Who will step up?

[Drowning_in_the_Sea_of_Red]

What else can go wrong? why is the team being punished so bad with injuries

Step away from the ledge, my friend.

 

There's only about 3 or 4, maybe 5 guys that we absolutely cannot lose, and they are still playing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*knocks on wood*

[CENTEXHUSKER]

Here is a nice break down of the RBs that could replace Rex......

 

Link

 

LESTER WARD

 

• Background: Ward fought injuries in high school but managed to rush for 1,200 yards and earn second-team all-district honors as a senior at Brenham (Texas) High School. A solid athlete, he performed well in the hurdles and triple jump in track season. He ranked among the top 100 prospects in Texas two years ago but received little recruiting attention from the premier Big 12 schools in his home region. He accepted an NU offer as part of the late recruiting surge engineered by Bo Pelini's staff in the coaches' first weeks on the job. Ward's only career rushing attempt went for 8 yards against Arkansas State last month.

 

• The good: Physically, at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Ward appears to possess the most natural talent among the contenders for time at I-back. The redshirt freshman has gained nearly 30 pounds since his arrival at NU and potentially gives the Huskers an inside running threat if they want to play power football.

 

• The bad: He's inexperienced and, after rising to the top of the young backs last spring following his redshirt season, Ward slid back into the pack this fall. It's hard to say if he's ready to provide any kind of a receiving threat.

 

* * *

 

MARCUS MENDOZA

 

• Background: An early arrival at NU in 2007, Mendoza redshirted after working as a multi-threat back at Spring Woods High School in Houston. He rushed 15 times for 103 yards last season as the Huskers' third-string I-back, including a 31-yard TD run against Kansas State. Mendoza shifted to receiver last spring but returned to the backfield when Quentin Castille was dismissed from the team.

 

• The good: Mendoza is one of the fastest Huskers. He's spent two years and three springs in the system, more time than any other candidates. His diversity allows NU to use him in different alignments, and he's a skilled receiver.

 

• The bad: A liability in pass protection because of his size at 5-10 and 190 pounds, Mendoza also figures to struggle with running between the tackles. If he was going to emerge, it probably should have happened by now.

 

* * *

 

AUSTIN JONES

 

• Background: The lone walk-on vying for playing time out of the bunch, Jones made the team through an open tryout in 2007. The sophomore is from Centennial, Colo., and is a half-brother to Husker receiver Menelik Holt. Jones rushed two times for 9 yards in the fourth quarter against Louisiana-Lafayette, but has just one other career carry. The most people have seen of the 5-10, 210-pounder was when he rushed 12 times for 38 yards during the spring game in April.

 

• The good: A “downhill runner'' with good speed and toughness, according to NU assistant coach Tim Beck. Has impressed enough to be considered No. 3 at times behind Helu and Burkhead.

 

• The bad: Jones wasn't heavily sought coming out of Smoky Hill High School, although he was the team MVP as a senior. Doesn't have the benefit of playing against a high-level opponent when the game is still undecided.

 

* * *

 

COLLINS OKAFOR

 

• Background: Chose to follow the path of several big-name Husker I-backs coming out of Omaha when he picked NU over Stanford, Kansas and Iowa. The first Husker signee from Omaha Westside since 2000 was a two-time World-Herald All-Nebraska player for the Warriors —- rushing for 3,375 yards and 33 touchdowns during his final two seasons. Just one career carry, but did have a highlight moment in the spring game when he busted a 33-yard run and netted 79 on 11 attempts.

 

• The good: Good speed for a 6-1, 225-pounder as evidenced by his high school track accomplishments. Also can run with a bruising style if necessary.

 

• The bad: Not only inexperienced but lost some footing in the race — and likely with the coaching staff — when he left the team last month before returning the next day.

 

* * *

 

DONTRAYEVOUS ROBINSON

 

• Background: Joined Burkhead as the only I-backs in February's signing class. Robinson didn't post huge numbers at powerhouse Trinity High in Euless, Texas, but was known as a tough runner with a nose for the first-down marker or end zone. Actually split time between fullback and tailback as a senior, when he gained 614 yards and scored 11 TDs. Others recruiting the Texan were Utah, New Mexico and Southern Mississippi. The potential remains there to redshirt the 6-1, 215-pounder.

 

• The good: Very physical runner who won't shy away from contact. Beck said his grasp of the system has been surprisingly good.

 

• The bad: Still just 18 and a little green, and mostly relegated to scout-team duty so far. Robinson also lacks the breakaway speed of the others.

[CENTEXHUSKER]

DP

[HuskerMoon]

Who will step up?, Who will join Helu in the backfield? How will the Huskers adapt?

 

1)The Defense will Step up.

 

2)Quarterback Zac Lee will join Helu in the backfield. Ocassionally you might see Tyler Legate or Mike Hays at fullback or a young running back to give Helu a breather.

 

The Huskers will adapt by assessing the situations the the Texas Tech Offenses and Defenses throw at them and calling their offensive and defensive plays accordingly.

[Twodocs]

Collins Okafor will have some huge runs if he gets some carries. He is very deceptive and hard to bring down.

[Igetbored216]

Lester Ward.

 

Put him in!

[pastamax]

Collins Okafor will have some huge runs if he gets some carries. He is very deceptive and hard to bring down.

when he's played, he's done good.

[IlliniHusker]

CENTEXHUSKER provided a good summary from some (?) analyst. Based solely on that I'd be surprised if the backup is anyone other than Marcus Mendoza. By far he has the most experience and has proven he has potential to be a receiver as well as a RB.

 

Hope Rex recovers completely and will contribute next year.

[hskrfan4life]

Okafor is a big guy that has great speed and can be a bruiser back if needed.