Nebraska shucks Nevada
Tuesday, Sep. 4, 2007 @ 12:36 am
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nevada linebacker Jerome Johnson was in awe after Nevada’s game against Nebraska.
With all five starting offensive linemen at 300 pounds or more, the Nevada defense saw potentially its toughest challenge and possibly the most athletic running back it will face this season at Memorial Stadium.
“That was the best offensive line I’ve ever played against,” Johnson said.
The result was 413 yards rushing, six touchdowns and total domination by Nebraska in the 52-10 loss.
“They are a big, physical offensive line,” senior noseguard Matt Hines said. “It was definitely tough and they played well up-front.”
The Nebraska offensive line provided nice running lanes up the middle, sealed its blocks on the outside and sped ahead of running backs for the downfield blocks very well.
The constant pounding up the middle wore on the run defense as the safeties and cornerbacks were getting in on the action – more so than in the first half.
As the defense got tired, their performance lacked.
The Huskers rushed for 268 yards in the second half and four touchdowns. As the points went up, the time it took to score went down.
The Huskers’ longest drive in the second half took three minutes and 25 seconds, which was nine plays for 84 yards. The other three drives lasted seven, six and five plays. They lasted three minutes even, a minute and 35 seconds and a minute and 16 seconds.
“The defense was just on the field too much,” Nevada coach Chris Ault said. “Their power game just took over. They took over the game with their offense and their power-running game.”
With 6-foot-5-inch, 330-pounder Carl Nicks at left tackle and fellow senior Brent Byford at center, the offensive line gave running back Marlon Lucky room to run.
“That’s the only offensive line that stays with their blocks for the whole time,” Johnson said. “They were aggressive. I’m an aggressive person and I was trying to get off the block and I couldn’t get off. It was frustrating.”
Lucky had a career day against the Wolf Pack, rushing for 233 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 33 yards receiving, adding another touchdown to give him four total.
“(In the first half) the defense I thought was doing OK,” Ault said. “In the second half, Nebraska did a nice job exploiting some things, but there’s no question their offensive front dominated our defensive front. And we couldn’t find a way to get up.”
Lucky, who was rated the No. 2 running back in the nation in 2005 by Scout.com, had a 31-yard run, which was the longest offensive play in the game. Lucky almost had a 65-yard touchdown to open the second half for Nebraska, but it was called back after a holding call on wide receiver Nate Swift.
“I can’t explain how good it feels to come out every play and run the ball down their throats,” Nicks said.
Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said that Nevada’s defense was tough, but credited his team’s will.
“We wanted to run the ball today, it’s all we wanted to do,” Callahan said. “We just kept running them. I think that speaks to our conditioning level.”
Nevada’s defense held up pretty well in the first half, despite being on the field for 20 of the 30 minutes in the first half. The Wolf Pack allowed 145 yards on 30 carries (4.8 per carry), but aside from a 22-yard run by Lucky, it forced the Huskers into eight third downs.
Still, the Huskers converted 7-of-15 third downs, compared to Nevada’s 1-for-13.
“We felt like we came out and played, but we didn’t sustain,” Hines said.
Nevada could not contain the running attack in the second half, Nebraska did a nice job exploiting some things, but there’s no question their offensive front dominated our defensive front. And we couldn’t find a way to get up.”
Lucky, who was rated the No. 2 running back in the nation in 2005 by Scout.com, had a 31-yard run, which was the longest offensive play in the game. Lucky almost had a 65-yard touchdown to open the second half for Nebraska, but it was called back after a holding call on wide receiver Nate Swift.
“I can’t explain how good it feels to come out every play and run the ball down their throats,” Nicks said.
Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said that Nevada’s defense was tough, but credited his team’s will.
“We wanted to run the ball today, it’s all we wanted to do,” Callahan said. “We just kept running them. I think that speaks to our conditioning level.”
Nevada’s defense held up pretty well in the first half, despite being on the field for 20 of the 30 minutes in the first half. The Wolf Pack allowed 145 yards on 30 carries (4.8 per carry), but aside from a 22-yard run by Lucky, it forced the Huskers into eight third downs.
Still, the Huskers converted 7-of-15 third downs, compared to Nevada’s 1-for-13.
“We felt like we came out and played, but we didn’t sustain,” Hines said.
Nevada could not contain the running attack in the second half.
When Lucky rested, other running backs got in the game.
Sam Keller didn’t run for any yards but did pass for 193, completing 14-of-25 passes.
He said that the offense has plenty of talent to pass but the offensive line and running backs set the tone.
Ault agreed.
“They didn’t have to pass, they ran for over 400 yards,” he said. “It’s real simple.”
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