Captains named for Saturday
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By the Lincoln Journal Star
Four seniors will represent Nebraska as captains for Saturday’s season opener against Western Michigan.
Quarterback Joe Ganz and right tackle Matt Slauson are co-offensive captains, defensive end Barry Turner is the defensive captain and punter Dan Titchener is the special teams captain.
Unlike previous seasons, captains will be named on a week-by-week basis. Coaches named this week’s captains, but teammates will vote the remainder of the season.
Sophomore Mike Smith is from Las Vegas, but the offensive tackle, set to make his first career start on Saturday, knows the tradition of Nebraska’s offensive lines.
“Back in the '90s, they were a physical offensive line,” Smith said. “And they cut people. They had pancakes. We’re hoping we can be as physical as them. Just take over the games, basically. Hitting people in the mouth every play, every snap. Just coming off the ball every single play and never backing down.”
“I like the group,” Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said. “That’s one thing I’ve liked about this football team is we have good leadership. We have good senior leadership, and the Unity Council is stepping to the forefront. I feel good. They’ve taken great ownership in the program.”
Pelini said leadership is coming from across the team, though, and not just the Unity Council.
“The team is coming together. Everybody’s on the same page. You see freshmen, seniors. There aren’t a lot of cliques. This team gets along, they’re enjoying each other, and that’s a good thing.”
Murtha Out: Senior right tackle Lydon Murtha sat out Wednesday’s practice with what Pelini said was a muscle injury (apparently to his arm). “We think it’s pretty minor,” Pelini said. “He gave us a little bit of a scare yesterday, but he’s doing better.” Pelini said Murtha is probable for Saturday, but noted the strong depth NU has at both tackle positions. Redshirted freshman Marcel Jones is Murtha’s top backup, and Jaivorio Burkes, who was listed on the preseason depth chart as the No. 1 right tackle, could also play there. Burkes is currently the No. 2 left tackle.
Special Teams Work: Pelini said the team has made progress with special teams, noting the hardest part was working through personnel issues. “Scheme-wise, we kind of knew what wanted to do, and where we were headed with things,” he said, “but I think the personnel issues have kind of come into light. It’s become pretty clear to us. There are a lot of different guys getting reps.”
This and that: Sophomore Eric Hagg is Nebraska’s No. 1 nickel back, ahead of sophomore Prince Amukamara. ... Nebraska practiced in half pads Wednesday after full-pad practices Monday and Tuesday. “We practiced well,” Pelini said. “I thought we’ve had two good days of practice. They’re starting to understand the game plan and what we’re doing.”
Scouting report: Noticeably absent from the first official depth chart of the season was offensive lineman Ricky Henry.
A junior college transfer, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Henry had been the talk of fall camp with his physical, strong play.
Henry has been practicing behind starter Matt Slauson at right guard, and reportedly was pushing for playing time.
So why no mention on the depth chart?
“We'd like to redshirt him,” Pelini said, “but he's ready to go. We have experience there (at the guard positions), so we can hold off on playing him.”
D.J. Jones is listed as Slauson’s top backup. At left guard, Mike Huff will start, with Keith Williams No. 2.
Opponent watch: First-year coach Art Briles knows who his starting quarterback is.
He’s just keeping it a secret.
The Bears open the season tonight against Wake Forest, and Briles will only say he expects to use more than quarterback.
The candidates include last season's starter, Blake Szymanski, Miami transfer Kirby Freeman and Robert Griffin.
Just asking: How many recruits are making official visits to Nebraska this weekend?
None, said Pelini. However, some recruits will be visiting unofficially. More recruits are expected next weekend.
Pelini said the fact it’s the first week of the season for high schools, too, played a factor.
“You come off the summer, and a lot of these guys have taken unofficial trips and have been traveling around,” Pelini said, “and their coaches really want them to concentrate on what they have.”
— Brian Rosenthal
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