Nebraska’s offense struggling
OU football

By Jake Trotter Comments 1
Published: November 4, 2009

NORMAN — Of five teams in college football allowing fewer than 11.5 points a game, four already have eight wins.

The team that doesn’t?

Multimedia

More Info

OU at Nebraska

→When: 7 p.m. Saturday

→Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb.

→TV: ABC (Cox 8)

→Radio: KRXO-FM 107.7

Oklahoma’s opponent Saturday, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Blackshirts are back in Lincoln with a championship-caliber defense. But an anemic offense has left Nebraska reeling at 5-3. Despite possessing the Big 12’s best statistical defense, the Huskers have lost two of their last three, including their last two games at home.

At times, OU has had its own issues putting up points. But Nebraska’s offensive struggles have reached another level.

In four conference games, the Huskers are averaging just 295 yards and 16 points, both ranking 11th in the league.

"We haven’t put it all together,” Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Tuesday. "We have been mixing and matching a decent amount trying to find the right combinations where we’re limited in some areas as far as having other options. We just have to execute more consistently. That will be even more magnified against a group like (Oklahoma).”

Part of the problem has been turnovers. The Huskers committed eight of them during an embarrassing 9-7 loss at home to Iowa State. Nebraska is now last in the Big 12 in turnover margin.

Another problem has been erratic quarterback play.

Pelini tried to ignite his offense by making a change at quarterback last week, inserting freshman Cody Green in for Zac Lee, who was picked off three times by Iowa State. But with Green, the Husker offense still sputtered, managing only 273 yards and one touchdown at Baylor.

Said Pelini: "The offense needs a spark.”

What could spark the Huskers is the resurrection of a run game that’s suddenly gone dormant the last month.

Running back Roy Helu rushed for 169 yards in a heartbreaking loss at Virginia Tech earlier this season. But two weeks later, during an impressive win at Missouri, Helu injured his shoulder, which has hampered him ever since. The last three games combined, he has only been able to handle 28 carries, and the running game has dissipated as a result. Helu did shed his no-contact green jersey in practice this week, a sign the shoulder is beginning to feel better.

Regardless, OU defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said the Sooner defense won’t be taking Nebraska’s offense lightly.

After all, it was only last month people were pointing out the struggles of OU’s offense following a 13-point effort against Texas.

Then, the Sooners scored 35 at Kansas, followed by 42 last weekend against Kansas State.

"You can’t worry about what’s happened in the past,” McCoy said. "There have been times our offense has struggled, then come out and handled their business.

"Just because their offense hasn’t played well two weeks straight, it doesn’t mean they can’t play well this week.”

Text "SOONER” to 65360 for your chance to a $100 gift card from O’Connells. OU news text updates from NewsOK sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts.