http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=528&u_...3&u_sid=2018587
Published Friday
September 16, 2005
Wagner demands better play from line
BY STEVE BEIDECK
WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT
RELATED STORIES
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Related Coverage: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The nearly 200 people who drove through the morning fog to attend Friday's Big Red Breakfast got a clear picture of what the Cornhuskers need to do and hope to fix in Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game against Pittsburgh.
Offensive line coach Dennis Wagner delivered an analysis of what's right and wrong with the Nebraska football team two games into the season.
Among the items Wagner covered that alternately made those in attendance at the Holiday Convention Centre roar with laughter and nod their heads in agreement were:
• The blocking of the offensive tackles and tight ends is the biggest reason for NU's woes in the running game and pass protection.
• Mike Stuntz could again be remembered for a special play on the football field instead of being the boyfriend of Tommy Lee's "hot tutor."
• Cody Glenn debuting at fullback and the likelihood of seeing more two-back sets, possibly featuring Glenn and Marlon Lucky.
• Craig Roark definitely will redshirt as he learns to play center.
• The Huskers used only four different running plays in the 31-3 win over Wake Forest, and NU receivers have dropped 11 passes, including six against the Demon Deacons.
While Wagner said he expects the overall play of his offensive line to improve, he wasn't timid about calling out starting tackles Seppo Evwaraye and Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas.
"I love Seppo, but he has been one of my projects this week," Wagner said. "I'm sure when he goes to bed at night he sees me."
Once the laughter died down, Wagner said focus and intensity have been lacking from the tackles during the first two weeks. He then quickly added, "I have confidence these guys will overcome this. They want to play well, and we're going to keep challenging them."
The proof of the tackles' struggles is clear in the grades the coaches assign after reviewing game film. Wagner said against Wake Forest that "our right tackle (Evwaraye) was at 64 percent and our left tackle (Fuamatu-Thomas) was 51 percent. That's terrible."
By contrast, guards Greg Austin and Brandon Koch and center Kurt Mann "all were over 80 percent." Wagner singled out the play of Austin, who has battled back from a career-threatening right knee injury in 2003 to become the anchor.
"Austin has been our top grader both games," Wagner said. "People told him he would never play again, and some even thought the most he'd ever be able to contribute would be as a student assistant coach."
One source of motivation for Evwaraye and Fuamatu-Thomas will be the debut of a healthy Lydon Murtha in the tackle rotation.
"I want to get him in the game early," Wagner said. "This should put some pressure on our other two guys to perform. Lydon's been practicing all fall camp but we've been limiting his contact and he's been doing some drills, so he's a little further along than we thought he'd be right now."
When asked if he's been pleased with the way the tight ends have been blocking, Wagner's quick one-word reply - "No" - evoked more laughter. He said their grades against Wake Forest were "60 percent or lower."
"We're not pleased with any of the offensive blocking right now," Wagner said. "That's an area that has to improve. They have to accept responsibility, and they have to execute because during a game the coaches don't cross the sidelines."
Wagner couldn't pinpoint a date for the possible return of injured tight end Matt Herian.
"Not until he can run every day of the week and be comfortable," Wagner said. "He's still in too much pain to be in a situation to help us. Right now he can only do that about three days a week."
While the offensive line has surrendered only three sacks in 78 passes, Wagner said Maine and Wake Forest defenders combined for 20 quarterback hurries.
"That number should only be four," Wagner said. "If we don't do better, (quarterback) Zac (Taylor) will be here talking to you next week in a wheelchair. He's taken a lot of hits back there."
The need for the offense to generate more big plays is the reason more two-back sets with players like Glenn could be on display. Wagner even mentioned the possibility of "gadget plays with Mike Stuntz in, who can throw the ball."
That sparked some smiles in the crowd as fans recalled Stuntz's memorable wingback pass to Eric Crouch in Nebraska's 20-10 win over Oklahoma in 2001.
"We want to start using Cody Glenn some at fullback just to give ourselves another guy to use in the lineup," Wagner said.
While there has been some mystery about which players will redshirt this season, Wagner made it clear that the 6-foot-2, 300-pound freshman Roark will be one of those.
"Craig Roark definitely will redshirt," Wagner said. "He's a guard, but we're teaching him how to play center. There's a lot of technique he has to learn."
Wagner said whether or not prized recruit Harrison Beck will redshirt at quarterback will depend on how things progress all season, including elements like his leadership skills and command and control of the huddle.
"Harrison is the most talented quarterback we have, but sometimes it's not just all about the talent," Wagner said. "As far as Harrison knows, he's not going to redshirt until the last day of the season. If the spark isn't there, if there's an injury, we'll need him."
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Lots of interesting stuff in this article. It seems as if Cody Glenn will some action today at fullback with Marlon Lucky. Craig Roark is going to redshirt and seems to be the heir apparent to Mann at Center. Murtha is going to play and hopefully push Thomas and Seppo. Wagner says their play in the first 2 games was "terrible". It doesn't look good for Herian. He was originally thought to be available for the ISU game, Wagner says he can only run about 3 days a week and will not play till he can do that everyday. That one hurts.
