Nebraska Closes the Season in the Capital One Bowl

Monday Nebraska faces South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando Florida. The Gamecocks are 10-2 on the year and ranked ninth in the Associated Press poll, while the Huskers are 9-3 and ranked 20th. The game is set to kickoff at noon and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

South Carolina is a great defensive team. That is different than most casual fans would think, especially with wide open passing attack guru Steve Spurrier as the coach of South Carolina. The Gamecocks are the number two passing defense in the country and one of the top overall defensive units in the nation. As a team South Carolina allows 18.8 points per game, 135.9 yards rushing per contest and only 133 yards per game through the air.

South Carolina is strongest on their defense up front. Two defensive ends merit special attention. Melvin Ingram (6-foot-2, 276 pounds, Senior) is an All-American. He has 44 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for losses and 8.5 sacks this season. Freshman Jadevon Clowney (6-6, 254) is a budding star that is a tremendous speed rusher. A Husker offensive line that has been decimated by injuries will need to play extremely well for the Big Red to move the football and protect Taylor Martinez. Strong side linebacker Antonio Allen (6-2, 202, Sr.) leads the team with 81 total tackles. He also has had 8.5 tackles for loss and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Middle linebacker Shaq Wilson (5-11, 223, Jr.) is a good leader with excellent quickness. Free safety D.J. Swearinger (5-11, 208, Jr.) is second on the squad with 73 total tackles and also has three pickoffs this season. This defense has a good mix of size with speed that makes them one of the best defensive units Nebraska has seen in the Bo Pelini era.

Offensively, the Gamecocks are a balanced team. South Carolina averages just over 30 points per game, The Gamecocks rush for 198 yards per contest and throw for 177 more. Connor Shaw (6-1, 204, So.) has stepped up this season to be an impressive runner and thrower. Shaw averages almost 54 yards per game on the ground with seven touchdowns. Through the air he completes 65.5 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He is gaining confidence after being effective this year in the Southeastern Conference.

Freshman Brandon Wilds (6-1, 223) has stepped up after Marcus Lattimore got hurt midway through the season and is out for Monday's game. The Huskers will need to keep Shaw from hurting the Blackshirts with his running ability. If that happens the Big Red can win this game. 

South Carolina has a star in receiver in Alshon Jeffery (6-4, 229, Jr.). He has great physical size. On the season he has 45 catches for 614 yards and seven touchdowns. It will be the job of Alfonzo Dennard to shut him down. Ace Sanders (5-7, 175, So.) is a small receiver that compliments Jeffery. Sanders is second on the team with 26 catches this season. The passing game is improving, but Nebraska has the talent to keep the Gamecocks offense under wraps.

On special teams, Sanders is the best return man for South Carolina. Kicker Jay Wooten (6-3, 204, Sr.) is 7-of-10 on field goals with a long of 49 yards. He is 46-of-49 on extra points. Punter Joey Scribner-Howard (6-0, 210, Sr.) averages less than 39 yards per punt. Nebraska appears to have at least a slight edge in the kicking game.

Nebraska faces a talented defense with an offense that does just enough for South Carolina. This will be a close game that will come down to turnovers, field position and defensive play.Nebraska can win, but the Gamecocks defense will make it tough for the Big Red. I look for South Carolina to top NU by a score of 23-17 in the Capital One Bowl on Monday. Thanks for reading going Deep With Doze and check for my commentary after the game as well.

Nebraska Humbles Iowa 20-7

Nebraska dominated Iowa today behind a great defensive game and just enough Rex Burkhead and Kenny Bell for the offense to put up a few points.

Burkhead ran well on the edge and between the tackles. Taylor Martinez made no major mistakes. Alfonzo Dennard proved he is the top defensive back in the Big Ten Conference. The game plan kept excellent ball control today. This is the team Nebraska is, run the ball and play aggressive defense. Nothing flashy, just good football.

The Huskers will now wait for bowl pairings next weekend. The team played sound football today against a team that simply did not play as well as Nebraska. Special teams made no mistakes today and that is what Nebraska needed to win.

The Big Red is a better football team than Iowa. For the first time in several weeks, the Huskers played a full sixty minute football game on both sides of the ball. As for the Heroes Game, I like the way Nebraska played. Plus Rex Burkhead showed Husker fans who the hero has been throughout the 2011 season.

Nebraska Tangles With Iowa Friday

The Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday in a contest that will be nationally televised by ABC. The game is set for an 11:00a.m. kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Nenbraska comes in with a record of 8-3, while Iowa enters with a 7-4 mark on the season.

The Hawkeyes are coached by Kirk Ferentz, who is 96-64 in his career at Iowa. The Hawkeyes have a talented quarterback in James Vandenberg (6-foot-3, 212 pounds, Junior.). He is a pure pocket passer. On the season Vandenberg completes 61 percent of his passes for 239 yards per game. On the season he has 23 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. If Vandenberg performs well then the Blackshirts may be in trouble.

The running game starts and ends with Marcus Coker (6-0, 230, So.). He averages 118 yards a game with 14 touchdowns. Coker is a downhill runner that is strongest between the tackles. As a team Iowa averages less than 148 yards per game, so if Coker is held in check the Hawkeyes do not run the football.

Iowa has the best receiver in the Big Ten Conference. Marvin McNutt (6-4, 215, Sr.) may be one of the premiere receivers in the country. McNutt has 74 catches for 113 yards per game and 12 touchdowns. Keenan Davis (6-3, 215, Jr.) follows with 41 grabs for 596 yards this season and four scores. McNutt will likely see a great deal of Alfonzo Dennard while the rest of the secondary must be aware of Davis. The Hawkeye receivers are the deepest part of the Iowa offensive attack.

Iowa is typically known for being a good squad along the offensive line. Over the years this has been a strength for Coach Ferentz. This season the Hawkeyes average nearly 6-5 and 291 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. Iowa has a small offensive line, but the coaches' son James (6-2, 284, Jr.) does a good job for his size. He may remind Husker fans of Mike Caputo.

Defensively Iowa is better than a 7-4 football team. Two linebackers lead the way. Christian Kirksey (6-2, 215, So.) is the team leader with 93 total tackles, while sophomore James Morris (6-2, 227) is right behind with 92. Up front senior Mike Daniels (6-1, 280) adds 52 tackles with six sacks, and defensive end Broderick Binns (6-2, 261, Sr.) also adds 52 tackles with five sacks. Binns is a tough matchup for most offensive linemen in the Big Ten Conference. The best player in the secondary is Omaha native Shaun Prater (5-11, 185, Sr.) at cornerback. Iowa as a team gives up 234 yards per game passing and 154 yards per contest on the ground.

The Iowa special teams have a fine kicker in Mike Meyer (6-2, 180, So.). He has made 70 percent (14 of 20) of his field goals with a long of 50 yards. Punter Eric Guthrie (6-6, 245, Sr.) may be the biggest punter in all of college football. He averages just under 41 yards per punt. Jordan Bernstine (5-11, 205, So.) a starter at strong safety has some quickness as a kickoff returner, while Micah Hyde, (6-1, 190, Jr.) a starter at corner back handles punt returns.

Nebraska needs to play well early to defeat Iowa. If the Hawkeyes get out front early this will be a tough opponent to put away in the second half. The Huskers have some injuries on both sides of the line that impacts the team depth. On Senior Day Nebraska will respond with a 31-23 win over Iowa.

Nebraska Crumbles on Special Teams, as Wolverines Roll

The Nebraska Cornhuskers had shown a dominating advantage on special teams throughout most of the season. Saturday Michigan capitalized on a couple of fumbles in the return game, a blocked punt, a fake field goal and a questionable roughing the kicker penalty to defeat Nebraska 45-17.


The Huskers lost the contest as well on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Wolverines owned line play all afternoon. Denard Robinson was finally put back in the spread offense where he can be one of the most dynamic offensive players in the nation. Fitzgerald Toussaint ripped the Big Red on cutback runs as well.

LaVonte David was everywhere, but Michigan had more than enough answers for the Maize and Blue.

Nebraska faces Iowa Friday when the team will show if there is pride in the program. The Huskers need to play 60 minutes of complete football. Time to find out how much resiliency the 2011 Big Red football team has left in the tank.

Saturday was disappointing, but today it is time to move on. The Hawkeyes await.

This Game Really Matters

Last week, Nebraska took on Penn State in a game where the athletic contest paled in comparison to the human emotions that were going on around around the country in regard to Penn State. This week, Nebraska travels to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan. Both teams come into the game with 8-2 records in a game that will be televised by ESPN with an 11:00 a.m. kickoff. This game matters as the loser will be eliminated from the chase for the Big Ten Conference championship.

Brady Hoke is in his first year as the coach of the Wolverines. He had successful stops along the way at Ball State and San Diego State. His teams like to be physical on both sides of the ball. But when you talk ab\out Michigan, you have to start with the straw that stirs the drink, quarterback Denard Robinson.

Robinson (6-feet, 195 pounds, Junior) is fun to watch on the football field. Robinson known by the colorful nickname of Shoelace, is one of the best running quarterbacks in all of college football. He averages over 91 yards per game on the ground with 12 touchdowns. At the same time, Robinson can hurt you with the pass. He completes 53.5 percent of his passes for over 170 yards per game with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His ability to put pressure on the edge of the defense will make things tough for the Blackshirts. Last year Robinson was one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy, before he was slowed down late last season by injuries. In 2011, his passing numbers have slipped, but he is healthier than a year ago. On every snap, Robinson is dangerous. His backup is Devin Gardner (6-4, 205, So.) that will see some action.

Michigan likes to run the football. Besides Robinson, tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint (5-10, 195, So.) is a quality slashing runner. He looks to cutback often against the flow of the defense. He averages over 83 yards per game on the ground with seven touchdowns. The Wolverines will be tough to beat if they are able to run the ball on the Huskers.

The Michigan receivers have some talent. Junior Hemingway (6-1, 222, Sr.) leads the way with 28 catches for 557 yards. On the other side, Roy Roundtree (6-0, 177, Jr.) is a better player than his statistics have shown in 2011. Senior tight end Kevin Koger (6-4, 258) has just 17 receptions this season, but leads the team with three touchdown grabs. Nebraska must be ready for the play-action pass. Robinson is much better when the threat of the run is there and he can throw over the defense.

The Michigan offensive line averages over 6-4 and better than 296 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. Senior center David Molk (6-2, 286) may be a little undersized like Mike Caputo of Nebraska, but he is the leader up front. This line is better at run blocking, but the pass blocking does not have to be great when Robinson can scramble out against pressure and hurt the defense.

