Media Members Weigh in on NU's Momentum, Surprises

Editor's note: This blog is the first of a 3-part series on the state of Nebraska football.

Spring Game Set for Saturday at Memorial Stadium

Huskers Seeking Consistency in '16 Spring Game

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

On the eve of Nebraska’s annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium, it’s time for one of college football’s most pervasive media corps to weigh in on two important N-Sider questions – 1) What’s the key to Nebraska continuing the momentum it generated since early last November, on and off the field? And 2) What has surprised Nebraska media the most this spring, so more than 60,000 Big Red fans know what they should be looking for on Saturday.

This 3-part N-Sider series features the expertise and insight of seven prominent Nebraska football media members who devote a good chunk of their professional time watching, interviewing, dissecting, evaluating and communicating to fans what they see as pivotal to Nebraska football success. Please take the time to learn what each is willing to share:

Key to Continuing Momentum: Enhance Personnel, Use Exciting Playmakers

Tom Shatel, Omaha World-Herald: “Simple: Keep calling plays that enhance the personnel on the field. Nebraska has so many exciting playmakers on offense. Armstrong (pictured above). Westerkamp. Carter. Pierson-El. Morgan. Reilly. The running backs look capable. We saw a game plan in the bowl game that played to strengths. We've heard the promises to do more of that. The blocking and run game plan worked so well because they stuck with it against UCLA. But I liked the called runs for Armstrong, the bootlegs, and even screens when they are blocked. Momentum runs on confidence, and that comes from execution. Where does execution come from? Do what you do well and do it over and over and over. Signed, Tom Osborne.”

Eric Olson, Associated Press: “On the field, the Huskers need to avoid those gut-wrenching close losses that were the signature of Mike Riley’s first season. I know the bowl win over UCLA can’t be a template for every game – the Bruins’ defense surely was vulnerable to the run -- but I think it illustrated the great potential of the ground attack once it gets going. Going into Year Two, Riley and Danny Langsdorf have a better feel for Armstrong’s strengths. With the QB run game a threat and a deep stable of running backs, the Huskers should be able to achieve Riley’s goal of ranking among the top three rushing teams in the Big Ten. The caveat, of course, is how well the reconfigured offensive line blocks. Assuming the line is operating like we think it can, if Nebraska can get a lead, it should be in position to protect it. The other key for the offense is to cut down on turnovers. Defensively, the Huskers must defend the pass better. Off the field, Riley and his staff need to keep doing what they’re doing on the recruiting trail. Riley’s reputation for developing quarterbacks already has paid dividends with the arrival of Patrick O’Brien. The staff’s start to the 2017 recruiting class clearly shows Nebraska is back on the radar nationally, and especially in talent-rich California.”

Like Armstrong & Westerkamp, Gerry Has Played Since His Freshman Season

Kevin Sjuts, Channel 10/11, Lincoln: The last time fans saw Nebraska play, there was a 'feel-good' vibe as the Huskers celebrated on the field at Levi's Stadium. And that feeling certainly hasn't left. Spring practices have been upbeat, positive, and the players have been honest about the team's growth over the off-season. I believe that all stems from a strong, experienced, and confident senior class. Tommy Armstrong. Jordan Westerkamp. Nate Gerry (pictured above). These are all guys that have played since their freshman seasons and risen to team captain status. They have invested so much in the program over the past 4-5 years. They don't want to see the results slip in their final seasons. If they can keep a positive locker room, lead the younger players and hold their teammates accountable, Nebraska's 2016 season could be special.”

Sean Callahan, Rivals.com, KFAB/KETV commentator: “When you look at the game of football, the actual season itself is really only three months long, where the off-season is nine months. I think it’s really important to have momentum over those nine months, especially at a place like Nebraska where football means so much. Winning the bowl game over a quality team like UCLA and beating Michigan State late in the year gave them some great momentum to build on in the off-season. The next important step is recruiting, and I feel like we’ve seen Nebraska recruit as well early this year as we’ve seen in a long time. If you are recruiting well during the off-season, it tells the fans you are doing something right and it keeps building momentum.”

Sam McKewon, Omaha World-Herald: “To be blunt, Nebraska kind of hit rock bottom in the Purdue loss. And, in the aftermath of that, players decided to start climbing out of the hole. Player ownership has been a struggle for Nebraska's team for many years, and it was a struggle last year, until perhaps the end of the season, when players banded together and focused on themselves.”

Greg Sharpe, Voice of the Huskers: “The key to continuing momentum was the work the team put in during the winter months. This group got after it during January and February. When you win a bowl game like the Big Red did vs UCLA the carry over effect is felt during conditioning. The spring practice has been light years ahead of last spring when all the new terminology was put into place and the Huskers were thinking more than playing.”

Mike Babcock, Hail Varsity Magazine: “Momentum isn't necessarily key, but a natural extension of adjusting to a new coaching staff, combined with the ability to deal with close losses and not let those losses affect the team attitude.”

Tanner Farmer Notable Surprise; Confident Cethan Carter Shows Growth Curve

Tom Shatel: “The progress of Tanner Farmer on the offensive line is one surprise. But my favorite moment, and it was a bit of a surprise, was seeing Cethan Carter (pictured above) do the mass interview after practice last week. Carter does not address the media very often. He was clearly out of his comfort zone here. But he faced the "music" (we're all such tough guys!) with style. He started by admitting he doesn't usually do these things, but he thought it was time to do it. Love that. It shows a growth curve, and, I believe, will pay off this fall in terms of adding to Carter's confidence. He was so big late in the season that you could see the light coming on inside his head from the press box. I think moments like this will make him more sure, help him break out even more.”

Eric Olson: “Probably most surprising to me this spring is the struggle the defense has had against the run. Stopping the run was the strength of the defense last season. Of course, the defensive line has a lot of moving parts this spring because of injuries and absences. And the offense has the tools to be strong on the ground. One way or another the Huskers are going to have to be tough against the run if they’re going to challenge in the Big Ten West. We pretty much know what Armstrong, the running backs and the strong receiving corps can do. To me, the big thing to watch in the spring game is how the defense performs.”       

Kevin Sjuts: “For a football-specific answer, the defensive backfield. The unit seems to be playing much faster this spring. For a non-specific answer, the overall mentality of the team. There has been great energy at practice and players have often been seen smiling, dancing, generally having a good time. Fans should be looking for Patrick O'Brien, who ‘looks the part’ despite being an early enrollee.”

Callahan Agrees with Sjuts: Patrick O'Brien Worthy of Fan Attention, Intrique

Sean Callahan: “The biggest surprise to me was how much more improved I think the running game will be. I feel like they have three pretty good running backs and I really like the potential Devine Ozigbo brings to the position. As for Saturday, I never expect to see a lot at the Red-White game. For me, seeing the younger freshmen and redshirt freshmen players play is the highlight. Seeing Patrick O’Brien (pictured above) and guys like the Davis twins (plus Alex Davis) on defense are the things I’m probably looking forward to the most.”

Sam McKewon: “Perhaps the real focus on certain parts of the game. Screen game, draw plays, certain defenses. I think fans should look at that a bit.”

Greg Sharpe: “Not sure that I’ve been surprised by anything that has happened during the spring but I think fans will see a team that is more efficient, more together and fundamentally sound within the structure that's been put in place.”

Mike Babcock: “Nothing necessarily surprised me. The familiarity with the system is important and the change in tackling will be of interest. That definitely required some adjustment.”

Editor’s note: The second in this 3-part series will focus on Husker players who have emerged as obvious difference-makers, plus lesser known names that could surface this fall in a pivotal way.

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