Povendo Adjusting to Rigors of New System

Senior Nick Povendo has not always been "the big guy." In fact, until his sophomore year of high school, Povendo was not very big at all. But as a 6-3, 300-pound lineman, Povendo has certainly become a huge part of the recently overhauled Nebraska offense.

As a freshman goalkeeper for the soccer team at Keller High School in Keller, Texas, Povendo had yet to find his true size. That all changed, however, with a growth spurt during his sophomore year that landed him a starring role on the offensive line.

"I used to play soccer and started on the varsity team my freshman year, but after that I just started growing out and up," Povendo said. "They moved me to offensive line and ever since then I’ve been a big boy down there in the trenches."

Povendo’s growth catapulted him into the offensive guard spot for Keller High. A three-year starter, Povendo earned All-America honors from both SuperPrep and PrepStar and was an All-America finalist selection by USA Today. During his senior season, Povendo also earned all-state and super-state awards as the team captain.

A scholarship athlete, Povendo redshirted in his first season at Nebraska in 2000, then missed all but one game in the 2001 season following surgery to clean a spider bite wound.

In his first active season, Povendo saw field time in all 14 games including starting positions against Iowa State and Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl. Povendo was part of an offensive force that drove the Huskers to more than 268 rushing yards per game, more than any other school in the Big 12.

Povendo continued his contributions to Husker football last season on the offensive line as a left tackle. He also spent time on the extra point and field goal squads, adding to his overall playing experience.

As a senior in 2004, Povendo will once again find himself down in the trenches at either guard or tackle. But this season the rules have changed. With the introduction of the West Coast Offense, Povendo, along with his fellow O-linemen have had to adjust to a variety of foreign assignments.

"Pass blocking is a lot harder than I thought it was (before)," Povendo said. "I thought run blocking would be more difficult, but with pass blocking there are more assignments and that really changes things a lot."

Although the additional responsibilities may prove challenging for the line, Povendo still feels that both he and his teammates have proved they can be successful. In their first test during the Red-White Spring Game last April, the Huskers went airborn for 241 yards and four touchdowns to the amazement of the over 61,000 fans in attendance. Suddenly, both the newspapers and the streets began to buzz with talk of a new age in Husker football, one anchored by the pass.

Even with the additions to the gameplan, Povendo knows that the soul of Nebraska football has not been forgotten. Instead it has been complemented in the hopes of building a more well-rounded offensive force as seen by the Huskers’ 581 total yards last week against Western Illinois, with 363 coming on the ground and 218 via the air attack.

"I think we’re going to trick a lot of people this year because everybody keeps focusing on the ?West Coast Offense’," Povendo said. "I just think that we sharpened up the passing game and sharpened up the attack so we could be more versatile."

Although currently a reserve behind offensive tackle Seppo Evwaraye, Povendo still wants a chance to make a contribution to his team.

"I hope I can be a key player for the team," Povendo said. "Everybody starts off the season wanting to be a key player, but you also have to learn reality that there may be guys ahead of you on the depth chart."

Not only does Povendo want to be a key player for the Husker football team, but for his family as well. After spending the last several years in Nebraska, Povendo is looking forward to returning to Texas to help his mother manage her daycare center after receiving his degree in criminal justice in May, 2005.