The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, August 21, 1997, Page 31, Image 31

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    Husker groundgame
suffers from injuries
By Antone Oseka
Senior Reporter
Power football is based on one
aspect of the game - running the
football.
Nebraska subscribes to that
philosophy.
In order to accomplish this, a
team needs running backs to
carry the majority of the load.
Nebraska has a number of strong
backs; however, barely half of
them are healthy.
“We certainly don’t have a full
allotment at I-back or fullback,”
NU assistant head and running
backs coach Frank Solich said.
At I-back, Nebraska will have
two experienced backs to start the
season. Junior Ahman Green and
senior Jay Sims will see most of
the pla>ing time for the early part
of Nebraska’s season. Last year
Green rushed for 917 yards in 10
starts. As a true freshman, Green
rushed for 1,086 yards, playing in
all 13 games and averaging near
ly 100 yards rushing per game in
the regular season.
“He’s really had a great winter
and summer conditioning,”
Solich said. “Ahman is a very
proven player, he’ll be one of the
Please see BACKS on 33
Nebraska Preview Green needs 997 rushing yards this season
to surpass 3,000 yards for his career.
Running backs
Name Ht. Wt Yr. Attps. Yds. TDs.
Ahman Green 6-0 215 Jr. 155 917 7
DeAngelo Evans 5*9 215 So. 148 776 14
Joel Makovicka 5*11 235 Jr. 23 119 0
Billy Legate 5-11 225 Jr. 3 8 0
Jay Sims 6-1 220 Sr. 46 213 1
Josh Cobb 5-11 230 Jr. 12 43 1
'Statistics are from ffre t996season
Linebacker corps expects to reload
By Sam McKewon
Staff Reporter
Despite all new starters, it’s busi
ness as usual for the Nebraska line
backers as they prepare for the open
ing game against Akron on Aug. 30.
“We’re as good as we have been
in the past,” junior Mike linebacker
Jay Foreman said. “We may have
some new starters, but we’ve looked
good in practice.”
NU must replace three starters
from last year, two of which shared
the same position. Will linebackers
Ryan Terwilliger and Terrell Farley
are gone, as is Sam linebacker Jamel
Williams.
But this year’s generation of
linebackers is not without experi
ence. Foreman returns to anchor the
middle of the defense and should
contend for postseason honors. He
was seventh on the team in tackles
last year with 43, plus his 21-yard
interception return for a touchdown
against Colorado turned out to be a
critical score.
Foreman said this could be his
breakout season for the Huskers.
“I know that physically and men
tally, I’m ready to be one of the best
in the conference,” Foreman said.
“It’s just a matter of making the big
plays when I have to.”
At Will linebacker, the wait is
over for Octavious McFarlin.
The senior from Bishop, Texas,
Nebraska Preview Jay Foreman started every game at sam
linebacker in 1995.
linebackers
Name Ht Wt. Yr.
Brian Shaw 6-1 215 So.
Jay Foreman 6-1 235 Jr.
Octavious McFariin 5-11 200 Sr.
Tony Ortiz 6-0 215 So.
Eric Johnson 6-0 200 Jr.
* Statistics are from the 1996season
has completed the transition from
the secondary to the front seven.
McFarlin spent three years backing
up the rover position, the last two for
Mike Minter, but switched to Will
linebacker for the Texas game. He
finished last season with 24 tackles,
including 1.5 sacks. Junior Eric
Johnson will see significant playing
time as well. Possibly the fastest of
the NU linebackers, Johnson record
ed 12 tackles and had one pass
breakup in 1996.
There is an infusion of youth at
the Sam, or strongside position.
Sophomore Brian Shaw gets the nod
over fellow sophomore Tony Ortiz
and junior Quint Hogrefe, but all
three are expected to see significant
playing time. Shaw, a former walk
on, had 22 tackles last year backing
up Williams, including a career-high
four tackles against Baylor. He also
holds the school record for the pro
agility run with a time of 3.71 sec
onds. Ortiz is a former high school
All-American and had 10 tackles
last year.
Foreman said he feels confident
between two newcomers to the start
ing lineup.
“Brian and Octavious have both
played in the big games and they
know what they’re doing out there,”
he said. “They’ll be solid.”
The real strength of the lineback
ers may not be the starters, but the
depth that lies behind them.
Returning lettermen go three deep at
two of the positions, and the lone
player who doesn’t have a letter is
Please see RELOAD on 32
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