Huskers v Trojans: Keys to the game & Coaches comments

The 9-3 Huskers will face 8-4 USC in the Holiday Bowl Saturday evening at 7:00 pm CST. This will be only the fifth time the two storied powerhouse teams have faced one another with the Huskers trailing in the series 0-3-1. A Husker victory would be a late and great Christmas present (not to mention putting a victory in the win column where a goose egg currently sits). Huskers will need to be steadfast in their gameplan and to not let the past dictate how they will perform.

Nov 22, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah (8) waves after losing to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Minnesota won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

At the Holiday Bowl Press Conference on Friday, Trojan head coach Steve Sarkisian praised the Huskers and stated that “the Huskers will be the best football team they have faced all season long.” He also praised the fast paced Husker rushing attack led by Ameer Abdullah and Tommy Armstrong. Sarkisian had great respect for Randy Gregory and the Husker front four, as well as the other Husker defenders. Sarkisian was concerned about how they would stop Freshman Phenom De’Mornay Pierson-El, the number one punt returning in the nation by the way!. Sarkisian has faced the Huskers 5 times as a head coach (previously with Washington) and holds a 3-2 record over the Huskers. He also had nothing but praise for new Husker coach Mike Riley and said the Huskers “made the right hire with Riley” and also said Riley is “a hardnosed and tough football coach.”

Dec 5, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Mike Riley adjusts his tie after being introduced at his press conference at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Riley is not the coach for the Huskers in the bowl game though. Interim head coach Barney Cotton will lead the Huskers in his final game. Cotton is going to be the new offensive coordinator for UNLV, come January. Cotton said he was very proud of the players and coaches with all they went through this last month. Cotton said that Randy Gregory was “ready to go” but David Santos and Trevor Roach were listed as doubtful for the game. (See injury report)

Keys to Victory: Huskers defense needs to shut down the USC rushing attack. USC running back, Buck Allen, rushed for 1,337 yards this season and has eight games with over 100 yards. And the Huskers need to keep the USC receivers covered enough to give the front four and blitzing linebackers time to attack USC quarterback, (sacked 30 times so far this season). If they don’t rattle him, Cody Kessler has a 70.7% completion percentage and is considered by many as college footballs most underrated quarterback.

Sep 13, 2014; Fresno, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver De

Force USC to punt the ball to Pierson-El who leads the nation with 589 return yards with three touchdown returns. Special teams could be the determining factor in this game.It’s his birthday today (Friday) and I think it would be great for him to run one or two back for a score.

Huskers need to win the turnover battle. Huskers average one interception and two fumbles lost in their last three games, while USC is +0.9 in turnover margin per game this season. If Nebraska can hang on and not get ball picked off, then Ameer Abdullah should be able to wreak havoc on the USC defense.

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This is going to be an exciting game and I want the fans to speak out as to who will be victorious in the Holiday Bowl. ESPN has given USC a 69% chance of beating the Huskers. How they came up with that I have no idea! Have faith Husker fans, we can do it! GO BIG RED!