Suh, Potter make most of chances against SJSU
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BY BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star
There was plenty for Nebraska defensive line coach Carl Pelini to ponder Saturday night.
The good things? Well, for starters, any time a 300-pound nose tackle scores a touchdown on an interception return it's cause for celebration. Defensive end Zach Potter deflected the pass, and Ndamukong Suh came up with it and rumbled down the sideline 49 yards for the score.
It was Suh's second career interception, but his first touchdown. When Potter got a fourth-quarter interception and returned it 11 yards, it meant that both of Nebraska's interceptions in the 35-12 victory against San Jose State came from defensive linemen.
The not so good? Senior defensive end Barry Turner went down with a left leg injury that coach Bo Pelini labeled as "fairly significant." He wouldn't go into further detail, but Turner was in a walking boot and on crutches on the sideline in the fourth quarter.
"It's a painful thing losing Barry," Carl Pelini said.
If the Huskers are without Turner for considerable time, Pierre Allen will be the first to tell you he has big shoes to fill. Saturday, Allen led Nebraska with a career-high 10 tackles, including three behind the line of scrimmage.
"I always take practice seriously, but it’s time for me to go to a whole new level," Allen said. "Barry was our go-to guy on the D-line."
Tackles Ty Steinkuhler and Suh each played well, Carl Pelini said. Suh had five tackles, the interception and a pass breakup.
The entire defense showed some heart in the second half, Carl Pelini said, when Nebraska allowed only a fourth-quarter field goal.
"I thought this was the first time since I've been with these guys they got faced with a bit of adversity," the coach said. "There was no complaining, finger pointing. We really came together as a team at halftime and pinned our ears back and played well."
I-back by committee
Last week it was Marlon Lucky getting the most carries among the I-backs (12), and this week Roy Helu led the I-backs in both carries (nine) and yards (59). Helu, Lucky and Quentin Castille each had a touchdown.
Helu says the backs aren't told what each should expect before the game.
"It's by how well we're doing, what type of plays there are, and whoever the coach wants," Helu said.
Once on the sideline, the three will talk about what’s happened.
"We'll tell each other if we saw a blitz in this formation, or, 'Hey, watch out for this,’” Helu said.
Culbert sees more time
Junior strong safety Major Culbert started the second half, after Larry Asante had started at that spot to begin the game. Carl Pelini said coaches had hoped to use more players, hoping to gain needed experience for later in the season.
His added playing time was earned during the week, Culbert said.
"I had a good week of practice, and coach said you know what you're doing, and we feel confident to put you in," he said. "That's what I'm looking to do, play a little more every game."
Two more freshmen play
Alfonzo Dennard had no regrets burning his redshirt Saturday to see action on special teams.
He returned two kickoffs 21 yards, and also took care of blocking the kicker on Niles Paul's kickoff return for a TD. On his 12-yard kickoff return in the second half, Dennard was bouncing all over the place.
"I just need to follow my blocks," Dennard said. "I went left, and my block was set up right. I learned my lesson, and I know my coach is going to get at me on Monday."
Linebacker Matt Holt also made his collegiate debut. Freshman Sean Fisher and Mason Wald played in the opener.
Briefly
* With his 216 yards passing, NU quarterback Joe Ganz has passed for 2,118 yards for his career. He's the 16th player in Nebraska history with 2,000 career passing yards.
* Sophomore Jaivorio Burkes started at right tackle for NU. Burkes had battled high blood pressure during fall camp.
* Nebraska senior Tyler Wortman was presented the Brook Berringer Memorial Scholarship during a pre-game ceremony. A Grand Island native, Wortman has worked his way up the depth chart to become the starter at the BUCK linebacker spot.
Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.
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