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Receiver Peterson ready to play any role
BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006 - 11:50:00 pm CST
Nebraska sophomore Todd Peterson said his role as a wide receiver has changed this season. He’s been used more as a blocker. Passes haven’t come his way often.
That happens when coaches begin hauling in big, athletic receivers from the West Coast who leap above cornerbacks to make game-winning touchdown catches. Guys like, say, Maurice Purify. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.
“We’ve become a lot deeper as a receiving corps,” Peterson said.
For some guys, like Peterson, depth can be frustrating. If you’re part of it, that means you’re not likely to see as many carries, catches, throws, etc. Ask Cody Glenn or Kenny Wilson about depth.
Which makes what Peterson did Saturday against Texas A&M all the more satisfying for the Grand Island native. Playing more often because of an injury to Nate Swift, Peterson caught a career-high seven passes for 83 yards in Nebraska’s 28-27 victory at Kyle Field.
Peterson, who had not caught more than two passes in a game this season, said it’s the most fun he’s had playing in any sport, on any level.
“I was out there a lot, between the offense and special teams,” said Peterson, who plays on most special teams units. “It’s just great to have that sense that you’re contributing more in the game. Any opportunities you get, you take advantage of them.”
Purify, who jumped to catch Zac Taylor’s 9-yard lob pass with 21 seconds remaining, has received the brunt of attention. Yet it was Peterson, a former walk-on from Central Catholic High School, who caught two passes in the game-winning 75-yard scoring drive that began with 1 minutes, 57 seconds remaining.
Granted, the first of those two receptions, a 22-yarder, came a play after Peterson dropped a third-and-three pass that would’ve netted a first down.
“You don’t have time to mope over that,” Peterson said, “when there’s only a minute left in the game.”
Another walk-on, Dan Erickson, also had a key reception on the final drive. The catch was only his second of the season.
“The way that game went, guys were getting tired, so I had to put guys in,” Nebraska receivers coach Ted Gilmore said. “I didn’t hesitate. I just did and hoped that they would make the play.”
In particular, he trusts Peterson because he’s coachable and knows every receiver position. Peterson, at 6-foot-4, is listed as the No. 2 Z receiver on the depth chart but helped replace Swift, the starting X receiver who’d left the game in the first quarter because of a head injury.
“I can put Todd at any spot, and he’ll not miss a beat,” Gilmore said. “I trust him completely. I can put him in any situation and have faith that he is going to succeed.”
Gilmore said Peterson has always been a strong blocking receiver but has improved in becoming physical at the line of scrimmage. “He’s learning how to use his hands in getting off the line,” Gilmore said.
In addition to his late receptions, Peterson caught a 4-yard touchdown pass, his second of the season, in the second quarter.
Swift said he didn’t see the touchdown, and didn’t know at first who scored. When he learned it was Peterson, he was pleased.
“I’m happy for him. He had a good game, and he deserves it,” said Swift, who’s expected to return to practice today. “He’s a hard worker, and when his time comes, he produces.”
Briefly
* Nebraska practiced Wednesday inside the Hawks Championship Center and concluded earlier than normal. “We’re trying to lower the volume and increase the intensity,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said.
* In other injury news, Callahan said offensive linemen Greg Austin (knee) and Matt Slauson (ankle) could return to practice by Sunday. Austin has been sidelined since getting injured during the Oct. 28 Oklahoma State game. Slauson was injured Saturday against Texas A&M.
Receiver Peterson ready to play any role
BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006 - 11:50:00 pm CST
Nebraska sophomore Todd Peterson said his role as a wide receiver has changed this season. He’s been used more as a blocker. Passes haven’t come his way often.
That happens when coaches begin hauling in big, athletic receivers from the West Coast who leap above cornerbacks to make game-winning touchdown catches. Guys like, say, Maurice Purify. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.
“We’ve become a lot deeper as a receiving corps,” Peterson said.
For some guys, like Peterson, depth can be frustrating. If you’re part of it, that means you’re not likely to see as many carries, catches, throws, etc. Ask Cody Glenn or Kenny Wilson about depth.
Which makes what Peterson did Saturday against Texas A&M all the more satisfying for the Grand Island native. Playing more often because of an injury to Nate Swift, Peterson caught a career-high seven passes for 83 yards in Nebraska’s 28-27 victory at Kyle Field.
Peterson, who had not caught more than two passes in a game this season, said it’s the most fun he’s had playing in any sport, on any level.
“I was out there a lot, between the offense and special teams,” said Peterson, who plays on most special teams units. “It’s just great to have that sense that you’re contributing more in the game. Any opportunities you get, you take advantage of them.”
Purify, who jumped to catch Zac Taylor’s 9-yard lob pass with 21 seconds remaining, has received the brunt of attention. Yet it was Peterson, a former walk-on from Central Catholic High School, who caught two passes in the game-winning 75-yard scoring drive that began with 1 minutes, 57 seconds remaining.
Granted, the first of those two receptions, a 22-yarder, came a play after Peterson dropped a third-and-three pass that would’ve netted a first down.
“You don’t have time to mope over that,” Peterson said, “when there’s only a minute left in the game.”
Another walk-on, Dan Erickson, also had a key reception on the final drive. The catch was only his second of the season.
“The way that game went, guys were getting tired, so I had to put guys in,” Nebraska receivers coach Ted Gilmore said. “I didn’t hesitate. I just did and hoped that they would make the play.”
In particular, he trusts Peterson because he’s coachable and knows every receiver position. Peterson, at 6-foot-4, is listed as the No. 2 Z receiver on the depth chart but helped replace Swift, the starting X receiver who’d left the game in the first quarter because of a head injury.
“I can put Todd at any spot, and he’ll not miss a beat,” Gilmore said. “I trust him completely. I can put him in any situation and have faith that he is going to succeed.”
Gilmore said Peterson has always been a strong blocking receiver but has improved in becoming physical at the line of scrimmage. “He’s learning how to use his hands in getting off the line,” Gilmore said.
In addition to his late receptions, Peterson caught a 4-yard touchdown pass, his second of the season, in the second quarter.
Swift said he didn’t see the touchdown, and didn’t know at first who scored. When he learned it was Peterson, he was pleased.
“I’m happy for him. He had a good game, and he deserves it,” said Swift, who’s expected to return to practice today. “He’s a hard worker, and when his time comes, he produces.”
Briefly
* Nebraska practiced Wednesday inside the Hawks Championship Center and concluded earlier than normal. “We’re trying to lower the volume and increase the intensity,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said.
* In other injury news, Callahan said offensive linemen Greg Austin (knee) and Matt Slauson (ankle) could return to practice by Sunday. Austin has been sidelined since getting injured during the Oct. 28 Oklahoma State game. Slauson was injured Saturday against Texas A&M.
