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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 1994)
Linebacker optimistic about Husker defense By Derek Samson Senior Reporter With only one game under Nebraska’s belt, senior linebacker Ed Stewart doesn’t want to make any predictions yet. But the three-year starter isn’t about to sell himself and his teammates short either. Stewart said that aflcr Nebraska’s olTense rolled up 468 yards and the Cornhusker defense allowed only 89 yards in the 31-0 rout of West Virginia on Sunday, the Blackshirt defense had something to build on. “It’s kind of hard to compare it with last season,” he said. “As far as the first game goes, we did pretty well considering the team play. I think we definitely have the opportun i ty to be as good or better than last season. “It was definitely positive for us to go in defensi vcly and do the th i ngs we did. So hopeful 1 y it can carry over next week against Texas Tech.” The number that stands out for the defense is West Virginia’s rushing total ofeight yards on 38 carries, compared to 368 rushing yards for the Huskcrs. “The key to the game was that we wanted to stop the running game, and we were able to do that,” Stewart said. “We were able to put them in passing situations, and we were able to pul some pressure on them in third and long.” But Stewart, who collected seven tackles in the Kickoff Classic, said the defense couldn’t be content with its domination of the Mountaineers. “Going into the first game, we felt that the first real test of this defense would be West Virginia,” he said. “Now, we’re looking at Texas Tech that way, and we’ll just keep taking it one game at a See STEWART on 11 Michelle Psulmsn/DN Nebraska linebacker Ed Stewart prepares for a drill during practice on Tuesday. Stewart is a Butkus Award candidate and also has been mentioned for All-American honors. Recruits offset height loss, coach says By Mitch Sherman Senior Reporter Of the five tallest playerson last year’s Nebras ka men’s basketball team, three arc gone. But to compensate for the loss of Erie Piatkowski, Bruce Chubick and Tom Best, the Comhusker coaching staff recruited two players taller than any of the three graduates. Ff-—-1 Centers Leif Nelson, a 6 foot-11 freshman from River side, Calif., andChris Sallee, a ; 6-fool-11 junior from Phoenix South Mountain Community College, lead a pack of new big Jmen for the defending Big j Eight tournament champions. J Last year, Nebraska fin ■ ished the season 20-10. losmv Nee to Pennsylvania in the first round of the NCAA tourna ment. Other off-season additions include Chester Surlcs.a6-foot-7swingmanfromSaginaw.Mich.; Chad Ideus, a6-foot-7 forward from Adams; and Andy Markowski. a 6-foot-7 forward from Ord. e b r as k a Basketball 3° Men's “What wc I ike about the new players is we have some height," Nebraska coach Danny Nee said. “Wc lost three front-line players in Tom Best, Bruce Chubick and Eric Piatkowski. These guys help us in that area.” Nee said he didn’t know how much the new comers would be able to contribute this season. “It’s too early to tell right now," he said. “We think all the guys coming in arc going to be able to help at some time. 11 possibly could happen this year, or it possibly could not.” But whether or not Sallee can contribute im mediately may not be up to the coaching staff. Before playing at South Mountain for two years, Sallee played at Scottsdale Community College for one semester. Under NCAA regula tions, he has only 1 1/2 ycarsofel igibility remain ing. However, Nee said Nebraska hoped to extend his eligibility to two years. “It’s a thing where we knew going in that he might only have a year and a half of eligibility,” Nee said. “It’s not something we have dealt with yet. We arc hoping he’ll get a full two years.” If Sallee cannot compete until January, Ne braska will be forced to rely even more heavily on its group of returning players. Forward Melvin Brooks returns as the only senior on a junior-infested team. Sallee and point guard Tom Wald, who redshirted last year, join Jaron Boone. Erick Strickland and Terrance Badgctt to form a formi dable group of