The Wolverines have made a drastic improvement on defense from a year ago. Michigan gives up 15.5 points per game, 127 yards per contest rushing and 190 per game through the air. Three defenders merit special mention here. Middle linebacker Kenny Demens (6-1, 248, Jr.) leads the team with 73 total tackles. Up front, Craig Roh (6-5, 269, Jr.) is a solid defensive end. Inside Mike Martin (6-2, 304, Sr.) is a fine run stopper. The linebackers are a little slow and may make a few mistakes, but this defense tackles much better than the porous 2010 Michigan defense.

Michigan again  does not match up on special teams with the Huskers. Kicker Brendan Gibbons (6-1, 227, So.) is only 8 of 11 (72.7 percent) on field goals. His longest kick is just a 38 yarder. Sophomore punter Will Hagerup averages only 35.8 yards per punt. The Wolverine return men have also been less than impressive. Receiver Jeremy Gallon (5-8, 185, So.) has been the best as a punt returner.

This game is tough to call. Nebraska must take care of the football if they are to win. Robinson has not been effective throwing the ball the second half of this season. The Huskers maintain a big edge in the kicking game. If they can utilize that advantage, they can win. I like Nebraska 24-14 over Michigan.

Nebraska and Penn State Post Game Reaction

Nebraska and Penn State did not play an all-time classic game on Saturday. As Husker fans, many people were likely very happy with the outcome of the game. The Blackshirts played well, Will Compton and LaVonte David were all over the field. Rex Burkhead showed again how much heart he plays with too.

But the biggest impression from the game was moments before kickoff. Prior to the game, I wrote that the game should not be played. Many other people around the world agreed. Bo Pelini said afterward there was a time earlier in the week he felt the contest should not go on.

With all the world wide reaction to what was going on, representatives from both universities got together and gathered the teams together on the field just before the start for a prayer. Nebraska running backs coach Ron Brown delivered a moving prayer that set the tone for the day.

Nebraska was a team that survived a tough game Saturday. Penn State showed depth of character in the way the team faced adversity. Congratulations to both universities and their fans.

The Big Red now takes on a team led by one of the best athletes in all of college football in Michigan's Denard Robinson. But that waits for another day. Today I choose to reflect on the spirit the Nebraska-Penn State game was played with. I hope you will too. Thank you for reading Going Deep With Doze.

Nebraska Faces Penn State

Nebraska takes on Penn State Saturday in a game that will be nationally televised by ESPN and is scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff. Penn State has a record of 8-1 on the season. The Nittany Lions are coached by Tom Bradley.

Penn State is a solid defensive football team. The Nittany Lions give up just over 12 points per game. Penn State is tough against the run allowing 112 yards per contest and 170 per game through the air. The stars of the defense are outside linebacker Gerald Hodges (6-foot-2, 234 pounds, Junior) and  defensive tackle Devon Still (6-5, 310, Sr.). Hodges leads the team with 77 total tackles and 4.5 sacks this season. Still has 15.5 tackles for losses in 2011. Both these great defenders are likely future stars in the National Football League. Overall this is a defense that can keep teams in check. The Nittany Lions have only faced one truly solid opponent in Alabama, while the Big Ten Conference slate apperas to have been much softer than Nebraska's.

Offensively Penn State is limited. The Nittany Lions have a great running back in sophomore Silas Redd (5-10, 209, So.). He averages 112 yards per game for a teams that only averages 162 per contest. As a team Penn State scores just over 21 points per game.

Matt McGloin (6-1, 211, Sr.) will start for Penn State. He passes for 132 yards per game, completing 55.6 percent of his passes. McGloin has seven scoring passes and three interceptions. Sophomore Rob Bolden (6-3, 216) will also see action. He throws for 66 yards per game but completes less than 44 percent of his passes.

Two men lead the Penn State receivers. Derek Moye (6-5, 210, Sr.) is the team leader with 30 catches for three touchdowns on the season. He averages over 73 yards receiving per game. Moye will draw the attention of the Husker defense. Teammate Justin Brown (6-3, 214, Jr.) follows with 29 receptions for two touchdowns in 2011.

Penn State typically is solid on special teams. Chaz Powell (6-1, 206, Sr.) averages over 31 yards per kickoff return. He also starts on defense at cornerback. Kicker Anthony Fera (6-2, 215, Jr.) is 12 of 14 (83.7 percent) on field goals with his longest being 40 yards. Fera averages over 42 yards as a punter.

The offensive line has been inconsistent. From tackle to tackle Penn State averages over 6-3 and 304 pounds per man. All five starters are seniors, paced by left tackle Quinn Barham (6-3, 304). This unit must play well for Penn State to score some points.

My previous post shares why I feel this game just isn't that important and that is why you will not see as much depth of investigating each team this week.There are jut too many intangibles to account for in this game. This is a brutal place to play in and I believe neither team knows what to expect. Nebraska is actually the better team on paper but I think Penn State wins at home by a score of 23-17. Please check out my post game thoughts when I think we will know a great deal more about each football team.

The Game Just Doesn't Matter

Saturday's game against Penn State is not a game that needs to be played. The day should be spent in reflection of what must be done to stop child sexual abuse in this country and around the world. There will be no real winner in the game today. What does matter is righting the wrong that occurred for all the young people and their families by the shocking events that were revealed to the general public this week.

This just makes me ill to think that young people are abused and scarred by unspeakable acts of cruelty. If college football as a whole wants to step up and make a difference then I propose that all profits from college football games in the United States today be donated to charities around the nation that help those young people that are the victims of sexual abuse.

I hope that fans of both Penn State and Nebraska will donate monies to these charities. The healing work that needs to go on is not for the college campuses or the educators or the young men playing the game. Rather the young children that have innocence taken away from them by heinous acts from predators is what matters. A child has every right to freedom and safety. I say the right thing to do is not to play the game, but to make a difference for this problem that impacts millions of young people and their families.

Let's think about that instead of 60 minutes of football later today. Because the game just doesn't matter.

Tip Your Cap

Northwestern showed Saturday they were the better prepared football team. The Wildcats had an outstanding game plan. The execution of that game plan made the difference in the game. A diverse Northwestern offense kept the Nebraska offense off the field. A big play in the passing game gave Northwestern the spark they needed to hold the Huskers at bay. A critical turnover at the goal line turned out to be a huge factor in the game.

Nebraska got a great effort from Taylor Martinez, the issue was the Big Red did not have the ball long enough to keep the defense fresh. The rest of the season the Huskers are going to be pushed by good football teams in tough places to play. The Big Ten is a conference with several good teams and no team that stands out as elite.

The coaching staff has work to do to have the team play to its potential. The players have to buy in and work to be a factor in the rest of the college football season. Time to close the book on Northwestern and get ready for another good offense in Michigan. The game will be difficult, with the biggest challenge being the mental toughness the Huskers need to show. Grinding out wins is the fruits of their labor.

Get it done.

Nebraska to Show Wildcats Who the Real NU Is

Nebraska takes on Northwestern Saturday afternoon in a Big Ten Conference game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff and will be televised by the Big Ten Network.

The Wildcats are 3-5 on the season. Coach Pat Fitzgerald is 37-34 in his career as coach of Northwestern. A former All-American linebacker for the Wildcats, Northwestern could use his skills on the field to pace an otherwise soft Wildcat defense. More to come on that unit later in this blog.

Northwestern is a talented offensive football team. The main man for the Wildcats is quarterback Dan Persa (6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Senior). Persa is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the nation. He averages 250 yards passing per game, completing over 75 percent of his passes. Persa can be a real threat as a runner and is outstanding throwing the ball while on the move. In 2011, Persa has nine touchdown passes and only three interceptions. Persa is now showing almost no effects from an Achilles' tendon tear suffered last year against Iowa. If Persa plays a a high level, this game can stay close well into the fourth quarter.

While Persa is very skilled, his backup is a multi-dimensional threat as well. Sophomore Kain Colter (6-0, 190) can run, throw, and catch the ball very well indeed. Colter was a Nebraska recruiting target that chose to attend Northwestern. This season Colter leads the team with 57 yards rushing per game and six touchdowns. He also completes two-thirds of his passes (48 of 72) averaging 67 yards passing with four touchdowns and one interception. Colter also adds 21 pass receptions this season for the Wildcats. If you look in the stadium at halftime, you might just see him selling popcorn in the stands.


The receivers have two main threats besides Colter. Senior Jeremy Ebert (6-0, 195) leads the team with 45 catches for 569 yards and seven touchdowns as a wide receiver. Tight end Drake Dunsmore (6-3, 235, Sr.) adds 29 grabs and six touchdowns this season. The Nebraska secondary will be tested by the quick rhythm passing game that Northwestern employs.

The Wildcats have good size and leadership on the offensive line. As a group the Wildcats average nearly 6-5 and 301 pounds from tackle to tackle. Senior Al Netter (6-6, 310) protects Persa's blind side from his left tackle spot. This group has played a little less than inspired football at times this season for Northwestern.

Defensively the Wildcats give up a great deal of yards and points. Northwestern has outscored opponents 253-252 this year and out-yarded opponents 431.8 to 431.6 this year. The Wildcats give up over 193 yards per game rushing and over 238 yards per game through the air. Two players stand out for the Wildcats defensively. Linebacker David Nwabuisi (6-1, 240, Jr.) leads the team with 60 total tackles, while senior defensive tackle Jack DiNardo (6-4, 295) leads the team with five tackles for losses and three sacks. This unit has to play the best game of the season to keep the Wildcats in the game.

Nebraska has another major advantage on special teams. Kicker Jeff Budzien (5-11, 165, So.) is 5 of 8 on field goals with a long of 47 yards for Nortwestern. Punter Brandon Williams (6-2, 185, So.) averages less than 39 yards per punt. Return man Venric Mack (5-8, 175, So.) has not shown big-play ability on kickoff or punt returns.

The Huskers have a big edge running the ball, playing defense, special teams talent, plus the home-field advantage. Nebraska will be tested by a very good quarterback and some solid receivers. Northwestern has faded in the second half of games in 2011. This Husker team appears to be gaining momentum at just the right time.Look for the Big Red to defeat Northwestern by a score of 45-27 Saturday in Lincoln. Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.

Back in Black

The Nebraska Blackshirts are back. A 24-3 dominating performance against what was the hottest team in the Big Ten Conference shows what the 2011 Huskers are capable of. Michigan State played poorly, did not adjust well while the Pelini Brothers and Tim Beck put together a great game plan that the team executed almost perfectly.

Kirk Cousins sat in the pocket and got hit or pressured all day. The Spartan receivers never got open. Lance Thorell, Andrew Green, Justin Blatchford and Austin Cassidy each contributed when I had openly doubted their play all season long. The Spartans did not run well either in a game that Nebraska really dominated from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

Taylor Martinez executed the game plan, especially in the second half. Rex Burkhead looks like Jeff Kinney in 1969, 70 and 71. He is so much fun to watch play. The play calling was solid for Nebraska on both sides of the ball. The Huskers limited turnovers and penalties in a game where they needed to do both.

The Big Ten Conference is wide open, Nebraska has found a defense the last two and half games and will be tough to beat the rest of the way. Northwestern has a mobile quarterback with good passing skills, but a questionable defense. Penn State will be tough at Beaver Stadium, yet their offense has not been productive. Michigan has a great athlete at quarterback that will be a challenge. Iowa will be ready for the Huskers because of the rivalry even after the loss to Minnesota. Wisconsin has tumbled back to earth and the Ohio State win may be the spark to a magical second half of the year. These games will definitely be fun to watch.

The Huskers look ready. This is going to be a fun November. The best part... THE BLACKSHIRTS ARE BACK.

Nebraska Starts a Real Gauntlet Against Michigan State Saturday

The Nebraska Cornhuskers begin a really tough stretch of the schedule when they take on Michigan State Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The game is set for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff and will be televised on ESPN. The Spartans come in ranked ninth in the nation while Nebraska is ranked 13th in a matchup of two teams with 6-1 records.

Mark Dantonio is 39-20 in his sixth season as coach of Michigan State. The Spartans are known for their defense, a unit that ranks with Louisiana State and Alabama as one of the best in the nation. The leader for the Spartan defense is defensive end William Gholston (6-foot-7, 280 pounds, Sophomore). Gholston has all the physical tools to be a star in the National Football League. He also is coming off a one game suspension where he threw a punch in the win over Michigan  a few weeks ago. He has seven tackles for loss this season and will be a tough matchup for the Nebraska offensive line.

A pair of linebackers spark a defense that will blitz often and from anywhere on Saturday. Denicos Allen (5-10, 220 So.) leads the team with 11 tackles for loss on the season. Middle linebacker Max Bullough (6-3, 245, So.) has 45 tackles in 2011, the top on the squad. Both these men must be accounted for in the Husker blocking schemes on offense.

In the secondary, strong safety Isaiah Lewis (5-10, 195, So.) has a team high four interceptions. The defense is very solid on every level. The Spartans give up only 13.7 points per game, 134 yards passing per game and 88.9 yards per contest rushing. The Huskers will not see a better defense the rest of the season, including in a bowl game. Nebraska will have to use speed in the receiving corps, at running back and at quarterback to break a few big plays.

Offensively, Michigan State has a good leader in quarterback Kirk Cousins (6-3,205, Sr.). Cousins is a stationary drop-back passer. On the season, Cousins averages nearly 230 yards passing per game. He completes 66.7 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Cousins is a veteran that makes good decisions. If he plays well, the Spartans will be tough to beat.

The receivers are talented for Michigan State. The big-play man is senior B. J. Cunningham (6-2, 215). He leads the team with 48 receptions and averages 103 yards receiving per game. Alfonzo Dennard is likely to shadow Cunningham all over the field. Keshawn Martin (5-11, 189, Sr.) is also a target. Martin adds his skills as the main punt returner.

The Spartans have a good back in junior Edwin Baker (5-9, 210). Baker looked very impressive in the win over Michigan.  He averages 62 yards per game and Le'Veon Bell (6-2, 237, So.) adds 53 yards per game. The Huskers should be able to control the Spartans running game.

Michigan State has a typical Big 10 offensive line. They average over 64 and 301 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. Michigan State has only allowed nine sacks on the season.  The best player up front is left guard Joel Foreman (6-4, 315, Sr.). If the offensive line opens up holes in the running game, the Spartans will be in good position to win.

Michigan State is very average on special teams. Kicker Dan Conroy (5-10, 190, Jr.)
is 6 of 9 on field goals with two 50 yarders this season.  Punter Mike Sadler (6-0, 182, Fr.) averages less than 40 yards per punt this season. The return men have not shown big plays so far in 2011. Nebraska has a huge edge in the kicking game.

The Huskers have a team that can win Saturday. I believe they will be playing well against a team that did not play well against Notre Dame. Many people feel the Spartans will be good enough to win, but I like the Huskers speed advantage and big edge on special teams. Look for Nebraska to defeat Michigan State 24-20 on Saturday.

Mission Accomplished

Nebraska did exactly what they needed to do Saturday afternoon. The Huskers went on the road, dominated a team that they are better than and got some game action for some young players. Tests await starting with an early wake up call Saturday against Michigan State.

The Huskers ran well and had several big plays. Nebraska again had few penalties and yesterday did not turn the ball over. That is what good teams do. The Big Red will face a hot Michigan State team Saturday morning. A good defense and solid running attack will challenge Nebraska. Time to put the chin straps on and get ready for some tough games as the weather gets chilly.

The backs ran well yesterday and the defense did enough. Minnesota has a long way to go. Put this one in the rear view mirror and it is time for Nebraska and its fans to make Memorial Stadium a loud house. The Spartans need to have a tough road environment if the Huskers are to defeat the team playing the best football right now in the Big 10.

This is going to be fun the rest of the way. A young Nebraska team is growing before our eyes. Time to be ready to take on the big boys. 

Nebraska to Dominate Minnesota as Husker Fans Take Over Twin Cities

Nebraska faces Minnesota Saturday on the road. The game between the Cornhuskers and the Golden Gophers is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff that will be regionally televised by ABC.

Minnesota is 1-5 this season and to be honest does not appear to be a very good football team. Coach Jerry Kill, in his first year as coach at Minnesota is trying to build the team back to the glory days of the 1930's, 40's and into the early 1960's when the Gophers won a total of six national championships with great players like Bronko Nagurski, Bobby Bell and Carl Eller. Today the Gophers are a shell of that former rich history, but Coach Kill has been a winner in his previous stops at both Southern and Northern Illinois Universities. Kill has had a history of health problems that include issues with seizures that have limited his time with the team this season. This may have impacted the team chemistry in 2011.

The Gophers are paced by quarterback MarQueis Gray (6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Junior). Gray is a former receiver that has been moved to the quarterback position. A good athlete, at this point in his career Gray is a better runner than a passer. Gray has also dealt with injuries that have limited his effectiveness in 2011. Gray averages over 74 yards rushing per game and is the teams top threat running the ball. He also averages 125 yards passing per game with three touchdowns and four interceptions. Gray completes just over 48 percent of his passes. The Husker defense must keep Gray contained as a runner because that is where he is most dangerous. Max Shortell (6-6, 226, Fr.) also has seen extensive action at quarterback and may spell Gray at times Saturday.

The Minnesota running game has been beset by injuries. As a team the Gophers average 144 yards rushing. Senior Duane Bennett (5-9, 205) leads the way  with 263 yards on the season for a 42 yard average. Freshman Donnell Kirkwood (5-10, 215) will split time with Bennett throughout the game. He averages 25 yards per game, but leads the team with three rushing touchdowns. Nebraska should be able to control this group fairly well.

The Gophers have struggled in the passing game and their receivers statistics point that out. Only two receivers have more than eight catches midway through the season. The top receiver is Da'Jon McKnight (6-3, 211 Sr.). He has 25 catches for 316 yards and a touchdown. McKnight is the key to the Gophers passing game,so look for Alfonzo Dennard to draw that assignment. Malcolm Moulton (5-11, 186, So.) adds 13 receptiona  and has the teams biggest play with a 59 yard pass reception earlier this season. The receivers are the least dangerous Nebraska has seen so far in 2011.

Minnesota has one of the youngest offensive lines in the country. Two freshmen and a sophomore will start. As a group, The Gophers average nearly 6-5 and 302 pounds from tackle to tackle. Senior center Ryan Wynn (6-5, 305) has been the most consistent offensive lineman for the Gophers this season. The lackluster play up front for Minnesota has been the key factor to the Gophers struggles in 2011.

Defensively Minnesota is a team in trouble. The Gophers have given up 166 yards rushing, 247 yards passing and 35 points per game defensively. That is a bad mix for Minnesota fans, but should make for a comfortable afternoon for supporters of the Big Red.  Two players deserve mention for the Gophers on defense. Safety Kim Royston (5-11, 200, Sr.) leads the team with 51 total tackles. Middle linebacker Gary Tinsley (6-1, 232, Sr.) is a smart player that usually finds his way to the football.

On special teams, Minnesota has a big-play threat in kickoff return man Marcus Jones (5-8, 170, Fr.). Jones has a 92-yard kickoff return for a score and the Husker coverage units must must always be aware of Jones on the field. Kicker Chris Hawthorne (6-4, 198, So.) is 6 of 9 on field goals with a long of 47 yards. Punter Dan Oreseke (6-3, 206, So.), averages just under 42 yards per punt. Special teams is the best part of the Gophers team this season.

Nebraska has a major advantage at every position on the field against Minnesota. The Huskers need to take the field  with swagger and take care of business. I think Nebraska will show some early rust but then take complete control after halftime in a 52-21 win over Minnesota. Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze and look for my post game thoughts in my next post. 

Nebraska Shows Heart, Defeats Buckeyes

Nebraska's football team looked deep inside to its core midway through the third quarter Saturday night and decided they wanted to play. Rex Burkhead played on a mission and Taylor Martinez executed a flawless second half in leading the Big Red to a 34-27 comeback for the ages over Ohio State.

The offense caught fire with solid second half play calling. The defense showed Ohio State is a bad football team without Braxton Miller. The Husker defense still looks slow in places and didn't tackle well early. When some of the fans were ready to throw in the towel, the Huskers got off the canvas and looked like Rocky Balboa in any of the first four installments of the movie series where Rocky fights valiantly in the final scene.

Lavonte David ran sideline to sideline and Stanley Jean-Baptiste (Where did he come from?) showed athleticism the secondary has lacked since the end of last season. This team needs plenty of work, but responded with a historic performance.

The Huskers can be a very good team when they play with heart. Bo Pelini needs to get Nebraska to show that heart every week. The talent is there. Focus on the goals and good things will happen. Tonight's game was fun to watch, but I need a defibrillator to survive, maybe the Huskers found one on the sideline.

A week off then a poor Minnesota team is next. Time to make a big step before the stretch run. The Big Red can do it, now it is time to execute the plan. Thanks for reading.

Nebraska and Ohio State Meet With Little Expectations

Growing up, there were a few things I could count on, my Dad would work hard, the winter in Nebraska would be cold and snowy and Nebraska and Ohio State would be ranked in the Top Ten at the end of the college football season. Saturday night, the two teams play each other for only the third time and the first time since 1956. This time both teams are coming off of shaky performances that leave fan bases wondering how each team is mentally and physically prepared for the game.

The teams will play in front of another sellout crowd in Lincoln, a contest that is set to be broadcast by ABC with a 7:07 p.m. kickoff.

Ohio State has had numerous distractions since late last season with the NCAA investigating illegal benefits to several players that have led to a coaches' resignation, several players suspensions and some defections from the ranks. New coach Luke Fickell has had to put his roster together without several key pieces he had expected to utilize entering the season. The Buckeyes are 3-2 and are struggling with one of the least productive offenses in college football.

The Buckeyes will likely play two quarterbacks Saturday night. Braxton Miller (6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Freshman) is the future of Ohio State football. He is a talented athlete with little experience in big-time college football games. Miller can run well and is learning to throw the football. He will sometimes make poor decisions and give up interceptions. He runs for nearly 30 yards per game and passes for 73. Senior Joe Bauserman (6-1, 230)  is the more steady but less flashy quarterback. He is no threat as a runner but has passed for 96 yards per game. Interestingly both quarterbacks complete 51.3 percent of their passes so far this season. This duo will not be nearly as tough to stop as some signal callers Nebraska has played or as some they will face later this season.

Ohio State has a pair of quality receivers the Nebraska secondary has to prepare for. Jake Stoneburner (6-5, 245, Jr.) is the main possession receiver for the Buckeyes. He is a big target at tight end. Stoneburner paces the team with four touchdown grabs and 10 total receptions in 2011. Freshman Devin Smith (6-3, 190) is the speed receiver. He has eight catches this season for three scores and averages nearly 23 yards per reception. His speed is something the Big Red defenders will have to account for whenever he is on the field.

The running game has produced little so far for Ohio State in 2011. Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr.) is set to get the start at running back for the Buckeyes. He averages 72 yards per game. Hall is a small back that shows good quickness. Also seeing a great deal of action in the backfield is Carlos Hyde (6-0, 238, So.). Hyde is a more physical runner that will try and wear down the Husker defense.Hyde averages 59 yards per game on the ground and leads the team with three rushing touchdowns. This ground attack is nowhere close to what Buckeye fans have expected this season.

The most disappointing group for Ohio State so far this season has been the offensive line. They have not played well and the offense as a whole has struggled because of it. Physically Ohio State passes the eyeball test. From tackle to tackle the Buckeyes average over 6-6 and 307 pounds per man. Left tackle Mike Adams (6-8, 320, Sr.) and right tackle J. B. Shugarts (6-7, 300, Sr.) look great coming off the bus but the production has been poor for this unit to this point in the season.

Ohio State has been very impressive defensively in 2011. As a team they give up only 93 yards per game rushing, 195 yards passing and 14.6 points per game. This defense is good enough to keep the Buckeyes in the game against any opponent. Linebacker Andrew Sweat (6-2, 238, Sr.) is a great leader. He has 34 total tackles, 12 more than anyone else on the team. Sweat is the only senior starter on the defense and so his contributions have made the defense go. Ohio State is solid, but small in the secondary as well. The Huskers may be able to open up Quincy Enunwa, or Kyler Reed against small Buckeye safeties with play action passes down the field. That would be well set up if the Huskers can establish their running game first.

The Buckeyes have great return men. Receiver Chris Fields (6-0, 180, So.) averages over 17 yards on punt return. Jordan Hall averages nearly 47 yards per kickoff return. As a team the Buckeyes average 29 yards per kickoff return. Nebraska must maintain their assignments on kick coverage. Kicker Drew Basil (6-1, 212, So.) is 5 of 7 on field goals with both his misses over 40 yards. Punter Ben Buchanan (6-0, 180, Jr.) averages 41.4 yards per punt. Ohio State certainly displays solid special teams play this season.

Ohio State has played well defensively and in the return game. Nebraska has big play potential offensively and matches the Buckeyes on special teams. Nebraska needs to play with heart, the fans have to get excited and rally around the team. The Huskers are the better team in this matchup in Lincoln. Look for the Huskers to post a 31-20 victory over Ohio State.

Behind the Woodshed

Nebraska simply was beaten up badly Saturday night by a superior football team. Wisconsin gave the Huskers a lesson in how to play major college football. Russell Wilson looked like a right-handed version of Michael Vick and the Huskers looked like the Keystone Kops (If you are younger than 40, look for them on You Tube).

Nebraska came out strong, and then started turning the ball over. Penalties hurt good field position in the second quarter and then Wisconsin circled Nebraska like sharks. After the first play of the third quarter, there was blood in the water and the game was over.

The offense found a few good things. Jamal Turner got some touches, Rex Burkhead played with heart, but beyond that not much positive happened for Nebraska. The defense was shredded by a very balanced offensive attack. Sometimes you just get beat. No time to look back, other opponents will now know Nebraska is vulnerable. The coaches need to develop a game plan around what the defense can do well and then execute the plan.

Today Nebraska is a wounded football team. Time for Dr. Bo Pelini and the rest of the staff to heal what ails them. Ohio State is next. Thanks for reading.

Talented Badgers Challenge Nebraska

Nebraska travels to Madison to take on Wisconsin Saturday night in a match up of top ten teams. The game is set to kickoff at 7:12 p.m. and will be televised nationally by ABC. Both teams are 4-0 in a game that introduces the Huskers to Big 10 Conference play.

The Badgers are coached by Bret Bielema, who is 53-16 in his sixth season as coach of Wisconsin. Nebraska leads the all-time series 3-2, with Nebraska winning 20-16 in 1973 and dropping a 21-20 contest in 1974. This will be a game that has all the buzz from around the country with national television coverage and ESPN hosting College Gameday Saturday from Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

Wisconsin simply has a great offense. The catalyst is quarterback Russell Wilson (5-foot-11, 210 pounds, Senior). Wilson absolutely has no flaws to his game. He is a transfer from North Carolina State that has years of experience as an offensive leader. Wilson averages 27 yards a game rushing and can definitely hurt the Blackshirts with his running ability. As a former minor league baseball player he has tremendous athleticism. So far is 2011, Wilson averages 284 yards passing per game with 11 touchdowns and only one interception. He completes 75.8 percent of his passes (69 of 91). If Wilson plays well, Nebraska is in trouble.

The Badgers also run the ball extremely well. As a team the Badgers average 245.5 yards per game rushing. Two backs star for Wisconsin. Montee Ball (5-11, 210, Jr.) has nine touchdowns this season and averages  90 yards rushing per game. Sophomore James White (5-10, 195) adds 75 yards per game with three scores. Wisconsin will really attempt to run the ball to set up their passing game.

Wisconsin can also hurt the Huskers through the air. Receiver Nick Toon (6-3, 220, Sr.) has the physical tools to be a star. He has 21 catches this season for 88.2 yards per game and five scores on the year. Tight end Jacob Pedersen (6-4, 240, So.) has four touchdown catches as a favorite target for Wilson. Sophomore Jacob Abbrederis (6-2, 180) is also a solid complementary receiver for the Badgers. The receivers give Wisconsin a better balanced offense than the Badgers have had in many years.

The offensive line is a traditional strength for Wisconsin. From tackle to tackle, the Badgers average over 6-5 and 322 pounds. That is unbelievable size, yet they may be slow against a Nebraska defensive line with speed and depth.The offensive line is led by center Peter Konz, (6-5, 315, Jr.). Konz is a player that pro scouts are looking at for the future. Right tackle Josh Oglesby (6-7, 330, Sr.) may be big enough to block out the sun. If the line wins the battle at the point of attack it will be along night for the Big Red.

Wisconsin's defense has been less than impressive against lackluster opponents. The overall statistics are good with only 246.5 yards of total offense and 8.5 points given up per game, but UNLV, Oregon State, Northern Illinois and South Dakota will not put fear into any major college football team. The Badgers are led by linebacker Chris Borland (5-11, 245, So.). Borland paces the team with 35 total tackles. Mike Taylor (6-2, 230, Jr.) is another linebacker with 30 tackles this season. The defense truly has not been tested by the soft schedule.

Special teams have been average for Wisconsin. Abbrederis and White are good return men, but kicking has only been passable. Freshman Kyle French (6-1, 190) is only 2 of 4 on field goals with a long kick of 29 yards. Punter Brad Nortman (6-3, 210, Sr.)  averages over 43 yards per punt. Nebraska does appear to be more consistent on special teams than the Badgers in 2011.


Nebraska will be pushed to the limit by Wisconsin. A solid offense with few weaknesses will make it tough for the Huskers to win away from home. By far, this is the best team Nebraska will see in the regular season. For the Big Red to win, they need to play an error-free game. That is a difficult task at the madhouse that is Camp Randall Stadium. As much as I would love to pick a Husker victory, I think the Badgers will win at home. Look for Wisconsin to defeat Nebraska 38-24. Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze and check my post-game analysis in my next post.

Nebraska Keeps it Simple to Defeat the Cowboys

The Nebraska Cornhuskers utilized a stellar running game to improve to 4-0 on the season with a 38-14 win Saturday night over the Wyoming Cowboys in Laramie.

Several things were impressive for the Big Red. First it was nice to see so much red in the stands at a Husker road game. The Nebraska offense lined up and physically pounded Wyoming in the fourth quarter behind a series of toss plays. Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck found a play that was working and ran it until his team scored in the fourth quarter to put the game away. The Huskers amassed over 300 yards rushing. Rex Burkhead was dominant behind an improving offensive line. Ameer Abdullah, Braylon Heard, Aaron Green, and Austin Jones all ran with power and speed. Brion Carnes got the final series at quarterback for Nebraska and ran an option play that would have made Tommie Frazier proud.

The passing game was effective with a deep play action pass to Kyler Reed and Kenny Bell was wide open on a scoring pass from Taylor Martinez. The Huskers limited penalties again and the defense gave up only 14 points on the road.

