Bell adjusts smoothly
to wingback at NU
By Kyle Schurman
First Down Reporter
Although Nebraska wingback Richard Bell never played wing
back in high school, he has adjusted to the position “real well,”
according to Comhusker receivers coach Ron Brown.
Bell played running back and tight end through his junior year
in high school, and then switched to quarterback in his senior year.
He said Nebraska was the only school that recruited him as a
wingback.
Bell played quarterback for John Muir High School in Altadena,
Calif. Brown said Bell developed his athletic abilities during his
high school days.
“You have to be a good athlete to play quarterback in high school
and he was certainly that,” Brown said.
Bell, a redshirt sophomore, said he made the sw itch to quarter
back during his senior season because his coach to>d him he was
needed more at that position.
My coach asked me to switch because we didn t have a
quarterback who could get me the ball,” Bell said. “I was one of
those athletes who could do a lot of different things.”
Bell threw for 1,560 yards and rushed for 1,490 more as a senior.
He said making the switch to receiver was tough because he was
‘‘used to handling the football on every play.” He said he likes
playing receiver, though.
Bell said to improve at receiver he needs to perfect his blocking
techniques and learn the plays better. Bell has an advantage over the
other wingbacks in blocking because he is the biggest wingback at
6-fectand 195 pounds. He said learning the plays w ill help him even
more with his blocking.
“It I know the plays then I’m not hesitant about w ho to block,”
Bell said. ‘‘I can just go after them.”
Downlield blocking helped Bell to score his first touchdown as
a Husker. Bell scored on a 78-yard pass from quarterback Steve
Taylor late in the first half of Nebraska’s 30-21 win over South
Carolina. Split end Morgan Gregory threw a block dow nfield that
allowed Bell to score.
“Downfield blocking is part of the offense,” Bell said. ‘‘A lot of
long plays happen because of the dow nfield blocking.”
Brown said Bell’s success has been no surprise because of his
physical attributes.
“It’s been no surprise seeing w hat he has done because he is such
a great athlete,” Brow n said. “He has picked up the system real w ell
and he has a lot of poise and confidence. But he has been w aiting
his turn.”
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Doug Carroll/First Down
Nebraska wingback Richard Bell eludes a
South Carolina defender en route to a touch
down.
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