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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 9, 1996)
Scott Bruhn/DN Jay Calderon/DN Huskers impress Saban By Mike Kluck Senior Reporter *j|t. Excuse Michigan State Coach Nick Saban for making die understatement of the day after Saturday’s 55-14 Ne braska victory. “I think the most impressive part of their teqm today was their defense,” Saban said. ■ *§■*» 'f “It was probably as good as I’ve eve seen. We anticipated that, but they played extremely well. They’re ag ’ gressive; they’ve got great team speed.” Nebraska’s defense scored two f " touchdowns, including an 84-yard in terception return by senior rover Mike Minter and a nine-yard interception return by rush end Grant Wistrom. The Comhusker defense also set up M Nebraska’s first touchdown when Minter intercepted a pass from Spar tan quarterback Todd Schultz. Two plays later, Husker quarter M We have a lot of young players who went to the prom in May, then beat Purdue last week and said, 'Hey, this is easy.’” * Nick Saran MSU football coach back Scott Frost ran in overthe right end for the touchdown. But Saban was as equally im pressed with Nebraska’s special teams as he was with the NU defense. Husker right cornerback Mike Fullman scored on a 62-yard punt re turn in the second quarter. Then in the third quarter, Nebraska junior Eric Warfield blocked a punt by Paul Edinger. Husker freshman Brian Shaw picked up the ball and returned it seven yards to the Michigan State 16-yard line. Three plays later, I-back Ah man Green scored from oik yard out. “We thought it was very important for us to come in here today and win on special teams, which wefeel is very important in our program,” Saban said. “We obviously couldn’t do that. “If you play a team like Nebraska, who’s as good offensively and defen sively as they are, and you can’t con trol the field position on special teams. Please see SjABAN on 11 Photos clockwise FROM BOTTOM LEFT: KENNY CHEATHAM catches a 30-yard touchdown pass from Matt Turman early in the fourth quarter, beating Michigan State’s Amp Campbell. RUSH END Grant Wistrom celebrates as he crosses the goal line after a nine-yard interception return for a touchdown. BRENDAN HOLBEIN fights off Campbell for the ball, catching a 35 yard touchdown pass from Scott Frost. MICHIGAN STATE comerback Ray Hill wraps up Nebraska’s Jon Vedral. SCOTT FROST gets a pass away avoiding a hard-charging Chris Smith. '1 Jay Calderon/DN Jay Calderon/DN I : 55 Min Myarrn !■»-UMp^m m T0» ""ujSjjjl^^ Rusting yds 1M S3 hmMmlyw* . 2/10 4/» Pasnagconpletim 7 14 Kkfaffnl—/yds 1/29 2/2S Tyi plays 40 IS UMIwmm 4*12 3*19 AwapyOyphy - 5.0 29 Sucks/yds 7/47 1/11 ,