STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Friday, September 24, 2004 7:00 pm
Nebraska defensive end Wali Muhammad approached life this week with a discernible bounce in his step.
"Kansas might have some trouble, for real," Muhammad said, referring to the Huskers' next opponent.
What Muhammad meant is, Kansas might encounter similar problems trying to block him that Pittsburgh did during Nebraska's 24-17 triumph last weekend.
Nebraska's offensive line evidently had a difficult time corralling Muhammad during Thursday's workout. Muhammad said he had never had a better practice. He said he felt powerful and quick every time he bolted from his three-point stance.
It's clear the junior from Bloomfield, N.J., is riding a wave of confidence.
"That's what this shirt's about, I guess," Muhammad said, glancing down and tugging at his black practice jersey.
Muhammad was eating lunch Tuesday at South Stadium when a few teammates stopped to congratulate him. They told Muhammad that hanging in his locker was a black practice jersey, symbolic of first-string status on the Nebraska defense.
Muhammad played it cool, resisting the temptation to head straight to the locker room to see the jersey for himself. He wanted to wait until he and his teammates were dressing for practice.
"I wanted to let everyone see it when I took it off the hanger," said Muhammad, who recorded an interception, forced a fumble, deflected two passes and made a tackle for a loss against Pittsburgh.
Since the 1960s, Nebraska coaches have been awarding black practice jerseys to first-string defenders and to those who play significant minutes with the top defense. It remains an emotional experience for Husker players, the act of opening their locker to see the Blackshirt.
"Sooner or later, the coaches had to give me one had to," said Muhammad, the Huskers' 15th Blackshirt recipient this season.
To be sure, Muhammad's playing time has escalated since 2-1 Nebraska's Sept. 4 opener against Western Illinois. Muhammad played more than usual against Pitt because Adam Carriker, typically the starting defensive end on the right side, was sidelined by an ankle injury.
"Wali really rose to the occasion," Nebraska defensive line coach John Blake said. "I asked all the (defensive ends) to step up and elevate their game. Wali, he's always ready to go."
Carriker, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound sophomore, is expected to return to action Oct. 2 when Nebraska, idle this week, faces Kansas. Carriker is listed No. 1 on the depth chart, while senior Benard Thomas holds down the starting defensive end spot on the left side.
Muhammad and sophomore Jay Moore will continue to see plenty of playing time.
"The rotation has really helped us," Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan said. "It has allowed us to stay fresh and get a lot of fresh rushers on the field. I think the pressure they're applying has allowed us to make some big plays."
In Nebraska's first two games, the 6-1, 250-pound Muhammad played mostly in obvious passing situations in the nickel package.
"Wali's an exceptional speed rusher," Callahan said, noting that Muhammad's quickness serves as a fitting complement to Carriker's raw power. "Normally, as an offensive lineman, you're preparing for one defensive end, but when you have two or three to study, that's a lot of different changeups in speed and moves."
Said Blake: "Carriker just physically dominates people. But Wali brings so much fire and energy to our team. He has a never-ending motor. He loves the game and he makes plays on just effort alone."
Muhammad, son of a former professional boxer, arrived in Lincoln during the summer of 2003 with significant fanfare after recording a remarkable 22 sacks in 2002 at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.
A spinal condition transverse myelitis sidelined Muhammad all of last season. But he recovered well and made a lasting impression on Nebraska coaches last spring, and now he oozes confidence.
So don't even try suggesting to Muhammad that he might be slightly undersized for his position.
"Weight don't even really matter to me anymore," he said. "After that Pitt game, it doesn't matter to me, really. If I'm doing what I got to do, I can't miss."
Muhammad didn't fret when 14 defensive mates were awarded Blackshirts before the first game. He knew his coveted jersey would be forthcoming if he made big plays, and he had no doubt he'd make big plays.
"We're like an engine, man everybody helps each other churn," said Muhammad, one of the team's most vocal players. "Everybody pulls each other through. But when it's time to make it happen, I need to be in that game making it happen."
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.