Double Coverage Vol. 5, Issue 6

THE DAILY TEXAN PRESENTS:

Oct. 15, 2010

Vol.5, Issue 7

ONE MORE TIME — In what could be their final meeting, Texas must stop Nebraska’s run. | page 10

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Friday, October 15, 2010

theLINEUP page

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7 15 Cover photo: Stephen Keller, above: Caleb Bryant Miller | Daily Texan Staff

In this file photo, former Texas kicker Hunter Lawrence prepares to connect with what would become the gamewinning field goal in last season’s Big 12 Championship.

HE SAID IT...

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15

REGULARS

on page 10

6 6 9 13  17 

page

Every player on the defense has to do their job and not worry about anything else.”

— Sam Acho Defensive end

EDITOR’S NOTE

MATCHups POSITION BATTLES GAMEStoWATCH POWER RANKINGS

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PLAYERStoWATCH

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE Texas is 3-0 in Lincoln under Mack Brown but the Longhorns return this year under different conditions.

R.I.P. TEXAS OFFENSE With anemic play-calling and a reluctancy to throw the long ball, Greg Davis’ offense is suffering.

WHO NEEDS NEBRASKA? Columnist Dan Hurwitz argues that the Cornhuskers’ departure is a solemn occasion.

NCAA PASSES JUDGEMENT With three Tarheels barred from competing, North Carolina is a longshot in the ACC title race.

THE RETURN Quarterback Robert Griffin is back at Baylor and making up for time lost from last year’s injury.

The Daily Texan’s Double Coverage is printed the Friday before every Texas football game and twice during OU week.

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Double Coverage Editor……………Will Anderson Design Editor…………………….Mustafa Saifuddin Photo Editor……………………………Derek Stout Page designer........................Martina Geronimo Copy Editors........Elyana Barrera, Cristina Herrera ............................................Sydney Fitzgerald Daily Texan Sports Editor………………Dan Hurwitz Writers……...................................Sameer Bhuchar, ............................................Alexandra Carreno, …………...........................…Austin Laymance, ......................................................Jordan Godwin, …………………........Laken Litman, Jonathan Parrett

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Friday, October 15, 2010

Freshman quarterback runs into Texas game

over its opponents this season — going for back-to-back 300-yard rushing performances for the first time in six years.

The Cornhuskers are averaging a nation-best 8.3 yards per play, an impressive statistic that has transformed the Nebraska offense from a bit of a snooze in 2009 to a definite must-see. Five plays or less was what Huskers needed to score on 14 of their 25 touchdown drives, with eight scoring drives taking a minute or less off the clock.

Martinez and the Cornhuskers have saved their best play for the Big 12. In the conference opener against Kansas State, Martinez had a historic day, producing the best rushing performance by a quarterback in Nebraska history. He gouged the Wildcats for 241 yards on just 15 carries and scampered into the end zone four times, while adding another score on a 79-yard pass. “He’s a special player, he’s Charlie Riedel | Associated Press got great one-step quickness Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez speeds past a Kansas State defender on his way to a 41-yard touchand when he takes off he goes,� down in a game on Oct. 7. Martinez rushed for 242 yards in Nebraska’s 48-13 win. The quarterback runs Muschamp said. “You see his the productive triple-option offense Texas will face this Saturday. athleticism and vertical speed and quickness. He’s not only mark against Kansas State on some serious Heisman consid- comes down to doing your job the opening drive of the second eration. But Martinez must first and you’ll be successful. If not, half thanks to an 80-yard score face a talented Longhorn de- you’ll have a long day. If they in which he ran virtually un- fense that has heard about his run the ball they’re on the field You see his athleticism and vertical speed and touched up the middle. spectacular play for two weeks. longer, they’re burning clock Martinez is rewriting the Nequickness. He’s not only quick, he’s fast as well.�

Muschamp preached assign- and they don’t have to pass. It’s braska record books in his first ment football to his defense and the utmost importance to stop — Will Muschamp, defensive coordinator season under center. He al- even had the team practice with- the run first and foremost.� ready has the school’s best sin- out a ball to focus on playing a Acho moved to inside linegle-game rushing performance man and not worrying about backer against Oklahoma to for a QB and four record offen- who has the football in the op- shore up the team’s interior dequick, he’s fast as well.� sive outings. The man he sur- tion offense. His game plan has fense. After recording 17 tackthe ball in his hands.�

It’s Martinez’s world-class passed in the record books, Eric sunk in with the players, espe- les against the Sooners, Acho Martinez has set the college football world on fire with his legs speed that has produced big Crouch, won the Heisman Tro- cially junior linebacker Emman- will have to perform well again uel Acho. this weekend if the Longhorns in the Cornhuskers’ new-look op- plays on the ground for the phy in 2001.

With the way he’s dismantling “When you’re playing an op- have any shot at containing tion offense. With Martinez and Cornhuskers. He’s scored from his 10.8 yards per carry at the more than 40 yards out 11 times defenses this season, it’s not a tion team everybody has an as- Martinez and the Huskers’ pohelm, Nebraska has literally run and surpassed the 200-yard stretch to say he should garner signment,� Acho said. “It just tent rushing game.

By Austin Laymance Daily Texan Staff When redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez took over the starting quarterback role for Nebraska during spring practice, few outside of Lincoln were prepared to defend the revamped Cornhusker running attack, which is putting up a mind-boggling 337 yards per game.

Not bad for a team that lost it’s starting play-caller, Zach Lee, to injury and was forced to turn to a relatively unknown commodity from Corona, Calif., in Martinez. But the first-year starter ’s play has caught the eye of Heisman Trophy voters and, of course, Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp — whose main task this Saturday will be formulating a game plan to contain the explosive runner. “One man’s misfortune is another guy’s opportunity,� Muschamp said. “Taylor cashed in on that opportunity and they have really molded what they do after him and his ability. He presents a different athlete back there. Play-wise, there’s some different things designed to get

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4

Friday, October 15, 2010

Team tests winning record, prepares for grudge match

By Laken Litman Daily Texan Staff In the Mack Brown era, Texas is 7-1 against Nebraska, 3-0 in Lincoln. Texas also owns an overall 9-4 record over Nebraska in the history of the two schools.

Of course, this year is different.

Why? Because the Huskers are a fifth-ranked, 5-0 team and the Longhorns are an unranked, 3-2 one this season.

Another reason is the one second that was put back on the clock in the 2009 Big 12 Championship. Remember? Nebraska thought it had won the game and a sea of red swarmed over the field at Cowboys Stadium. But Texas head coach Mack Brown knew the game wasn’t over.

“I remember I told the official, ‘I’m going to call the timeout if we need it. I got it in my pocket,’” Brown said. “And we were fine until about 12, 11, 10 …

Then I remember seeing the ball hit out of bounds and looking at the clock simultaneously and I thought there were two seconds left. I wasn’t concerned. I knew the official would stand up and do the right thing.”

