital with a bruised larynx.
No holding back
Last year against the Trojans, Nebraska closed the playbook, passing only 17 times in a 28-10 loss. NU matched that just three minutes into the second quarter on Keller’s completion to Frantz Hardy
At one point during that same drive, NU threw it fives times in six plays. That stretch included a 7-yard catch by Sean Hill, a 14-yard reception by Dan Erickson and a 19-yard catch by Nate Swift.
In the first quarter, Keller was 10-for-15 passing for 104 yards. In the second quarter, he was 6-for-9 passing for 68 yards.
Quick hits
Southern Cal was 3-for-3 on red- zone scoring chances in the first half. ... With an 8-yard catch in the first quarter, Terrence Nunn continued to close the gap on Johnny Rodgers atop the career receptions list. It also marked Nunn’s 30th straight game to catch a pass, a streak that is tied for the fourth-longest in the nation. ... The loss dropped Nebraska to 24-3 in home night games.
Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.
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