Cornhuskers must continue spreading the ball around

By Nathan Walters  |   Tuesday, September 12, 2006  |  Comments( 15 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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If one focused on USC or Texas and their explosive offenses in 2005, he or she would notice that, most times, one of three players would score points for the Trojans and Longhorns. Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and LenDale White carried 98 percent of the Trojan offense last season, and Vince Young had almost 89 percent of the Longhorn offense.

But fortunately, giving the ball to more than a couple star players in order to score touchdowns hasn't made its way to Lincoln yet, as seven players from the Cornhuskers scored in Saturday's 56-7 win over the Nicholls State Colonels. The Cornhuskers not only allowed seven players into the end zone, but they allowed their offense to show its balance yet again.

Zac Taylor, arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12, threw for a season-high four touchdown passes and finished the day with 232 yards through the air. He got into gift-giving mode again, throwing touchdown passes to fullback Dane Todd and wide receivers Frantz Hardy and Maurice Purify for their first scores of the season. Senior tight end Matt Herian caught his second touchdown in two games on a 19-yard reception in the second quarter.

Not only did Taylor throw four touchdowns to four different players, but he was able to get the ball out to 10 different receivers throughout the course of the game.

And, to show that not only do receivers get the football, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan allowed all four of his running backs to get the ball as well. They responded well to the gift from the beloved coach, rushing for 261 yards and four touchdowns. Marlon Lucky showed his appreciation the most, rushing for 103 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries.

The offensive gift-giving didn't just come from the Nebraska offense to each other. Apparently, Nicholls State wanted to get the ball to more Husker players as well, fumbling the ball seven times. The Cornhuskers were able to pick up three of those gifts during the course of the game, and responded by giving the offense more chances to spread the ball out.

The Cornhusker defense, though, did not feel obliged to give the Colonels any kind of gift during their trip to Lincoln except a headache on offense and an "L" in their win-loss column. The Blackshirts held the Colonels to just 187 yards of total offense, all of which came on the ground. Nicholls State did not complete any of its three passes thrown during the game, and Nebraska's defensive line repeatedly stopped the plays run by the triple-option offense.

Now that the tune-ups from Louisiana have been taken care of, the Cornhuskers turn their attention westward to Southern California, where No. 4 USC awaits in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Cornhuskers had stated all week they were not focused on the Trojans, and it showed in their stomping of Nicholls State. Now, though, the real competition begins.

The Husker secondary, much maligned throughout the preseason and into the first game, was given a week to recuperate. Now, on the national scene, the Cornhuskers' "Blackshirt" defense looks to derail the offensive train in USC.

Game notes:

-Zac Taylor is ranked No. 7 in the country with a quarterback rating of 184.24. He is No. 1 among quarterbacks in the Big 12. His current touchdown-to-interception ration is 7:1

Nebraska's five-game winning streak, its longest since starting the 2003 season 5-0, is tied for third-longest in the country. It is first among Big 12 schools and ranks behind only West Virginia (nine), Ohio State (nine), and TCU (12). Tied with the Huskers are Purdue, Boston College and Navy.

Nebraska moved up to No. 19, No. 18 in the polls, its highest ranking since 2003.

Get more on the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Realfootball365.com
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