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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 17, 1992)
Travis Heying/DN Quarterback Mike Grant passes in last Saturday’s game. The Huskers practiced for two hours Wednesday in prepa ration for the Washington game. Linebacker injures knee in practice •a By Phil Carter Staff Reporter The Comhuskcr defense suf fered a tremendous blow on Wednesday in its preparation for Saturday’s game with No. 2 Wash ington. Inside linebacker and two-year starter Mike Anderson injured his knee early in Wednesday’s work out and is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game in Seattle. Huskcr coach Tom Osborne al luded that Anderson’s absence could be costly to the Husker de fense. “ “He strained his knee and it doesn’t look very good,” Osborne said. “I don’t think it’s anything long-term, but I’d say it will be very doubtful that he’ll play Satur day.” Anderson, who was Nebraska’s second leading tackier last season and an honorable mention All-Big Eight selection, injured his knee during a drill at the start of practice. Anderson’s likely replacement will be Troy Branch. Branch, a junior from Camden, N.J., played in all 11 games for the Huskers last season and was a member of the Phillips 66 Big Eight Academic Honor Roll. Osborne said if Anderson does miss Saturday’s game, the defense will make the necessary adjust ments. “It’s likely that Branch will play,” Osborne said. “But we’ll have to sit down (with Anderson) and talk it over. If he doesn’t play, we’ll adjust.” Outside linebacker David White was the only other player hurt Wednesday. White was acciden tally kicked during a scrimmage and missed the last half of practice, but Osborne said he will be ready for the game on Saturday. Huskies hope to stop Huskers in running game n.. t*i_■_ oy reier i neonans Staff Reporter The running game. Every football fan from Lincoln to Seattle — along with Washington defensive back Walter Bailey — knows that running is Nebraska’s strong suit. But Bailey will have to defend the Huskers’ attack, and the confidence they have in it. “If they have success running, I’d keep doing it,” Bailey said. “If you can’t stop it, what can you do about it?” Bailey and the Washington de fense has given up big plays in carly season wins over Arizona Slate and Wisconsin, but the Huskies have held their opponents to seven points in each of those games. “(Arizona State and Wisconsin) didn’t really think they could line up and beat us; but I know Nebraska thinks they can line up and beat us,” Bailey said. He said the Huskies’ defensive line would be tested by the nation’s leading offense, especially with the loss of All-American Steve Emtman. “I feel confident in (the defensive line),” Bailey said. “At the same lime, they’re going to attack us, but at the same time we have to back each other. “We have improved over the last three weeks.” The Huskies will use a variety of defensive schemes to disrupt the Huskcr running attack, said the 5 foot-11 senior from Portland, Ore. The 190-pound Bailey will likely be a factor in any disruption the Hus kies’ defense causes. Bailey is a lead ing candidate for the Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in the nation. He also is listed by The Sport ing News as the top collegiate comerback. - « This is a game that is in our house. It’s going to be a smash-mouth blood bath out there. — Bailey Washington cornerback -ft Bailey led the Huskies with seven interceptions in 1991 in earning sec ond-team All Pac-10 honors. Bailey’s covering ability could be well tested against Nebraska. The Huskcrs use play action in their pass ing attack, something the Huskies don’t sec often. “We see a lot of play action in practice,” Bailey said. “But it’s kind of different on each team. It’s kind of hard tp play action our defense with how many guys we have coming at the quarterback. “(Nebraska) has shown in the few games we’ve seen that they mix it up. They throw a lot of short stuff, but we expect them to mix it up.” Last year the Huskies came into Lincoln, and it was a new experience for players like Bailey. He said he enjoyed playing in front of the loud Memorial Stadium crowd, but added lie was glad that it was the Huskies’ turn to be the noisy host. “For me I was scared to death. It was my first start,” Bailey said. “I was tense, but after the second half they got tired and we got stronger as the second half went along. “This is a game that is in our house and it’s going to be a smash-mouth blood bath out there. It is going to be exciting.” Mother Tung & Black Pearl Thurs. Sept. 17th 1 Buck 2 Bands Sho Nuff Blue Sun. Sept. 20th "Blues at its Best" __The Brothers Sept. 24, 25 & 26 Downtown Phone # 1435 *0' Street (Next to State Theatre)_ 474-2166 CEC - - - I did it JlUt o o 3 3 O ut "i?— ’TCBY' ^ BIZMART The Country’s Best Yogurt Runza