2003 Statistics

TE Matt Herian

Quarterback
No matter what is said, the approach here is going to be as conventional as wearing red to work on Fridays. Sophomore speedster Joe Dailey has had a bit of backup time in real games, but has shown little besides guts. He had two TDs, but also two INTs in his brief '03 exposure, but bet Dailey will fall into the mold of all of the great run-pass combo threats Lincoln has produced. But also realize this means he will have mediocre numbers as he leads his men to victory. We're sure this will be OK with the Cornhusker faithful, especially with the sophistication offensive-mind coach Callahan brings to the table. Dailey has an arm, but expect it to be marginally cocked as creative draws and play-action become fashionable in Nebraska's offense.

Running Back
Junior Cory Ross is a smallish speedster that can slip under big defensive linemen for extra inside yards as well as he can bounce outside and break one. This guy will be a team leader with his work ethic and strong approach to the game's facets. His backup will see loads of reps - David Horne, another junior ready to make a leadership impact, is bigger and just as quick. The two should one-two punch Nebraska's running game into the 5 yards-per carry average as a team for '04. The option of Dailey, these guys, or senior all-academic FB Steve Kriewald will make ground-loaded play-calling a no-brainer and for very few plays that will lose yards, if chosen.

Wide Receiver
Juniors mean the WR crew is experienced enough to give Dailey solid route-runners and good short-range targets for his quick-release needs. Starter Ross Pilkington returns, and he brings needed speed to the outside. Fellow-junior Mark Leflore also returns, and he and Z-slot man Isaiah Fluellen make this trio worthy of Callahan's attention for more than just 192 throws, 2003's total of passes attempted. Look for these guys and others to become a valued dimension not seen for quite some time in Lincoln.

Tight End
Junior Matt Herian adds to the above claims as to how well the passing game will be anticipated. This shining star has averaged well-over 20 yards per catch his entire Nebraska career, and is the co-leading receiver from '03. His numbers aren't quite enough to get him all-American honors, but his ability to tie up LBs and safeties will open up all kinds of lanes and angles for the ground game and other underneath routes. Look for senior Dusty Keiser to bust opposing defenses' outside containment as he lines up opposite Herian. Dusty has hands, too.

Offensive Line
Much is needed and expected from this crew, and they will deliver. Ironically, opposing linemen will definitely know who junior Richie Incognito is, especially if they find out the painful way that he totaled the second-highest pancake total in school history as a freshman! With sausage grinders like the ones Nebraska produces on a regular basis, that says much, huh. Richie can play center, too, so look for much from this 2003 Outland watch-lister. While in this breakfast analogy, look for pancakes galore from senior guard Mike Erikson. He and fellow-senior Jake Anderson (team-best squat of 600-lbs.) will "guard" the inside well, regardless of the opponents. Enough dimensions are covered by these agile giants that they should again rank in the top 10 for yards per game on the ground.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
First-year offensive coordinator Jay Norvell comes in with Callahan from Oakland. His experience in most of his college settings has been to instigate an air-born approach to the offense. Callahan has to be ready to temper this and make the talent he has work with what they do best, and especially what they were recruited to do, and we all know that is to primarily run. If anyone is going to let QBs air it out with good strategies, it'll be Callahan. Look for one-in-three plays to be a pass, a huge change from their usual one-in-four or -five ratio traditionally employed here. Growing pains with the entire personnel will occur. But will they again perform practically mistake-free ball under new head coach Bill Callahan (ranked first in all I-A for TO-ratio in '03)? Strategy is open, and opponents need to pay attention to what develops/happens on this side of the ball to win against the Cornhuskers.

Defensive Line
Nebraska will miss three incredible linemen from their 24th-ranked run-defense of '03, but the talent drop off looks to be minimal with two starters returning and agile monsters will clamor for the vacancies. The thing this unit has to be aware of is letting opponents again tally 3.5 yards per rush for the entire campaign. LeKevin Smith has gotten back to his same quickness levels from before his blowing out of each knee successively in his freshman and then sophomore years. His 29-inch vertical leap is complimented by the athleticism of his fellow stuffers. Finding a NT will be top priority as spring ball ensues. End Bernard Thomas, a senior, will again disrupt and affect pass plays, even as a short-coverage man. With such a strong back-seven, this dimension cannot, and will not, allow opponents to frequently penetrate past their initial wall.

Linebacker
There is no doubt the defense will rely on MLB Barrett Ruud to again rule over all proceedings. His nose for the ball is only outshined by the anomalistic, across-the-board statistical results he earns. Chad Sievers (4.0 in Business Admin.) and Ira Cooper both will make much of their senior campaigns - each is the most-experienced of the returners here. They are both adaptable to any position, and will have to be with inexperience behind them. If injuries occur to these few standouts, look for much from the incoming newbies.

Defensive Back
This was the number one pass-efficiency defense of '03, and that unit returns three starters. Junior Fabian Washington will again be a shut-down level corner, and teams will assuredly aim the other way, whichever way he isn't. The other corner, Lornell McPherson, is almost as good, and will show much as he gets balls galore, for sure. And when we talk about NU safeties in '04, all we can say is - Bullocks! Twins Josh and Daniel Bullocks play on the same page, to say the least. By having played in back together going now on two years, only the most sophisticated of passing schemes will make 2004 any different. Strong safety Josh wins the ball-hawking title of these four starters (10 INTs). Expect much from them, like again holding foes to under 6 yards per pass and again allowing somewhere near 10 (or under) passing TDs.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The one stat we failed to reveal was NU's #2 ranking nationally in scoring defense. New-DC Kevin Cosgrove comes in from Wisconsin. He was also a LB coach there, and he brings a balanced, conservative approach to the defense. He enjoys having stingy crews when points are up for grabs, so expect the Cornhuskers to again give them up with an eyedropper. The secondary will predictably help out the run-stoppers early, until they feel it, too. But Cosgrove cannot allow quick Big 12 foes into the secondary when they cheat eight in the box this way. A few early foes may hurt the stat department in a few categories, but the secondary will surely keep the play in front of them enough to assure wins in those contests. They may not finish as the 11th-ranked defense again, but they will be close, and just as effective.