Lance Brandenburgh, a senior linebacker from Overland Park, Kan., moved ahead of senior Steve Octavien at the WILL linebacker position when this week's depth chart was released Tuesday.
BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, October 11, 2007 7:00 pm
Lance Brandenburgh earned a Blackshirt for the first time after last season’s game at USC. He’s made three career starts, one in each of the last three seasons, including this fall.
But this week marked a first for Brandenburgh.
Sole possession of No. 1 on the depth chart.
Brandenburgh, a senior linebacker from Overland Park, Kan., moved ahead of senior Steve Octavien at the WILL linebacker position when this week’s depth chart was released Tuesday.
The move didn’t exactly prompt a celebration for the generally reserved Brandenburgh.
“I’ve always really considered myself a starter,” Brandenburgh said. “I never really considered myself a backup.”
Brandenburgh has always been a versatile linebacker. He’s experienced at all linebacker positions, and has seen snaps at all three spots in one game. Prior to this week, Brandenburgh was listed co-No. 1 with Bo Ruud at SAM and co-No. 1 with Octavien at WILL.
“Obviously, when I came here, I didn’t want to be No. 2 on the depth chart,” Brandenburgh said. “Now that I’m finally No. 1, I want to stay there. But I’m definitely not satisfied. I always want to improve.
“I’ve been working real hard here my whole career, and I’m really happy with where I’m at right now. I just have to keep working hard and get better.”
Brandenburgh said he’ll embrace the leadership role that normally comes with being a starter.
“Now I can be more vocal and guys will look up to me,” he said. “I think I was still a leader, but this kind of gives me a little more of an edge. Most of the guys on the team will look up to the guys who are starters, especially the seniors.”
Brandenburgh is arguably Nebraska’s most consistent linebacker. Entering Saturday’s 11:30 a.m. game with Oklahoma State, Brandenburgh has 25 tackles, including 17 solo.
“He’s playing exactly as I expected him to,” Nebraska defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kevin Cosgrove said. “He’s a good football player. He’s very solid. He’s a physical player, very smart. He’s tough and he’s dependable.”
Coaches discovered that much in 2005, when Brandenburgh, amid a rash of injuries, was promoted to a starting position for the Alamo Bowl. He made his first career start at WILL, when Nebraska’s top two players at the position, Ruud and Octavien, had been been sidelined with season-ending injuries.
Brandenburgh responded with six tackles, including two memorable, hard-hitting shots in Nebraska’s 32-28 victory against Michigan. He also had a pass breakup.
Brandenburgh himself had overcome various injuries early in his career — turf toe, a stress fracture, a couple of hamstring pulls. They all limited him until midway through 2005.
“Just being consistent,” Brandenburgh said, when asked what’s been his key to success. “That’s what I try to do all the time, is be consistent and making sure I take care of my responsibility. If you take care of your responsibility, then the plays will come to you.”
Brandenburgh is one of four senior linebackers, leading many to believe the linebacking corps would be a strength entering the season. That hasn’t been the case.
Brandenburgh, though, said lack of chemistry is not to blame.
“We’re all really close, especially at a time like this when things aren’t going as well as we have wanted,” Brandenburgh said. “But we’re all staying close. We’re in this together. We just have to come back this week and play hard.
“We just have to have confidence when we go out there and play with a lot of energy and a lot of emotion.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.