Finding enough balls to cany
problem for talented backfield
By Trevor Parks
Senior Reporter
Nebraska running backs coach
Frank Solich doesn’t have to worry
about who wants to carry the football
— he just has to find a way to keep
everyone happy.
But Solich said he was glad that was
his biggest concern.
“We are probably as deep at full
back as we are at I-back with quality
players,” Solich said. “It’s a situation
where everyone is going to have to
perform this fall.”
At I-back Heisman Trophy candi
date Lawrence Phillips begins his sec
ond season as the Comhuskers ’ starter.
Phillips rushed for 143.5 yards per
game and totaled 1,722 yards with 16
touchdowns last season.
But the I-back spot doesn’t end
with Phillips.
Damon Benning returns as Phillips’
back up after finishing as the team’s
fourth-leading rusher in 1994 with 367
yards.
Benning said the depth and compe
tition between the I-backs was healthy.
“Everybody in a positive way is
always looking over their shoulder,”
Benning said. “It’s a situation where
you have to take care of yourself, but
you have to know if you’re not getting
the job done there is always somebody
else who will.”
Solich said the situation reminded
him of last season.
r ■■ 1 ■ ■
Sizing up the defense
Jared Tomich LOLB 6-2,250 Junior St. John, Ind.
Aptian Peter Nose 6-2,290 Senior , Locust, N.J.
Jason Peter Tackle 6-4,275 Sophomore Locust, N.J.
Glint Wistrom ROLB 6-5,230 Sophomore Webb City, Mo.
Player to watch - Mike Rucker, ROLB
“Last year we had a lot of guys who
were vying for the No. 1 spot, and they
stayed very team oriented,” Solich
said.
Behind Benning, Todd Uhlir and
James Sims could also see action in
1995.
Solich said he was pleased with the
depth.
“Any school would love to have the
depth at I-back that we have,” Solich
said. “If one goes down... you’re able
to put in another one with the similar
abilities to keep things going.”
The most talked about of the young
Nebraska backs is freshman Ahman
Green.
Solich said Green had avoided put
ting added pressure on himself so far,
and he hoped Green could continue to
handle the pressure well.
To relieve the numbers at the I
back position, Clinton Childs could
play fullback and I-back, Solich said.
“We hope that he’s retained a lot
from this past spring at running the
fullback spot,” Solich said. “At some
..
point m time we a luce to give mm a
few snaps at I-back.”
A stream of talented fullbacks has
added to the logjam in the backfield.
Senior Jeff Makovicka should re
place Cory Schlesinger.
Makovicka rushed for 321 yards on
47 carries and scored two touchdowns.
Behind Makovicka, Brian Schuster
and Childs should see significant play
ing time.
Solich said Makovicka made him
self a proven player last season and
should succeed in 1995.
“We expect last season to carry
over this year,” Solich said. “When
players are talented and have a great
work ethic, things work out for them.”
Makovicka’s brother Joel should
also make an impact.
Mike Smith and Chris Norris round
out the fullback position.
Phillips said die leader of the run
ning backs was Makovicka, which
was fine with Phillips.
“The senior usually assumes the
leadership role,” Phillips said. “That’s
the same with the backs.”
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