There were a few breakthroughs - literally - during Saturday's annual Red-White Spring Game.
Nebraska fans and coaches saw sophomore running backs Cody Glenn and Marlon Lucky break through numerous tackles and chalk up a combined total of 182 yards rushing.
NU Coach Bill Callahan has emphasized the Cornhuskers' rushing game throughout the spring, and it was evident progress has been made in developing Glenn and Lucky.
``We emphasized (the running game) quite a bit,'' Callahan said. ``We still wanted to get our throws in and work on our protection game and work on the timing to keep Zac (Taylor) sharp, but we really wanted to test our young backs and see how they held up.
``I thought they did a fine job.''
The duo led the Red squad's charge to a touchdown on the team's second possession. Lucky ran for his longest yardage, rushing 13 yards after a handoff from senior quarterback Zac Taylor. Lucky also scored one of his two rushing touchdowns on the possession, going four yards to the end zone.
While Glenn had no touchdowns during the scrimmage, he gained 98 rushing yards compared to Lucky's 84.
NU running backs coach Randy Jordan was impressed by the play of Glenn and Lucky.
``Those guys both love to compete,'' Jordan said. ``It's kind of hard to tell one to come out because the other wants to stay in, so I think they're going to do a really good job for us.''
It also seems that Glenn and Lucky understand the benefits of having the other on his side, despite being in competition for playing time.
Lucky was complimentary of Glenn's play, saying that the 6-foot, 230-pound I-back is physical and has great hands.
According to Lucky, it doesn't matter what string the two are, ``first, second, third, we're all going to see time (on the field),'' he said.
Judging from what he has seen on the field over the past month of practices, Jordan said Lucky has made some ``phenomenal'' progress.
``One thing we try to teach them is to run with your eyes and then your feet - in that order,'' Jordan said. ``Your eyes will take you to the hole. You can see the progression.''
Jordan was stern about the fact that neither back has stepped out of the other's shadow at this point. He said he and the rest of the coaching staff would stick with the ``committee system,'' choosing the back that is ``hot'' during certain games, allowing both backs to stay fresh during the course of a game.
During the scrimmage, however, Callahan said that Glenn and Lucky were both featured.
With Lucky, the Huskers featured a draw scheme as well as a counter game. With Glenn, they chose trapping and wrapping on the edges.
Glenn and Lucky also received praise from their quarterback. Taylor said he was most impressed by the yards the two backs gained after contact.
``They made some great cuts before they got hit, but after they got hit they would break a tackle and get those extra yards,'' Taylor said. ``There were a lot of situations that could have been second (down) and one (yard), and they powered through and got that first down. They were tough runners today.''
