Halftime Notes From Lincoln

The very first game of the football season has not lacked excitement for Husker fans. It looked like it may be a walk in the park for the Huskers early. They jumped out to a 14-0 lead. A Tracy Lampley kick off return sparked a Southern Miss. comeback. The Golden Eagles tied the game back up at 14, after a 24 yard touchdown pass from Chris Campbell to Corey Acosta.

After the Acosta catch Nebraska senior running back Rex Burkhead, was seen getting ice tapped around his knee. Word was released that Burkhead was done for the day, and may have suffered a minor MCL sprain in his knee. Bo Pelini said it was not a long term injury, but did say Burkhead’s day was done.

Aside from Burkhead’s knee injury, the biggest story of the day has been the vast improvement of redshirt junior quarterback Taylor Martinez’s passing game. He finished the first half with 18-23 for 242 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

Sophomore running back Ameer Abdullah has been carrying the load in Burkhead’s absence. Abdullah has 11 carries for 42 yards.

In Martinez’s surge in the passing game, the California native has hooked up with 12 different receivers. Redshirt sophomore, Tyler Wullenwaber, sophomore Tyler Evans, and true freshman LeRoy Alexander have all recorded their first receptions as a Husker.

Senior wide receiver Steven Osborne has recorded his first two receptions in Lincoln, including his first touchdown reception on a very impressive 29 yard pass from Taylor Martinez.

Nebraska fullback Mike Marrow has carried the ball 4 times for 20 yards. His longest run was 12 yards. The Huskers finished the first half with 119 yards on the ground compared to 92 rushing yards from the Golden Eagles. Southern Miss. has two more rushing attempts than the Huskers.

The defensive line has struggled against all day against the spread attack of the Golden Eagles. Southern Miss. has racked up 152 yards of offense, and are 4-7 on third down.

Word came out before the game that Southern Miss. would use a three quarterback rotation through out the game. Junior quarterback Chris Campbell started the game 5 for 7, with the teams only offensive touchdown of the game. Then the Golden Eagles decided to switch quarterbacks, and brought in talented freshman quarterback Anthony Alford. He has not been as productive as Campbell. He is 1 for 5 passing, but has 3 rushes for 17 yards.

Neither team has turned the ball over.

By Jimmie Allen

Contact the writer at JAHuskerCorner@gmail.com

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