husker rob
All-American
NU's Paul waiting for chance to shine
BY NICK RUBEK
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
Nebraska receiver Niles Paul has seen limited playing time this season. "I want to show (the coaches) that I can play, kind of gain some respect," Paul said. "If that's on special teams, I guess that's where I start."Phillip Bates was the quarterback prospect who went to Iowa State.
Through three games of their freshman seasons, the former Omaha North teammates have the same number of catches: one.
And the bigger catch of the two belongs to Bates, who hauled in a clutch grab to set up the game-winning field goal for the Cyclones against Iowa on Saturday.
Paul, who talked extensively before getting to Lincoln about producing as a freshman, was a bit frustrated after a second straight week of inactivity.
"It's tough, because I know I can go out there and make big plays," Paul said. "I've talked to Coach (Bill) Callahan, and he just reminds me to be patient. There's a lot of trust in these seniors that I'm behind. But yeah, it's hard."
Freshman running back Quentin Castille, another touted recruit, is biding his time as well.
Listed No. 2 at running back on the depth chart for the season opener, Castille found the end zone twice in the blowout win over Nevada. The 6-1, 240-pound Castille took a back seat in last week's loss to USC, although he did deliver a huge blow on kickoff coverage that forced one Trojan out of the game.
His limited role isn't due to lack of performance, coaches say.
"He had limited time in the USC game because of the nature of the game," offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. "We're still going to keep feeding him and keep pushing him. He's going to play a lot of football. He has done nothing at all (wrong), so don't read that into it."
Receivers coach Randy Jordan had much the same to say about Paul, whom Jordan said has "a bright future."
"Niles is getting there," Jordan said. "We're hoping that this week we can get him in a little bit more. My plan is to get him more reps as the situation dictates. He's going to be fine."
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Paul arrived in Lincoln as a Parade All-American regarded as a threat both down the field and in traffic.
But after a single catch against Nevada in the season opener, Paul's contributions have been limited to special teams.
"I want to show (the coaches) that I can play, kind of gain some respect," Paul said. "If that's on special teams, I guess that's where I start."
Paul was encouraged by Callahan's statements Tuesday that positions "across the board" would be re-evaluated throughout the week of practice.
"It's something I want to hear before every game," Paul said of the open competition.
Although Paul said there was a "little regret" to not redshirting, he said he does enjoy helping out where he can.
"I would rather be out there with a tiny role," he said, "than not contributing at all."
BY NICK RUBEK
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
Nebraska receiver Niles Paul has seen limited playing time this season. "I want to show (the coaches) that I can play, kind of gain some respect," Paul said. "If that's on special teams, I guess that's where I start."Phillip Bates was the quarterback prospect who went to Iowa State.
Through three games of their freshman seasons, the former Omaha North teammates have the same number of catches: one.
And the bigger catch of the two belongs to Bates, who hauled in a clutch grab to set up the game-winning field goal for the Cyclones against Iowa on Saturday.
Paul, who talked extensively before getting to Lincoln about producing as a freshman, was a bit frustrated after a second straight week of inactivity.
"It's tough, because I know I can go out there and make big plays," Paul said. "I've talked to Coach (Bill) Callahan, and he just reminds me to be patient. There's a lot of trust in these seniors that I'm behind. But yeah, it's hard."
Freshman running back Quentin Castille, another touted recruit, is biding his time as well.
Listed No. 2 at running back on the depth chart for the season opener, Castille found the end zone twice in the blowout win over Nevada. The 6-1, 240-pound Castille took a back seat in last week's loss to USC, although he did deliver a huge blow on kickoff coverage that forced one Trojan out of the game.
His limited role isn't due to lack of performance, coaches say.
"He had limited time in the USC game because of the nature of the game," offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. "We're still going to keep feeding him and keep pushing him. He's going to play a lot of football. He has done nothing at all (wrong), so don't read that into it."
Receivers coach Randy Jordan had much the same to say about Paul, whom Jordan said has "a bright future."
"Niles is getting there," Jordan said. "We're hoping that this week we can get him in a little bit more. My plan is to get him more reps as the situation dictates. He's going to be fine."
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Paul arrived in Lincoln as a Parade All-American regarded as a threat both down the field and in traffic.
But after a single catch against Nevada in the season opener, Paul's contributions have been limited to special teams.
"I want to show (the coaches) that I can play, kind of gain some respect," Paul said. "If that's on special teams, I guess that's where I start."
Paul was encouraged by Callahan's statements Tuesday that positions "across the board" would be re-evaluated throughout the week of practice.
"It's something I want to hear before every game," Paul said of the open competition.
Although Paul said there was a "little regret" to not redshirting, he said he does enjoy helping out where he can.
"I would rather be out there with a tiny role," he said, "than not contributing at all."
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