Eric the Red
Team HuskerBoard
Jackson looks forward to getting rid of cast
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Saturday, Dec 23, 2006 - 02:11:33 am CST
Nebraska's Brandon Jackson celebrates a Husker touchdown against Missouri. (LJS File)
In a season of giving, Brandon Jackson smiles at the thought of having something taken away — namely that annoying hard cast that covers his lower right forearm, wrist and hand.
After wearing the cast for nearly a month, the junior I-back plans to have it removed early next week as 22nd-ranked Nebraska continues preparation for the Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl game against No. 10 Auburn in Dallas.
At that point, perhaps Jackson will go back to making catches with two hands.
“I never realize who’s behind me (playing I-back),” Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor said, smiling. “By the time the ball’s coming out of my hand, I’m either apologizing to Brandon in mid-throw, or he’s making a one-handed catch.”
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Jackson, Nebraska’s leading rusher and third-leading receiver this season, broke his hand during NU’s 21-7 loss to Oklahoma in the Dec. 2 Big 12 Championship Game and since has been limited to no-contact work in practice. His health for the Cotton Bowl could be crucial for a Husker squad that emphasizes balance on offense, including a punishing ground game.
In addition, Jackson’s return to full strength — or something close to it — would boost Nebraska’s depleted supply of I-backs.
A native of Horn Lake, Miss., the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Jackson mostly just wants to help his team win and end his strong season on a positive note. After finishing last season with an 8-4 record, Nebraska enters the Cotton Bowl with a 9-4 mark, thanks in part to a rushing attack that has improved dramatically compared with 2005.
“It feels good to come out this season and do the things I did, as far as catching the ball, running the ball, and especially blocking and winning big games,” Jackson said.
Jackson, who started each of the last nine games, has rushed 181 times for 951 yards, or 5.3 per carry. He also has 31 receptions, averaging 10.3 yards per catch, and has scored nine touchdowns. Not bad for a player who began the season as something of an afterthought in the I-back picture after being limited to 52 rushing yards in 2005 because of injury.
“Just like coach (Bill Callahan) always says, when you’re out there, you have to make the best of it,” Jackson said.
Jackson has emerged atop an I-back “committee” that also features Marlon Lucky (640 rushing yards this season), Cody Glenn (370) and Kenny Wilson (335). Glenn (foot) and Wilson (knee) have missed recent practices, and Glenn seems particularly doubtful for the Cotton Bowl.
As one might expect, competition for playing time at I-back was heated all season.
“Basically, it’s a day-to-day battle,” Jackson said. “It’s hard because all of the backs are good. You have to go out with the attitude that you want it every day.
“There ain’t no telling what’s going to happen next year,” he added. “I know all of us want the starting position. It’s going to be good competition out there.”
Although Jackson’s focus is squarely on Auburn (10-2), he occasionally allows himself to peek toward next season.
“We have all four running backs back, all of our wide receivers back,” Jackson said. “We have (quarterbacks) Joey Ganz and Sam Keller. We’re not losing a lot on offense. (And) we have a lot of experience on defense. I feel like next year will be a good year for us.”
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Saturday, Dec 23, 2006 - 02:11:33 am CST
Nebraska's Brandon Jackson celebrates a Husker touchdown against Missouri. (LJS File)
In a season of giving, Brandon Jackson smiles at the thought of having something taken away — namely that annoying hard cast that covers his lower right forearm, wrist and hand.
After wearing the cast for nearly a month, the junior I-back plans to have it removed early next week as 22nd-ranked Nebraska continues preparation for the Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl game against No. 10 Auburn in Dallas.
At that point, perhaps Jackson will go back to making catches with two hands.
“I never realize who’s behind me (playing I-back),” Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor said, smiling. “By the time the ball’s coming out of my hand, I’m either apologizing to Brandon in mid-throw, or he’s making a one-handed catch.”
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Jackson, Nebraska’s leading rusher and third-leading receiver this season, broke his hand during NU’s 21-7 loss to Oklahoma in the Dec. 2 Big 12 Championship Game and since has been limited to no-contact work in practice. His health for the Cotton Bowl could be crucial for a Husker squad that emphasizes balance on offense, including a punishing ground game.
In addition, Jackson’s return to full strength — or something close to it — would boost Nebraska’s depleted supply of I-backs.
A native of Horn Lake, Miss., the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Jackson mostly just wants to help his team win and end his strong season on a positive note. After finishing last season with an 8-4 record, Nebraska enters the Cotton Bowl with a 9-4 mark, thanks in part to a rushing attack that has improved dramatically compared with 2005.
“It feels good to come out this season and do the things I did, as far as catching the ball, running the ball, and especially blocking and winning big games,” Jackson said.
Jackson, who started each of the last nine games, has rushed 181 times for 951 yards, or 5.3 per carry. He also has 31 receptions, averaging 10.3 yards per catch, and has scored nine touchdowns. Not bad for a player who began the season as something of an afterthought in the I-back picture after being limited to 52 rushing yards in 2005 because of injury.
“Just like coach (Bill Callahan) always says, when you’re out there, you have to make the best of it,” Jackson said.
Jackson has emerged atop an I-back “committee” that also features Marlon Lucky (640 rushing yards this season), Cody Glenn (370) and Kenny Wilson (335). Glenn (foot) and Wilson (knee) have missed recent practices, and Glenn seems particularly doubtful for the Cotton Bowl.
As one might expect, competition for playing time at I-back was heated all season.
“Basically, it’s a day-to-day battle,” Jackson said. “It’s hard because all of the backs are good. You have to go out with the attitude that you want it every day.
“There ain’t no telling what’s going to happen next year,” he added. “I know all of us want the starting position. It’s going to be good competition out there.”
Although Jackson’s focus is squarely on Auburn (10-2), he occasionally allows himself to peek toward next season.
“We have all four running backs back, all of our wide receivers back,” Jackson said. “We have (quarterbacks) Joey Ganz and Sam Keller. We’re not losing a lot on offense. (And) we have a lot of experience on defense. I feel like next year will be a good year for us.”
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