Published Friday
September 16, 2005
Wagner demands better play from line
BY STEVE BEIDECK
WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT
RELATED STORIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Coverage: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The nearly 200 people who drove through the morning fog to attend Friday's Big Red Breakfast got a clear picture of what the Cornhuskers need to do and hope to fix in Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game against Pittsburgh.
Offensive line coach Dennis Wagner delivered an analysis of what's right and wrong with the Nebraska football team two games into the season.
Among the items Wagner covered that alternately made those in attendance at the Holiday Convention Centre roar with laughter and nod their heads in agreement were:
• The blocking of the offensive tackles and tight ends is the biggest reason for NU's woes in the running game and pass protection.
• Mike Stuntz could again be remembered for a special play on the football field instead of being the boyfriend of Tommy Lee's "hot tutor."
• Cody Glenn debuting at fullback and the likelihood of seeing more two-back sets, possibly featuring Glenn and Marlon Lucky.
• Craig Roark definitely will redshirt as he learns to play center.
• The Huskers used only four different running plays in the 31-3 win over Wake Forest, and NU receivers have dropped 11 passes, including six against the Demon Deacons.
While Wagner said he expects the overall play of his offensive line to improve, he wasn't timid about calling out starting tackles Seppo Evwaraye and Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas.
"I love Seppo, but he has been one of my projects this week," Wagner said. "I'm sure when he goes to bed at night he sees me."
Once the laughter died down, Wagner said focus and intensity have been lacking from the tackles during the first two weeks. He then quickly added, "I have confidence these guys will overcome this. They want to play well, and we're going to keep challenging them."
The proof of the tackles' struggles is clear in the grades the coaches assign after reviewing game film. Wagner said against Wake Forest that "our right tackle (Evwaraye) was at 64 percent and our left tackle (Fuamatu-Thomas) was 51 percent. That's terrible."
By contrast, guards Greg Austin and Brandon Koch and center Kurt Mann "all were over 80 percent." Wagner singled out the play of Austin, who has battled back from a career-threatening right knee injury in 2003 to become the anchor.
"Austin has been our top grader both games," Wagner said. "People told him he would never play again, and some even thought the most he'd ever be able to contribute would be as a student assistant coach."
One source of motivation for Evwaraye and Fuamatu-Thomas will be the debut of a healthy Lydon Murtha in the tackle rotation.
"I want to get him in the game early," Wagner said. "This should put some pressure on our other two guys to perform. Lydon's been practicing all fall camp but we've been limiting his contact and he's been doing some drills, so he's a little further along than we thought he'd be right now."
When asked if he's been pleased with the way the tight ends have been blocking, Wagner's quick one-word reply - "No" - evoked more laughter. He said their grades against Wake Forest were "60 percent or lower."
"We're not pleased with any of the offensive blocking right now," Wagner said. "That's an area that has to improve. They have to accept responsibility, and they have to execute because during a game the coaches don't cross the sidelines."
Wagner couldn't pinpoint a date for the possible return of injured tight end Matt Herian.
"Not until he can run every day of the week and be comfortable," Wagner said. "He's still in too much pain to be in a situation to help us. Right now he can only do that about three days a week."
While the offensive line has surrendered only three sacks in 78 passes, Wagner said Maine and Wake Forest defenders combined for 20 quarterback hurries.
"That number should only be four," Wagner said. "If we don't do better, (quarterback) Zac (Taylor) will be here talking to you next week in a wheelchair. He's taken a lot of hits back there."
The need for the offense to generate more big plays is the reason more two-back sets with players like Glenn could be on display. Wagner even mentioned the possibility of "gadget plays with Mike Stuntz in, who can throw the ball."
That sparked some smiles in the crowd as fans recalled Stuntz's memorable wingback pass to Eric Crouch in Nebraska's 20-10 win over Oklahoma in 2001.
"We want to start using Cody Glenn some at fullback just to give ourselves another guy to use in the lineup," Wagner said.
While there has been some mystery about which players will redshirt this season, Wagner made it clear that the 6-foot-2, 300-pound freshman Roark will be one of those.
"Craig Roark definitely will redshirt," Wagner said. "He's a guard, but we're teaching him how to play center. There's a lot of technique he has to learn."
Wagner said whether or not prized recruit Harrison Beck will redshirt at quarterback will depend on how things progress all season, including elements like his leadership skills and command and control of the huddle.
"Harrison is the most talented quarterback we have, but sometimes it's not just all about the talent," Wagner said. "As far as Harrison knows, he's not going to redshirt until the last day of the season. If the spark isn't there, if there's an injury, we'll need him."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lots of interesting stuff in this article. It seems as if Cody Glenn will some action today at fullback with Marlon Lucky. Craig Roark is going to redshirt and seems to be the heir apparent to Mann at Center. Murtha is going to play and hopefully push Thomas and Seppo. Wagner says their play in the first 2 games was "terrible". It doesn't look good for Herian. He was originally thought to be available for the ISU game, Wagner says he can only run about 3 days a week and will not play till he can do that everyday. That one hurts.
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