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Game Preview: Nebraska at Minnesota - Gophers Must Stifle Abdullah, Rushing Attack
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/302925?referrer_id=388419
No. 25 Nebraska (5-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) at Minnesota (5-2 overall, 1-2 Big Ten)
Minneapolis, Minnesota – TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
Saturday 11:00 a.m. CT – ESPN
Spread: Nebraska -11
PREGAME NOTES
Series History
The Gophers and Cornhuskers matchup dates back over 100 years with Minnesota leading the all-time series 29-22-2 over their Big Ten foe. Despite the winning record, the Gophers have lost 16 straight contests to the Huskers; a streak that dates back to 1963.
Last Meeting
The Gophers traveled Lincoln, Neb. last season and were routed by the Huskers, 38-14. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez threw for 308 yards, including two touchdowns to Kenny Bell. The talented receiver torched the Gophers’ defense for 136 yards on nine receptions. NU scored on four of its first six possessions and only let Minnesota cross midfield once before the third quarter.
Season to Date
With a 5-1 record overall, the Huskers will enter the game riding a three-game winning streak, including two Big Ten victories. Nebraska’s only loss of the season came at home to a talented UCLA squad. Despite leading the Bruins 21-3 in the first half, the Huskers’ defense struggled mightily, allowing 504 total yards and 38 unanswered points as UCLA rolled 41-21. Although Nebraska is again ranked in the top-25, head coach Bo Pelini knows that there is still work to be done if his team wants to finish strong and erase the loss to the Bruins.
“[We need to] keep getting better,” said Pelini. “Prepare the way you need to prepare and keep developing. We’re nowhere near where we need to be yet. That’s good and bad. As long as our guys stay hungry and we keep preparing the way we’re capable of and focus on us and the details we’re trying to get accomplished. That’s how you get better as the season goes on.”
Last Time Out
Coming off a bye week, the Huskers last played on October 12 when they trounced Purdue 44-7 in West Lafayette. Ameer Abdullah led the Huskers with 126 yards on the ground while Ron Kellogg III completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 141 yards and a touchdown. Following the blowout victory, Nebraska has had time to rest during their second bye week since September 21.
“We gave them some days off but when we worked, we worked,” said Pelini. “We did a little bit of everything. We got our guys going and we did a lot of good-on-good. We’ve practiced three times during both [bye] weeks and during that time, like I told our guys, ‘You’re going to get your rest but when we go, we go. We have a lot of improvement that needs to be made.’”
Coaching Preview
Bo Pelini is in his sixth season with the Huskers following stops as a defensive coordinator at Oklahoma and LSU, as well as stints as a defensive position coach with the 49ers, Packers, and Patriots. The former Ohio State safety has amassed a 54-21 record with Nebraska, including a 2012 Legends Division Title. Although Pelini is known as a defense-first coach, the Blackshirts have struggled at times this season, allowing an average of 407 yards per game; good for ninth in the conference.
Scouting the Huskers
On offense, the Huskers pose one of the most explosive threats the Gophers will see all season. Averaging almost 43 points per contest, the Nebraska offense can score swiftly and often.
“Offensively, I think, they average about 43 points a game and 500 yards,” said acting head coach Tracy Claeys. “In my opinion, they have the fastest skilled people in the Big Ten that we play against. Along with the power running game, they present a big challenge but our kids are looking forward to it.”
The Huskers wide receiver duo of Kenny Bell and Quincy Enunwa could spell trouble for a banged up Gophers secondary.
“Their receivers go get it,” said Claeys. “They’re big and athletic and they go catch the ball. My guess is there will probably be four or five jump balls on Saturday where they’ll lay it up in one-on-one situations and it’s a matter of who comes down with it and who doesn’t. I think that’ll have a big impact on the game.”
Although the Nebraska defense has struggled at times this season, they will pose a huge test for the Gophers who found success last week at Northwestern.
“Defensively, I think they have the most sacks in the Big Ten with 17,” said Claeys. “Their opponents are only converting on 29% of their third downs. They’re very good on third down so that’ll be a challenge for us.”