Again things are not ideal, the secondary gave up some plays in pass coverage and Wyoming dropped a likely touchdown pass early in the second half. Plenty of work to be done as Nebraska gets ready for Wisconsin.

The fans will have plenty to talk about. The best thing is that the Huskers are 4-0 and appear ready for a major test. The offense looks sharp and the defense will be coached up.

It is time for Big Ten Conference football. Let the games begin.

Huskers Roll the Cowboys in Laramie

Nebraska hits the road and takes on Wyoming Saturday night in Laramie. Both teams are 3-0 for a game that kicks off at 6:38 p.m. (CDT) and is set to be televised by Versus. The Cowboys will try to take advantage of playing at 7,300 feet above sea level in the Huskers first game away from Lincoln.

Dave Christensen is the coach for the Cowboys. In his third season, he is 10-15 as the head man for Wyoming. The offense has been balanced in the undefeated start for the Cowboys. Brett Smith (6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Freshman) is the quarterback. Smith averages over 265 yards passing per game with seven touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He completes 61.8 percent (68 of 110) of his passes so far in 2011. Smith is also a good runner. He averages over 51 yards per game with three scores. Smith's youth may hurt him, especially if the Husker defense disguises some of the coverages for the freshman quarterback. If Smith plays well, Nebraska will have to play a full four quarter game. If Smith turns the ball over the game may be over early in the second half.


Wyoming likes to run the ball  with three players. Smith is a quality runner, but he is by no means alone. Alvester Alexander (5-11, 204, Jr.) is the starter at running back for Wyoming. Alexander averages 45 yards per game with three touchdowns. Brandon Miller (6-0, 187, So.) averages 56 yards per game rushing while Ghaali Muhammad (6-0, 221, Jr.) leads the way with 66 yards per game. As a team, Wyoming averages over 226 yards per game rushing.

In the passing game, Robert Herron (5-10, 187, So.) paces the Cowboy receivers. He has 17 catches for 176 yards and two scores on the season. Each of those totals tops the Wyoming season statistics. Mazi Ogbonna (6-1, 200, Sr.) is the second option with 14 receptions and junior Chris McNeill (6-1, 180) adds 12 grabs for 139 yards this season. The Cowboys definitely show balance this season between running and throwing the ball. Five receivers average over 38 yards receiving per game this season. No one in this group is a major threat, but the Husker secondary must come ready to play.

Wyoming starts a veteran offensive line. Three seniors and a junior lead the Cowboys up front. On the left side, tackle John Hutchins (6-5, 295, Sr.)  and guard Brandon Self (6-3,301, Sr.) are solid players. As a team Wyoming averages over 6-4 and 297 pounds from tackle to tackle. Wyoming will have trouble matching the depth and quickness of the Husker defensive front.

Defensively Wyoming gives up plenty of yards. Opponents average nearly 415 yards per game of total offense, including 287 yards per game through the air. The spark on defense has been end Korey Jones (6-2, 225, Jr.). Jones is undersized, but his speed has led to four sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss so far this season.  Sophomore Devin Harris (6-3, 225) leads the team with 23 total tackles from his middle linebacker spot. Freshman Blair Burns (5-10, 170) has a pair of interceptions as a cornerback. The secondary is young and susceptible to the big play.  The Cowboy defense will have a great deal of trouble matching up the Husker speed offensively.

On special teams, Wyoming does not really stand out. Kicker Daniel Sullivan (5-10, 185, Fr.) is only 1 of  2 on field goals with his good kick from only 20 yards out. Punter Austin McCoy (6-3, 208, Sr.) averages less than 39 yards per punt. The biggest threat on returns is Dominic Rufran (6-0, 185, Fr.) who averages over 24 yards on kickoff returns.   


Wyoming has played powerhouses like Weber State, Texas State and Bowling Green. The Cowboys are making a major step up in competition as the Big Red comes to town. Wyoming is a very youthful football team that likely will have problems matching Nebraska at almost any position. The Huskers will give up a few points and may start slow, but then adjust and shut Wyoming down. Nebraska will dominate Wyoming late in posting a 52-21 win over the Cowboys Saturday night.

Sometimes You Like What You See

Nebraska is 3-0 on the 2011 football season. Things are not perfect, blocks are missed, the defender doesn't finish a tackle, or bites on a play-action pass. Then on a gray September Saturday a light shines on the Huskers and all is right with the world.

Let me explain. Option football is complex and simple at the same time. Offenses are looking for mismatches, getting an extra blocker on one side to spring a play, spreading the defense out and then going inside the vacated middle. Nebraska has the tools to be a good offense and it showed in Saturday's 51-38 win over Washington.

Tim Beck appeared to find an offensive rhythm calling plays. An option look play-action pass on the first play of the game looked beautiful to Husker fans. Visions of Turner Gill faking to Mark Schellen sliding a step or two with Mike Rozier available for a pitch and then a deep post pattern to an open Irving Fryar flashed through my mind. The Big Red hit a fullback trap for 36 yards. Overall 309 yards rushing with effective passing too. Only one turnover and fewer penalties than the opponent for the third straight week. These are good signs.

The defense has struggled with points and yards the last two weeks. A young secondary is growing up. Freshman Josh Mitchell is learning. Andrew Green is being tested, with some solid play and a few mistakes along the way.These youngsters are gaining experience. Leadership is needed from players like Jared Crick on the field and Alfonzo Dennard on the sideline to get through the rough patches.

A bobble on a punt and yet several good returns. Ameer Abdullah shines when he has the ball. Brett Maher has looked solid. So far Nebraska looks like a squad with talent on special teams. Potential is moving to results on the field.

Now the Huskers go on the road. Wyoming awaits. Somewhere Bob Devaney is smiling when the program he took from mediocrity to the heights of college football for most of 50 years is ready to meet opponents he knew so well like the Cowboys of Wyoming as well as Michigan and Michigan State.

No, things are not perfect, but for now, I like what I see from the 2011 Nebraska Cornhusker football team.

Nebraska-Washington Preview and Prediction

The closest thing to a conference game on the schedule this year is today when Nebraska takes on Washington at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The Huskers will have seen the Huskies three times in one calendar year by the time this game is finished. Television coverage is on ABC with kickoff set for 2:37 p.m. (CDT).

Fans will remember the two games last season when Nebraska rolled the Huskies in the regular season, but Washington returned the favor with a shocking loss for the Big Red in the postseason. Today both teams are 2-0 and neither team has had an impressive win so far. Washington has slipped by with narrow wins over Eastern Washington and Hawaii. The Huskers defeated Chattanooga and Fresno State to open the 2011 season.

Washington is coached by Steve Sarkisian, who is 14-13 in his third year as a head coach. He is known as a solid offensive mind that has teams that will put up some points. The team is led by quarterback Keith Price (6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Sophomore). Price has been slowed by some knee issues that have limited his running ability in the first two games, although he has been known for his skills outside of the pocket. So far this season  Price has completed 70 percent (35 of 50) of his passes with seven touchdowns and only one interception. He has averaged 208.5 yards passing per game. He is an accurate thrower that may give the Blackshirts some problems.

The receivers have big-play ability for the Huskies. Three players stand out for Washington. Jermaine Kearse (6-2, 208, Sr.) is a physical player that is a favorite target of Price. He leads the team with two touchdown receptions. Devin Aguilar (6-0, 195, Sr.) is the deep threat averaging over 23 yards per catch this season. Austin Seferian-Jenkins (6-6, 254, Fr.) has been a pleasant surprise for Husky fans at the tight end spot. He has four catches for 101 yards and a score on the year. His size may give the Husker defensive backs some issues if he gets in the open field.   

The Huskies have a great running back in Chris Polk (5-11, 222, Jr.) Polk was instrumental in leading Washington to the 19-7 win over Nebraska at the end of last season. In 2011 Polk has averaged 116 yards per game with one touchdown rushing. He has a fine backup in sophomore Jesse Callier (5-10, 200). As a team Washington has averaged 149.5 yards per game on the ground this season.

Size is plentiful for Washington on the offensive line. The Huskies average over 6-4 and 303 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. The leader on the line is Senio Kelemente (6-4, 301, Sr.). Kelemente, a team captain is the only upperclassman starting for Washington. This group will need to play well if the Huskies are to pull off the upset.

Defensively Washington employs a 4-3 look with a solid player on each level of the defense. Up front, Alameda Ta'amu (6-3, 333, Sr.) is a major presence that can clog lanes in the running game. The Huskers must account for him if they are to be effective in the trenches. The Huskies have only allowed 43.5 yards rushing per game this season. The linebackers are led by Cort Dennison (6-1, 234, Sr.). His steady play keeps the Husky defense effective. Cornerback Desmond Trufant (6-0, 184, Jr.) leads the team with 15 total tackles and two interceptions this season. The secondary has given up an average of 403.5 yards passing per game against two pass happy teams. It is unlikely that the Huskers will put up those kind of statistics, but they can make it a tough day for the Washington defensive backs.

The Huskies have been solid place-kicking this season. Eric Folk(5-11, 185, Sr.) is perfect on four field goal attempts thus far including a 53-yarder. Punter Kiel Rasp (6-3, 225, Sr.) has averaged only 38.4 yards on eight punts this season.  Kevin Smith (6-0, 209, So.) is a fine return man, that also gets some looks at a receiver spot, while Callier shows his quickness in the return game as well.

Nebraska needs to play with more consistency. Washington will score some points and try to establish the running game. If the Huskers take care of the football they will win this game at home. The passing game will make the difference in the Husker offense this week. Look for Nebraska to post a 35-24 win over Washington.

Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze and look for my post game thoughts in my next posting.

Glass Half Full or Half Empty? Looks a Little Low to Me

Nebraska won 42-29 on Saturday night against Fresno State. Some things are clear to see and some are as clear as the Los Angeles skyline in a smog alert. On the good side, the Huskers won the football game. They put up 438 yards of offense and showed big plays with lots of speed on offense. Through two games, the Big Red have really limited the penalties. The coaching staff appeared to make adjustments where the defense looked better at times and the offense could not be stopped, especially after halftime.

On the other side, Nebraska looked slow in the secondary again. The defensive backs were off of receivers, especially in nickel and dime coverages . Corey Cooper, P. J. Smith, and Courtney Osborne appear to be in the doghouse because these players hardly see the field. Their athleticism is needed to cover receivers in the open field. Perhaps players like Dijon Washington and Antonio Bell can also assert themselves to be factors in the secondary. Alfonzo Dennard healthy and on the field would be a major plus too.

