Red Report: Scouting Texas?
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By the Lincoln Journal Star
It’s Iowa State week, but Husker coach Bill Callahan has stuck in a tape or two of Texas this week.
There’s good reason for that, since ISU coach Gene Chizik was the defensive coordinator for the Longhorns last year.
“Everything that they essentially implemented at Texas, you see that carry over in their program (at Iowa State),” Callahan said after Thursday’s practice.
One ISU player that really catches Callahan’s eye is senior linebacker Alvin Bowen, who averaged nearly 13 tackles a game last year to lead the nation. Bowen had 17 tackles against Nebraska last fall.
“He’s very active, a smart guy, instinctive, very quick. The thing that impresses me is that they feature him as a playmaker, so you see him on blitzes,” Callahan said.
Concerning his own defense, the Husker coach is still unsure whether linebacker Lance Brandenburgh will play.
Brandenburgh again missed practice Thursday because of a high ankle sprain suffered in Saturday’s 41-40 win against Ball State.
“I’m certain that our defense will show a lot more progress than they did in the last few weeks,” Callahan said. “I know they’re anxious to get back on the field again.”
This is the second straight year the Huskers enter the Iowa State game after a poor defensive performance. A week before the ISU game last season, the Huskers gave up 574 yards on 94 plays in an overtime win against Kansas.
The Huskers came back nicely, holding Iowa State to 315 yards in a 28-14 win.
“Every game is so different. The challenges are different,” Callahan said. “It’s a little bit of a fine line there in terms of where the team is at for each particular game. We just get them up, try to get them psyched up, get them ready to go, ready to roll.”
Securing the rock: Callahan gave a 30-second coaching clinic on the art of securing the football when asked about Quentin Castille.
Husker running backs had not fumbled this year until the freshman coughed it up in the early stages of the third quarter against Ball State.
A day before the season started, Callahan seemed to express mild concern at the Big Red Breakfast about Castille fumbling.
“The only thing I tell him is, ‘Q, just secure the football. Don’t worry about anything else. Just hold tight to the ball and let your natural skills take over,’” he said then.
Asked Thursday if he was worried about Castille fumbling, he said: “All backs at some point, (they’re) going to get hit at an odd angle and things are going to happen. Unfortunately, I think it’s a lesson that they learn. It’s a lesson that’s well-taken.”
By the numbers
14: Nebraska’s national ranking in net punting. The Huskers’ net average of 38.35 yards is tops in the conference.
Georgia Tech leads the nation with a 44.90 average.
Husker punter Dan Titchener is 33rd nationally in punting, averaging 42.44 yards per kick.
Scouting report: OL Jacob Hickman Husker sophomore Jacob Hickman started for just the second time in his career Saturday, taking the place of Andy Christensen, who is lost for the season to injury.
Was the Bakersfield, Calif., native good enough to keep his starting spot this week?
“He’ll continue to compete like they all will, like Matt Slauson, Keith Williams, Mike Huff,” Callahan said. “They’re all tremendous players and we all want to give them an opportunity to compete for that spot.”
The Husker coach praised the 285-pound Hickman’s toughness, quickness and ability to pass-protect.
Hickman started against Missouri last season and has progressed well despite a knee injury suffered in bowl practices last December.
“A year ago, prior to his injury ... we had even talked about him moving to left tackle because he does possess that type of quickness and range as an athlete,” Callahan said.
Opponent watch: Kansas StateStudents at Kansas State are fired up about the big football game on the horizon.
But as K-State nose tackle Steven Cline told the Kansas City Star, the buzz isn’t about this week’s game against No. 7 Texas.
Students are more excited about the Oct. 6 matchup with undefeated Kansas.
“All these people are talking about Kansas this, Kansas that,” Cline told the Star. “It’s the talk of the town. We’re just focused on Texas. That’s all that matters.”
— Brian Christopherson
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