After running for 176 against the Wildcats, the Gophers will look to run on the Nebraska defense that is allowing almost 160 rushing yards per game.
“The one little leak they have is in their run defense,” said Claeys. “They’ve allowed some teams to run the football against them. That’ll be critical that we’ll be able to run the ball against them. That’s probably the one weakness when you look at their defense is they’ve given up some rushing yards.”
Quarterback Situation
With star quarterback Taylor Martinez listed as a game-time decision, the Gophers could be avoiding playing against one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic signal-callers.
“He’s as talented a quarterback that we’ll play against in the Big Ten,” said Claeys. “The thing with Nebraska is their speed all-around makes him even better because you can’t cheat guys in the box. A year ago their passing game hurt us; the big plays their receivers made. At the same time, if you try to put someone under and over the top of their receivers, between him and the I-back and the little bit of option attack, it’s a tremendous challenge. It’s a cat-and-mouse game to try and keep them off balance and not give up the big play but with all their speed that’s hard to do.”
Minnesota has to do its best to prepare for the various quarterbacks Nebraska might play on Saturday.
“Their offense, it’s similar to us, whatever quarterback is in there, they’re still running the same offense,” said Claeys. “They’re not doing a lot of changes. Obviously, [Martinez] has more experience and I think he’s a little bit more explosive than what the other two are.”
As Martinez has sat the past few weeks, the Huskers have relied on the play of Ron Kellogg III and Tommy Armstrong Jr. The Nebraska coaching staff feels comfortable playing either quarterback against the Gophers.
“For us, we’ve got two guys we’ve got a lot of confidence in,” said Pelini. “I thought they both deserved playing time. We kind of set it before the game, how we’re going to do it. Situations in the game can dictate a change or a slow down or a speed up in rotation but for the most part, we rep them both during the week. If they both earn playing time during the week, which they have, we rotate it and make sure they both get snaps.”
Abdullah Rolling
As the Huskers face questions at quarterback, one constant remains: the stellar play of running back Ameer Abdullah. The 5-foot-9 junior has been dominant this season, rushing for 816 yards and six touchdowns through six games.
“He’ll be as fast a tailback as we’ve played against,” said Claeys of Abdullah. “You’re talking about two players in the backfield that can get behind you if they find a crease and you’re taking about two to three receivers who can get behind you. The overall team speed for their skill positions is they have huge big-play potential.”
Just a junior, Abdullah is building off a 2012 campaign where he ran for 1137 yards and eight touchdowns.
“He’s a year more physically developed, he’s stronger,” said Pelini. “The more experience you get, the better you’re going to get and I think that’s happened with Ameer. He was a really good player a year ago…He brings it to the practice field every day. He works hard developing himself and he continues to improve as a football player. That’s all you can ask of anybody.”
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota’s defense struggled earlier this season against Iowa’s physical, downhill rushing attack. Nebraska poses a similar threat. Lead by Ameer Abdullah, the Cornhuskers have one of the most potent rushing attacks in the Big Ten. NU ranks second in the conference, averaging nearly 285 yards per game. In order to notch another Big Ten victory, the Gophers’ defensive front-seven will need to match Nebraska’s toughness and avoid allowing multiple explosive running plays.
“They put a hat on a hat and knock you off the ball,” said Claeys about Nebraska’s rushing offense. “They have that I-back come down hill and that hasn’t changed. That’ll be a huge challenge for us to try and stop the run…If you don’t fit something right, their backs can get it over with.”
Players to Watch
#18 Quincy Enunwa – The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is a powerful wide receiver that can be a mismatch for smaller defensive backs. Enunwa leads Nebraska with 25 receptions for 354 yards and seven touchdowns. He has caught at least one pass in 18 straight games.
#44 Randy Gregory – The Gophers will need to be aware of Gregory whenever he’s on the field. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound sophomore has been Nebraska’s most consistent pass-rusher this season. Gregory has been a terror for opposing quarterbacks; notching two sacks, seven QB hurries and eight tackles for loss.