Then the rest was history — kicker Hunter Lawrence stepped up and nailed a 46-yard field goal, crowning Texas as Big 12 champion and Alabama’s opponent in the national title game.

As Texas celebrated for the next month, Nebraska went back to work. The Huskers were fueled by the anger that one second took from them the Big 12 Championship. The Nebraska athletic department created the “Red Out

Around the World – 10.16.2010,” campaign. A video on the Red Out site contains the tagline, “Wear Red. Be Loud.” although the most famous part of the campaign’s slogan, “Beat Texas,” was removed by request of NU head coach Bo Pelini.

As the Huskers head into this weekend, it’s apparent that whatever the coaches and players did paid off as the team is more talented this year with a dual-threat quarterback in Taylor Martinez (who can kill opponents on the ground or in the air) and the top-ranked pass defense in the country. Nebraska has been waiting for this coming Saturday since last December. Even though this game doesn’t have the same implications as their last meeting, Nebraska wants revenge.

Texas on the other hand, doesn’t feel the same animosity.

“I like [the animosity Nebraska feels],” said junior safety Blake Gideon. “I hope people want to beat us. I don’t want to play a team that doesn’t want to beat me as bad as I want to beat them.”

Brown said he doesn’t feel any animosity toward Nebraska, last year’s conference championship game or the fact that Nebraska is leaving for the Big Ten next season.

“I don’t understand it and I don’t feel it,” he said. “It’s not in our building.”

What Brown does feel is the excitement to play in Lincoln for a fourth time. Since the Big 12 conference was formed, Texas has won all three meetings in Lincoln, but all three were by a combined

nine points as this series has a history of last-minute plays.

There was 1998, Brown’s first year in Austin, when No. 23 Texas beat No. 7 Nebraska 20-16.

“I mean the Ricky [Williams] game I’ll never forget,” Brown said. “Forty-seven straight wins and he had a great night against a super Blackshirt defense.”

Brown’s next trip to Nebraska was in 2002, when seventhranked Texas beat unranked Nebraska 27-24. “[Nebraska head coach] Frank Solich trying to be aggressive goes for the score to win the game,” Brown said. “And then [Texas cornerback] Nathan Vasher intercepted the ball in the corner with three seconds left.”

In 2006, No. 5 Texas beat No. 17 Nebraska 22-20 on a field goal in a snowstorm.

“Our kicker had a pulled groin, so poor [backup kicker] Ryan Bailey is on our sidelines and most of our players didn’t know who he was,” Brown said. “I didn’t know what Ryan would do when he got out there and he kicks it right down the middle into a snowstorm to win the game.”

Now it’s 2010 and Brown is ready to bring his underdog Longhorns to face a national title-eyeing Nebraska.

“You got to do it on TV, and from a national scene, to win a game that we’re in trouble with, to step up and be the strong leader that you need to be,” Brown said. “That’s what we’re asking the guys to do. Who’s going to step up on Saturday at 2:30?”

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Texas’ record in Lincoln under Mack Brown 1998: No. 23 Texas defeats No. 7 Nebraska 20-16 Ricky Williams rushed for 150 yards against the Cornhuskers on his way to a Heisman. It was a huge upset win for head coach Mack Brown, then in his first year at Texas, and the Longhorns finished 9-3 and ranked No. 15 in the country.

2002: No. 7 Texas defeats Nebraska 27-24 A field goal was the only thing separating these two sides. Senior Chris Simms passed for a thenTexas record 419 yards but the Longhorns needed a late interception in their own end zone to seal the deal.

2006: No. 5 Texas defeats No. 17 Nebraska 22-20 Another field goal, this one from unknown backup Ryan Bailey, toppled the Huskers in a snowy mid-season thriller. Despite a promising start to the season, Texas lost two of its last three games and defeated Iowa 26-24 in the Alamo Bowl.

Texas @ No. 5 Nebraska 3-2 (1-1 Big 12) last game: 28-20 loss vs. Oklahoma.

5-0 (1-0 Big 12) last game: 48-13 win @ Kansas State

Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb. ABC, 2:30 p.m.

2010: Unranked Texas travels to play No. 5 Nebraska A little more 10 months have passed since the Longhorns defeated the reigning North division champs on a last-second field goal and tensions run high as the two collide in what might be their last game as conference foes.

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Friday, October 15, 2010

MATCHups — By Austin Laymance | Daily Texan Staff

Taylor Martinez leads an option attack for Nebraska that has rolled over the competition in five games — with the redshirt freshman QB averaging more than 147 yards on the ground. Martinez leads the country with 12 rushing touchdowns and has looked unstoppable thus far. Texas QB Garrett Gilbert has more interceptions than touchdown passes and is facing the best defense he will see all year.

RUNNING BACK The Longhorn tailbacks have been outrushed by the Cornhusker’s QB while Texas’ running back-by-committee philosophy has been disappointing this year to say the least. The Cornhuskers boast two punishing runners in Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead who have combined with Martinez to form the No. 2 rushing attack in the country. Nebraska is averaging a nationleading 7.7 yards per carry.

RECEIVERS

OFFENSIVE LINE

Neither team has a player with more than two touchdown receptions, but Texas’ wideouts have the game-breaking speed that can challenge Nebraska’s top-ranked pass defense.

The Longhorns throw more than twice as often as the Cornhuskers, but Nebraska’s Brandon Kinnie has made the most of his opportunities — averaging 43 yards per catch. The Longhorns have a slight advantage provided they hang on to the ball.

The Longhorns’ front five had more holes than Swiss cheese the last time these two teams met and will once again have their hands full protecting Gilbert from one of the top defenses in the nation. Nebraska’s big boys up front have been dominant, opening up huge holes for the ball carriers and keeping Martinez’s jersey clean — he’s been sacked just seven times.

DEFENSIVE LINE Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick, the Big 12’s preseason co-defensive MVP, anchors a smothering defense that has held opponents to 21 or fewer points in 13 straight games. Texas is tops in the conference in sacks and tackles for loss but the elusive Martinez is a nightmare for defenses. Texas must stick to its assignments or Nebraska could run away with the victory.

LINEBACKERS Emmanuel Acho played like a man possessed against Oklahoma and the Longhorns will need another strong effort from the junior linebacker if they hope to slow down the Cornhuskers’ prolific running game. Nebraska’s Lavonte David leads the conference in tackles recorded with 16 against Kansas State last week in the team’s conference opener — he had 19 the week prior versus South Dakota State.

SECONDARY

SPECIAL TEAMS

Nebraska is home to the best pass defense in the nation. The Cornhusker secondary is a turnover machine, intercepting 11 passes — three were returned for scores — and forcing three fumbles. Opposing QB’s are completing a dismal 50 percent of their throws against Nebraska. The Longhorn secondary is nothing to laugh at either but their three picks don’t quite stack up to the Cornhuskers’ ball hawks.

