O-Line churns on despite injuries

By Brian Rosenthal / Huskers.com

Corey Whitaker entered this season with his college degree in hand, to that point arguably the highlight of his Nebraska football career.

Now, the senior guard from Murrieta, California, can brag about his contributions to No. 15 Nebraska’s unbeaten September, too.

Not that Whitaker would do such a thing. When you’ve lost two seasons to knee injuries and have only three career games on your resume in three years, humbleness finds the driver’s seat.

“I just prepare like I’m going to play, regardless of what happens,” Whitaker said after Tuesday’s practice. “I put myself in the starter’s shoes, and just have to know my stuff. I don’t want to go out there and embarrass myself not knowing which way to go, you know?”

Whitaker has done significantly more than that.

When starting right guard Tanner Farmer suffered a high ankle sprain against Northwestern and left the game, Whitaker entered in his place. The offense didn’t miss a beat en route to 310 rushing yards in a 24-13 road victory.

Nebraska coach Mike Riley said Whitaker and left tackle Nick Gates graded out the highest among the offensive linemen in that game.

“I gave a great effort, I felt like, so that’s a constant, something I always can control,” the 6-foot-5, 295-pound Whitaker said. “Other than that, I was mentally and ready to go play.”

He’ll be ready this week, too, as Whitaker will start in place of the injured Farmer when Nebraska (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) hosts Illinois (1-2, 0-0) in a 2:30 p.m. game (ESPN2) at Memorial Stadium.

Whitaker graduated in August with a business administration degree. He’s taking nine hours this fall, or three classes, as he works toward a second degree in marketing.

Whitaker suffered a knee injury in his first season at Nebraska in 2013 and redshirted, and after not playing any games in 2014, he suffered another knee injury that sidelined him the 2015 season.

Last season, Whitaker played in three games – against South Alabama, Michigan State and Rutgers.

He’s the second backup to fill a starter’s role along the offensive line because of injury this season. Senior Sam Hahn has started every game at left guard in place of Jerald Foster.

“They’ve been very good about the ‘next man up’ mentality. They’ve done a nice job of preparing,” Nebraska offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said. “It’s rare that you’re going to go through a season and not have some bumps and bruises. You’ve got to have guys ready to play.

“I think Corey and Sam have filled in nicely. They’ve done a nice of continuing to work and being ready to play. That’s shown. When they’ve gotten into the game, we really haven’t missed a beat.”

As for Whitaker specifically, “he’s got a lot of toughness in there, and that guard position, there’s a lot of tight quarters,” Langsdorf said. “You have to be ready to play, and you’ve got to be physical in there. I think he’s shown that.”

Williams returns

For the first time this season, wide receivers coach Keith Williams will be coaching on the Nebraska sideline.

Suffice it to say he’s excited.

“He said he’s going to so amped he might come to the game with no shirt on and just paint a big ‘N’ on his chest,” senior receiver Brandon Reilly said.

Williams didn’t deny it.

“I told him I’d do a set of a hundred diamond push-ups to get nice and swol,” Williams said with a smile.

Williams said he’s received great support from fans, players and administration during his four-game absence. He watched previous games from his office.

“I’m real excited. This is where I want to be, and I’m appreciative and humbled to have a chance to be here,” Williams said. “And we’re doing well, so that adds to being excited about it, too. As a team, we’ve gotten off to a good start, so that just adds to the excitement as well.”

Reach Brian at brosenthal@huskers.com or follow him on Twitter @GBRosenthal.