Background
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Enrollment: 24,593
Conference: Big Ten
Mascot: Cornhuskers
Colors: Scarlet and Cream
Coach: Bo Pelini (6th Season)
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/302925?referrer_id=388419
No. 25 Nebraska (5-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) at Minnesota (5-2 overall, 1-2 Big Ten)
Minneapolis, Minnesota – TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
Saturday 11:00 a.m. CT – ESPN
Spread: Nebraska -11
PREGAME NOTES
Series History
The Gophers and Cornhuskers matchup dates back over 100 years with Minnesota leading the all-time series 29-22-2 over their Big Ten foe. Despite the winning record, the Gophers have lost 16 straight contests to the Huskers; a streak that dates back to 1963.
Last Meeting
The Gophers traveled Lincoln, Neb. last season and were routed by the Huskers, 38-14. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez threw for 308 yards, including two touchdowns to Kenny Bell. The talented receiver torched the Gophers’ defense for 136 yards on nine receptions. NU scored on four of its first six possessions and only let Minnesota cross midfield once before the third quarter.
Season to Date
With a 5-1 record overall, the Huskers will enter the game riding a three-game winning streak, including two Big Ten victories. Nebraska’s only loss of the season came at home to a talented UCLA squad. Despite leading the Bruins 21-3 in the first half, the Huskers’ defense struggled mightily, allowing 504 total yards and 38 unanswered points as UCLA rolled 41-21. Although Nebraska is again ranked in the top-25, head coach Bo Pelini knows that there is still work to be done if his team wants to finish strong and erase the loss to the Bruins.
“[We need to] keep getting better,” said Pelini. “Prepare the way you need to prepare and keep developing. We’re nowhere near where we need to be yet. That’s good and bad. As long as our guys stay hungry and we keep preparing the way we’re capable of and focus on us and the details we’re trying to get accomplished. That’s how you get better as the season goes on.”
Last Time Out
Coming off a bye week, the Huskers last played on October 12 when they trounced Purdue 44-7 in West Lafayette. Ameer Abdullah led the Huskers with 126 yards on the ground while Ron Kellogg III completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 141 yards and a touchdown. Following the blowout victory, Nebraska has had time to rest during their second bye week since September 21.
“We gave them some days off but when we worked, we worked,” said Pelini. “We did a little bit of everything. We got our guys going and we did a lot of good-on-good. We’ve practiced three times during both [bye] weeks and during that time, like I told our guys, ‘You’re going to get your rest but when we go, we go. We have a lot of improvement that needs to be made.’”
Coaching Preview
Bo Pelini is in his sixth season with the Huskers following stops as a defensive coordinator at Oklahoma and LSU, as well as stints as a defensive position coach with the 49ers, Packers, and Patriots. The former Ohio State safety has amassed a 54-21 record with Nebraska, including a 2012 Legends Division Title. Although Pelini is known as a defense-first coach, the Blackshirts have struggled at times this season, allowing an average of 407 yards per game; good for ninth in the conference.
Scouting the Huskers
On offense, the Huskers pose one of the most explosive threats the Gophers will see all season. Averaging almost 43 points per contest, the Nebraska offense can score swiftly and often.
“Offensively, I think, they average about 43 points a game and 500 yards,” said acting head coach Tracy Claeys. “In my opinion, they have the fastest skilled people in the Big Ten that we play against. Along with the power running game, they present a big challenge but our kids are looking forward to it.”
The Huskers wide receiver duo of Kenny Bell and Quincy Enunwa could spell trouble for a banged up Gophers secondary.
“Their receivers go get it,” said Claeys. “They’re big and athletic and they go catch the ball. My guess is there will probably be four or five jump balls on Saturday where they’ll lay it up in one-on-one situations and it’s a matter of who comes down with it and who doesn’t. I think that’ll have a big impact on the game.”
Although the Nebraska defense has struggled at times this season, they will pose a huge test for the Gophers who found success last week at Northwestern.
“Defensively, I think they have the most sacks in the Big Ten with 17,” said Claeys. “Their opponents are only converting on 29% of their third downs. They’re very good on third down so that’ll be a challenge for us.”
After running for 176 against the Wildcats, the Gophers will look to run on the Nebraska defense that is allowing almost 160 rushing yards per game.
