Taylor leads Red team to 35-7 victory over Whites

In case it wasn't apparent after Saturday's spring game, Zac Taylor's job wasn't too complicated.

Hand the ball to the running back.

Repeat as necessary.

After throwing for a school-record 357 yards on 20 of 27 passes in last year's annual Red-White Spring Game, Taylor - leading the Red team this year - came into Saturday's game a little more relaxed and with a simpler duty.

``I didn't ask him to do a lot,'' Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan said. ``I just wanted him to manage the offense and get the guys in and out, make some simple, routine throws.''

Taylor led the first-team Reds to a 35-7 win over the second- and third-teamers on the White squad in front of 57,415 fans at Memorial Stadium.

Taylor had a solid day passing, but spent most of his playing time giving the ball to sophomore I-backs Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn.

Taylor finished 14 of 21 for 184 yards and three touchdowns while playing in the first half.

``I was just relaxed,'' Taylor said. ``It was just a game and I didn't have any nerves. I was just excited to go out there and have a good time.''The first unit finished with 414 total yards of offense.

The Red team defense also pushed the Whites around by giving up just four total yards the entire game.

Taylor and the Red team got on the board first when Lucky scored on a four-yard touchdown run with 8 minutes, 4 seconds, left in the first quarter.

Taylor then hooked up with wide receiver Todd Peterson on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 5:18 left in the first to put the Reds up 14-0.

In the second quarter, Taylor tossed short touchdown passes to fullback Dane Todd and tight end Josh Mueller after sustaining long drives, thanks to the running game, to close the first half with the Reds leading 28-0.

Meanwhile, the Red defense shut down backup quarterback Joe Ganz and the rest of the White offense in the first half.

The White team managed only three yards of offense in the first half.

``We're a step ahead of where we were last spring,'' linebacker Corey McKeon said. ``People have filled their roles already. That's something that didn't come around until fall camp.''

As Ganz switched to lead the Red team in the second half, the Red coaches continued to emphasize the I-backs.

Glenn and Lucky both played to their strengths with Lucky bouncing around the outside and Glenn thundering up the middle and running people over.

Glenn ended with a game-high 98 yards on 16 carries while Lucky had 84 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.

For the White team, Ganz and Beau Davis combined to go 4-for-19 for 14 yards, one interception and no touchdowns.

While playing the second half for the Whites, Davis went 0 for 6 with one interception.

The only score for the White team came when cornerback Titus Brothers showcased his speed on a 104-yard kickoff return with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

Brothers took the ball in the end zone, raced to the sideline while dodging tacklers and outran everyone down the field.

But his return did little to keep the White team close in the game.

Taylor said that was OK because of the context of the spring game.

``There's not much to lose out there,'' Taylor said. ``You're just going out in front of your friends and family to have a good time.''

NOTE: Sophomore quarterback Harrison Beck, who was the No. 2 quarterback for most of spring drills, did not compete in Saturday's game.

Callahan said Beck, who has been battling shoulder soreness, tried to throw in warm-ups but couldn't throw well enough to play.