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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 25, 1999)
Newcombe to return punts for NU ■ Lacking experience, Huskers look to quarterback to help out on special teams. By Matthew Hansen Staff writer With the injury to Joe Walker and the indefinite suspension of Shevin Wiggins - Nebraska’s top two return men - it appeared the Cornhuskers would begin the season lacking a punt- or kick-returner with game experience. Help will come, however, in the unexpected figure of quarterback Bobby Newcombe, who said Tuesday he will also see time returning punts this fall. “I plan on being back there for at least two or mree punts per game,” Newcombe said, “and I’ll stay back there as long as the coaches let me.” The plan to place New comhe at mint Newcombs returner was hatched by NU Secondary Coach George Darlington, who also coaches the punt teams. The quarterback agreed and got the OK from Coach Frank Solich several weeks ago - before die suspension of Wiggins last Friday. Wiggins ranked No. 2 on die team in kick and punt returns last season. Newcombe last returned punts as a freshman during the 1997 season, averaging a team-high 20.3 yards per return. “I loved returning punts in ’97,” Newcombe said. “I’m excited about getting back there again this year.” Newcombe, who missed much of last season and all of spring practice with a knee injury, expressed no con cerns about the unique combination of quarterback and punt returner - or the risk of injury. “I’m not worried about an injury at all,” Newcombe said. “All I am doing is looking forward to the opportunity to help the team win. It looked like the team needed help at punt returner, so I’m ready to go.” Darlington said he is happy to have Newcombe perform double duty. “Bobby is going to help us out in terms of experience,” Darlington said. “The other guys are doing well in practice, but they have yet to see a true game situation.” In addition to Newcombe, sopho more Keyou Craver and redshirt freshman Dejuan Groce are also expected to return punts. Walker, who led the Huskers in punt returns last season, is expected back from a knee injury by midseason. At kick returner, the current depth chart lists Craver and redshirt fresh man Randy Stella as the starters and Groce and senior Larry Henderson as the backups. Despite the fact that none has any college experience at the position, Kick Returns Coach Dan Young isn’t concerned. “It hurts to lose two starters in Walker and Wiggins, but our young guys have the speed and instincts nec essary to do well,” Young said. “I feel that kick returner is a position where you either have it or you don’t, so to me experience isn’t a big factor.” Rose not concerned with poll By John Gaskins Staff writer Don’t remind Penn State Coach Russ Rose that the Nittany Lions are the preseason No. 1-ranked team in die nation. For one thing, the 21-year veteran - who guided his team to a 35-1 record and the national championship game last year - does n’t care. To him, preseason polls don’t tell him a thing about how his team will actually per form on the court. For another thing, he doesn’t believe his Nittany Lions have No. 1 caliber yet as they prepare to take on No. 8 Florida in Friday’s opening match of the State Farm Volleyball Classic at the Nebraska Coliseum. “I’m not going to blow smoke,” Rose said. “I’m not going to be some great optimist. This is far from the best preseason we’ve had. I don’t think we’re prepared for the level of play we’re about to face this weekend.” But every team in the four-team pre-con ference-season tournament will have to be pre pared for that level. All four teams - PSU, No. 3 Nebraska, No. 6 Pacific and Florida - will face top-10 competition to open their 1999 campaigns. The Lions and Gators will face off in Friday’s first match at 5 p.m., followed by Nebraska vs. Pacific at 7. The two winners will advance to Saturday’s 7 p.m. championship game. Rose said despite the return of three of the nation’s top players in seniors setter Bonnie Bremner, middle hitter Lauren Cacciamani and outside hitter Carrie Schonveld, he’s con cerned about filling the four other positions that were left vacant around them. The three are PSU’s only returning starters. “We have a lot of inexperience on our team,” Rose said. “It will be tough to pull everything together in time for the tournament. There’s a strong possibility we’ll put together a good team this year, but I don’t see any visions of that happening in August.” Please see ROSE on 10 NU comerbacks amiably vie for starting left-side position By Brandon Schuue Staff writer Whether it be in the classroom, just hanging out or helping the Nebraska football team to improve on a 9-4 record, Hoe NU comerbacks sub scribe to the all-for-ooe and one-for-aH philosophy. All-American candidate Ralph Brown anchors the right-side spot, while three others vie for the starting left-side position. Ciarinov But of the players bat tling for the open slot - red shirt freshman DeJuan Groce, sophomore Keyou Craver and junior Erwin Swiney-none considers it a competition. “We are all real good friends on or off of the field,” Craver said. “Therefc no ani mosity, we just keep every thing real cool and in perspective, we re all work ing for the same goal.” The goal: Make Nebraska a championship caliber team. All three bring different strengths, but when asked about the weaknesses of his teammates, Brown refused. “I don’t throw out weaknesses of my tram mates,” Brown said. Instead, he pointed out posi tives of each. “Keyou is the most aggressive of the three. tie s so athletic that his abilities stand out more than most people he covers. “Swiney has die height that all of us comers want to guard those taller receivers. “DeJuan, he just has raw speed He^s very fast nut there. The way he plays, he looks lazy, bulbed >o fast he can make up ground.” Groce has yet to step foot onto the field, though lie did suit up three times last year in case of an Please see CORNERBACK on 10