Bears set to face Huskers, West Coast offense Tradition-rich Nebraska will be great test

LINCOLN, Neb. – There was a time when the University of Nebraska football program recruited huge offensive linemen and speedy running backs for the sole purpose of pounding the ball down opponents’ proverbial throats.

The Cornhuskers still have a formidable front five and talented ball-carriers, but that represents only one aspect of their game in the Bill Callahan era.

Since his arrival last year Callahan, the former offensive coordinator and head coach of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, has implemented a more wide-open “West Coast” offense. The Cornhuskers hope to show off their run-pass balance and considerable talents during today’s season opener against the University of Maine.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

The Black Bears, playing a Division I-A opponent for only the fourth time in school history, realize they’re a huge underdog. But they aren’t conceding anything.

“You get goosebumps even thinking about it,” said junior quarterback Ron Whitcomb. “It’s something you want to be in awe of, but at the same time you want to have a mindset where you’re going in there to win. We’re not going to go there and lay down.”

Likewise, Nebraska isn’t looking past UMaine.

“I don’t treat (Division) I-AA different than anybody else,” Callahan said. “They’re an opponent, they are on the schedule and we’re going to play to the best of our ability.”

Nebraska is still adapting to its new offensive philosophy, which is expected to challenge a revamped Black Bears defense that has a handful of new starters, including two first-year players.

The ‘Huskers are led by junior quarterback Zac Taylor, a junior college transfer who passed for more than 5,000 yards last season at Butler County Community College in Kansas.

Taylor will be throwing to a corps of wide receivers that includes Terrence Nunn, who last season became Nebraska’s first freshman offensive skill player to start a season opener since World War II.

Nebraska’s offensive line features three returning starters, led by senior tackle Seppo Evwaraye, a 6-foot-5, 320-pounder. The line averages nearly 6-4, 297 pounds per man.

They’ll pave the way for a speedy backfield that features senior Cory Ross. The 5-6, 195-pound I-back led the team with 1,102 rushing yards in 2004 (100 ypg).

The ‘Huskers averaged 176 yards rushing and 187 through the air last season. They have five returning starters.

“We have to take a deep breath and recognize the need for us to play with composure and to execute our fundamentals,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “We have to be able to, as best we can, block out the crowd, the noise, the excitement, the festivities.”

The UMaine defense that will try to contain Nebraska’s attack features senior linebacker and co-captain Jermaine Walker (98 tackles in 2004), along with cornerback Daren Stone, tackle Mike DeVito and safety Jarrod Gomes.

However, freshman linebacker Jovan Belcher and frosh cornerback Lamir Whetstone will be among the Bears making their collegiate debuts.

UMaine wants to get pressure on Taylor to help take the burden off the defensive backs.

“They don’t have much to lose,” said Taylor, who saw the Bears’ blitzing style in last year’s UMaine win at Mississippi State. “They are going to throw everything at us, so we have to come prepared.”

Defensively, Nebraska hopes to be more effective than last season, when it surrendered 27.1 points and 372 yards per contest. The unit includes five returning starters, spearheaded by senior strong safety Daniel Bullocks (58 tackles, 5 interceptions last season) and top returning tackler Stewart Bradley (67 tackles), a senior strong safety.

The line has three proven performers in tackles Titus Adams and LeKevin Smith, along with end Adam Carriker. That group averages nearly 6-foot-4, 289 pounds.

UMaine must break in a reworked offensive line anchored by senior center Ben Lazarski and senior tackle Ryan Bird. Senior Montell Owens is the tailback, while Whitcomb has the helm of an offense that features wideouts Arel Gordon, Ryan Waller and Kevin McMahan, and tight end Josh Radulski.

The Bears want to run the ball if possible, but remain as multiple as possible to keep Nebraska off-balance.

“The first 10 plays, they’re going to see 10 different formations and it’s going to be out of eight different personnel groupings,” said associate head coach and offensive coordinator Bobby Wilder.

Lazarski believes the Bears’ win at Mississippi State will be in their minds as they take the field tonight.

“I think what we can take from that is, anything can happen,” Lazarski said.