By BEN GOULDSMITH
Daily Nebraskan
A balanced rushing attack apparently makes for happy running backs.
In Nebraska's 49-10 thrashing of Louisiana Tech on Saturday, the Cornhuskers rolled up 252 yards on the ground while using a rotation of four I-backs in the game.
Cody Glenn led the way with 88 yards on 13 carries, but his fellow I-backs were no slouches either.
Marlon Lucky rushed 13 times for 79 yards, junior Kenny Wilson gained 47 yards on 15 carries and junior Brandon Jackson broke the longest run of the day with his 25-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 36 yards on three carries.
Glenn said the rotation worked even better than he thought it would.
"It's a good system and it's going to work," Glenn said. "If someone gets tired, the next person is ready to go. Everybody's really good so there's not going to be a drop off."
Each of the I-backs brings something unique to the field, NU Running Backs Coach Randy Jordan said, adding that playing time is usually predicated on the call for each play. Some players, he said, run certain routes better than other players.
"What it does is it keeps everybody fresh, and that's what I like about the system," Jordan said. "Late in October and going into November, you're going to have guys that are fresh and ready to roll."
In the first half, Lucky led all running backs with 66 yards on 11 carries. However, the sophomore only rushed the ball twice in the second half before leaving with what coaches said appeared to be a minor neck injury.
In Lucky's absence, the other three I-backs shouldered the load.
Glenn picked up 66 of his 88 yards in the second half, while Wilson got 13 of his game-high 15 carries after the break. Jackson's dazzling 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, on which he broke several tackles before diving into the end zone, was the longest run of the sophomore's career and his first touchdown since the 2004 season.
"We have four fresh running backs that we can put in at any moment," NU senior quarterback Zac Taylor said. "Those guys are interchangeable. They all made great plays today, and that's the biggest thing."
Though the I-backs averaged 5.2 yards per carry when they touched the ball, they also got some help in the form of good blocking by an improved offensive line.
Compared to last season, Glenn said he senses more confidence and better communication from the offensive line this year.
"I give them an A-plus," Glenn said. "They did a tremendous job. The progression from spring ball to fall camp, they've just gotten so much better."
Despite the intense competition for playing time at the position, Jordan and Glenn said the I-backs are supportive of each other.
"I'm Marlon's biggest fan, I'm Brandon's biggest fan and I'm Kenny's biggest fan," Glenn said. "When somebody does something good, we're jumping up and down and shouting. We all cheer each other on."
Nebraska ran 84 offensive plays in the game to Louisiana Tech's 53, and NU Offensive Coordinator Jay Norvell said he thought the running game wore the Bulldogs down.
It's obvious that all the I-backs are capable runners, Norvell said, but if they can improve their pass protection and do the little things right, NU's offense could be even more efficient.
"We're going to need all of the backs," Norvell said. "It's a long season. We want to be able to run the ball, we want to be a physical offense, and I think we took a step towards that today."