The Huskers did not win the battle on either side of the line in impressive fashion Saturday night. Special teams had a major error on the first touchdown. These problems need to be handled or it may not be the kind of season a team with a top ten ranking is projected to have. Allowing any running back 169 yards against the defense is not acceptable. Robbie Rouse is not the best back the Blackshirts will see this season. Wisconsin and Michigan will show that to the Huskers as we go deeper into the season.

Quickness abounds in players like Kenny Bell, Jamal Turner , and Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah appears to be a solid runner that comes straight up the field. He is looking like the kind of player Husker fans will grow to love. So there is plenty of hope on the horizon, but the time to step up is in the next few weeks. Washington is a better team than what the Huskers have faced so far. Wyoming may pose a threat when the Big Red goes on the road. Wisconsin looks like an impressive team as well. The tests will be tough every week.

Nebraska can improve if players get after it in practice and compete for time on the field. Leaders need to come to the front and hold the squad to a high standard. The goals are still within reach, yet the effort now has to be shown for the 2011 Huskers to be a quality football team.

Nebraska takes on Fresno State

Tonight Nebraska hosts the Fresno State Bulldogs in game number two of the 2011 college football season. The 1-0 Huskers meet the 0-1 Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln for a 6:05 p.m. (CDT) kickoff. The game is set to be telecast on the Big 10 Network.

Fresno State lost their opener last week by a score of 36-21 against the Golden Bears of California. The Bulldogs are coached by Pat Hill, with a record of 108-72 in 15 seasons as the head coach of Fresno State. The Bulldogs are aptly named because of their scrappy style of play. They will take on any team anywhere and show up ready to play. Coach Hill instills a never give up attitude in his teams. Often they may not be the biggest dog in the fight, but they will battle any opponent until the final whistle.

Derek Carr (6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Sophomore) is the quarterback for Fresno State. His older brother David was a standout for the Bulldogs at quarterback as well. David Carr became the overall top pick in the National Football League draft by the Houston Texans after his collegiate career. Derek has some physical skills, but has very little game experience. Last week, Derek was 21 of 33 with one interception (63.6 percent) against Cal. He threw for 142 yards and one touchdown. He needs to play very well for the Bulldogs to make this a game in the second half.

The Bulldogs have a good running back in junior Robbie Rouse (5-7, 185). He led the team with 86 yards rushing and one touchdown last week. Rouse is a small back that the defense must be ready for. No other backs appear to pose a threat to the Husker Blackshirts.

The receivers are paced by Devon Wylie (5-9, 185, Sr.). He is a slot receiver that has good hands and some quickness. Rashad Evans (5-9, 190, Jr.) is also a favorite target of Derek Carr. The receivers must create space against the Nebraska secondary to make plays. This group was not overly impressive last week in the opener against Cal.

The offensive line is the strength of the Bulldogs. From tackle to tackle, Fresno State averages over 6-4 and 310 pounds. The right side is young, but the left side is anchored by senior tackle Bryce Harris (6-6, 300) with 26 career starts and junior guard Matt Hunt (6-2, 315). Center Leslie Cooper (6-4, 320, Sr.) also provides good leadership up front.

Defensively Fresno State can give up some yards. Cal gained 413 yards against the Bulldogs, including 266 yards through the air. Defensive tackle Logan Harrell (6-2, 275, Sr.) is the key for Fresno State to stop the Husker running game. The linebackers are a solid group for the Bulldogs. Kyle Knox (61, 220, Sr.) has a great deal of experience, while junior Travis Brown (6-2, 235) is a play-maker for the Bulldogs. The secondary played poorly last week and could be exploited if the Huskers open up the passing game. Isaiah Green (5-10, 180, Sr.) is the most consistent man in the Fresno State defensive backfield.

The Bulldogs are very good kicking the football. Kevin Goessling (6-0, 210, Sr.) may be the best kicker the Huskers face all season. Punter Andrew Shapiro (6-0, 190, Jr.) also performed well last week. The return men did not look consistent last week in the loss to Cal.

Nebraska needs to play better on the offensive line than they did last week. The Huskers are playing a team that is a major step up compared to last week's big victory. Fresno State may have some problems putting up points and the Big Red offense should be able to attack the Bulldog defense through the air. Nebraska needs to find a better rhythm offensively to put this game away. I think they will play well. Look for Nebraska to defeat Fresno State by a score of 34-13 Saturday night in Lincoln.

As always, thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze. Check back on Sunday for post game analysis.

Working for a Living

The 2011 Nebraska football team opened the season yesterday with a 40-7 win over Chattanooga. After looking at the game, it is clear that the Huskers have plenty of work to do if they are going to meet their goals for the season. Bo Pelini says Nebraska football is about winning championships, but right now questions abound about what we know and do not know for the rest of the season.

First, Nebraska is a very young football team, particularly on offense. Freshmen and sophomores are all over the line and in the backfield. With inexperience, comes mistakes. The learning curve is steep especially with Big 10 Conference play looming less than four weeks away. The speed appears to be better than the recent past, but intricacies like timing on option plays lacked in the opener. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck looked like he was searching for a rhythm offensively that never truly came into focus on Saturday. The line did not appear to block really well at the point of attack. The Mocs stacked eight and nine men in the box, which should have opened up things in the passing game. Quarterback Taylor Martinez needs to be crisper on his passes as his throws were behind a few receivers for what could have been big plays. The team is learning and things will improve later in the season.

The defense was solid. I have concerns about youthful mistakes in the secondary, and a lack of speed at the safety spots, but the talent will come to the top. I question the ability to play straight man to man defense against speed when the Huskers look a little slow at some positions in nickel and dime coverages. The defensive line looks to be as deep as any in the country. Cameron Meredith showed he can be an impact player when healthy. Carl Pelini and John Papuchis have so much depth up front that opponents will wear down against fresh Husker defenders late in games.

The kicking game was impressive. Brett Maher stepped to kick and punt very well. Ameer Abdullah showed flashes that he will grow as a quality return man.

True positives were shown in Nebraska committing only three penalties. The Huskers again had some big plays on offense and defense. The coaching staff will work on consistency. The ability is there. The fans and coaches can see it.The season is full of challenges against better teams than what the Huskers faced yesterday. Now the team has to really go to work. 

Nebraska Starts the Season Dominating the Mocs

Nebraska opens play today as a member of the Big 10 Conference at home against Chattanooga. The Mocs are coached by Russ Huesman, who is 12-10 as he enters his third season as head coach. The Mocs are a member of the Football Championship Series or the FCS (formerly Division I-AA). The game is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff (CDT) and will be televised by the Big 10 Network (check local listings for your channel).

Chattanooga has a solid quarterback in B. J. Coleman (6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Senior). Coleman is a transfer from Tennessee that throws the ball very well. Last season he averaged over 272 yards passing, completing 56 percent of his passes. In 2010, Coleman had 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has good size with a solid arm, but is not a real threat outside of the pocket. Coleman must play well for the Mocs to stay competitive.

The receivers are the best unit for the Mocs offensively. Joel Bradford  (6-0, 165, Sr.) is the top receiver. He set a school record with 1,284 yards receiving last year. He had 81 catches with eight touchdowns and averaged over 116 yards receiving per game in 2010. He is the go to guy for Coleman.  Jeff Veres (5-11, 195, Jr.) is a good receiver that moves back to a flanker spot after being the team's kicker in 2010 because of injuries. The Mocs must make their living offensively through the air  

The running game averaged 152 yards per game in 2010. J. J. Jackson (5-9, 200, Jr.) leads the way. A year ago Jackson had 226 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Chris Awuah (5-9, 200, Jr.) will back up Jackson. Thomas Green (6-0, 220, Sr.) is a pure blocker at fullback that will not carry the ball. This running game will not challenge the Blackshirts.

The offensive line is young and small. From tackle to tackle, the Mocs average over 6-3 and 267 pounds. The Husker defensive front will dominate this offensive line. he Mocs are strongest on the right side with Adam Miller (6-4, 275, Jr.) at tackle and Austin Wilson (6-3, 265, Jr.) at guard. Both of these lineman have some starting experience. The matchup here gives Nebraska a major advantage.

Defensively the Mocs gave up over 162 yards per game rushing, over 207 yards passing and 31.2 points per game in 2010. This is not a group the Husker offense needs to fear. Defensive end Joshua Williams (6-2, 235, Jr.) has some quickness, while nose tackle Nick Davison (6-0, 285, Sr.) is a good leader.

The linebackers are young, but senior Ryan Consiglio (6-1, 220) is the best defender. He averaged 10 tackles per game last year on the strong side. In the secondary, safety Jordan Tippit (6-0, 205, Sr.) and Chris Lewis-Harris (5-11, 175, Sr.) at corner need to make plays. Overall this is a small young defense Nebraska can exploit.

Chattanooga struggled on special teams in 2010. Freshman Nick Pollard (6-0, 180) is untested and punter Mike Hammons (5-10, 180, Sr.) averaged only 38.4 yards punting last season. Bradford is solid in the kick return game for the Mocs, but again Nebraska possesses a huge edge in special teams.

Nebraska holds all the cards in the game against Chattanooga. The Mocs will struggle and the Huskers will roll in all parts of the game. The Big Red starts slow, but gains momentum in posting a 52-17 win against Chattanooga. Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze. Look for my post game analysis in my next post.

Finally Prediction Time

Two quick pieces today before kickoff. First is the overall season prediction. You can have some fun and see how close I am come bowl season.

Nebraska starts with a big win over Chattanooga. The Mocs just do not match up with the Big Red. This will be a game where we find out how talented the young Huskers are (Nebraska 1-0).

Week two will test the Blackshirts when Nebraska hosts Fresno State. A young hotshot quarterback with good bloodlines will keep the Huskers at bay for a while, but the Big Red will open it up in the second half for a nice win (Nebraska 2-0).

Week three sets up the only rematch from 2010 when Washington travels to Lincoln. Coach Bo Pelini will have the team ready for everything as the Huskers will have something to prove after the Huskies topped the Big Red in the last contest. Look for the Big Red to win a game that will be decided in the fourth quarter (Nebraska 3-0).

Week 4 sends the Huskers to Laramie to take on the Wyoming Cowboys. Nebraska passes the road test with flying colors and the Big Red is undefeated in non-conference play (Nebraska 4-0).

The Big 10 Conference opens the Big Red action in week 5 at Wisconsin. The Badgers appear to be the biggest test on the Husker schedule. Wisconsin will be sky high and Camp Randall Stadium will be a hornet's nest. A young Nebraska teams loses at Madison (Nebraska 4-1).

