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Huskers say Holt is worth hype
BY JON NYATAWA
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - Menelik Holt caught a 20-yard pass in the end zone for the first touchdown of his career on Saturday - only there was no time left on the clock and the Huskers were on the wrong end of a 52-17 blowout.
They weren't exactly the best circumstances for Holt to celebrate the accomplishment.
"It felt weird the way it came," he said. "It wasn't by any means one of those touchdowns you really want because of the score.
"But I'm glad I got a feel for it. At least I got one. Hopefully I can find my way there more often."
His teammates say to just give it time.
Senior Todd Peterson saw flashes of Holt's true potential on Saturday on more occasions than just the final play. Holt caught four other passes for 47 yards, and two of those kept drives alive on third down.
"The more experience, the more plays he makes and the more he gets those types of things under his belt, you're just going to see him grow," Peterson said. "We all have confidence in him to make those plays."
Holt is finally playing a substantial role within the Nebraska offense, serving as the team's third option at wide receiver behind two seniors, Peterson and Nate Swift.
But Holt likes to think that he brings something a little different.
He's often left by himself on his side of the field. He's the lone wide receiver blocking on outside runs, and he's the player who has to make the tough catches - the ones where one defender hangs all over you while another waits to deliver a crushing hit.
In all aspects, it's still an adjustment for Holt, who didn't pick up his first collegiate catch until Nebraska's ninth game of the 2007 season.
Things that sound simple, like reacting to the scrambling ability of senior quarterback Joe Ganz, aren't always easy, Holt said. Ganz has a tendency to keep plays alive longer than expected. And as a receiver, you can't just watch.
"Once you're on the field in a game . . . the coaches don't just blow the whistle when they see something they don't like," Holt said. "You have to get used to the scrambling, get used to running routes. And you really have to be in a certain place where you're expected to be."
Holt got a little lost on a third-down play during the third quarter on Saturday.
He accidentally stepped out of bounds before catching a 12-yard pass and got called for an illegal touching penalty, turning a first down into a punting situation for the Huskers.
But had he taken his eyes off Ganz and glanced at the sideline, he wouldn't have had a chance to catch the pass, he said. He's not going to dwell on the penalty, but he knows that he has to have better field awareness, especially in those types of situations.
"I was trying to get open, trying to make a play," he said. "Things like that are kind of heartbreaking when you're trying to keep the drive going. . . . That's a play that we needed."
Holt should have more chances as the season progresses.
Through five games, he's third on the team with 13 catches for 170 yards, although most of his production came against Missouri and Western Michigan.
The coaching staff always asks for more consistency. And Peterson thinks that's coming from Holt, based on his game last week.
"He's a good athlete who can make plays," Peterson said. "I think you're going to see that more and more."
BY JON NYATAWA
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - Menelik Holt caught a 20-yard pass in the end zone for the first touchdown of his career on Saturday - only there was no time left on the clock and the Huskers were on the wrong end of a 52-17 blowout.
They weren't exactly the best circumstances for Holt to celebrate the accomplishment.
"It felt weird the way it came," he said. "It wasn't by any means one of those touchdowns you really want because of the score.
"But I'm glad I got a feel for it. At least I got one. Hopefully I can find my way there more often."
His teammates say to just give it time.
Senior Todd Peterson saw flashes of Holt's true potential on Saturday on more occasions than just the final play. Holt caught four other passes for 47 yards, and two of those kept drives alive on third down.
"The more experience, the more plays he makes and the more he gets those types of things under his belt, you're just going to see him grow," Peterson said. "We all have confidence in him to make those plays."
Holt is finally playing a substantial role within the Nebraska offense, serving as the team's third option at wide receiver behind two seniors, Peterson and Nate Swift.
But Holt likes to think that he brings something a little different.
He's often left by himself on his side of the field. He's the lone wide receiver blocking on outside runs, and he's the player who has to make the tough catches - the ones where one defender hangs all over you while another waits to deliver a crushing hit.
In all aspects, it's still an adjustment for Holt, who didn't pick up his first collegiate catch until Nebraska's ninth game of the 2007 season.
Things that sound simple, like reacting to the scrambling ability of senior quarterback Joe Ganz, aren't always easy, Holt said. Ganz has a tendency to keep plays alive longer than expected. And as a receiver, you can't just watch.
"Once you're on the field in a game . . . the coaches don't just blow the whistle when they see something they don't like," Holt said. "You have to get used to the scrambling, get used to running routes. And you really have to be in a certain place where you're expected to be."
Holt got a little lost on a third-down play during the third quarter on Saturday.
He accidentally stepped out of bounds before catching a 12-yard pass and got called for an illegal touching penalty, turning a first down into a punting situation for the Huskers.
But had he taken his eyes off Ganz and glanced at the sideline, he wouldn't have had a chance to catch the pass, he said. He's not going to dwell on the penalty, but he knows that he has to have better field awareness, especially in those types of situations.
"I was trying to get open, trying to make a play," he said. "Things like that are kind of heartbreaking when you're trying to keep the drive going. . . . That's a play that we needed."
Holt should have more chances as the season progresses.
Through five games, he's third on the team with 13 catches for 170 yards, although most of his production came against Missouri and Western Michigan.
The coaching staff always asks for more consistency. And Peterson thinks that's coming from Holt, based on his game last week.
"He's a good athlete who can make plays," Peterson said. "I think you're going to see that more and more."
