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Michael McHale
daily nebraskan
The day started out rather ordinary.
OK, maybe the Nebraska spring game record of 80,149 fans was a little uncommon. And the new coaches added a different twist.
But there was nothing unusual about Joe Ganz leading Nebraska onto the field. The senior quarterback did that frequently toward the end of the 2007 season. And it wasn't out of the ordinary to see Marlon Lucky getting handoffs. The senior running back has been a feature of the offense for most of his career. The duo teamed up to help the Red team walk away with a 24-14 victory over the Whites on Saturday.
Here's where ordinary took a backseat.
Players like wide receiver Curenski Gilleylen and defensive back Prince Amukamara made some of the game's most memorable plays. And there was running back Marcus Mendoza scoring a touchdown and backup quarterbacks playing more than the starter.
Unfamiliar names became familiar in a matter of hours.
"Really, the confidence comes as they start having an understanding of what to do and how to do it," NU Coach Bo Pelini said. "And then they see it work."
Sure, Ganz finished with a game-high 131 passing yards on 4-of-9 throwing. But both of his backups piled up more attempts. Redshirt freshman Patrick Witt went 6-of-12 and sophomore Zac Lee turned in a 6-of-11 day.
Both saw significant playing time for the White team, as they traded places throughout the first half.
"I think it's pretty obvious that Joe's the No. 1 quarterback," Pelini said, "but I think that the young quarterbacks are all coming (along)."
Despite the kind words, a young quarterback got the game started off on the wrong note. On the opening snap, Witt ran an option to his right but fumbled the pitch, and the Red team recovered.
Lucky punched the ball into the end zone moments later to help give the Red squad a 7-0 lead.
Soon the odd names popped up. With 9:06 left in the first quarter, Ganz heaved the football down the field to a sprinting Gilleylen. The redshirt freshman caught the ball in stride and galloped into the end zone.
The defense couldn't have been all that surprised. Gilleylen ran 10.2 seconds in the 100-meter dash before he arrived at Nebraska. And he was running faster than 4.4 seconds in the 40-meter dash as a high school sophomore.
He hasn't timed one since.
"I think (speed) is a great attribute to have," Gilleylen said. "And I don't think it's just me. There are a lot of other wide receivers that can do the same. I just caught the lucky ball."
Even offensive coordinator Shawn Watson was impressed. After the game, he had some words of warnings for the defense - though it was too late by then.
"You better get back," Watson said. "Because if you don't, he can change the game."
It wasn't long before more under-publicized names made their mark. In the second quarter, Amukamara of the Red team jumped on sophomore running back Quentin Castille's back and knocked the ball loose.
It was the highlight of the game for the sophomore defensive back, who is fighting for a starting position. Moments later, Ganz hit the redshirt freshman Mendoza for a 24-yard touchdown, putting the Red team up 21-0 with 11:54 left in the first half.
After muffing two punt returns earlier in the game, Mendoza had to turn and backpedal to catch the ball. He was still flashing his braces after the game.
"I wanted to come out, show what I can do," Mendoza said. "So hopefully they see something to put me on the field next year, because that's where I want to be."
The White team pulled to within 21-7 thanks to a 10-play, 75-yard drive near the end of the second quarter. But Alex Henery's 35-yard kick moments later extended the lead to 24-7.
The White squad added a touchdown in the fourth quarter, though by that time the clock was running continuously and the fans were starting to leave.
It was just another day inside Memorial Stadium - aside from the faces that took center stage.
"A lot of young guys have gotten time in practice because there are a lot of people who have graduated and everything," Gilleylen said. "I think everybody's growing, everybody's learning the playbook. I think we got a lot of momentum going into the summer."
michaelmchale@dailynebraskan.com
