Murtha out for season

BigWillie

BigWillie

All-Conference
Great, basically the only lineman we have who plays well in our zone blocking scheme (mainly, because he is the only mobile lineman we have) is out for the year.

http://journalstar.com/blog/huskers.php

Husker coach Bill Callahan said offensive lineman Lydon Murtha is out six to eight weeks with a toe fracture. He'll have surgery.
Callahan said apparently Murtha injured his toe on the second play against Texas A&M but played the rest of the game.

Jaivorio Burkes, a true freshman from Phoenix, will likely be called to action.

"You don't like to play those young guys, but given the situation, you might have to," Callahan said.

The coach said linebackers Bo Ruud and Blake Lawrence and center Brett Byford are all questionable for the Texas game. "We'll see how they progress throughout the week."

With Byford potentially out, Callahan said there's about for or five different combinations the Huskers might use on the O-line.

Callahan also said offensive coordinator Shawn Watson will be down on the field to help call plays again this Saturday.

“It really helps me from the aspect of bench control during the course of the game, where I can really focus more on defense and watch some of the things that are transpiring there,” Callahan said
Click to expand...
.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I listened to the press conference, and he said the most likely replacement for Murtha is Slauson. He said Javario MIGHT play.

 
Lydon apparently had a toe fracture during the game on Saturday and will have surgery today or tomorrow.

Javiaro Burkes looks to get alot of PT this weekend

 
Yep, and Callahans hopes he's back for the bowl game.

Sorry that still funny :rollin

(Not the Murtha hurt part)

 
I feel bad murtha that sucks but why, why burn a red shirt for 4 games with Burkes?? I mean were not goin to win anymore games so why not let him have a whole year to play instead of 4 games?? Callahan is a greedy a$$. He knows he is gone next year so he will do whatever it takes to get thru this year the best he can, doesnt care who gets hurt.. What an idiot this kid is suppose to be really good an I guess hasent had alot of practice so far this season so why?? There has to be someone else that can fill in for Murtha for 4 games instead of burning a red shirt..

 
Injury sidelines Murtha

BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007 - 03:32:50 pm CDT

Nebraska junior Lydon Murtha, who has started every game this season at right tackle, suffered a regular season-ending foot injury in Saturday’s loss to Texas A&M.

“He’ll be out for a good six to eight weeks,” Husker coach Bill Callahan said Tuesday during his weekly media luncheon. “Hopefully he’ll be ready for the bowl practice.”

Nebraska takes a record of 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12 into Saturday’s game at No. 17 Texas (6-2, 2-2 Big 12). Murtha is the only Husker player who has been ruled out of the contest, Callahan said. Center Brett Byford (knee), linebacker Bo Ruud (knee) and linebacker Blake Lawrence (ankle) are questionable, the coach said.

The 6-foot-7, 305-pound Murtha suffered an apparent toe fracture and was to undergo surgery Tuesday or Wednesday.

“I think it happened on the second play of the game,” Callahan said. “But he played the entire game and finished the game with it.”

Junior Matt Slauson, who has started four games this season at right guard, likely will start in Murtha’s place at right tackle. Because of Murtha’s injury, Nebraska may need to turn to true freshman tackle Jaivorio Burkes for reserve duty, Callahan said.

“He’ll most likely see some playing time,” the coach said, noting Husker coaches are looking at about four or five different sets of starters along the offensive line.

As for pulling Burkes out of a redshirt season relatively late in the schedule, Callahan said Nebraska basically doesn’t have a choice.

“(Offensive line coach Dennis Wagner) has been getting him ready in the last few weeks,” Callahan said of 6-5, 315-pound Burkes, of Phoenix. “This is something you prepare those young kids for.”

Redshirt freshman D.J. Jones has appeared in a reserve role at both tackle and guard this season. Redshirt freshman Mike Smith is listed No. 2 at left tackle, and the Huskers have other young linemen in the system.

However, “We have a lot of confidence in his (Burkes’) ability,” Callahan said. “And we think right now he’s got the most talent to step in and play. So we’re going to utilize his skills and his abilities. He’s young. He’s going to have to go through the fires of course. But (true freshman tackle) Marcel Jones also is continuing to improve. Both those guys have worked really hard on the scout team. They’ve done an excellent job.”

“You don’t like to play those young guys,” Callahan added. “But we’re going to be forced into a position here where we might have to.”

Callahan reiterated that he would like to see true freshman I-back Marcus Mendoza get some playing time this season. The coach said he would be “hurt” personally by any suggestion he was being reckless in pulling true freshmen out of redshirts this late in the season.

“We’re trying to show our fans that we’re trying to put the best players on the field,” he said.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top