Janovich Rising, Freedom Emerging, Riley Exploring

Andy Janovich Has Jeff Kinney-Like Determination

Video: Experience the Tunnel Walk in 360 Degrees

Riley Meets Media Before Big Ten Opener at Illinois

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

1-2-3…that’s how elementary this blog's gonna be. Three important points I want to make following Monday’s presser and before Mike Riley coaches his first game in the Big Ten Conference are: 1) the stock for senior fullback Andy Janovich (No. 35 above) is rising; 2) the career for redshirt freshman defensive end Freedom Akinmoladun is emerging. At Monday's practice, he earned a Blackshirt and a kudo from Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Mark Banker, who said "Freedom is the epitome of what it means to be Blackshirt."; and 3) now may be the time for Coach Riley to show why peers view him as an offensive guru with a creative mind and a keen sense of exploration. 

Janovich is the trigger man for this discussion. After spending four years in relative obscurity as a Husker, the senior walk-on from Gretna, Neb., is a big deal, a major headline and a guy who might win Riley’s own private lottery. Last Saturday was his peak performance, where his skill sets fit the game plan. Using talent that was planted in spring practice, honed in fall camp and displayed rather dramatically to Southern Miss, Riley said his fullback/H-back is like a pitcher throwing a changeup or a curveball, tailor-made for electrifying bursts against Southern Miss.

Now, however, Riley's instinctive offensive mind is thinking about putting some chips on the table and calling them part of the evolution of the fullback position during his lengthy football tenure. Since fullback is one of those positions that very few teams incorporate into their offense anymore, let’s allow Riley to explain his thought process.

Janovich Morphed into a Nice Blend of a Combination Fullback, H-Back

“We’ve actually morphed Andy into not only a fullback, but he plays some H-back-type stuff for us, too,” Riley (pictured above) said. “I’m beginning to really like the blend of what we’re doing with personnel groups, having Andy in there and then substituting, basically, (tight ends) Sam Cotton or Cethan Carter in there for one of those guys in for Andy.”

Basically, Riley said, you can have another tight end in the game or leave both in, plus keep Janovich in and take a receiver out of the game. That “gives us some versatility and especially if all those guys can threaten the defense either running the ball or throwing it to Andy,” Riley said.

And here’s where the coach/media conversation really gets interesting: Harkening back to his days as the offensive coordinator at Southern Cal, Riley can envision using Janovich like he used USC’s fullback, admitting that “Andy maybe could do this.” In this case, "maybe" sounds like a trick word. If Janovich couldn’t do it, the idea would not just pop up at a press conference.

Is It Possible that Janovich Could Increase His Reception Numbers?

At USC, “our fullback was the guy that didn’t win the tailback job,” Riley recalled, “so he became a lead blocker and also became a guy that would catch 50 balls a year, coming out of the backfield. We haven’t quite got into that kind of game with the fullback here, but that’s where it’s been historically, and I do like it a lot. I think with Andy (above), you have to continue to look at things to do with him because he’s a good player.”

"Good" is deliberately understated because “I mentioned to you last week that Andy had one of the best special team games that I’ve ever seen,” Riley said. “I told a pro scout today to watch the Miami film on all the special teams because Andy’s on every one of them except the the field goal and field goal-rush teams, and you'll see a real football player.”

At this point in the press conference, a reporter asks if Janovich is a potential NFL player, and Riley responded affirmatively. When asked if Janovich would see an increase in carries, Riley smiles. “Boy, that was fun, wasn’t it?” Riley asked rhetorically while referring to Janovich’s performance against Southern Miss. “He was a load. Believe me, it won’t always be the same. It all becomes a game plan thing and what’s best against the other team. I know our coaches will take a longer look at what might be possible for Andy getting the football.”

Knocking Skulls Like It's the Super Bowl and Running Like It's the Olympics

Take it straight from a Husker captain who has had a birds-eye view of being on the sidelines with an elbow injury. “Andy Janovich is one of the most humble, hard-working, diligent individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” said defensive end Jack Gangwish (pictured above at Monday's presser). “That guy works hard on the field, off the field, academics. Every spare hour he has, he’s working construction or doing something. We’ve all known for some time that he’s a great athlete and great football player.”

At this point, Gangwish gets more descriptive. “In practice, Andy's knocking skulls every day like he’s in the Super Bowl,” Gangwish said. “When he’s running routes, he’s running like he’s in the Olympics…it’s amazing! For him to finally get the opportunity to go out there and see what he can do, that was pretty special for me. He’s been a good friend of mine. I’m happy for him. We’ve seen it over the last few years. He’s never dropping footballs. If they throw him the ball, he was catching it and he was doing his job. It just seemed like the reps were never there. On Saturday, seeing him get the ball and have success was awesome. I’m ecstatic for him.”

So is Husker Nation.

Gangwish Hopeful He Can Play Saturday, Praises Freedom's Performance

Let’s finish this discussion about Akinmoladun, a.k.a. Freedom (pictured above), the emerging defensive end who has become a force on a defense that has excelled in stopping the run. Like so many other teammates, including sophomore All-American De'Mornay Pierson-El, Gangwish is hopeful he can play Saturday at Illinois. "They're saying it's a possibility. I feel ready," Gangwish said.

Whatever materializes, Gangwish has faith in his teammate, who's emerging as a defensive playmaker. “Freedom has done an excellent job. He’s an explosive player," Gangwish said. "He’s been able to help us a lot in the pass-rush situation. On top of that, he has some of the finer things in the game..run fits, and that sort of thing...he’s been learning really fast for how young he is at this position. I think he’s been doing really well, and I’m excited to see what this kid can do in the future.”

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