Husker offensive line embraces new strategies

Four weeks ago, Nebraska’s struggling offense took a chance and altered its identity.

Less small sets and take-what-they-give-us schemes.

More tight ends, fullbacks and running the ball.

And nobody was happier with that change than the team’s offensive linemen.

“It feels like we have a whole different mojo,” guard Ricky Henry said. “Everybody’s just fired up and ready to roll.”

The Huskers’ reinvented run game faces undoubtedly its toughest test on Saturday. The Longhorns feature the top run defense in the nation and have allowed a mere 59 yards per game against conference foes this year.

Starting left tackle Mike Smith knows keeping the run game alive against the Longhorns will depend on how NU can handle Texas’ powerful defensive line, and he’s fine with that.

“If we’re not moving the ball, it’s probably the offensive line’s fault,” he said. “I like that challenge.”

Since Nebraska shifted to the power rushing attack four weeks ago against Oklahoma, the offensive line has paved the way for an average of 150 yards on the ground per game.

“It’s exciting. We get to show what we can do every week,” Smith said. “We know what we have to do every game, we know our assignments, and we can think less.”

A dedication to running the ball paid off big for Nebraska this season when the game was on the line, as long, run-heavy drives in the fourth quarter clinched wins over Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.

“Those were all defining points of the season too,” Henry said. “Those are game-changing drives.”

They’re drives that Henry and his fellow linemen take pride in. Drives like the one last Friday, an 80-yard march that called for rushes on 11 of its 13 plays, haven’t come often in the first three quarters of games.

In order to find success on the ground against Texas, NU offensive line coach Barney Cotton said strong rushing on first down will be vital in order to keep drives alive, and Smith agreed.

“We definitely need to, on first down, get four yards every time,” Smith said. “We can’t be put in third and 10, because they’re very good.”

Though the Longhorns’ run defense has played stout all year, its performance against Texas A&M last Thursday showed it can be exposed.

The Aggies gashed Texas for 190 rushing yards on the night, led by 97 yards from quarterback Jerrod Johnson. Freshman running back Christine Michael added 83 yards and a score.

Zac Lee likely isn’t a threat to put up that many yards Saturday, but Nebraska’s players and coaches know the Aggies’ success can be a bit of a blueprint for the title game.

“They really did a nice job, and certainly there’s some things they did that fits some of the things we do and can do,” I-backs coach Tim Beck said.

Coach Bo Pelini was less optimistic that Texas’ rush defense will be reeling from the setback.

“They are going to make adjustments and be ready for the things that hurt them,” he said.

One player who’s not going to make Saturday night easy for NU’s I-backs is Sergio Kindle, the Longhorns’ All-Big 12 defender.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound senior played linebacker in his first three seasons in Austin before moving up to defensive end, and NU is well aware of the impact he can have off the edge Saturday.

In the film room, Smith said he and his fellow linemen have watched where he lines up on each play. On the practice field, linebackers Eric Martin and Alonzo Whaley have sported gold No. 2 jerseys on scout team this week to try and recreate his presence.

“It’s good to have a different jersey on him and figure out where he lines up on every play,” Smith said. “We want to block him with the offensive line – we don’t want him to get to the backs like a regular linebacker would, because obviously he’s a big, strong guy.”

The Longhorns also provide a different challenge with what Cotton calls “odd fronts” – alignments with three defensive linemen – and NU hasn’t seen much of that from opponents this season other than in third-down situations.

“Blocking that is going to be a change, but I think we have a pretty good plan,” Smith said.

Cotton said the same emphasis on attacking defensive linemen and playing aggressively will be key Saturday for NU to stand a chance against undefeated Texas, but the improvements his linemen have made in the last month are promising.

“It’s a start, but we’re still looking to put a four-quarter football game together.”

maxolson@dailynebrskan.com