NamelessHusker
Banned
[SIZE=14pt]Bears look to plow over Nebraska Cornhuskers[/SIZE]
Oct. 14, 2005
by JORDAN DANIEL, sports writer
This is the Baylor University Student run newspaper called the Lariat
Link
Once the most dominant running football team in the country, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers bring their pass-happy, West_Coast offense to Waco to face Baylor at 6 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Casey Stadium.
Before head Coach Bill Callahan's arrival last season, the Cornhuskers attempted 192 passes in 2003 with Jamal Lord under center for the majority of the season. Nebraska starting quarterback Zac Taylor has attempted 179 passes this season through just five games, a far cry from the glory days of former Nebraska greats Tommy Frazier and Eric Crouch, who were known for their running ability.
"That running gets a little tough with all the pounding that goes on," Baylor senior free safety Maurice Lane said. "It really doesn't matter, though. They play that West-Coast offense, and they have a lot of motion so we just need to make sure we get lined up right."
The Cornhuskers have four receivers who have caught at least 10 passes this season and 11 players who have caught at least one pass. Quarterback Zac Taylor has thrown every one of those passes, tossing for 1,059 yards and five touchdowns. However, the Nebraska wide receiver corps, hampered with injuries, does not look to be full strength.
"I think talent-wise we're about equal, if not better," Lane said. "They're kind of banged up right now, so I think we have the upper hand on them."
The Baylor defense is giving up a salty 294.2 yards per game, ranking them No. 15 in the country in total defense. The defensive secondary has been the strongest unit on defense, ranking No. 7 in the nation in pass efficiency. For the season, the defensive backfield has allowed only four touchdowns through the air and has intercepted seven passes. Lane leads the secondary in tackles and is third on Baylor's all-time solo tackle list with 227.
However, he recognizes that his individual success is no more important than the team's.
"We've been playing as a team, and we all have the same goals," Lane said. "There aren't too many individuals on this team."
The Baylor offense struggled to move the ball last week against Iowa State University, gaining only 276 yards against a Cyclone defense that surrendered over 400 yards passing to Nebraska.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove has brought the intense "Blackshirts" mentality back to the Huskers. The Nebraska defense was given the nickname for their historically strong defensive play.
"They're a great defense," left guard Lequalan McDonald said. "They play hard, they're strong and Nebraska is known for that. They have 30 sacks this season, so kudos to them."
When the offense is struggling, it is often up to the defense and special teams to carry the load, and junior kicker Ryan Havens said the Bears are up to the challenge.
"Its huge, especially as far as field position goes," said Havens, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week. "The whole punt return team, especially Willie (Andrews), puts us in good field position, and we are able to work with short fields. Any time you get three points instead of zero points when you walk off the field is huge because all those points add up at the end of the game."
With the defense and special teams dominating games for head Coach Guy Morriss and the Bears, the normally hostile road fans have been eerily quiet when Baylor shuts them down.
"It's one of the best things having the other teams' fans quiet, and it's something we feed off of," Lane said. "We've been on the road for a while so we've been feeding off of their fans, so I'm excited to see what we can do with our home fans behind us."
The Baylor football team has played four of its first five games on the road, winning three of those road games and propelling the Bears to their best start in 10 years. Returning to play for the Baylor home crowd is something the players crave.
"Knowing that you have 50,000 people there screaming right behind you, watching your every move, cheering you on and picking you up whenever you need a boost is huge," Havens said.
Oct. 14, 2005
by JORDAN DANIEL, sports writer
This is the Baylor University Student run newspaper called the Lariat
Link
Once the most dominant running football team in the country, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers bring their pass-happy, West_Coast offense to Waco to face Baylor at 6 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Casey Stadium.
Before head Coach Bill Callahan's arrival last season, the Cornhuskers attempted 192 passes in 2003 with Jamal Lord under center for the majority of the season. Nebraska starting quarterback Zac Taylor has attempted 179 passes this season through just five games, a far cry from the glory days of former Nebraska greats Tommy Frazier and Eric Crouch, who were known for their running ability.
"That running gets a little tough with all the pounding that goes on," Baylor senior free safety Maurice Lane said. "It really doesn't matter, though. They play that West-Coast offense, and they have a lot of motion so we just need to make sure we get lined up right."
The Cornhuskers have four receivers who have caught at least 10 passes this season and 11 players who have caught at least one pass. Quarterback Zac Taylor has thrown every one of those passes, tossing for 1,059 yards and five touchdowns. However, the Nebraska wide receiver corps, hampered with injuries, does not look to be full strength.
"I think talent-wise we're about equal, if not better," Lane said. "They're kind of banged up right now, so I think we have the upper hand on them."
The Baylor defense is giving up a salty 294.2 yards per game, ranking them No. 15 in the country in total defense. The defensive secondary has been the strongest unit on defense, ranking No. 7 in the nation in pass efficiency. For the season, the defensive backfield has allowed only four touchdowns through the air and has intercepted seven passes. Lane leads the secondary in tackles and is third on Baylor's all-time solo tackle list with 227.
However, he recognizes that his individual success is no more important than the team's.
"We've been playing as a team, and we all have the same goals," Lane said. "There aren't too many individuals on this team."
The Baylor offense struggled to move the ball last week against Iowa State University, gaining only 276 yards against a Cyclone defense that surrendered over 400 yards passing to Nebraska.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove has brought the intense "Blackshirts" mentality back to the Huskers. The Nebraska defense was given the nickname for their historically strong defensive play.
"They're a great defense," left guard Lequalan McDonald said. "They play hard, they're strong and Nebraska is known for that. They have 30 sacks this season, so kudos to them."
When the offense is struggling, it is often up to the defense and special teams to carry the load, and junior kicker Ryan Havens said the Bears are up to the challenge.
"Its huge, especially as far as field position goes," said Havens, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week. "The whole punt return team, especially Willie (Andrews), puts us in good field position, and we are able to work with short fields. Any time you get three points instead of zero points when you walk off the field is huge because all those points add up at the end of the game."
With the defense and special teams dominating games for head Coach Guy Morriss and the Bears, the normally hostile road fans have been eerily quiet when Baylor shuts them down.
"It's one of the best things having the other teams' fans quiet, and it's something we feed off of," Lane said. "We've been on the road for a while so we've been feeding off of their fans, so I'm excited to see what we can do with our home fans behind us."
The Baylor football team has played four of its first five games on the road, winning three of those road games and propelling the Bears to their best start in 10 years. Returning to play for the Baylor home crowd is something the players crave.
"Knowing that you have 50,000 people there screaming right behind you, watching your every move, cheering you on and picking you up whenever you need a boost is huge," Havens said.
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