Injuries make it hard to predict Glenn's playing time
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Will Cody Glenn play Saturday against Ball State?
Will it snow here on Nov. 1?
Care to accurately predict either?
Keeping tabs on Glenn’s playing status these days seems as pointless as performing a magic show in the dark.
Glenn, the Nebraska junior running back, says his disappearing-reappearing act this season has been the result of injuries.
“If I can get healthy enough to play,” Glenn said, “I’m there.”
Glenn was a key factor early in Saturday night’s game against top-ranked USC. On Nebraska’s game-tying drive in the first quarter, Glenn carried three times on short-yardage situations, including a 1-yard TD.
He finished with eight carries for 21 yards, two touchdowns, four receptions for 46 yards … and a tweaked knee.
On his last reception, Glenn was tackled behind by USC’s Alex Morrow, who rolled up on Glenn’s leg.
Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said Glenn’s status is “day-to-day,” depending on how he responds this week. Glenn did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday.
“We just want to see where he’s at,” Watson said. “I don’t see that he’s going to be out or anything like that.”
With Glenn, it’s usually hard to say with certainty.
After sitting out much of fall camp with nagging foot and hamstring problems, Glenn rushed eight times for 29 yards in Nebraska’s season opener against Nevada.
The following week, at Wake Forest, a less-than-100 percent Glenn didn’t play.
Watson said Glenn, because of his fall camp injuries, wasn’t up to speed conditioning-wise.
Said Glenn: “I probably could’ve played a few snaps here and there. It didn’t really bother me that I didn’t.”
Then, to the surprise of many, Glenn appeared early and often against USC. He was not only effective in his normal role as a short-yardage back, he also played on first downs, and offered pass protection.
The four receptions were the first of Glenn’s career. Glenn, though, notes those passes weren’t intended for him; rather, he checked down and was quarterback Sam Keller’s last option when other receivers were covered.
“I could catch all along,” Glenn said. “I guess I’m not the route runner like Marlon (Lucky) is. I don’t have packages where I run out on different routes.”
Head coach Bill Callahan said that while Glenn played against Nevada, he “wasn’t himself” and needed a couple weeks to get back in rhythm.
Callahan was impressed with what Glenn showed against USC.
“We knew that he has ball skills, protection skills,” Callahan said. “He’s a physical route runner. He’s a complete back.
“He still has room to grow, things to work on. He needs to get better at certain areas. But it was great to see him perform the way he did on Saturday night.”
Keeping Glenn involved on a consistent, basis, however, has been a challenge.
Last season, Glenn had a combined 24 carries and three touchdowns in Nebraska’s first two games.
He didn’t get a carry in game three at USC. The following week, Glenn, noting he was healthy and had no disciplinary issues, questioned why he didn’t play. He sat out that week against Troy.
Then, Glenn roared back. He had seven rushes against Kansas, then carried the Huskers in key road victories at Iowa State and Kansas State, when Nebraska effectively utilized Glenn in a punishing ground attack. Glenn had a combined 29 rushes in those two games.
Glenn faded once again. He had only five combined touches in Nebraska’s next two games, against Texas and Oklahoma State. He didn’t play against Missouri, then was effective again in a victory at Texas A&M, when he injured his foot.
He didn’t play the rest of the season.
“I just can’t win for losing,” Glenn said. “I have some big games here and there, then something happens and I get hurt, or something.
“I know the ability is there. I just have to stay healthy.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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