Texas relied on last-second field goals to beat Nebraska in 2009’s meeting as well as the Longhorns’ last trip to Lincoln and this game could come down to Justin Tucker’s leg. Nebraska’s Alex Henery is perfect on field goals this year and is four shy of the school’s all-time record.

Advantage

Breakdown

Advantage

Breakdown

QUARTERBACK

position BATTLES

Everyone remembers Ndamukong Suh’s 4.5-sack, 12-tackle performance against Texas in the Big 12 Championship. Crick has been equally dominant this year and already has 13 solo tackles. To keep Garrett Gilbert upright,

— By Will Anderson | Daily Texan Staff

Michael Huey, LG

Emmanuel Acho, OLB

vs.

vs.

Jared Crick, DT

Taylor Martinez, QB

Huey will have to protect the quarterback’s blindside. Crick will move around on the inside and uses his size plus quick hands to blow past offensive guards so expect double teams from Huey and center David Snow.

Acho has found success since moving to the outside, posting 24 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his last two games. As the strongside linebacker it will often be Acho’s assignment to move laterally behind the de-

fensive line and keep Martinez from escaping outside for a big gain. That’s easier said than done, with Nebraska’s QB averaging over 10 yards a carry, but Acho will be instrumental in the Texas defense’s efforts to slow him down.

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Friday, October 15, 2010

Texas offense sees dramatic dropoff under QB Gilbert

By Jordan Godwin Daily Texan Staff Texas’ offense is broken but the problem is a simple one.

First, a brief history lesson — with the zone-read option in the spread offense, Texas quarterbacks Vince Young and Colt McCoy ran and passed the ball, and the rest of college football followed suit. But recently, Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis slammed the brakes and hand-chose pro-style quarterback Garrett Gilbert, parting ways with the dual-threat play-caller. “He runs the offense and he recruited Garrett,� said Texas head coach Mack Brown this week.

It’s also new to Gilbert, who ran a pass-heavy spread offense since his Pop Warner days until Davis suddenly asked him to change. And Gilbert isn’t the only one struggling during this learning season — the offensive linemen, who spent years on their heels protecting the quarterback, are suddenly being used as run blockers.

Unranked Texas’ offense sits 71st in the nation with 360.0 yards per game, just ahead of No. 72 North Texas. The Longhorns have put up those numbers against defenses that rank an average of 96th in the country, allowing 374.8 yards

per game. Gilbert has contributed an average of 233.0 of those yards, and he’s the 50th-ranked quarterback in offense.

Texas is actually the only team in the Big 12 South without a quarterback ranked in the top 30. In Texas’ offense, Gilbert has attempted 180 passes and gained 75 rushing yards. In this day and age, that doesn’t cut it.

Of the top 25 quarterbacks, only seven have rushed for less than 100 yards, all of whom have either attempted 200 passes in a spread offense or have thrown it downfield for an average of more than 8.0 yards per pass. Under Texas’ sideways-oriented offense, Gilbert throws for a little more than 6.3 yards per pass.

Gilbert is still a first-year starter but of the quarterbacks ranked ahead of him, 21 are underclassmen and nine are seniors. With Texas visiting Nebraska this weekend in the house of Cornhusker freshman Taylor Martinez, the Longhorns will see a quarterback who throws for 132 yards per game and rushers for 147.4 more.

Martinez has 660 passing yards on just 64 attempts, largely because of his running game. Last week against Kansas State, he had 369

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Texas quarterback No. 7 Garrett Gilber drops back to pass against Oklahoma in this season’s Red River Rivalry. Gilbert is completing 63.3 percent of his passes but has rushed for just 14 net yards. total yards and five touchdowns.

With 241 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, he only needed to attempt seven passes.

Speedy receiver-turned-runningback D.J. Monroe is one possible offensive option for Texas who has the ability to break big plays like his 60-yard touchdown run against Oklahoma. He has touched the ball 11 times this year, gaining 133 yards, which is a higher average of yards per carry than any elite rusher in the nation, including Martinez’s uncanny 10.8 mark. “We’re constantly looking for more ways to get D.J. involved,�

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Davis said. “Obviously, he’s one of the explosive guys that can make big plays.�

Brown has kept Monroe from becoming a full time back because of the latter ’s struggling in pass-protection situations.

Monroe is indeed smaller than the average back at 5 feet, 9 inches and 171 pounds, but the true sophomore has shown his worth in every game in which he’s played.

Texas is running out of options.

Its offense is one of the worst in the Big 12, ranking ninth in scoring, eighth in rushing, sixth in passing and eighth in total offense. Given the success of the team in recent years, its easy to see why such numbers seem atypical. “We thought our offense would grow with Garrett,� Brown admitted, while spurning the idea that Texas’ struggles are a result of Gilbert’s inexperience. “I’m not falling into that excuse yet – at Texas, you should always be good.�

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Friday, October 15, 2010

Disparity in play product of Pelini’s superior coaching

QB COMPARISON

TAYLOR MARTINEZ - NEBRASKA QB -

2009 stats: 39-of-64 passing, 660 yards 60.9 pct accuracy, 3 TDs/3 INTs 737 net yards rushing, 12 TDs Charlie Riedel| Associated Press

GARRETT GILBERT - TEXAS QB -

2009 stats: 144-of-180 passing, 1151 yards 63.3 pct accuracy, 4 TDs/5 INTs 14 net yards rushing, 0 TDs Derek Stout| Daily Texan Staff

with a 46-yard touchdown run.

Talk about first impressions.

By Will Anderson Gilbert’s first extended experiDaily Texan ence behind center for Texas came, Columnist as we all remember, in last season’s national championship. His One quarterback set high school first throw was an incomplete pass records for passing yards, earned to fullback Antwan Cobb. His secGatorade’s National Player of the ond, another incompletion. In his Year Award and was heralded as third attempt, Gilbert hit Tre’ Netthe next big NFL arm. He was won, who was then dropped for anointed a top-level QB before his a four-yard loss. In the first half first real start and a big part of his of that game, Gilbert threw more team’s preseason ranking. interceptions (two) than positiveThe other play-caller was suc- yardage completions (zero). cessful in high This isn’t a deschool but many mand for Davis’ recruiting services job or even anlisted him at ‘athOf course, changing other call for the lete’ rather than coach to open the entire offensive quarterback. He up his playbook system at this point worked with the and let Gilbert scout team during throw it downin the season would his first collegiate No, this be like asking Brown field. season and didn’t is an attempt to to win a national earn his starting show the distincrole until hours championship without tions between an before the season offensive system Vince Young opener. that embraces Can you guess a quarterback’s which one plays s t re n g t h s a n d for fifth-ranked Nebraska and one that ignores them. which plays for 3-2 Texas?

