AMES, IOWA - If unpredictability is what Nebraska's coaches are aiming for with the running back situation, they have been wildly successful through the first six games of the season.
Each weekend it seems a different player emerges as the go-to I-back for the Cornhuskers.
Cody Glenn and Brandon Jackson were the chosen ones Saturday night as both players had career nights in Nebraska's 28-14 win over Iowa State.
Glenn, a sophomore from Rusk, Texas, gained a career-high 148 yards on 19 carries to go with two touchdowns.
Jackson, a junior from Horn Lake, Miss., rushed 22 times for a career-high 116 yards and a touchdown.
"I was really proud of Brandon Jackson and Cody Glenn," NU Coach Bill Callahan said. "To get two guys over 100 yards rushing is quite an accomplishment."
Saturday's game marked the second time this season Nebraska had two 100-yard rushers in a game.
In the Huskers' 56-0 beating of Troy on Sept. 23, sophomore Marlon Lucky and junior Kenny Wilson broke the century mark.
Lucky had no carries against the Cyclones, but he did grab three catches for 28 yards. Wilson had only one carry, but it was negated because of a penalty.
"Coach told me to be ready at any time," Jackson said, "but I didn't expect this much of a load."
During the past few weeks, Glenn and Jackson had seemed to take a backseat to Lucky and Wilson in the I-back rotation.
In the Huskers' previous game against Kansas, Lucky was Nebraska's leading rusher.
On Sept. 16 at Southern California, Jackson had two carries while Glenn had zero touches. Meanwhile, Lucky and Wilson combined for 29 carries against the Trojans.
"It's big for me and Brandon as far as getting our confidence up," Glenn said of the Iowa State game. "Marlon and Kenny are going to practice hard this week and probably do the same thing we did next week (against Kansas State)."
Jackson and Glenn both credited the offensive line for blocking well and opening up holes to run through against the Cyclones.
"They really just couldn't stop us," Jackson said. "Our offensive line just kept pounding away."
Glenn and Jackson used the big gaps to their advantage as they both showed the ability to break free for long runs.
Jackson broke free for a 21-yard run and Glenn got loose for a 36-yard scamper against Iowa State.
The 230-pound Glenn, known primarily for his ability to run the ball in short-yardage situations, said it felt good to mix it up.
"I don't get the opportunity that much to run it like that," Glenn said. "I had to take advantage of it and show that I am capable of doing stuff like that."
Though only time will tell how many more opportunities Jackson and Glenn will get to showcase their running ability, Saturday's game proved the duo is more than capable.
Glenn said he and Jackson's running styles complement one another because they are so different.
"Brandon's more of a slasher, and then I'm just going to go down there and try to smash them," Glenn said. "It's something that the defense had to get used to, and by the time they adjusted, we ran all over them."
