STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Friday, October 6, 2006 7:00 pm
No. 16 Maurice Purify, 6-4, 210, receiver
Purify, a junior college transfer, comes off a season-best four receptions for 91 yards in last week’s overtime win against Kansas.
Nebraska coaches are determined to bring him along at a steady pace.
“As you can tell, we’re getting him more and more involved, and not just in the passing game — the run game, too,” said wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore, who retains high expectations for Purify.
“I let him know from day one that he’s here for a reason — to help us become a better football team,” Gilmore said. “And we are better when he’s on the field.”
To be sure, Purify is Nebraska’s most explosive wideout athletically. He gives his quarterback a big target and is a tough runner after making the catch.
Husker coaches want to make sure Purify feels comfortable in a system that’s not particularly easy to learn.
“He spends time learning the system,” Gilmore said. “He probably asks more questions than anybody. He wants to make sure he knows what he’s doing. He comes down on himself harder than I could ever come down on him when he makes a mistake.
“As his position coach, that’s nice to see.”