Cassidy's Time Arrives
There was ample offseason talk that Austin Cassidy, a junior safety from Lincoln, would play a prominent role in the Huskers' defense in 2010. However, until the past two games, he played sparingly on regular downs.
Did he ever wonder if his time would come?
"I just tried to keep working," Cassidy said Monday, two days after recording a career-high 12 tackles and returning an interception for a TD against Iowa State, in his second career start. "Everyone on our team's so encouraging. There's so much competition. Maybe I wasn't out there competing on Saturdays, but every other day of the week we're out here on the field competing, with some of my best friends."
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Cassidy throughout this season has played a prominent role on special teams. As for being an every-down defender, he made his first start Oct. 30 against Missouri, recording six tackles. Before that, he had played "on and off" in games at safety, he said.
He's not about to rest on his laurels. Can't afford to in Bo Pelini's system.
"
No one has a spot locked up," said Cassidy, pausing and looking toward Eric Hagg. "
Maybe Eric does. He's a beast."