Gilbert has no place under cenBy now it’s painfully obvious ter. From the shotgun at Lake Trathat Garrett Gilbert has struggled vis High School, the young man in his first year with the Long- shredded defenses with accuhorns. He cannot help the great rate vertical passing. The powexpectations thrust upon him by a er-running game, the entire reaprolific high school career. He can- son head coach Mack Brown tried not help the hamstrung play-call- to shift Gilbert closer to the line, ing by offensive coordinator Greg has proven futile. Goal-line situaDavis, more nonsensical than con- tions remain the only effective use servative. He does not have the of Cody Johnson and the double liberty of handing the ball to a sig- tight-end sets. nature back, taking 30 to 40 plays Bo Pelini at Nebraska meanoff per game; instead, even when while shifted to a triple-option ofthe running backs are involved, fense with his new quarterback.

Gilbert is usually throwing the Martinez benefits from the presball on a screen play. ence of Roy Helu Jr. and Rex BurNebraska’s Taylor Martinez, on khead but could thrive even withthe other hand, has found uncon- out them because of his dynaventional success running the ball. mism in the zone-read. It is a simHe averages 12.8 passing attempts ple case of a head coach underper game and just under eight standing how to best utilize the completions. Still, he has been tools at his disposal. able to rack up yards through Of course, changing the entire the air because of the respect de- offensive system at this point in fenses pay to his running ability. the season would be like asking And boy can he run. His first play Brown to win a national championfrom scrimmage — the first time ship without Vince Young. Talenthe ever touched the ball as a colle- ed quarterbacks deserve talented giate player — the redshirt fresh- coaching and so far Nebraska has man torched Western Kentucky shown superiority in that regard.

9

Friday, October 15, 2010 Sponsored by:

GAMEStoWATCH — By Will Anderson | Daily Texan Staff

No. 12 Arkansas @ No. 7 Auburn 4-1 (1-1 SEC) last game: 24-17 win vs. Texas A&M

6-0 (3-0 SEC) last game: 37-34 win @ Kentucky

No. 1 Ohio St. @ No. 18 Wisconsin 6-0 (2-0 Big Ten) last game: 38-10 win vs. Indiana

5-1 (1-1 Big Ten) last game: 41-23 win vs. Minnesota

No. 21 Missouri @ Texas A&M 5-0 (1-0 Big 12) last game: 26-0 win vs. Colorado

3-2 (0-1 Big 12) last game: 24-17 loss vs. Arkansas

No. 10 S. Carolina @ Kentucky 4-1 (2-1 SEC) last game: 35-21 win vs. Alabama

3-3 (0-3 SEC) last game: 37-34 loss vs. Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala. CBS, 2:30 p.m.

Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wis. ESPN, 6 p.m.

Kyle Field, College Station FSN, 11 a.m.

Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Ky. ESPN2, 6 p.m.

Arkansas regained some respect, if not its national title chances, by beating Texas A&M on Oct. 9 in Dallas. Quarterback Ryan Mallet stole the show from A&M’s Jerrod Johnson, the Big 12’s preseason darling, by completing 27 of 38 passes for 310 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Both teams showcased their aerial attacks in that game, with Arkansas prevailing only after a game-ending interception.

Now the Razorbacks head to Auburn to face a different test; the Tigers have a dual-threat quarterback similar to A&M’s Johnson but also a much better ground game. Auburn can burn Arkansas with the pass or with the run and a hostile crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium will likely turn this into electric game full of bigyardage plays.

The Buckeyes once again reign atop the college football world, reaching the No. 1 overall spot in The Associated Press poll for the first time since the end of the 2007 season. As the best quarterback in the Big Ten, Terrelle Pryor has matured into a poised and accurate passer who can still scramble for big yards. Meanwhile, the team’s sixth-ranked scoring defense has held four opponents to fewer than 15 points.

Pryor was the Big Ten’s co-offensive player of the week for his performance against Indiana but he shared that honor with Wisconsin running back John Clay. Clay ran for 111 yards and three scores versus Minnesota and is on pace to finish with 1,300-plus rushing yards this season. Despite Wisconsin’s slip against Michigan State, the Badgers are still in the discussion for Big Ten champs.

With no signature victories and just a single conference win, Missouri heads into its first true road trip of the year untested. The team’s gaudy passing numbers have come against Miami of Ohio (63rd in pass defense), Colorado (87th) and McNeese State (106th in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA). Blaine Gabbert will likely play but battled injury last week. Plus, since former captain Derrick Washington was dismissed in the offseason for violating team rules, a three-man committee at running back has failed to fill the void.

Still, if the Tiger defense can prove their shutout of Colorado last week was no fluke, the offense will have a shot at downing A&M. That said the Aggies will be prepared and motivated as they fight to keep from dropping to 3-3.

Despite defeating then-No. 1 Alabama, the Gamecocks still sit behind the Crimson Tide in the AP poll because of a onepossession loss to Auburn in week four.

Depending on how Auburn finishes the season, the Gamecocks could take a huge step this week by defeating Kentucky to move to .750 in the SEC. Two fourth-quarter field goals were the only things standing between Kentucky and a monumental home win versus Auburn last weekend. Despite the Wildcats’ poor record, they average 434 total yards and 36 points per game. Now they get South Carolina, which just finished a harrowing four-game stretch, in the safe confines of Commonwealth Stadium and another chance at a big-time SEC upset on national television.

10

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THE RUN STOPS HERE After getting thrashed by two teams, Texas defense prepares for serious challenge from Pelini’s Cornhuskers

By Jordan Godwin Daily Texan Staff

The good news is that Texas has the sixth best defense in the nation in terms of allowing the fewest total yards.

The bad news? The Longhorns’ elite pass defense that has carried the team at times will likely become irrelevant this Saturday.

Entering the home of a Nebraska offense that ranks second in the nation in rushing and 106th in passing, cornerbacks Curtis Brown and Aaron Williams could probably take the day off. Nebraska runs the ball roughly 74 percent of the time and averages 337.6 yards per game, including an FCS-best 7.74 yards per carry.

Before the season started, Texas head coach Mack Brown said his team’s defense might be one of the best he had ever coached. There won’t be a better chance for the

players to live up to that hype than against Nebraska.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to play against those guys and prove what we’ve got,” said defensive end Sam Acho.

The Longhorns’ rush defenders will definitely have to outperform their last two games. Texas’ rush defense is ranked 19th in the nation, allowing an average of 104.0 yards per game. But that ranking isn’t nearly as impressive when you figure in the fact that they were facing rushing offenses that rank on average 86th and normally rush for just 124.2 yards per game.

“We’ve definitely let some guys slip through the holes in these past few games,” said defensive tackle Kheeston Randall. “We’re going to have to play better than we’ve been playing.”

