 "Photo: DN File Photo")
For many years under coaches Tom Osborne and Frank Solich, the running game was considered the cornerstone of the Cornhusker offense.
Now, after some lackluster rushing statistics in Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan's first two seasons in Lincoln, the rushing attack has re-emerged in 2006.
A quick look at the numbers reveals what a big difference a year can make.
Nebraska finished last season ranked 107th out of 117 Division I-A teams in rushing offense, averaging just 96.0 yards per game.
Through 12 games this year, the Huskers rank 18th in the nation with 183.3 yards per contest. That's an increase of almost 90 yards per game
Callahan said on Monday that improving Nebraska's rushing attack was a point of emphasis in the off-season.
"Our ranking was so poor, it was hideous," Callahan said. "We're really proud of the fact that we've taken (the ranking) from 107th to 18th."
NU junior I-back Brandon Jackson has been the main cog in the Huskers' rushing machine. Jackson ranks third in the Big 12 Conference in rushing with 94.4 yards per game while averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
The Huskers' improved ground game is a big reason why they qualified for the Big 12 Championship game this season for the first time since 1999.
But NU's passing game hasn't been sacrificed in exchange for the improved rushing numbers.
After averaging 224.3 passing yards per game and ranking 54th in passing offense in 2005, the Huskers have boosted their average to 250.8 yards per contest this season.
All this balance adds up to Nebraska's version of the West Coast offense ranking ninth in the nation in total offense with 434.0 yards per game.
NU senior quarterback Zac Taylor said the Huskers knew after last season they needed to be more balanced if they wanted a shot at playing in the Big 12 title game.
"It's really worked out well for us," Taylor said. "I think we're probably one of the most balanced teams in the country right now, and that really keeps teams on their toes. If a team has a great run defense, then we're able to pass, and if a team has a great pass defense, we're able to run."It really plays to our advantage when we have the ability to do whatever we want."
Nebraska is set to reap the benefits of a more balanced offense on Saturday when it faces Oklahoma in the league championship game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
But the Huskers' improved running attack should face a stiff test in an Oklahoma defense that ranks 19th in the nation in limiting opponents to only 99 rushing yards per game.
That means something's going to have to give, but Taylor doesn't seem too worried.
"It's just exciting for me to be able to hand the ball off five or six plays in a row and still know that drive's going to be alive and we're going to be making big plays," Taylor said. "I'm definitely very happy that the running game has been so effective this year."