Bo Pelini wants a piece of Ohio State. The Buckeyes will be back at full strength after early season suspensions. No one likes Bo when he is angry, and this Husker team responds well after the first loss of the season. The Big Red shows the Buckeyes Memorial Stadium is a tough place to play in defeating Ohio State by a touchdown (Nebraska 5-1).

Minnesota hosts the Huskers next, and the Golden Gophers wilt against a great defense. Nebraska dominates Minnesota in front of a lot of Husker fans in Minneapolis (Nebraska 6-1).

Michigan State comes to Lincoln with a veteran quarterback and lots of talent. The big difference is the Huskers win the game on both sides of the line. The Spartans fall by 10 points because the Huskers are the better team in the trenches (Nebraska 7-1).

Northwestern is next. A solid quarterback with little running game and no defense is the test here for the Huskers. The Big Red finds an offensive spark and wins a wild game where lots of points are scored by both teams (Nebraska 8-1).

Penn State on the road is a team that almost no Husker fan likes to face. Nebraska turns the ball over too many times and in front of a very hostile crowd, falls by 13 at Happy Valley (Nebraska 8-2).

The Huskers face a huge make or break game at Michigan. Shoelace is a great athlete, but somehow, the Huskers win this game at the end by two points with a defensive stand. Somewhere, Bob Devaney is smiling as the Wolverines fall (Nebraska 9-2).

Iowa wants an upset in Lincoln. NO WAY. In the best performance of the season, the Big Red rolls the Hawkeyes by 20 at Memorial Stadium (Nebraska 10-2).


The Huskers qualify for the Big 10 Championship game. Wisconsin finds out it is tough to beat a good team twice. By this time in the season, the Huskers are balanced offensively and defensively. The Badgers fall 24-19. (Nebraska 11-2).

The Rose Bowl awaits Nebraska fans again. Stanford is the opponent. The best quarterback in the nation is the test. A shootout is the outcome where the Huskers finally play well in the fourth quarter in a 42-38 victory (Nebraska 12-2, rated sixth in the nation).

There you have it. The breakdown of Chattanooga will be here quickly. Thanks for reading Going Deep with Doze.

Dennard leads the secondary in 2011

Nebraska is known for a great defense. All-Americans dot the depth chart on each level. In the secondary, it all starts with Alfonzo Dennard (5-foot-10, 205 pounds, Senior). Dennard is a pure lock-down corner. His athleticism and strength make him the premiere defensive back in the Big 10 Conference. While Dennard is dealing with a lingering leg muscle pull, that is allowing more depth to develop in early-season practices. The leadership that Dennard can pass on to the other members of the secondary will only help the development of the defense.

Ciante Evans (5-11, 185, So.) has experience from 2010 that puts him in front of the chase for the other starting cornerback spot. Andrew Green (6-0, 190, So.) has also moved into the competition for playing time since Dennard's injury. Antonio Bell (6-2, 200, Jr.) has also performed well from practice reports. Senior Lance Thorell (6-1, 200) and sophomore Dijon Washington (6-0, 190) will also add depth.

The safeties are in a strong competition for playing time. Austin Cassidy (6-1, 210, Sr.) provides solid leadership, although there are questions about his speed in the secondary. P. J. Smith (6-2, 210, Jr.) and Courtney Osborne (6-3, 200, Jr.) both have a great deal of game experience that will put them at the front of the list to be on the field for the Blackshirts. Two other players deserve a mention. Junior Justin Blatchford (6-1, 200, Jr.) has been solid to add depth at safety, while freshman Corey Cooper (6-1, 210) was known for great play last year as a redshirt on the scout team.

The secondary has been known for physical play. New coach Corey Raymond is focusing on technique to change the style of play for the defensive backs in the Big 10. That attention to detail will help a good group shine when conference play begins. Overall, the secondary will be a bright spot for the Nebraska football team in 2011. Talent and depth will keep the secondary as one of the top units in the Big 10 Conference this season. Thanks for reading, the next post will be my overall season prediction for Nebraska in 2011. Email me with your thoughts at jimdolezal@mail.com.

Three Experienced Linebackers Make it Easier for Coach Els

Ross Els is the new linebackers coach at Nebraska. He is a Lincoln native, whose father coached at Northeast High School before Ross started on his own career in coaching. Els may be new to the staff at Nebraska, but he has a veteran group of linebackers that will be ready to step up and lead the defense in 2011.

The star of the group is Lavonte David (6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Senior). David is all over the football field. His speed and explosiveness led him to set the single season record for tackles at Nebraska in 2010. He is one of the elite linebackers in the entire country. David has the physical tools to be a star, not only in the college game, but even in the professional ranks in 2012. David is a small linebacker that will use his athleticism to prove he can play at any level.

Partnering with David is Will Compton (6-2, 230, Jr.). Compton has seen a solid amount of action in his Husker career. Compton is a physical player that is more comfortable stopping the running game rather than in pass coverage. Will needs to be a strong presence for the defense to play at the level of excellence that the coaching staff expects going into Big 10 Conference play. The linebacker on the other side will be Sean Fisher (6-6, 235, Jr.). Fisher is a solid athlete as well. His speed allows Fisher to cover backs out of the backfield. Coming off a broken leg that sidelined him for all of 2010, Fisher is chomping at the bit to get back on the field in 2011.

Alonzo Whaley (6-1, 235, Jr.) was a role player in 2010 that will likely see more action against the physical offenses of the Big 10 this season. Freshman David Santos (6-0, 205) is a player that the coaches have been excited about that may surprise some people and find some game action.

This is a solid group. The linebackers will be on the field more than in the last couple of seasons of Big 12 play. Teams like Missouri and Oklahoma spread defenses out, while new opponents like Wisconsin and Iowa will try and play more smash-mouth football than the Huskers have faced recently. The starters have ability but depth is a question. If these players gain confidence, the sky is the limit. There will be a few ups and downs, but overall the linebackers will rise to the occasion in 2011.  

This Husker defense never rests

The Blackshirts. That is all one has to say to a Nebraska football fan and they think defense. Like the Masters golf tournament, this is a tradition unlike any other. The pride that Husker players, coaches, and fans take in the defense is legendary. In 2011 the defense starts the season somewhat ahead of the offense. The talent is there on every level, the coaching expertise is unquestionable. Now it is time to play. Let's start the defensive preview series by breaking down the defensive line.

Up front the Blackshirts have a star in defensive tackle Jared Crick (6-feet-6, 285 pounds, Senior). Crick is a powerhouse and a warrior. His combination of strength with speed creates havoc for opposing offenses. Crick came on the scene as a sophomore and has been an impact player since he received his first playing time. Jared has the talent to also move outside at times to play on the defensive end which can create problems for the opponents offensive line. He played in high school for the Cozad Haymakers and may get a haymaker or two in on an offensive lineman in a game.

 Next to Crick is Baker Steinkuhler (6-6, 290, Jr.). Baker has been in the trenches before and now appears ready to step up and take his game to another level. His continued solid play has allowed Nebraska to develop depth in players like Terrence Moore (6-3, 290, Sr.) and Thaddeus Randle (6-1, 300, So.). A pair of redshirt freshmen also will be in the mix up front. Look for Chase Rome (6-3, 295) and Jay Guy (6-1, 295) to compete for playing time and to add depth at defensive tackle.

The defensive end spots are more wide open at this time. One side is led by Cameron Meredith (6-4, 260, Jr.). Barring something unexpected, Meredith will start the opener at one defensive end position. He has shown flexibility to pass rush off the end and yet keep containment on plays that go outside on the flanks of the defense. Meredith can be a star player in 2011. On the other side several players are battling to start and contribute. Jason Ankrah (6-4, 265, So.) showed flashes last season and will have an opportunity to be on the field in 2011. Eric Martin (6-2, 260, Jr.) is becoming a pass rushing specialist after moving last season from the linebacker position. Martin will also continue to play a key role on special teams covering kickoffs and punts. Josh Williams (6-4, 260, Jr.) is in  the hunt to play a great deal at defensive end as is Joseph Carter (6-5, 250, Jr.) and Kevin Thomsen (6-2, 245, Sr.) who played a key role in late season action for the Big Red in 2010.

The cupboard is not bare along the defensive front. Nebraska has star talent on the line. Depth has been developed where the Huskers should have a key advantage against almost any team in the country. This will be a fun group to watch on game days that will lead the Big Red to a lot of victories in 2011. As always thanks for reading, and let me know what your thoughts are. Next time I will take a deep look at the Husker linebacker corps.

Not Running on Empty

Years ago there was a song that Jackson Browne put out titled "Running on Empty." Yes I know I am showing my age, but this is an appropriate description for the Nebraska running backs in 2011. The Huskers have two proven leaders at running back this season and three untested freshman that must compete hard for the Big Red to be at the front of the Big 10 Conference race this season.

Nebraska fans know about Rex Burkhead (5-11, 210, Jr.). The heart and soul of the Husker running game, Burkhead has the ability to do it all. He has solid leadership skills. Burkhead is a tough inside runner that also catches the ball well. While Rex has not shown a great deal of breakaway speed, he gets the key yards and protects the football. Burkhead is a focal point of the offense. Even with his smaller size, he handles contact and can punish defenders. In 2010 he showed his versatility by also giving the Big Red flexibility by being able to shine as a quarterback in the Wildcat formation. "Superman" as he is known in his hometown of Plano, Texas has the intangibles to lead an otherwise young group of I-backs.

Three freshmen will battle for time at the I-back spot with Burkhead. Braylon Heard (5-11, 180) is a home-run hitter on the football field. He possesses the speed and quickness to go the length of the field every time he touches the ball. Aaron Green (5-11, 190) is the most hyped freshman to come to Nebraska for the 2011 season. He will definitely be a factor in the chase for playing time in the backfield. Ameer Abdullah (5-9, 180) may be the smallest of the new backs, but reports are that he performed well this summer and has been impressive in early-season drills. The Alabama product was a great pick up late in the recruiting season. These three young players may also see time in the return game.

A couple of veterans must also be mentioned. Fullback Tyler Legate (5-10, 235, Sr.) is a tough throwback Nebraska fullback that is a fan favorite. Tyler is solid as a lead blocker and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Sophomore C. J. Zimmerer (6-0, 235) will provide depth at the fullback spot. Senior I-back Austin Jones (5-10, 210)  has stood out in preseason practices according to Coach Bo Pelini and he may surprise fans who have seen Jones only as a backup the last few seasons.

The Nebraska running game may look different this year than in the past. Fans will have to learn some new names and some new numbers, but the talent remains at a very high level. Leadership from veterans can really help this group make the Huskers a solid offense in 2011. This group will not run out of gas when they hit the accelerator in 2011.

The defensive preview is coming next. I will look at the defensive line, linebackers and secondary in separate posts this week. One week from today will be my season preview blog and then read my weekly look at each Nebraska opponent. You can always e-mail me at jimdolezal@mail.com with your thoughts. Thanks for reading Going Deep with Doze.

The Magic Man and his Band of Followers

Nebraska fans often have the same question. "Who is going to be the quarterback?"

Well I think that fans of the Huskers have a very good idea of who the starting quarterback is going to be for the Big Red in 2011. Without an injury or suspension, it appears that Taylor Martinez (6-feet-1, 200 pounds, Sophomore) is going to be behind center when Nebraska takes the first offensive snap against Tennessee Chattanooga. Martinez has the quickness to score from anywhere on the field. His burst is like few athletes I have ever seen. Often last season T-Magic was at full speed in only two steps and pulling away from defenders for huge runs. Martinez also showed the ability to throw the ball down the field with big plays in early season wins over Washington and Oklahoma State. The downside was that Martinez did not adjust well after defenses made changes in their attacks to account for his big-play ability. Also his leadership of an otherwise veteran team as a freshman may have damaged the team chemistry in 2010. Combine this with injury woes and it led to a disappointing end to the 2010 season for the Nebraska football team.

The backup quarterbacks for the Big Red have almost no game experience. Freshman Brion Carnes (6-1, 200) redshirted last season. There are a lot of good reports about his play a year ago with the scout team. Jamal Turner (6-1, 180, Fr.) will likely see the field as a receiver or return man rather than at quarterback. Ron Kellogg III (6-1, 215, So.) has shown a good arm in practice, but he is not likely to see much action in games.

Many Nebraska fans wanted to see what Bubba Starling could do as an athlete at quarterback for the Huskers. Now that he has signed with the Kansas City Royals baseball team we will likely never know. The key to good quarterback play for the Big Red this season is to keep Martinez healthy, increase his confidence and provide Carnes and Turner with some game action so they can be ready if called upon.  I believe Martinez will become a leader on the team in 2011 and the quarterbacks as a group will help Nebraska to a solid season.

Thanks for reading Going Deep with Doze. Email me any questions or thoughts you have at jimdolezal@mail.com.

Who catches on for the Big Red?

I hope you like the new look for Going Deep With Doze. It is time to take a look at who will be a factor when Nebraska tries to stretch the defense with the passing game. With a strong running game that the Huskers appear to have in 2011, the play-action passing attack could really open up some opportunities for the offense.

Nebraska has a pair of proven commodities at the receiver spots. First is wide receiver Brandon Kinnie (6-feet-3, 225 pounds, Senior). Kinnie really developed as the season moved on in 2010. He is a strong receiver that can go across the middle, take the ball away from a defensive back in traffic and crush a corner to spring a long run for the I-back. Brandon also shows good leadership qualities to a group of receivers that otherwise are fairly inexperienced.


The other top talent in the passing game is tight end Kyler Reed (6-3, 230, Jr.). Reed is a difficult matchup for a safety and a total mismatch for a linebacker in down field pass coverage. He really gets open down the seam of the defense that often leads to big plays. Reed reminds me of Matt Herian, the former Husker that was a favorite big-play target for Jammal Lord in 2002. Ben Cotton (6-6, 255, Jr.) can be a devastating blocker on the end of sweeps and catches the ball well for a man with good size. Jake Long (6-4, 240, So.) may also contribute at tight end.

The rest of the wide receivers will fight it out for playing time. Veterans like Tim Marlowe (5-10, 175, Jr.) and Khiry Cooper (6-2, 195, Jr.) will battle with players like Quincy Enunwa (6-2, 210, So.), Stanley Jean-Baptiste (6-3, 220, So.) and explosive freshman Jamal Turner (6-1, 180) for precious playing time. These players and a couple more on the depth chart must learn Tim Beck's new offensive system quickly if Nebraska is to be a more balanced and effective offensive team in 2011.

The receivers must be aggressive blockers and yet be speed demons running through the secondary of the opponents. The dual threat of good size with quickness always makes a defense nervous. This group of largely untested Huskers will have to be ready for battles by the time Big 10 Conference play comes along. I think this group will come along slowly, but can make a difference to the team late in the year. Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments section of the blog. Thanks as always for reading.

Winning for Nebraska starts up front

The Nebraska Cornhuskers will be as good as their line play in the 2011 season. In my mind the biggest question mark for the Big Red is the play of the offensive line. If the line has good chemistry and depth, then 2011 can close the season with games in Indianapolis and Pasadena. On the other hand, if the offensive line has the injury and cohesiveness issues of the last few seasons then the 2011 season will likely end with a game against Iowa and a low-tier bowl game.


The Nebraska offensive line will be led by center Mike Caputo (6-feet-1, 275 pounds, Senior). Caputo is a little undersized, but with 14 career starts, his leadership will be critical to the Huskers. Cole Pensick (6-2, 275, So.) and Ryne Reeves (6-3, 300, Fr.) provide depth behind Caputo.

The tackle spot has some good experience in returning starter Jeremiah Sirles (6-6, 320, So.) and Marcel Jones (6-7, 320, Sr.). Yoshi Hardrick (6-7, 320, Sr.) has dropped 30 pounds in the off season which may mean that he can contribute more consistently than he did in 2010. Sophomore Brent Qvale (6-7, 320) and freshman Tyler Moore (6-6, 290) also add depth at the tackle spots.

The mix at the guard positions is more of a question mark. Sophomore Andrew Rodriguez (6-6, 325) needs to step up for a pipeline to develop like during the 1990's in Lincoln. The Aurora product has the physical skills to become a star. Brandon Thompson (6-6, 300, Jr.) will also be a factor at guard. Freshman Jake Cotton (6-6, 295) is also getting a very strong look at the position. Ryan Klachko (6-4, 285, Fr.) may be a contributor that fans are not aware of yet.

When the offensive line comes together the 2011 Nebraska football team can be strong. Even with all the injuries up front in 2010, the Huskers were only 84 yards rushing from having three backs over 1,000 yards on the season. Confidence will need to develop quickly. If that occurs, the possibilities are boundless for the Big Red.

Husker Stumper for August 12, 2011

Cory Schlesinger scored the winning touchdown in the 1995 Orange Bowl for Nebraska over Miami.

Tonight's Husker Stumper is: What sport did Ndamukong Suh excel in as a child? Your clue is his father played for the national team of Cameroon in this sport as well.

Post your answers in the comments. This weekend look for more position analysis of the 2011 Nebraska football team. Thanks for Going Deep With Doze.

Husker Stumper for Wednesday, August 11 2011

Yesterday I wanted to know who holds the Nebraska record for longest touchdown run?

The answer is Eric Crouch with a 95-yard run against Missouri in 2001.

Tonight's question is what Husker scored the winning touchdown to defeat Miami in the 1995 Orange Bowl?

Thanks for checking the blog and post your guesses in the comments. You can always email me, the address is jimdolezal@mail.com.

2011 Nebraska special teams preview

First up is a look at special teams.The kicking game makes a tremendous difference in football. Field position is often dictated by how strong a team is kicking off, punting, and in the return game.

In 2011 Nebraska will be young on special teams. Brett Maher, (6-feet, 185 pounds, Junior) from Kearney will likely be the punter for the Big Red. He has almost no game experience, except as a holder. Maher was solid in the spring handling kickoff, punting, and placekicking duties.

Freshman Mauro Bondi  (6-0, 190) is a possibility to come off his high school field in Florida and may win the job as a field goal and kickoff specialist for the Huskers. Since Bondi is untested, his ability to contribute is an unknown going into the season.

Several players may play a role in the return game. Tim Marlowe (5-10, 175, Jr.)  gives good experience to the Big Red as a kickoff return man. Freshmen that will get a look as returners include Jamal Turner (6-1, 180), Ameer Abdullah (5-9, 180), Aaron Green  (5-11, 190) and Braylon Heard (5-11, 180).

In the past, starters like Brandon Kinnie (6-3, 225, Sr.), and Rex Burkhead (5-11, 210, Jr.) have been key members on punt and kick returns. It is likely that these game changers will not see many opportunities on special teams to keep them fresh for the offense.

Austin Cassidy (6-1, 210, Sr.) is the favorite to become the holder for field goals and extra points while P. J. Mangieri (6-4, 240, Jr.) will continue as the long snapper in the kicking game.

Overall this is an area that Nebraska will need to develop talent and depth to rival the great season the Huskers had on special teams in 2010. Which players develop into contributors on special teams will make a big difference for the Big Red to be a championship team this season.

Husker Stumpers

Every day during the football season I will post a trivia question for you to answer. The name Husker Stumpers is in honor of the first Nebraska Football trivia game I ever entered on local radio.

Who holds the record for longest touchdown run in Nebraska history?

Welcome to Going Deep With Doze

Hello everyone. I want to welcome you to Going Deep With Doze. I'm Jim Dolezal, a sports fan with a passion for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. My feelings for Nebraska will be shared with you here. During the football season stop here for a breakdown of every Husker football game with a preview with an in-depth look at the opponent. After the game I will give you my perspective on what happened and what it means for the rest of the season.

So why would you read Going Deep With Doze? That is a good question. Here is my background. I was born on the opening day of the 1963 Nebraska football season (Husker fan from birth you know). The joke in my family is I was born at 6:20 a.m. that day so that my parents could get me to Memorial Stadium in time for kickoff at 1:30 p.m. The Huskers defeated South Dakota State that day 58-7.  I am a native of Columbus. Currently I live with my wife and son near Lincoln.  I spent over twenty years writing sports for The Columbus Telegram and am now moving into the blog world. Additionally I have fifteen years experience in the radio business most of which was on the air and play by play for Three Eagles Communications in Columbus. My experience also includes time on the play by play radio team for Midland University football in Fremont.

Now that you know a little bit about me, I hope you will stay and  help this blog grow. Let me know what you want to see in the blog as well. You can email me at jimdolezal@mail.com.

Thanks for stopping by Going Deep With Doze. Tell your friends. Up next here will be a preseason breakdown of each position group for the Huskers.