Randall has been a consistent presence on the inside, but it’s the other tackle that has struggled. The opening week starter, Tyrell Higgins, was replaced as the starter last week by sophomore Alex Okafor, but after Oklahoma rattled off several big runs early in the game, Higgins played much of the game. This week, Okafor is back as the starter against Nebraska because coaches like his potential.

“Alex is improving every day,” said defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. “He’s a guy that’s a really good athlete with great ability and work ethic.”

On the outsides, Acho and Eddie Jones have been stellar in containing the run at the point of attack, but the linebackers have struggled with missed tackles.

Nebraska took advantage of Kansas State’s defense last week, largely because of missed tackles. The Cornhuskers rushed for 451 yards in that game, the third time this season they’ve ran for more than 350 yards. They’ve been held under 250 yards only once this season, but Muschamp attributed those “struggles” to their own mistakes and nothing special that opponent South Dakota State was doing.

Nebraska’s leading rusher is quarterback Taylor Martinez, who ranks fourth in the nation with 147.4 rushing yards per game. But behind him, Roy Helu Jr. averages 83.0 yards per game and Rex Burkhead averages 72.2 yards per game.

“They’re all blue-collar guys that are hard-nosed, northto-south runners,” Muschamp said. “You’re not going to see a lot of dancing with them.”

To simulate Martinez’s speed, the Longhorns have

practiced with sophomore receiver Brock Fitzhenry as the scout-team quarterback. At Giddings High School, Fitzhenry was one of the best running quarterbacks in the state, posting 36 career 100-yard rushing games, which is ninth in Texas high school football history.

“But it’s tough to simulate that guy,” Muschamp said of Martinez. “He’s a great player.”

Throughout the past two weeks, the Longhorns have preached assignment football. They know they’ll have to be more patient than usual against Nebraska’s potent running game.

“Don’t try to be a Superman and get the quarterback, and then the running back goes 80 yards,” Randall said. “It’s pretty much just doing your job and having the right techniques.”

Texas’ defensive players still believe they’re worth the hype. They’re confident they can contain Nebraska’s offense enough to let the offense try to win one for a change.

“Every player on the defense has to do their job and not worry about anything else,” Acho said. “They can’t worry about doing too much — do more than what you’re supposed to. If everyone does their jobs, we’ll be fine.”

Linebacker Emmanuel Acho will play key role on strongside trying to slow down Nebraska

By Laken Litman Daily Texan Staff

For Texas, the theme for Saturday’s game is Stop the Run, Part III. In the Longhorns’ back-to-back losses against UCLA and Oklahoma, the opposition’s rushing attack beat the nation’s former top-ranked defense to a pulp. Texas is hoping to avoid its third straight loss and knows it will have to clog Nebraska’s run, which is the second best in the nation led by tailbacks Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead and quarterback Taylor Martinez.

Nebraska beats teams on the ground and in the air so the Longhorns will pick the lesser of two evils and try to force Martinez to become a one-dimensional passing quarterback on Saturday. Martinez is averaging 147 rush yards per game on 10.8 yards per carry and his passing stats are dangerous, too, as he’s averaging 132 yards per game on 10.3 yards per throw.

Containing the Huskers’ zone-read will be challenging for a Longhorns defense that hasn’t been playing to its normal standard the past few weeks. To get back on track, junior linebacker Emmanuel Acho will be a key player.

From the start of the season against Rice through the UCLA game, Acho has started at middle linebacker. But after Texas’ first loss, the coaches decided he would be more beneficial to the defense on the strong side so he could rush off the edge and blitz.

“Emmanuel is so smart and when we are talking about eye discipline and assignment discipline, that fits him to a ‘T,’” said head coach Mack Brown. “He’s smart, has a disciplined life and does exactly what he’s supposed to do. Plus he’s athletic enough and tough enough to be disruptive.”

After moving to the strong side against Oklahoma, Acho had one of his best games as a Longhorn. He made a career high 17 tackles, nine of which were solo and 4 ½ for a loss. He also caused a sack and a forced fumble on the Longhorns’ final defensive play of the game, which almost resulted in a defensive touchdown.

Last week, the FBS awarded Acho with National Linebacker of the Week honors because of his performance against the Sooners.

“He played very well [against OU],” said defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. “He was very active, played well in space and tackled well. He’s a good blitzer and caused that fumble there late to give us a chance.”

Like most Texas players, Acho was extremely humble when asked about his domination against OU and said he was just doing his job

and that it was a team effort.

“A lot of it comes down to the defensive line and linebackers and everybody just doing their job,” Acho said. “Everybody has an assignment and everybody has a job to do, and it comes down to if you do your job, you’ll be successful. If not, you’ll have a long day.”

Senior defensive end Sam Acho was proud of his little brother.

“He made some unbelievable tackles against OU,” Acho said. “I’m excited for him, and I’m not just saying that because I’m his brother.”

As a whole, however, Texas didn’t cover assignments particularly well against OU — especially in the first half, which led to an early deficit.

During the bye week, Muschamp emphasized that his unit cannot make the same mistakes when they head up to Lincoln this weekend. Additionally, he reinforced the importance of playing assignment football and keeping the gaps closed so the Huskers’ running game can’t slip through.

“We can’t allow chunk yardage play because then you get behind on the scoreboard and their defense really takes effect,” he said.

After a week off, Emmanuel Acho and the rest of the Longhorns are confident in their rejuvenated bodies and mindsets, and are ready to face one of the best teams in the country.

“There’s nothing — if we play to Texas standards — nothing that we should be too worried about,” Acho said.

Derek Stout | Daily Texan Staff

Above, junior linebacker Emmanuel Acho. Left, members of the Texas defense.

12

Friday, October 15, 2010

BIG 12 NORTH notebook Martinez gaining traction in Heisman race with legs A freshman Heisman candidate who didn’t even start the season? Believe it. Nebraska fans have been treated to one of the nation’s most valuable players in quarterback Taylor Martinez.

With only 660 yards and three touchdowns through the air, Martinez may not be the best passer in the nation, but he does have a set of wheels that punishes defenses. Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini and his staff don’t even expect him to throw very much per game. Last week versus Kansas State, perhaps his breakout performance of the season thus far, he only threw the ball seven times, completing five for 128 yards. His legs did most of the damage — he carried the ball 15 times for 241 yards with touchdown runs of 14, 35, 80 and 41 yards. Martinez’s 241 rushing yards set a Nebraska quarterback record and were the

eighth most in school history.

