Lincoln, Neb. – Few teams in major college football have allowed as many sacks as Nebraska the past two seasons.
The Cornhuskers’ offensive linemen say it’s a point that has been pounded into them.
“There has been a lot of pressure on us because of sacks,” said Matt Slauson, a junior guard from Air Academy High School. “It’s something we have to get rectified.”
Said senior tackle Carl Nicks: “Coach reminds us every day that we gave up too many sacks. It’s a big emphasis.”
Nebraska surrendered a combined 68 sacks in 2005 and 2006 – one for every 13.6 pass plays.
Only one Big 12 Conference team, Iowa State, and 10 others in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) have given up more sacks over the same period.
Line coach Dennis Wagner said his unit’s ability to protect the quarterback is an obvious concern, but the issue isn’t causing him excess worry.
“You’re not going to throw the ball over 400 times and not give up some sacks,” Wagner said. “People need to remember that when you used to throw it 10 times a game, you aren’t going to give up sacks. You throw it 40 times a game, you’re going to give one up here and there.”
Nebraska linemen once were groomed to clear lanes for running backs and out- muscle opponents in the triple-option systems of coaches Tom Osborne and Frank So- lich. Pass protection was an afterthought as the Huskers ranked among the national rushing leaders year after year.
The high number of sacks is the price the Huskers have paid as head coach Bill Calla- han dealt with a drop in talent up front along with transitioning the offense to one that, while striving for balance, relies much more on the pass.
Callahan’s first Nebraska team allowed only 16 sacks, but Joe Dailey’s passing game consisted mostly of three-step drops and sprintouts.
Zac Taylor was a pure dropback passer. No-back and one-back formations made pass protection a challenge, and the line gave up 38 sacks in 2005 and 30 in 2006.
Sam Keller, the probable starter this season, is a dropback quarterback as well.
Wagner said the Huskers should be better up front because of greater depth and the experience gained in 2006 by this year’s projected starters.
Center Brett Byford has started 13 consecutive games. Slauson had 11 starts last year and fellow guard Andy Christensen six.
The biggest question is at tackle. Lydon Murtha is expected to start on the right side after being knocked for inconsistency as a backup and part-time starter a year ago. Nicks started twice.Callahan said the 2007 line looks more like what he envisioned for his offense.
“The profile has changed dramatically,” he said. “What I mean by that is there are big, square, thick, physical offensive linemen.”
The average height on Callahan’s first offensive line, in 2004, was 6-feet-3. That average has grown to 6-5, led by Murtha and backup guard-center Victory Haines, both at 6-7.
