In the wake of freshman running back Aaron Green
transferring from Nebraska to TCU back in April, Omaha World Herald columnist
Tom Shatel theorized, “Is Sausage Ball making a comeback at NU?”
The truth of the matter was the Green was caught in
a logjam at running back and wanting playing time, which considering Nebraska
already has running back Rex Burkhead and quarterback Taylor Martinez running
the ball, there are not too many carries left.
Though speedy Ameer Abdullah could at times give
Burkhead a breather, the additions of Mike Marrow (6-foot-2, 250) and freshman
Imani Cross (6-1, 220) could give the Huskers an added dimension. Burkhead is
neither a speed burner nor a power-back, just very steady and reliable. In
addition, you also have returning junior C.J. Zimmerer (6-0, 230-pounds).
Since Cross is a true freshman, it will be
interesting to see if he redshirts. And if he does not redshirt, will he get
enough carries to make an impact.
The wild card of the equation is Marrow and
Zimmerer, who are battling for the starting fullback position. Mike Marrow is
set to make his Nebraska playing debut in 2012 after being on the sideline for
the past three seasons. Marrow brings a different dimension to the Husker
backfield with a powerful, bruising rushing style. Marrow, who is the son of
Nebraska graduate assistant Vince Marrow, began his college career at Alabama,
before transferring to Eastern Michigan and then to Nebraska. NCAA transfer
rules have kept him out of action until this season.
Zimmerer has been a regular contributor on special
teams the past two seasons, but the Omaha native will look to expand his role
in 2012. The 6-0, 230-pound Zimmerer heads into fall camp as one of the top
candidates to take over the starting fullback spot, which was occupied by Tyler
Legate the past three seasons.
The reason why the fullback position becomes
significant in Nebraska’s offense is because with the increasing number of
teams running spread oriented offenses, the fullback is a position that for
many teams has gone the way of the horse and buggy. While offensive coordinator
Tim Beck and head coach Bo Pelini have publicly preached the desire to be
“multiple,” Nebraska will be a running team. True, you might not see 400 yard
rushing efforts but the Huskers will probably have about a 60-40 run-pass
ratio.
In Beck’s first season, Nebraska ran its share of
option whether it was zone read, pistol and yes, even the I-formation like fans
had grown used to seeing for years. However, last season, only eight carries
(all by Legate) went to the fullback. Oddly enough, the very first play of the
season was a give to Legate. While a cynic would look at that play as pandering
to the masses that long for the days of option football, the fullback will need
to be more involved this season.
For an option play from the I-formation to work, it
needs three components – fullback, quarterback and pitchman. The plays are
rarely predetermined. The decision
of who is to carry the ball is made during the play by the quarterback, who makes
the decision whether to give the ball to the fullback or to keep the ball based
on what the defensive end does. If the end pinches down, the quarterback pulls
the ball. If the end runs straight upfield or directly at the quarterback, then
the quarterback gives the ball to the fullback. On the keep track, the
quarterback may run upfield for yardage or pitch the ball to another ball
carrier, normally the halfback (otherwise known as the “pitch man’). Linebackers
or defensive backs are normally assigned to the pitch man. If the linebacker
converges on the quarterback, then he’ll pitch it to the running back. If the
linebacker stays on the pitch man, then the quarterback’s job is to run
upfield.
For Nebraska to run
the triple option effectively out of the I-formation, all three components need
to be a threat. Based on last year’s version of the triple-option, opponents
could go after Martinez and Burkhead without even worrying about the fullback.
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