Monday, January 12, 1987
Daily Nebraskan
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. , , . . . .. ... .... . Paul VonderlageDaily Nebraskan
Nebraska s defensive line, led by middle guard Danny Noonan, stop Louisiana Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. Williams was stopped on the next play and then scored on
State tailback Harvey Williams short of the goal line in the first quarter of the third down from the 1-yard line to give LSU a 7-0 lead with the extra point.
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Analysis by Chuck Green
Sports Editor
NEW ORLEANS, La. Broderick
Thomas made it official after Nebraska's
30-15 win over Louisiana State in the
Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
"Our 1987 Hell-Raisin Tour has
begun," the Cornhusker defensive end
said.
For several days before the game,
Nebraska players vowed to begin a long
.winning streak that would continue
long into next year.
Maybe even longer.
"It won't be long before we reach the
top," Thomas said. "Let everyone know
Nebraska's back."
Thomas' teammates agreed.
Husker quarterback Steve Taylor
said the 1986 season was a learning
experience, but "next year, the team's
going to be a lot sharper."
"(The win over LSU) sets it up for
next year," Nebraska defensive tackle
Lee Jones said. "It starts us off good."
A quick peek at Nebraska's depth
chart for spring practice gives credibility
to the players' predictions. Twenty
three of the top 33 players on offense
return next season, as do 20 of the top
33 on defense. Nebraska's offensive
line next year will average five pounds
per man heavier than that of 1986.
Eleven of the Huskers' top 12 offensive
backs return in 1987 and the defense
will be one of the fastest, strongest
units in the school's history.
At split end, Rod Smith and Jason
Gamble return. Smith was among the j
nation's leaders in punt returns in 1986 ;
and Gamble, despite sitting out last
season because of a knee injury, runs a
consistent 4.5-second 40-yard dash.
Nebraska's offensive line is solid '
despite returning only one starter from
1986. The left side will be led by Keven
Lightner and Andy Keeler at tackle and
guard, respectively, but both will have
competition. Bob Sledge, a 6-2, 265
pound junior will vie for starting honors
at tackle while 6-5, 250-pound Jake
Young will give Keeler a battle at
guard. Young finished 1986 as Nebras
ka's top freshman offensive lineman.
John Nichols is the heir apparent at
center, but redshirt sophomore Chris
O'Gara may surprise. O'Gara spent the
year playing against middle guards
Danny Noonan and Lawrence Pete
during practice and will probably not
face many finer players in his college
career.
The lone returning starter in the
Husker interior line is right guard John
McCormick. McCormick, 6-1, 265, will
become a three-year starter unless an
unknown redshirt takes over. He is the
only player of the top three that returns
at his position.
Right tackle should be handled by
Corey Bill Hudson, a 6-3, 265-pound
senior.
Tom Banderas, Willie Griffin and
Todd Millikan all return at tight end.
The trigger of Nebraska's offense
next year, like this season, will be
Steve Taylor. Taylor showed signs of
youth in 1986, making occasional
judgment mistakes, but next season
should bring sharper play from the
junior from San Diego. Clete Blakeman
will provide Taylor with competition in
spring practice, while third-team signal
caller McCathorn Clayton will likely be
moved to another position, such as
receiver or defensive back.
Micah Heibel will likely inherit the
fullback position although Doug Dal
ton could have a good spring and move
ahead of him. Dana Brinson, Hendley
Hawkins and Von Sheppard return at
wingback.
Probably the fiercest battle of the
spring will take place for starting
chores at I-back. Keith Jones returns
and will probably start the spring at
the No. 1 position, but look for junior
Tyreese Knox to take over if he plays as
well in March and April as he did in
October and November.
Jeff Wheeler and Terry Rodgers also
return.
The kicking duties will be handled
by Gregg Barrios or Chris Drennan and
the punter will be either John Kroeker
or Dante Wiley.
On defense, the starting front line
will likely include Broderick Thomas,
Neil Smith, Lawrence Pete, Lee Jones
and either Jeff Mills or Kenny Walker,
both sophomores.
The linebacking corps will be led by
LeRoy Etienne, with Blake Henning
and Doug Welniak battling for the
other spot.
Charles Fryar returns to his right
corner position and John Custard
appears to be the top candidate for the
other corner. Brian Washington is back
for his final campaign at strong safety
while Mark Blazek will start as the No.
1 free safety this spring.
Nebraska's pre-season schedule
includes UCLA, Utah State, Pac Ten
and Rose Bowl champion Arizona State.
South Carolina, led by quarterback
Todd Ellis, comes to Lincoln for the
fourth game of the year. The Big Eight
season is highlighted by back-to-back
games with Colorado in Boulder
and Oklahoma in Lincoln to
finish the season.
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