STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 7:00 pm
Southern Cal head coach Pete Carroll addressed a variety of topics with Nebraska media Tuesday:
On Nebraska’s offensive prowess:
“This is a very well-designed offense. The principles and scheme they use is one we recognize as really top-notch stuff, high-tech stuff. Billy’s done a great job of getting it installed with his kids. We have great respect for it. We can see the design is there, and the players are there to make the plays. Zac Taylor is playing good, and they’re ready to roll.
“They’ve done everything they want to do so far. They’re just tearing it up. There is great balance between the run and the pass, more so than they had last year.”
On Husker QB Zac Taylor compared with nation’s top QBs:
“I think he’s right in there. He’s obviously the best he’s been. He’s got stature. He’s got a good arm. He’s got control of the offense. He’s able to get in and out of plays as they want and kill plays whenever they need to. He’s obviously smart and physically capable of doing everything they need him to do. When they do move him (out of the pocket), he moves well and throws on the move. He’s a big-time NFL prospect at quarterback.”
On what the game means to USC:
“This is a great ballgame for us. It’s these kinds of games that get you ready to play your conference schedule. We’ve already played a huge game on the road, and now we need a huge game at home to figure out how to situate and get comfortable in our own setting with all of our new kids, because we’re going to have to keep coming back and doing it all season if we’re going to have a great year. This is a monumental opportunity for us.”
On NU’s pass rush:
“We’re really concerned about their ability to rush the passer. They killed everybody last year. They had a great pass rush, which minimizes all of the passing game if they can do it again. … We know they have the ability to put heat all over you and make it really hard on the throwing game.”
On Trojans’ recruitment of Husker I-back Marlon Lucky of North Hollywood, Calif.:
“We did not recruit him for long because he committed so early. He’s a really good football player. There was no question he would be able to play on any level. I’m sure everybody’s excited about him. He’s a slasher. He can run physically as well as get the ball on the edge and catch it. We know a lot about him. We saw him through his years here growing up. He was a fine prospect for them to get.”