Three-back system a charm for Nebraska

Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson is a relatively mellow guy. He uses words like "cool" and "brother" when talking to the media in his laid-back demeanor.

But the 26-year coaching veteran was pushed to his boiling point after Saturday's 45-35 win over Kansas when he was hit with a barrage of questions about why running back Roy Helu Jr. hasn't gotten more carries this season.

"What's so hard to understand about it?" Watson said to a particularly persistent reporter after being asked the question for the umpteenth time. "You're trying to make it so hard. It's not hard. We have three guys. We're going to play three of them."

The three running backs Watson referred to are the sophomores Helu, Quentin Castille and senior Marlon Lucky, and all have shared carries this season. A running back controversy surfaced early this season as the Cornhuskers posted disappointing rushing totals while Helu's average yards-per-carry remained productive.

The topic faded somewhat after Lucky gained 255 combined all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in games against Iowa State and Baylor. But the discussion has emerged once more after Helu accounted for 352 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns the last two weeks. Watson said it's a good problem to have.

"Here's what it does: We don't have any selfish people in that room," Watson said of the three-back system. "If anything, it's a good thing, and I don't want the media or other people getting involved with what these kids are doing because you know what - they're all sharing in what they're trying to accomplish. That's the most important thing, really. It's not rocket science."

NU's three-back system worked wonders against the Jayhawks on Saturday. Helu averaged 7.2 yards per carry, Castille gained 49 yards on just five carries, and Lucky threw a touchdown pass before leaving the field with an injury. The trio has accounted for 16 rushing touchdowns this season and collectively averages 138.5 yards per game on the ground.

But how does one divvy up the touches for three talented players at the same position? Watson said it depends on the play. He called Helu a "slasher," Castille a "thumper" and Lucky a back with great hands who can make plays in the passing game better than the others. Watson added that the coaching staff puts in whichever back it feels has the hot hand.

"Who's going to get in a rhythm?" Watson said. "(Helu has) had a nice two-game rhythm, and he's playing really well right now. He didn't back off from where he was last week. We went with him because we could see right away he was back in that rhythm, so we rode him again. That's the way we'll play the guys."

Helu was asked after his 115-yard rushing performance against Kansas if he expects to get more carries as he continues to play well. The short answer: He doesn't know.

"I'm just here to be a servant to our team," Helu said. "Whatever we need to win, I'm down for."

Well, what did it feel like to have the fans cheering his name as he walked off the field?

"I don't know, it sounded like 'Suh.' Are you sure?" Helu said, referring to nose tackle Ndamukong Suh, who caught a touchdown in the final quarter against KU.

The sophomore sensation was then asked if he thought he should be involved more early on in games. No, he said, it doesn't matter to him if he starts or when he plays.

It's a good thing for NU that its three talented running backs appear to be so unselfish, because other Huskers are starting to take away their touches as well. Quarterback Joe Ganz has had many successful option keepers this season, kicker Alex Henery gained nine yards on a fake field goal against Kansas and Suh lined up at fullback and scored a touchdown against the Jayhawks.

"I'm kind of mad about it," NU tight end Mike McNeill joked of Suh's touchdown Saturday. "He's stealing touchdowns from us."

krisknowlton@dailynebraskan.com