Slauson excited to get first start
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 - 10:53:01 am CST
Slouson
In a bygone era of Nebraska football, offensive linemen typically waited two, three or even four years before getting their big chance in the regular rotation.
Matt Slauson might not have embraced that era. Nine games was enough of a wait for him.
Because of an injury to two-year starter Seppo Evwaraye, the 6-foot-5, 340-pound Slauson, a true freshman, will start at right tackle Saturday when Nebraska (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) plays Kansas State (4-5, 1-5) at 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
“All year, I’ve been ready to play,” Slauson said. “I’ve been wanting a chance to show it. Now I’ve got the chance to do it, and I’m pretty excited. I feel like I’m ready to go.”
During the first couple weeks of preseason drills in August, Slauson played left tackle before switching to the right side for good. He’s played on the field-goal attempt team and in Nebraska’s “elephant” alignment in goal-line situations, when the Huskers add an extra lineman or two for extra oomph.
Slauson’s value climbed quickly late in last week’s 40-15 loss at Kansas when Evwaraye suffered a foot injury.
“It’s definitely time for me to answer the knock,” Slauson said. “I’m thrilled. I mean, this is going to be an experience of a lifetime. Getting playing time in front of these 80,000 people, these insane fans. ... It’s just going to be a trip for a freshman. But honestly, right now I don’t feel like a freshman at all.
“I feel really comfortable in our scheme.”
Slauson took a somewhat unconventional route to Nebraska. He played football at Sweet Home (Ore.) High School through his junior season before playing his senior year for a high school in Colorado Springs. He then attended an Air Force Academy prep school last year.
Before selecting Nebraska, he turned down scholarship offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Colorado State, Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma State.
Slauson is nervous this week — he makes no bones about it. In fact, he said, his nervousness could help him Saturday.
“Being a little nervous kind of keeps you on your toes,” he said.
Although Nebraska coaches won’t admit it, they might feel a twinge of nervousness about starting freshmen at both offensive tackle positions. Redshirt freshman Lydon Murtha will make his third straight start on the left side in place of senior Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas, sidelined with what he describes as a chipped bone in his shoulder.
The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Murtha, a four-star recruit in the class of 2004, struggled mightily in each of his two starts. However, coach Bill Callahan expresses confidence in both Slauson and Murtha, though the coach also recognizes the difficulty of the young linemen’s challenge.
“I think it’s a tough position to play because of the quality of matchups you get week in and week out,” Callahan said. “You’re always facing the best pass rushers, and those guys are normally experienced players. They understand their roles, especially in third-down situations. They’re going pin their ears back and get up the field. It’s tough for a freshman to handle that.
“But, you know, we’re doing the best we can. I’m really proud to have those two guys in our lineup and go to war with them. I know they’ll do a good job.”
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.