Te x a s h e a d c o a c h M a c k Brown has taken notice of how good Martinez is and will have to prepare to defend against him on Saturday. “They were super on defense last year and everybody knew that,� Brown said. “But they didn’t have the explosive plays on offense, and Taylor brings them unbelievable plays.�

Despite his quarterback’s stellar performances, especially as a freshman, Pelini still thinks the upcoming game versus now unranked Texas is not going to be a walk in the park. “They’ve won a lot of football games for a long time,� Pelini said about the Longhorns. “They’re going to come out firing. We understand that and know that’s going to be the case. We have to be ready to match their intensity, execution and be ready to go earn it on the field because it’s not just going to happen.�

— By Sameer Bhuchar | Daily Texan Staff

Charlie Riedel | Associated Press

Kansas State wide receiver Brodrick Smith is carted off the field after breaking his leg against Nebraska on Oct. 7. Smith, the team’s leading receiver prior to the game, will not return this season.

Wildcats’ leading receiver out for season with injury

game to Nebraska last weekend. a broken leg late in KSU’s loss to The Wildcats also lost their second- Nebraska, requiring him to have leading receiver.

Wideout Brodrick Smith suffered Kansas State lost more than the SMITH continues on page 13

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Friday, October 15, 2010

BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS — By Sameer Bhuchar | Daily Texan Staff

1

The Cornhuskers ran all over a Kansas State team that was supposed to have a fighting chance to contend for the Big 12 North. Opponents can prepare for their run attack all they want, but chances are they’ll still be watching Nebraska’s dust settle.

2

The Sooners didn’t play last week, but to put them underneath a team like Missouri or Oklahoma State would be like projecting the Oakland Raiders to win the Super Bowl. Oklahoma proved it can run well, pass better and finally play solid defense.

3

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert played last week’s game against Colorado with a hip pointer. Despite the injury, Gabbert and the Tigers flattened Colorado 26-0, proving that their third-ranked scoring defense can carry them far this season.

4

Cowboy fans were left scratching their heads after a 54-28 victory over the Rajun Cajuns from Lafayette.

The score doesn’t indicate how close the game was, but nonetheless the potent OSU offense posted 50 points for the third time in five games.

5

The Longhorns’ 28-20 loss to Oklahoma created a disgruntled fan base and coaching staff under scrutiny. Texas has learned that its offense can’t score regularly and its once-lauded defense is very beatable — all bad signs heading into Lincoln.

6

The Aggies are 3-2. Most predicted them to be a stronger team, but turnovers seem to plague this squad. Last week versus Arkansas, Texas A&M gave the ball away four times and QB Jerrod Johnson has thrown nine interceptions this season.

7

Videos of Texas Tech’s botched onside kicks were some of the highest viewed videos on YouTube this past week. Tech will drop even further if they don’t beat Oklahoma State this week, a game that will define the team’s status in the Big 12 South.

8

On paper the Bears seem like a better team than a No. 8 ranking. Robert Griffin has already thrown for more than 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns, but last week’s loss to Texas Tech keeps Baylor from moving any higher in power rankings.

9

The Wildcats were used to running all over opponents, but instead got trampled on by Nebraska last week. Kansas State will have a chance to get back on track against in-state rival Kansas on Saturday.

10

Kansas continues to climb in the polls despite not even playing last week. The Jayhawks are still one of the conference’s weakest teams but move up by virtue of the other programs suffering big losses.

11

The Cyclones lost 68-27 against No. 10 Utah last week, and the road does not get any easier; they take on No. 6 Oklahoma with one of the worst defenses in the nation, giving up 419.17 yards per game.

12

Zero. As in the number of points the Buffaloes managed against Missouri last week. The Buffaloes have a tough Big 12 schedule ahead and are counting the days until they never have to see that type of schedule ever again.

SMITH: Kansas State must find new weapon From page 12

“Chris Harper has had a really good week of practice,” said quarterback Carson Coffman. season-ending surgery.

Head coach Bill Snyder visited “I’m really excited to see what he’s going to do.”

Smith in the hospital this week.

Smith will be available for the “Injuries happen,” Snyder said.

“You hate for it happen. You hate to 2011 season, Snyder estimated. see a young person who invests so much of his time and his effort and cares so much to lose the opportu- Missouri slips into Top 25 nity to do what he enjoys doing. I without signature victory think that’s the biggest concern.”

Most teams have to beat real With Smith out, the Wildcat offense takes a serious hit at a vulner- powerhouses before they can jump able moment. With a run-depen- from the unranked kiddie pool to dent offense, defenses force Kan- the Top 25 adult swim, but Missas State to beat them through the souri seemed to bypass that step.

The No. 21 Tigers have played air, meaning the Wildcats are going to need a strong replacement to fill only two teams from BCS conferences and zero ranked teams. DeSmith’s big shoes.

The replacement may come spite that, Missouri snuck into the in the form of Oregon transfer Top 25 national polls after defeating Miami (OH) 51-13. Fans can asChris Harper.

sume this is because of the Tigers’ top defensive statistics. Missouri ranks third in the nation in points allowed and last week the team shut out Colorado.

Missouri captain and corner-

‘‘

“It’s been special so far, and you take note of it and would like it to keep going,” Rutland said. “But we take it with a grain of salt. We know things can change, but we know if we keep our play at the

We know things can change, but we know if we keep our play at the level it’s been, we’ll be just fine.”

— Kevin Rutland, Missouri captain

back Kevin Rutland is the head of a unit that leads the Big 12 in scoring defense and is tied for second in the conference with 14 forced turnovers.

level it’s been, we’ll be just fine.”

They will have to keep up their stellar level of play against Texas A&M on Saturday in what will likely be the Tigers’ toughest

matchup yet. The schedule does not get any easier. After the Aggies, the Tigers face No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 5 Nebraska.

“It’s a big challenge for us,” said defensive back Carl Gettis. “I think it will really help us determine where we are ... as a team and help us determine how good we are and where we want to be.”

STANDINGS BIG12 NORTH 1. Missouri 2. Nebraska 3. Kansas St. 4. Iowa St. 5. Colorado 6. Kansas

CONF. OVERALL 5-0 5-0 4-1 3-3 3-2 2-3

1-0 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-1

14

Friday, October 15, 2010

BIG 12 South notebook

Oklahoma State wideout Justin Blackmon is tackled by a LouisianaLafayette defender during a game in which Blackmon caught 13 passes.

— By Alexandra Carreno | Daily Texan Staff

Oklahoma coaches snub Alexander, other veterans Entering week seven, defensive end Frank Alexander remains frustrated. The Oklahoma junior continues to play only a small role on defense. “Frank is in very good standing with us. He’s a wonderful young guy that continues to work,� said head coach Bob Stoops in his weekly press conference. “We are going to start the guys or play the most that we feel, practicing or playing, are giving us the most production ...

Otherwise, it’s the only way for me to keep my job and win.�

A part-time starter his freshman and sophomore year, Alexander held high hopes for his junior season. While a sprained ankle sidelined him from the opener, he has continued to work hard.

