2016 Nebraska Football Media Guide

Page 9

NEBRASKA

FOOTBALL

2016 HUSKER OFFENSE The 2016 Nebraska offense appears poised for a breakout season in the second year of Mike Riley’s tenure as head coach and under the direction of offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf. Nebraska has a wealth of experience at talent at all skills positions and a young offensive line made great strides during spring practice. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is the engineer of the NU offense and enters his fourth season as the Huskers’ starter. He has the ability to hurt defenses both with his strong right arm and his powerful legs. Last season, Armstrong Jr. accumulated 3,430 yards of total offense and accounted for 29 touchdowns. Armstrong will have the luxury of throwing to the Big Ten’s best collection of pass catchers in 2016. Senior Jordan Westerkamp caught 65 passes last season and is poised to become Nebraska’s all-time leading receiver. Fellow seniors Brandon Reilly and Alonzo Moore have both been big-play performers throughout their careers. Junior De’Mornay Pierson-El returns to the mix this season and is one of the nation’s top punt returners in addition to his receiving skills, while Stanley Morgan Jr. showed star potential in his rookie season. Not to be forgotten, Nebraska returns three senior tight ends, led by Cethan Carter who has shown all-conference skills throughout his Husker career.

Center Dylan Utter and tackle Nick Gates were mainstays on the Nebraska offensive line last season, and will be counted on to lead the way for the Husker Pipeline in 2016.

HIGHLIGHTING THE HUSKER OFFENSE • Tommy Armstrong Jr. is in position to eclipse several Nebraska career records in 2016. Among the records in his sights are career quarterbacks starts, career passing yards, career completions, career touchdown passes and career total offense. Armstrong already has the most 300-yard passing games in school history. • Jordan Westerkamp could threaten Nebraska records for most career receptions and receiving yards. Last season, he caught 65 passes, the second-most in Nebraska history. • I-back Terrell Newby is within striking distance of joining Nebraska’s career 2,000-yard rushing club in 2016. • Junior place-kicker Drew Brown is the first player in Nebraska history to top 100 points in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Brown made 13 fields of 40 yards or more last season, the most in the nation.

BRANDON REILLY, WR

CETHAN CARTER, TE

In the backfield, senior Terrell Newby ran for nearly 800 yards last season and is also an effective pass catcher. Sophomore Devine Ozigbo flashed his potential as a true freshman, capped by an impressive showing in Nebraska’s bowl victory. That duo is joined by several other talented players to give the Huskers numerous options carrying the football.

RETURNING PRODUCTION

Rushing Yards..............................................68.2% Passing Yards................................................100% Receiving Yards............................................89.6% Total Offense Yards......................................87.2% All-Purpose Yards.........................................81.6% Scoring........................................................84.5%

RETURNING LEADERS

RETURNING CAREER STARTS

Rushing Yards....................................Newby (765) Passing Yards....................... Armstrong Jr. (3,030) Receiving Yards.........................Westerkamp (918) Total Offense yards...................Armstrong (3,430) All-Purpose Yards............................Newby (1,001) Scoring.......................................... D. Brown (107)

Tommy Armstrong Jr., QB.................................33 Drew Brown, PK.................................................26 Cethan Carter, TE..............................................25 Jordan Westerkamp, WR...................................14 Alonzo Moore, WR............................................14 Dylan Utter, C/G................................................14 Sam Cotton, TE.................................................12 Nick Gates, OT..................................................10 Terrell Newby, IB..................................................8 Brandon Reilly, WR..............................................7 De’Mornay Pierson-El, WR..................................7 Stanley Morgan Jr., WR.......................................3 Trey Foster, TE.....................................................1 Ryker Fyfe, QB.....................................................1

THIS IS NEBRASKA l 7


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