Nebraska gets started early Saturday morning with an 11:05 kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln against Arkansas State.
Both teams come into the ESPN2 televised game with a 1-1 record. The Red Wolves are coached by Gus Malzahn, the former offensive coordinator at Auburn when the Tigers won the National Championship in 2010.
Arkansas State can move the football, with 575 yards per game, including 303 per contest passing and 272 rushing. An up-tempo, no-huddle offense is orchestrated by quarterback Ryan Aplin (6-foot-1, 199 Pounds, Senior).Aplin completes 59.7 percent of his passes (52 of 87) with four touchdowns and one interception this season. He is a former Nebraska recruit that can also run the ball, averaging 55 yards rushing. His dual threat talents will hurt the Husker defense at times today. He will spread Nebraska out and throw the ball all over the field.
The running game is led by David Oku, (5-10, 199, Jr.) averaging 105 yards per game on the ground with one touchdown. Frankie Jackson (5-9, 197, So.) also sees some time at running back. The small backs are quick and elusive, very good on draw plays out of the shotgun spread formation.
The Red Wolves will almost always have four or five receivers on the field offensively. Josh Jarobe (6-3, 198, Sr. leads the team with 19 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman J.D. McKissic (5-10, 184) is second with 12 receptions this season. Julian Jones (6-0, 190, Jr.) is the deep threat with big-play speed. The passing game will throw a lot of underneath passes trying to get mismatches against slower linebackers and safeties in pass coverage..
The offensive line averages 6-3 and 300 pounds from tackle to tackle.Center Eric Allen (6-1, 291, Sr.) and right tackle Zack McKnight (6-4, 300, Sr.) lead the way. This offensive line will use wide spaces similar to what Texas Tech did under Mike Leach to also create running lanes for the backs.. This group does not have to protect for a long time because Aplin moves well and releases the ball quickly.
The Red Wolves defense gives up yards and points in bunches. Middle linebacker Nathan Herrold (6+3, 235, Sr.) paces the team with 20 total tackles and a forced fumble. He is the heart and soul of the defense. This season Arkansas State is allowing 42.5 points and 449 yards per game. The defense gives up 231 yards per game passing and 218 on the ground. The defensive line has a big run stopper in tackle Ryan Carrethers (6-2, 310, Jr.), while the small secondary is led by cornerback Chaz Scales (5-9, 167, Sr.) with one interception this season. The defense of Arkansas State is much less powerful than the solid offensive group.
In the kicking game Brian Davis (5-11, 182, Jr.) is 4-of-6 (66.7 percent) on field goals with a long of 43 yards. Punter Neely Sullivent (6-0, 195, Sr.)averages 38.4 yards per punt with one kick blocked this season. Oku and Rocky Hayes (5-10, 177, Fr.) both are solid kick returners. Hayes is a defensive back that may also get a few carries in the offensive backfield. McKissic handles the punt returns.
Nebraska is reeling in all facets of the game right now. This game could shape up like the 2007 NU-Ball State game won by the Big Red 41-40 that signaled the beginning of the end for Bill Callahan at Nebraska. This game will be a test, but I think Nebraska will find a way to win over Arkansas State. The Red Wolves have talent on offense to keep the game in doubt to the fourth quarter. I like Nebraska to win today by a score of 45-30.
Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
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