But even against Texas, Alexander, who Stoops says is close to 100 percent, did not start and received little playing time.

Only time will tell if Stoops will choose to start Alexander again this season. “In the end, not only Frank, but anyone else that’s not starting we obviously feel someone else is doing something a little bit better, a little more consistent, a little more the way we want it,� Stoops said. “I’m just not going to anymore sit here and try and detail why certain

#1

guys that people think ought to be starting are. There’s not a positive way to say it.�

OSU’s Blackmon emerges as top receiving talent Oklahoma State sophomore Justin Blackmon has become familiar with consistently being compared to Michael Crabtree. After all, the receiver has striven to model his style after the former Texas Tech receiver. “When we first started learning the offense, we watched a whole bunch of clips on Crabtree and learned a lot of stuff from him,� said Blackmon. “Some of the things I do is some of the stuff I got from the film I watched.�

Blackmon, under offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, the former Tech assistant coach, leads the country in receiving yards, receptions and points per game.

This season alone, Blackmon has 47 catches for 748 yards under his belt. These numbers also include 11 touchdowns.

Fittingly, Blackmon and the Cowboys take on the Red Raiders in Lubbock on Saturday afternoon. “Some of the stuff that he does is ridiculous,� said OSU defensive end Richetti Jones. “I love watching him. When the ball is in the air and number 81 is running for it, I am ready to put my hands up for a touchdown.�

Gerald Herbert Daily Texan Staff

Despite preseason hopes Aggies on shaky ground The Aggies head into Saturday’s home game against Missouri at a crucial point in their season — it is Texas A&M’s conference opener. The Aggies will also be fighting to keep from falling to .500 and to remain unbeaten at home this season, the latter feat they haven’t accomplished since 1999. “They believe in themselves and they believe in what we’re doing,� said Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman. “They believe in who

Dealer in Texas

fidence if you think you’re overmatched. We have great players and a great system, we’re just making unfortunate mistakes at unfortunate times.�

STANDINGS BIG12 SOUTH 1. Oklahoma 2. Oklahoma St. 3. Baylor 4. Texas 5. Texas Tech 6. Texas A&M

CONF. OVERALL 5-0 5-0 4-2 3-2 3-2 3-2

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they are doing it with. That’s a positive. As long as you have that as a coach, you just tell them to keep swinging. You’re bound to hit a home run.�

No. 21 Missouri arrives this weekend with a clean 5-0 record.

Playing an error-free game is necessary for the Aggies, who have not done so since their season opener, a 48-7 win over Stephen F. Austin in College Station. “It’s not a situation where we’re getting beat into the ground and not having success,� said quarterback Jerrod Johnson. “I think you lose con-

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15

Friday, October 15, 2010

Huskers to be missed when leaving Big 12

North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour speaks at a press conference last Monday announcing the dismissal of defensive tackle Marvin Austin from the team.

By Dan Hurwitz Daily Texan Columnist

Ted Richardson Associated Press

Heels move on after recent suspensions

By Jon Parrett Daily Texan Staff North Carolina was supposed to compete for the ACC title this year.

The Tar Heels were supposed to have one of the most talented defenses in the country. They were supposed to have several players destined for the NFL draft.

Instead, some of those players won’t see a down for the Tar Heels all season.

Defensive tackle Marvin Austin was dismissed from the team on Monday, while defensive end Robert Quinn and wide receiver Greg Little were ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA. North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour said the university would not appeal the NCAA ruling.

Both Baddour and head coach Butch Davis apologized on Monday, and said they should have done more to prevent their student-athletes from violating NCAA rules.

Austin, Quinn and Little were three of 13 Tar Heels that had been suspended since the beginning of the season, when the NCAA began its investigation into allegations that the players had received

improper benefits from agents during the spring and summer.

The NCAA made its ruling Monday after finding that Quinn and Little received travel accommodations and jewelry, and then lied about it to NCAA investigators in three separate interviews. North Carolina decided it would not wait to hear the NCAA’s ruling on Austin, after hearing preliminary information that Austin received double the benefits that Quinn and Little received.

The NCAA found that Quinn received two black diamond watches, a pair of matching earrings and travel accommodations to Miami for benefits, worth $5,642. The NCAA also found that Little accepted diamond earrings and travel accommodations to the Bahamas, Washington, D.C., and a pair of trips to Miami, worth $4,952.

Baddour said the NCAA found that Marvin Austin received benefits worth between $10,000 and $13,000. “I want to apologize to the NCAA and the entire North Carolina Tar Heel community including my teammates, coaches, students and fans,� Austin said in a statement released through

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his attorney.

Baddour said the university would honor the three players’ scholarships as long as they continued to pursue their degrees at North Carolina, but none are allowed to practice with the team.

Baddour also said the university was through investigating the rest of the team’s players regarding accepting improper benefits from agents, but that an investigation concerning academic infractions is ongoing.

North Carolina has had 13 players under investigation by the school and the NCAA since before the Tar Heels’ season opener against LSU. Linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter were cleared Sept. 3, the night before UNC’s game against LSU. Running back Shaun Draughn and safety Da’Norris Searcy were both held out of the LSU game, but were cleared to play against East Carolina. Safety Deunta Williams was suspended for four games by the NCAA and the NCAA also suspended cornerback Kendric Burney for six games for receiving $1,426.

The Tar Heels still have seven players that have not yet been ruled on by the NCAA or the university.

By Dan Hurwitz Daily Texan Columnist Where were you when Hunter Lawrence made the field goal heard round the world? Do you remember?

I will never forget that moment as every door at my apartment complex simultaneously opened up and one after another the neighbors, draped in burnt orange, piled out of their homes running circles around the courtyard, hugging and high-fiving people they had never met.

Thirteen years before that field goal — when Hunter Lawrence probably didn’t even know what a Big 12 was — James Brown found tight end Derek Lewis on fourth-and-inches setting up the winning score in the inaugural Big 12 Championship against Nebraska.

After that 61-yard play, I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing happened at the old Waterford Condominiums in 1996 as the students celebrated an upset of the then thirdranked Huskers.

Moments like this are going to make me miss Nebraska when they go to the Big Ten. Since the Big 12 began play in 1996, Nebraska and its historic program have brought excitement to college football and more specifically, Texas fans.

From Brown’s fourth-andinches in ‘96 to Ryan Bailey’s field goal in the snow in ‘06, to the final second being put back on the clock for a Lawrence field goal in ‘09, Texas and Nebraska have developed a little rivalry.

But with Texas winning eight of nine matchups since 1996, it

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is much more of a rivalry for Nebraska, who has fallen just short to the Longhorns so many times in recent history.

While down here we may consider Nebraska just another team, the Cornhuskers flat out don’t like Texas.

There is a reason that they added “Beat Texas� to their promo video over the summer for their “Red Out Around the World� promotion that is scheduled for Saturday.

