NU defense snuffs out
Colorado State’s fire
By Jeff Griesch
Senior Reporter
»
Nebraska’s Blackshirts relieved
some leftover frustrations during the
Comhuskers’ 48-13 win over Colo
rado State on Saturday at Memorial
Stadium.
A week after being criticized for
missing tackles against UCLA, the
Husker defense wrapped up the Rams
— allowing only 162 yards in total
offense and six points through the f irst
three quarters.
RoverToby Wright set the tone for
the Huskers on the second play of the
game when he intercepted Colorado
State quarterback Anthoney Hill’s
pass and returned it 32 yards for a
touchdown.
It was Wright’s second intercep
tion return for a touchdown this sea
son, and it gave the Huskers a 7-0 lead
just 57 seconds into the game.
The Husker defense made big play
after big play against the struggling
Colorado State offense. The Huskers
recorded three sacks, two intercep
tions and 10 tackles for losses.
After being held to minus 2 yards
on its first possession, the Husker
offense marched 78 yards in 11 plays
on its second possession to give Ne
braska a 14-3 lead.
The 14 points would be all the
Husker defense would need.
Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said
he was impressed with the perfor
mance of the defense.
“Defensively, I thought we maybe
saw some improvement,” Osborne
said. “We did a better job, but 1 don’t
-44
I am glad we don’t play next Saturday. We have a
number of players injured so I think at this time, in
our situation, an open date is what we need.
— Osborne
NU football coach
-1* -
think the strongest part of Colorado
State was their offense.”
Osborne said Colorado State’s de
fense was its strength, limiting the
Huskers to less than 400 yards total
offense.
“Colorado State was a reasonably
good defensive football team,”
Osborne said. “They changed things
up enough that we had trouble mov
ing the ball.”
The Huskers managed only 106
yards passing and 254 yards rushing.
The Rams also did not allow any
Nebraska running back to gain 100
yards.
Osborne said the Huskers’ inabili
ty to consistently move the ball con
cerned him.
“I don’t think probably overall we
are where we want to be,” Osborne
said. “But I think considering some of
the things that have happened, we’re
not too bad. We have got a lot of room
for improvement.”
The team’s overall health is the
one area that needs to improve more
than any other, Osborne said.
The open date next Saturday, he
said, will give players like Tommie
Frazier, Calvin Jones and Donta Jones
a much-needed chance to recover from
their injuries.
Corey Dixon and Abdul
Muhammad also are banged up and
will benefit from the open date,
Osborne said.
Frazier said he felt better against
Colorado State thstn at any other time
since he was injured in the North
Texas game.
But Osborne said Frazier didn’t
look like the same quarterback in the
third quarter.
“Frazier in the third quarter did not
look like the same Tommie to me,”
Osborne said.
Osborne said Frazier would be able
to take the next three or four days off
from practice and rest his ankle.
And the week off will be just what
the doctor ordered for the Huskcrs.
“I am glad we don’t play next
Saturday,” Osborne said. “We have a
numberof players injured so I think at ^
this time, in our situation, an open
date is what we need.”
Clockwise from left: Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier eludes Colorado State’s Free
Safety Greg Myers Saturday. Frazier rushed for 75 yards on 11 carries, l-back Lawrence Phillips
(No. 1) leads the charge as Nebraska’s Ken Mehlin (No. 62) and Lance Lundberg zero in on
Colorado State’s Steve Hodge. Nebraska outside linebacker Jerad Higman pursues Ram
quarterback Anthoney Hill. Comhusker wingback Abdul Muhammad slips by a Ram defender
en route to his third quarter touchdown.
Record Pvs
1. Florida St. 4-0-0 1
2. Alabama 4-0-0 2
3. Miami 3-0-0 3
4. Notre Dame 4-0-0 4
5. Florida 3-0-0 5
6. Nebraska 4-0-0 6
7,Ohio St. 3-0-0 7
8. Michigan 2-1-0 8
9. Penn St. 4-0-0 9
10. Oklahoma 3-0-0 10
H.Tennessee 3-1-0 11
12. Arizona 4-0-0 15
13.Syracuse 3-0-1 12
14. Texas A&M 2-1-0 14
15. Washington 2-1-0 16
16. North Carolina 4-1-0 18
17. California 4-0*0 20
18. Louisville 4-0-0 24
19. Colorado M 2-2-0 13
20. BYU 4-0-0 21
21. Virginia 4-0-0 22
22. Wisconsin 4-0-0 23
23. Aubum 4-0-0 25
24. NC State 2-1-0 19
25. West Virginia 3-0-0 -
ON graphic
William Lauar/DN
