Huskers Prepare for Sooner Offense

The Nebraska football team began preparing for No. 4 Oklahoma with a two-and-a-half hour workout Monday afternoon inside the Hawks Championship Center.  The Sooners’ offense, ranked fourth in the country in terms of total offense yardage and second in scoring, drew the attention of the Husker staff.

“They’re a very physical football team with a good offensive line, probably the best offensive line we’ve seen,” coach Bo Pelini said.  “They have outstanding running backs.  They are a good football team.”

Led by sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford and talented running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, Oklahoma averages a Big 12-leading 48.3 points per game.  The Sooners do it with an effective passing scheme, which averages 364.4 yards, and a good ground attack, which gains 177.8 yards per game.  Oklahoma’s diverse offensive attack requires a varied gameplan defensively, according to Pelini.

“You have to mix it up,” Pelini said of trying to stop the Sooners.  “You can’t give them a steady dose of anything because they know what they’re doing.  They could beat you throwing the football or running the ball.  They protect well.  (Sam) Bradford is as efficient a quarterback as there is out there, and they have good skill at the wide-out position.  It’s going to be a test.”

One way for Nebraska to limit the impact of Oklahoma’s offense is by controlling the time of possession, something the Huskers have done effectively in Big 12 play.  Nebraska has run 101 more plays than their four conference foes and has held the ball an average of 37:29 per game.

“You have to do what you have to do to move the football and make first downs and score points,” Pelini said.  “Obviously, time of possession is big.  The more time our offense is out there, the better defense we’re going to be able to play because our guys will be getting rest on the bench.  You don’t want to give their offense too many shots.”

Along with senior linebacker Phillip Dillard, senior I-back Marlon Lucky sat out Monday’s workout, though Pelini expected Lucky to be back Tuesday or Wednesday.  Nebraska will continue preparations for Saturday’s nationally-televised matchup with Oklahoma with another workout Tuesday afternoon.