• Video: Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini speaks at the Huskers' weekly press conference Tuesday:
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LINCOLN — Nebraska has received an oral commitment from linebacker Max Pirman of Orrville, Ohio, its 17th pledge for the recruiting class of 2011.
Pirman was committed to Indiana but switched to NU after a visit to Lincoln last weekend with junior teammate Mason Monheim, also a linebacker.
At 6-foot-5 and 218 pounds, Pirman also stars on the basketball team at Orrville High School. On a team that played in the state finals last season, Pirman always guarded the other team's best player, regardless of position, football coach Doug Davault said.
“He's a kid with size who's a really good athlete,” Davault said. “He's not done growing yet. He's still a puppy. Nebraska's going to put 30 pounds on him and probably get him to come off the edge.”
Pirman is the second NU pledge in this class from Ohio, joining defensive tackle Kevin Williams. Recruits are eligible to sign letters of intent Feb. 2.
Martinez needed action, Bo says
Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said he thought it was important for quarterback Taylor Martinez to return and play against Kansas.
After an ankle injury, Martinez missed the second half against Missouri and was in for just one play at Iowa State.
“We didn't want him to sit for two weeks,” Pelini said. “I thought it was important for him to get reps. That's the main reason he was in at the end of the football game.
“He hasn't played a ton of football. This is only his first year. You miss a week, you're going to be a little rusty.”
Martinez carried just three times in the first half Saturday night, but only one was a designed run. The redshirt freshman then ran three straight zone-read keepers to start the third quarter and finished with 11 carries for 71 yards.
“We were a little guarded with Taylor early in the game, and I think Taylor was a little bit guarded,” Pelini said. “He wasn't sure where he was going to be. And I thought as the game went on, he grew more confident, which obviously was big.”
A battle of bests when NU runs
Nebraska leads the Big 12 in rushing offense. Texas A&M is first in rushing defense.
It sets up to be one of the better matchups Saturday night.
“May the best man win,” NU receiver Mike McNeill said.
The Huskers average 282.3 yards per game and 6.2 per carry, and have scored 29 rushing touchdowns. Texas A&M is allowing 112.2 yards per game and 3.2 per attempt, with 11 rushing TDs allowed.
Carl Pelini expects ‘good chess match'
The pro-style offense that Texas A&M runs isn't incredibly complicated for the Aggies to understand, but it can drive defenses crazy, according to Nebraska's Carl Pelini.
The NU defensive coordinator said Tuesday that A&M regularly varies the personnel looks in its attack, which will make it tough on the Huskers as they try to make on-field adjustments.
“It's simple for them, but it's complex defending it,” Pelini said. “Every time they change formations, you have different guys doing things that another guy had done on a previous play. They stress you that way.”
Plus, an offensive expert like head coach Mike Sherman always has particular wrinkles in his game plan tailored to the weaknesses of his opponent.
“He's a good mind. He knows how to exploit you,” Pelini said. “It will be a good chess match.”
— Mitch Sherman, Rich Kaipust and Jon Nyatawa
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