LINCOLN — The first Big 12 kickoff might be three weeks away for Nebraska, but defensive end Pierre Allen said Washington and quarterback Jake Locker should present the Huskers with a nice tuneup for league offenses.
“Definitely it'll be a nice indicator,” Allen said. “We want to make improvements week by week, but this is a great opponent that we're facing — great O-line, great skill players, No. 1 quarterback in the nation. To come out with success against these guys would be great heading into Big 12 play.”
With Locker and NU cornerback Prince Amukamara, the game also will feature a matchup of two players projected among the best available in the 2011 NFL draft.
Amukamara looks forward to going against Locker, saying: “I think everybody likes to play against the greatest.”
“He seems like a very poised and confident quarterback, with a strong arm,” Amukamara said. “I'm just going to play aggressive like I always do.”
Washington's Kearse has shredded defenses
Locker hasn't been shy about going to Jermaine Kearse through Washington's first two games. The junior receiver already has 15 catches for 287 yards and four touchdowns.
“He's tall and he does a really good job of going up for the football,” NU assistant coach Marvin Sanders said. “He runs really good routes. They have a couple receivers who do good things.”
Kearse set career highs for receptions (nine), yards (179) and TDs (three) in last week's 41-20 win over Syracuse. The Huskies also have gone to junior Devin Aguilar, who has 12 catches for 138 yards.
“They lost their tight end (Kavario Middleton) who was a big-time pass threat for them,” Sanders said, “and I think these two receivers have really taken the brunt of the work that they lost.”
Still some doubts about NU's plan to go Green
There's still some ambiguity regarding Nebraska's future plans for the quarterback position, but it appears that the NU staff is comfortable splitting time during meaningful situations.
Redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez has started each of the first two games and again will take the Huskers' first snaps at Washington on Saturday. But how will the staff use sophomore Cody Green?
Green has led one series in the first halves of both Nebraska wins so far. Coach Bo Pelini is indicating that the same substitution pattern will be utilized in most cases going forward.
“Obviously, sometimes a situation in a game might not dictate that, but in this day and age, you always have to have your backup ready to play, especially if we're using a quarterback in the run game a little more,” Pelini said. “You have to give him some time to make sure that if he has to go in there that he has had game experience and the players are used to him.”
So far this year, Martinez is leading Nebraska in carries (21) and rushing yards (284).
Big rushing numbers pleasing to the eye
Senior offensive guard Keith Williams said he likes what he saw during NU's first two games when he peeked at the HuskerVision scoreboard that tracks team stats.
“We're running the ball and putting some yards up there on the board,” Williams said. “It's always nice when you glimpse at the board and see you've rushed a lot more than you've passed, because it means you're being physical.”
Nebraska ranks third nationally in rushing offense at 324.5 yards per game, averaging 8.8 per carry. That includes Martinez at 13.5 per carry and I-backs Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead at 9.7 and 9.6, respectively.
“That's pretty nice,” Williams said, smiling.
It's also pleasing to Pelini, but he realizes that better defenses await — starting with Washington.
“I think the blocking has been good,” Pelini said. “I think the schemes have been good. Now we'll have a little bit bigger test against probably a better defense. I do like our running backs and the explosiveness in the running game.”
Husker fans expected to arrive in droves
Nebraska is expecting to see plenty of red at Husky Stadium, something that never ceases to amaze longtime assistant coach Ron Brown. Some fans even resorted to buying Washington season tickets just to ensure a seat for Sept. 18 in Seattle. “They're special,” Brown said. “We have special fans and I love 'em. We talk about the consecutive (home) sellouts, but what they do on the road is every bit as impressive.”
— Rich Kaipust and Jon Nyatawa
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• Video: The Big Red Today Show, Sept. 15, 2010:
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