Red Report: Fans are 'the steady element'
That tight ends coach sure knows how to win over a crowd.
Joe Rudolph was the guest speaker at the Big Red Breakfast on Friday morning in Omaha. He did some name dropping — Barry Alvarez, Dave Rimington, Tom Osborne, Jim Tressel and Rose Bowl were just a few that surely impressed the crowd.
He experienced a lot of adversity during his playing days at Wisconsin and a brief stint in the NFL, along with losing both of his parents. Dealing with struggles is something he’s drawing upon now to keep players motivated, Rudolph said.
Members of the crowd appreciated how Rudolph took time to introduce himself to many of them. One gentleman publicly commented to Rudolph that he hopes Rudolph is around Nebraska a long time, regardless of what happens.
Rudolph thanked the fans.
“The fans are the steady element,” he said. “And that’s what makes Nebraska great ... how much people in this state care about the football team and how much support they give it.
“You guys were here when things were great, and you’ll be here when things are great again.”
The Purify watch: Nebraska hopes to get Maurice Purify more involved in the offense beginning today, Rudolph said. Purify had a career-best 122 yards receiving against Ball State, but has only four receptions in the past two games. Purify has battled injuries others might not have played with, but is healthier now. “You try to put him in situations where you protect him a little bit, but he’s a tough kid and you wouldn’t know he was hurt,” Rudolph said.
Quick hits:
* Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson is expected to be on the field and help with the play calling today.
Maybe it was just to appease the masses, and keep in mind that Rudolph isn’t the defensive coordinator, but he hinted that the defense might play more of an attack style. “If you’re in a blitz scheme or a base defense, it’s always a little more read-and-react sometimes,” he said. “But I know we talked about maybe moving a little more and trying to attack a little more and get those guys excited.”
* Senior tight end Sean Hill recently was rewarded with a scholarship. He has three touchdown catches this season. “He just loves to play football, and sometimes we just need football players, you know what I mean?” Rudolph said.
* Redshirt freshman Mike McNeil hasn’t caught a pass since the season opener and has been slowed by injuries, but continues to catch the eyes of his position coach. “He’s our best receiving tight end,” Rudolph said. “He might be one of our most skilled receivers on the whole team, and I need to find spots for him to help us.”
* The players watched film of Kansas State’s 41-21 victory at Texas earlier this season. “They see opportunity there,” Rudolph said. “Not only do we have the chance to go in there and win, but we have a great opportunity to make a statement by playing with a team like Texas.”
* Rudolph said he’s kept in constant contact with recruits and their parents, emphasizing that Nebraska’s tradition and academics were just as big a reason why they committed to Nebraska as the coaching staff.
— Brent C. Wagner
Joe Rudolph was the guest speaker at the Big Red Breakfast on Friday morning in Omaha. He did some name dropping — Barry Alvarez, Dave Rimington, Tom Osborne, Jim Tressel and Rose Bowl were just a few that surely impressed the crowd.
He experienced a lot of adversity during his playing days at Wisconsin and a brief stint in the NFL, along with losing both of his parents. Dealing with struggles is something he’s drawing upon now to keep players motivated, Rudolph said.
Members of the crowd appreciated how Rudolph took time to introduce himself to many of them. One gentleman publicly commented to Rudolph that he hopes Rudolph is around Nebraska a long time, regardless of what happens.
Rudolph thanked the fans.
“The fans are the steady element,” he said. “And that’s what makes Nebraska great ... how much people in this state care about the football team and how much support they give it.
“You guys were here when things were great, and you’ll be here when things are great again.”
The Purify watch: Nebraska hopes to get Maurice Purify more involved in the offense beginning today, Rudolph said. Purify had a career-best 122 yards receiving against Ball State, but has only four receptions in the past two games. Purify has battled injuries others might not have played with, but is healthier now. “You try to put him in situations where you protect him a little bit, but he’s a tough kid and you wouldn’t know he was hurt,” Rudolph said.
Quick hits:
* Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson is expected to be on the field and help with the play calling today.
Maybe it was just to appease the masses, and keep in mind that Rudolph isn’t the defensive coordinator, but he hinted that the defense might play more of an attack style. “If you’re in a blitz scheme or a base defense, it’s always a little more read-and-react sometimes,” he said. “But I know we talked about maybe moving a little more and trying to attack a little more and get those guys excited.”
* Senior tight end Sean Hill recently was rewarded with a scholarship. He has three touchdown catches this season. “He just loves to play football, and sometimes we just need football players, you know what I mean?” Rudolph said.
* Redshirt freshman Mike McNeil hasn’t caught a pass since the season opener and has been slowed by injuries, but continues to catch the eyes of his position coach. “He’s our best receiving tight end,” Rudolph said. “He might be one of our most skilled receivers on the whole team, and I need to find spots for him to help us.”
* The players watched film of Kansas State’s 41-21 victory at Texas earlier this season. “They see opportunity there,” Rudolph said. “Not only do we have the chance to go in there and win, but we have a great opportunity to make a statement by playing with a team like Texas.”
* Rudolph said he’s kept in constant contact with recruits and their parents, emphasizing that Nebraska’s tradition and academics were just as big a reason why they committed to Nebraska as the coaching staff.
— Brent C. Wagner
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.