Game notes: Helu gets back in his comfort zone
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By RYLY JANE HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star
Roy Helu runs by instinct, but he was able to describe his leap into the stands after Nebraska’s 10-3 win over Oklahoma.
“It wasn’t as nice of a jump as a Lambeau Leap. I had to jump on the pipe and then jump in the crowd,” Helu said. “It was fun to do that, really cool. I was just maybe overexcited.”
Running backs Helu, Marcus Mendoza and Dontrayevous Robinson, along with receiver Antonio Bell, scaled the wall to fans in the north stands after the game.
Helu, who led Nebraska with 138 yards rushing on 20 carries, said he is 100 percent healthy.
“I don’t want to be the old Roy Helu because the old Roy Helu didn’t play for his teammates and wasn’t focused on Jesus Christ,” he said. “Tyler Legate — I need to give that guy a shout out. He did awesome today. There were two linebackers in the hole. He happened to choose the right guy for me to take a long one.”
Helu said he got comfortable as the game went along.
“Maybe there’s a zone for running backs. After we run a play twice, I got a good feel for where they were going to come at me and where they were going to fill the gaps,” he said. “I’m so bad at explaining my runs. It was just there and I took it.”
Helu: Team played its heart out
Resilient secondary
Four of Nebraska’s five interceptions came from defensive backs. Cornerback Prince Amukamara’s pick and 22-yard return set up the Huskers’ touchdown. Safety Matt O’Hanlon had three interceptions and linebacker Phillip Dillard got one.
“Prince’s interception was a huge play. We had a decent mix of coverage and pressure,” said coach Bo Pelini, who wasn’t concerned with Oklahoma’s 245 passing yards. “We didn’t get caught up in stats. The secondary played well.”
It was Amukamara’s third interception of the season and his longest runback.
“I didn’t have enough time to think. I just reacted,” he said of the pick. “And the runback just came natural. I think I did a swim move.”
Ndamukong Suh and Dillard said the defensive players relied on each other to apply pressure. The Huskers had two sacks, eight quarterback hurries and 12 pass breakups.
“Our DBs did a great job staying with the receivers. They were going to the backs with flares and screens, and we were able to get pressure on him (Landry Jones),” Suh said. “I’d rather have a pick than a sack any time.”
Win expected in Suh's book
Dillard credited the line and the secondary for his eight tackles.
“The D-line played amazing getting blocks and keeping the fat boys off of me, and the D-backs were tough, and it all tied in together,” Dillard said.
Safety Larry Asante was injured in the third quarter, but secondary coach Marvin Sanders said he didn’t believe it was serious.
“What I was told is that he might have a concussion, but I haven’t talked to the trainers yet,” he said.
Asante was seen doing interviews after the game.
Field position factor
Alex Henery averaged 43.7 yards on 11 punts, with a long one of 66 yards that helped turn the field position battle in the first quarter, pinning Oklahoma at its 2-yard line.
“The special teams knew we’d factor into the game with field position,” Henery said. “With their return guy, the direction of the ball was my main focus. That 66-yarder really did swing the field position.”
Well-spent
Dillard said the Huskers were physically spent after the victory.
“There were guys limping, tired and breathing hard after the game,” he said. “Everybody gave it their all.”
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