Posted: Thursday, November 11, 2004 6:00 pm
Nebraska secondary coach Phil Elmassian, a 30-year coaching veteran, was exaggerating Thursday as he discussed Oklahoma quarterback Jason White.
At least we think Elmassian was exaggerating.
Asked about White's ability to read blitzes, Elmassian said, "He has six years of quarterbacking in college he knows them better than I do."
White, the 2003 Heisman Trophy winner, received a medical hardship because of major injuries, extending his NCAA clock beyond the standard five years.
Operating at full-speed this season, the 6-foot-3, 226-pound White, of Tuttle, Okla., has completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 2,130 yards and 25 touchdowns, with only four interceptions.
In the last four games, White has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only one interception.
Oklahoma, which plays host to Nebraska on Saturday night, ranks 12th nationally in total offense (458.3 yards per game) and 10th in scoring offense (36.2 points).
"You don't see mistakes," Elmassian said. "You don't see their offensive linemen on the ground they have great body balance. Everybody at the point of attack has their facemask on somebody else's facemask. I mean, they are a very physical football team."
Elmassian studied film of Oklahoma's 21-14 loss to Louisiana Sate in last season's Sugar Bowl.
"Oklahoma's not even the same football team, because now they can run the football," Elmassian said, referring specifically to freshman sensation Adrian Peterson, the Sooners' leading rusher with 1,373 yards.
"He's brought them another dimension that allows the quarterback to become that much better," Elmassian said. "I haven't seen one like him since Herschel Walker or Bo Jackson."
The key, Elmassian said, is to avoid one-on-one tackling situations against Peterson.
As for the big picture, Nebraska won't make any radical changes for the Sooners, Elmassian said.
"You do what you do, but hopefully you do it harder. You do it better. And you do it with great passion," he said.
PRACTICE REPORT: Nebraska worked out on the grass fields Thursday before wrapping up its practice in Cook Pavilion as darkness fell. "It was good to get outside and battle the elements," said NU head coach Bill Callahan, referring to temperatures in the 30s. "It's going to be pretty similar to this Saturday night in Norman." No Huskers have been ruled out because of injury, Callahan said.
UP NEXT: The Huskers will begin team meetings about noon today before going through a walk-through practice at Memorial Stadium. The team charter flight is expected to arrive in Norman at about 5:30 p.m., Callahan said.
PROUD PAPA: Nebraska senior linebacker Chad Sievers and his wife Jessie became proud parents Wednesday. Daughter Jaci Jean Sievers weighed six pounds, 13 ounces.
— Steven M. Sipple