juniors. “Our older guys know how to win,” Nee said. “When you add Sallee and Wald, our junior class is definitely the backbone of our program.” Regardless of who plays how many minutes. Nee said, the Huskers’ play at guard still will be the key to success. “Tom Wald can help out withthclossofJamar Johnson,” he said. “The strength of our team isour perimeter play. There is a lot of versatility there.” After two exhibition games in early Novem ber, the Huskers will open the season in the San Juan Shootout in Bavamon. Puerto Rim //M4 Bas Player Terrance Badgett Jaron Boone Melvin Brooks Jason Glock Chad Ideus Andy Markowski Mikki Moore Leif Nelson Chris Sallee Lee Steinbrook Erick Strickland Chester Surles Tom Wald Pos. Ht. Yr. F 6-6 Jr. G 6-7 Jr. C 6-8 Sr. G 6-5 Jr. F 6-7 Fr. F 6-7 Fr. C 6-11 So. C 6-11 Fr. C 6-11 Jr. G 6-2 Jr. G 6-4 Jr. F 6-7 Fr. G 6-0 Jr. DN graphic Volleyball team to face strong competition in toumev «y Miicn ^nerman Senior Reporter For only the second time in the last 10years, the Nebraska volleyball team will open its season away from the NU Coliseum. The second- and fifth-ranked Comhuskcrs take to the court Friday night in West Lafayette, Ind., fac ing Oregon Stale at 5:30 p.m. in the Mortar Board Pettit Nebraska will go up against No. 20 Kentucky at 10 a.m. Saturday before playing tournament host Purdue at 8 p.m. that night. Nebraska coach Terry Pettit said the road games should not pose a problem for Nebraska. “It would be nice to open at home.” he said. “We normally do, but there are pluses and minuses. On the road, there arc less distractions. They can go out and play hard.” Pettit said the tournament field was strong despite showcasing only two ranked teams. “We will be playing against good competition,” Pettit said. “Putduc runs a very classy tournament. They arc traditionally a strong volleyball power. Everything will be done right. We will go there and play three good matches.” Pettit said Kentucky, which finished last season with a 29-4 record after losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament, has the potential to field a good team. “Kentucky was a top 10 team last year,” he said. “They may have lost some people last year, but we lost some people last year and after about the third week, we were in the top five.” He said Oregon State and Purdue should also provide the Huskers with some good competition this weekend. “Purdue has three great young play ers,” he said. “Oregon Stale was over .500 in the Pac-10 last year, and some people think that is the toughest volley ‘/here is not a player on the team who returned from last year who isn t a better player mentally than they were last year. ” TERRY PETTIT NU volleyball coach ball conference in the country. I think all the teams in this tournament have the potential to be NCAA teams.” Led by five returning starters and junior setter Christy Johnson—whom Pettit considers a returning starter — Nebraska could go a long way on expe rience alone this year, Pettit said. After startingoff 11 -Oa year ago. theHuskers lost to Notre Dame on Sept. 25 in South Bend,Ind. They finished the season 25-6. Pettit said that this year he was looking for i more consistency throughout the whole year. “This team is capable of playing longer and belter when things aren’t going their way,” he said. “Anybody can play good when everything is going your way. Experienced players learn how toplay when thingsaren’t perfect.” Butnc said the Huskers had plenty of lalcnt, loo. “I think it’s going to be a very good earn,” he said. “We have a lot of lead ership from a lot of different areas. Our * Purdue Premier West Lafayette, Ind. Nebraska wIN play Oregon State Friday at 8:30 pjn., ““ Saturday at 10 a.m., Mat 8 p.m. Saturday. fcx Nebraska S Christy Johnson 5-8 Jr. OH Billie Winsett 5-11 Jr. OH Kelly Aspegren 5-11 Sr. OH Maria Hedbeck 5-10 So. MB Allison Weston 6-0 Jr. MB Jen McFadden 6-2 So. ON graphic leadership comes from people day in and day out working hard. We have a core group of players who arc doing it. “There is not a player on the team who returned from last year who isn’t a better player mentally than they were last year.”