Texas hasn’t just beaten the Huskers eight of the last nine times, they have barely squeaked out wins in seven of the eight wins since 1996.

Texas continues to break the hearts of Nebraska fans. The Big 12 Championship in 1996 ended any chances of the Huskers competing for a national championship. In 1998, Texas, behind Ricky Williams ended Nebraska’s 47-game home win streak.

The Longhorns kept Nebraska out of a BCS game last year.

And to make things worse for Nebraska, they haven’t been the kings of the Big 12 as they had expected. Texas and Oklahoma have owned that title.

I was aware that Nebraskans weren’t too fond of the Longhorns, but was surprised to see their version of “the good, the bad and the ugly� shirts, the Longhorns are featured as the ugly.

Really? Nebraska wouldn’t even be in Texas’ top-five schools to put on the shirt. If there was a shirt big enough, it would probably read Nebraska as “the overrated� or “the scariest mascot.�

Despite Texas’ recent domincance over Nebraska, the Cornhuskers have their chance to get the last laugh on Saturday. Unfortunately for them, the Longhorns will once again bring a drought and kill the corn.

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Friday, October 15, 2010

Next issue: Oct. 22

Iowa State

PLAYERStoWATCH

— By Austin Laymance | Daily Texan Staff

Travis Martinez, QB The redshirt freshman has exploded onto the national scene in his first season under center for the Cornhuskers, displaying Heisman Trophy potential while rewriting the Nebraska record books. Martinez single-handedly dismantled the Kansas State defense in the Cornhuskers’ last game, racking up 241 rushing yards and accounting for five touchdowns — four on the ground — while setting the NU record for single-game rushing yards by a QB. Martinez is the perfect player for Nebraska’s option offense and has the ability to score from literally anywhere on the field. He has 12 rushes of over 40 yards — 11 have gone for touchdowns — and his 10.8 yards per rush average is the highest among the top 100 rushers in the nation. Martinez has run for 12 scores while throwing for three more in five games for Nebraska, good for 43 percent of the Cornhuskers’ points.

However he’s also thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns this year (3) and has struggled with accuracy.

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Rex Burkhead, RB The final piece of Nebraska’s three-headed rushing attack, Burkhead is a big-play back for the Cornhuskers. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands and is averaging 7.9 yards per touch through five games. The sophomore from Plano is more versatile than Helu Jr. — he leads all NU backs in receiving — and has seven plays for over 20 yards. Burkhead has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in total offense three times for the Cornhuskers and made the most of his first start, going for 104 yards at Washington on only 13 carries. He has found the end zone three times — all on the ground — and brings the added element of the passing game to an all ready outstanding Nebraska rushing offense. His soft hands out of the backfield and vision have made him a force at receiver as he averages over 16 yards per catch. Burkhead is another Cornhusker runner who does his damage running through the open space created by Martinez.

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Roy Helu Jr., RB Helu Jr. is the thunder to Martinez’s lightening.

The bruising senior from California is the team’s second leading rusher and uses his 220-pound frame to punish defenses between the tackles.

Helu runs with a mean streak and never shies away from contact. But don’t be fooled by Helu’s blue-collar style.

The senior can turn on the jets in the open field and outrun defenders — he has three touchdown runs of over 58 yards. He’s a north-south runner who makes one cut and gets up field and is quick to make defenses pay when they over pursue.

While he has only toted the rock 51 times, Helu has made the most of his touches, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. After posting four 100-yard performances in 2009, Helu Jr. has cracked the century mark three times this season. If Texas shifts all of its attention to stopping Martinez watch out, Helu makes his living gashing defenses when they are out of position.

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18

Friday, October 15, 2010

Baylor’s Griffin returns stronger from ACL injury Sidelined last season, quarterback energizes Bears’ refined offense

Duane Laverty | Associated Press

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, right, passes the ball against Kansas in a game on Oct. 2. The Bears won 55-7 and Griffin threw for a career-high 380 yards in one of the best performances since his return from ACL surgey in the offseason.

By Sameer Bhuchar Daily Texan Staff Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin has seen his fair share of ups and downs as a football player.

The ups: He earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors in 2008.

The downs: He missed most of his sophomore season. Griffin suffered a devastating tear to his ACL in the third game of the season against Northwestern State.

But now, Griffin is six games into his junior season and is back on the upswing.

His rare ability to run the ball

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as well as he throws it makes Griffin one of the conference’s most feared quarterbacks. Through six games this season, Griffin has tossed for more than 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns, not to mention ran for more than 200 yards and six touchdowns. He’s had career days this season and is projected to get even better. With his rising numbers, there is good reason why Griffin’s name is dropped in the best-Big-12-quarterback conversation. However, there are still some who question if Griffin truly is healthy.

After Baylor ’s loss to No. 4 TCU on Sept. 18, Horned Frog players said they thought Griffin looked slower and less athletic than expected. Griffin, on

BAYLOR continues on page 19

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Friday, October 15, 2010

BAYLOR: Despite

criticism, junior says he’s healthy From page 18 the other hand, thought those comments were baseless.

“I really don’t understand that whole statement in general because I’ve never played against any of those guys,” Griffin said.

“How would they know if I was faster or not? That’s all I’ll say about that.”

Griffin’s me-against-the-world attitude has inspired him to come back stronger than ever. ACL tears usually require months of intensive rehab, and many players never mentally recover, but Texas Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville was amazed at how fit he looked when the Bears met the Red Raiders last weekend.

“The thing about injuries now is you have to remember, you tear your knee up and you go through eight months of just gut-wrenching rehab. His knee is fine,” Tuberville said. “You have to gain that confidence back, and you can tell from the first year to this game, [Griffin] is really starting to gain it back and saying, ‘Hey, I can do this. It’s fine.’”

Griffin attributes his team’s success to a better understanding of

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the offense and a growing sense of cohesion among his teammates.

After trampling Kansas 55-7 on Oct. 2, Griffin saw great potential in the Bears.

“Whenever we are clicking, we can put up some big numbers,” Griffin said. “In the Big 12, people said it [head coach Art Briles’ offense] wouldn’t work, but now we’re starting to figure out what we have to do to move the ball and get big yards. It’s just going to continue to grow.”

Though Griffin and his Baylor teammates narrowly lost to Texas Tech last week, the Bears are still on track to reach their first bowl game since 1994 — two more wins would make them bowl eligible and Baylor faces 3-2 Colorado this Saturday on the road. And as every fan, player and coach in Big 12 knows, however Griffin plays his team will follow suit.

“He’s as good as I’ve seen in a long time. He can carry a team on his back and he’s sure enough doing that,” Tuberville said after last week’s game. “He puts so much pressure on your defense. I’m glad we’re past him. I’d hate to see him every week. I’ve got gray hairs from just playing one week.”

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