“The one little leak they have is in their run defense,” said Claeys. “They’ve allowed some teams to run the football against them. That’ll be critical that we’ll be able to run the ball against them. That’s probably the one weakness when you look at their defense is they’ve given up some rushing yards.”
Quarterback Situation
With star quarterback Taylor Martinez listed as a game-time decision, the Gophers could be avoiding playing against one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic signal-callers.
“He’s as talented a quarterback that we’ll play against in the Big Ten,” said Claeys. “The thing with Nebraska is their speed all-around makes him even better because you can’t cheat guys in the box. A year ago their passing game hurt us; the big plays their receivers made. At the same time, if you try to put someone under and over the top of their receivers, between him and the I-back and the little bit of option attack, it’s a tremendous challenge. It’s a cat-and-mouse game to try and keep them off balance and not give up the big play but with all their speed that’s hard to do.”
Minnesota has to do its best to prepare for the various quarterbacks Nebraska might play on Saturday.
“Their offense, it’s similar to us, whatever quarterback is in there, they’re still running the same offense,” said Claeys. “They’re not doing a lot of changes. Obviously, [Martinez] has more experience and I think he’s a little bit more explosive than what the other two are.”
As Martinez has sat the past few weeks, the Huskers have relied on the play of Ron Kellogg III and Tommy Armstrong Jr. The Nebraska coaching staff feels comfortable playing either quarterback against the Gophers.
“For us, we’ve got two guys we’ve got a lot of confidence in,” said Pelini. “I thought they both deserved playing time. We kind of set it before the game, how we’re going to do it. Situations in the game can dictate a change or a slow down or a speed up in rotation but for the most part, we rep them both during the week. If they both earn playing time during the week, which they have, we rotate it and make sure they both get snaps.”
Abdullah Rolling
As the Huskers face questions at quarterback, one constant remains: the stellar play of running back Ameer Abdullah. The 5-foot-9 junior has been dominant this season, rushing for 816 yards and six touchdowns through six games.
“He’ll be as fast a tailback as we’ve played against,” said Claeys of Abdullah. “You’re talking about two players in the backfield that can get behind you if they find a crease and you’re taking about two to three receivers who can get behind you. The overall team speed for their skill positions is they have huge big-play potential.”
Just a junior, Abdullah is building off a 2012 campaign where he ran for 1137 yards and eight touchdowns.
“He’s a year more physically developed, he’s stronger,” said Pelini. “The more experience you get, the better you’re going to get and I think that’s happened with Ameer. He was a really good player a year ago…He brings it to the practice field every day. He works hard developing himself and he continues to improve as a football player. That’s all you can ask of anybody.”
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota’s defense struggled earlier this season against Iowa’s physical, downhill rushing attack. Nebraska poses a similar threat. Lead by Ameer Abdullah, the Cornhuskers have one of the most potent rushing attacks in the Big Ten. NU ranks second in the conference, averaging nearly 285 yards per game. In order to notch another Big Ten victory, the Gophers’ defensive front-seven will need to match Nebraska’s toughness and avoid allowing multiple explosive running plays.
“They put a hat on a hat and knock you off the ball,” said Claeys about Nebraska’s rushing offense. “They have that I-back come down hill and that hasn’t changed. That’ll be a huge challenge for us to try and stop the run…If you don’t fit something right, their backs can get it over with.”
Players to Watch
#18 Quincy Enunwa – The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is a powerful wide receiver that can be a mismatch for smaller defensive backs. Enunwa leads Nebraska with 25 receptions for 354 yards and seven touchdowns. He has caught at least one pass in 18 straight games.
#44 Randy Gregory – The Gophers will need to be aware of Gregory whenever he’s on the field. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound sophomore has been Nebraska’s most consistent pass-rusher this season. Gregory has been a terror for opposing quarterbacks; notching two sacks, seven QB hurries and eight tackles for loss.
Background
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Enrollment: 24,593
Conference: Big Ten
Mascot: Cornhuskers
Colors: Scarlet and Cream
Coach: Bo Pelini (6th Season)
