LB Eric Martin 6-2, 215, So.

A bullet of a special teams player, fearless and ferocious, Martin has to slow down and let the game come to him if he’s to supplant Sean Fisher or Will Compton at that nickel/dime linebacker position. Martin certain has the physical skills; he’s carries a big frame, packs a wallop and gets to his destination in a hurry. As a pass defender, he’s capable. Where Martin may struggled is with a playaction game or misdirection, zone read plays spread teams like so much.

It’s inevitable that Martin will be a starting linebacker at NU, barring injuries. The question becomes: What’s the learning curve?

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In the summer and fall, Husker Locker created its “50 Huskers to Know” list for the 2009 season. We now review our list by examining production, injuries and depth chart position.

We’ll present these in five-player increments. Here we go!

No. 10 Eric Martin: He leapt up high on our list because of his quick progress in fall camp, but was never needed at the linebacker spot because Phillip Dillard filled it so capably. He was a major factor on special teams, usually for good - forcing a blocked punt for a touchdown in the Baylor game - but occasionally for bad - whiffing on a tackle on Virginia Tech’s opening kickoff return. Martin, in our minds, is the leading candidate to start at middle linebacker for NU in 2010.

No. 9 Larry Asante: Aside from a strange taste for borderline hits - some of which led to personal fouls - Asante had a strong 2009, especially in run support. He gained a reputation as the hardest-hitting safety in the Big 12 - and probably one of the dirtiest, too. But most excellent defenses need a guy playing right on the edge, and that guy is typically a safety. It’s an instinct that will serve Asante well in the NFL.

No. 8 Menelik Holt: A total bust who dropped two touchdowns in the Virginia Tech game, didn’t properly commit himself as a blocker and route-runner, and finally got benched after the Iowa State for a lazy fumble. He never caught another pass all year. A nice kid, Holt probably did too many media interviews, was given too much responsibility as a role model for the younger guys, and just plain wasn’t fast enough to beat good cornerbacks. He should have stayed in the slot, where he was most effective.

No. 7 Alex Henery: The Man on the special teams, made an honorary Blackshirt for his ability to down punts inside the ten-yard line. As a kicker, Henery was just as consistent in 2009 as he was in 2008, hitting 24 of 28 tries. He missed a bunny vs. Oklahoma, but made up for it by nailing some pressure boots vs. Texas and pounding home four in the Holiday Bowl.

No. 6 Jacob Hickman: Battled through more injuries than most fans can appreciate - plus the swine flu! - and managed to stay on the field for most of the action. Kept the offensive line in check and together, and really served as offensive captain for NU. Terrific with the media, which can’t be discounted in Nebraska, where everybody has a question.

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WACO, Texas - A special teams touchdown. A home crowd on the road. A day without rain, boos or clouds. Plenty of sacks and turnovers. And the starting debut of a Nebraska freshman quarterback who seems to have the skills and poise to go as far as his long, powerful running strides can take him.

His arm may be another question.

But after two stunning home losses in a row, Nebraska's football team captured a needed rebound victory, beating Baylor 20-10 Saturday afternoon.

Bo Pelini's bunch, now 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12 Conference, inserted themselves back into the Big 12 North race in front 31,702 at Floyd Casey Stadium that included a reporter-estimated 15,000 Cornhusker fans.

“It was real important,” Pelini said. “We needed a win. We got a win. We got a lot of work to do yet. A win's a win. It's No. 5.”

Many of those raucous fans – silenced for whole portions of the second half - were from Texas, and took the opportunity to watch true freshman Cody Green – a native of Dayton, Texas – make his first start at quarterback. The decision was made on Thursday, Pelini said, because “you gotta go with your gut.”

Initally, Green didn't disappoint. His first-half performance – 6-of-9 passing for 85 yards, 25 yards rushing – was a portrait of efficiency. With offensive coordinator Shawn Watson calling plays on the sidelines and simplifying the attack, Green operated mostly out of multiple tight end, power formations. He ran only four times, but two of them were scrambles of ten and six yards on a drive that led to Alex Henery's 45-yard field goal.

All but one of his completions were of the short, controlled variety, but he did hit wide receiver Niles Paul on a 45-yard fade route, Green placing the ball perfectly on Paul's outside shoulder. Two plays later, true freshman Traye Robinson skied into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown. That gave NU a 20-0 halftime lead.

“In the first half, things were rolling pretty good,” Green said.

But the freshman made a giant mistake midway through the third quarter, locking in on receiver Khiry Cooper, only to see Baylor safety Cliff Odom step in front of the pass at NU”s 45-yard line, pick it off and return it for an easy touchdown. Later, Green fumbled right after the Nebraska defense had forced BU to turn it over.

“It was just a late throw on my part,” Green said. “If I had thrown it a second earlier it would have been a completion, but I threw it a second later...one thing you have to do is go back on the next drive and just forget about it. You have to have a memory like a goldfish.”

For the game, Green completed 12 of 21 passes for 128 yards and rushed for 43 yards.

“He had some rough spots,” Watson said. “He did some things freshmen sometimes do first time out. He's got a lot to get better at, but, no doubt – he competed. He gave us some nice runs and did some good things. We didn't ask him to do much. We just asked him to kind of manage us. He had the one pick. Gotta get that fixed.”

Fortunately, Green had plenty of help.

NU got on the board quickly, as another true freshman – linebacker Eric Martin – bulled his way through Baylor's punt protection and partially blocked Derek Epperson's punt. The ball floated sideways and was caught by backup defensive back Justin Blatchford, who darted hard to his left, tip-toed down the sideline, and leaped into the end zone just before he fumbled.

“I just hit (the blocker),” Martin said. “I didn't even know it was blocked until I hear the crowd yelling and I look around, and Blatchford is taking the ball back.”

Just 90 seconds into the game, the Huskers had a bigger lead – 7-0 – than they had enjoyed since the waning moments of the Missouri game.

NU's Blackshirts – particularly defensive tackle Jared Crick, who had a record-breaking game – made sure the lead held up. Tested again and again, the Huskers' defense held up. Cornerbacks Dejon Gomes and Prince Amukamara both notched interceptions of Baylor quarterback Nick Florence in Husker territory. Nebraska chased Baylor's fast receivers and running backs sideline-to-sideline, throwing them down for short or no gain.

And then there was Crick, who benefited from the Bears choosing to double-team All-American Ndamukong Suh. Crick, just a sophomore out of Cozad, had a school-record five sacks.

“It could have been anyone today with all of those stats,” Crick said. “It is just a group effort.”

The final one of the first half, in which Crick bulled through two blockers and engulfed Florence in a massive bear hug, was as impressive as any play Suh's made this season. NU had seven sacks overall.

“Is that a monster game by him, or what?” defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “He just plays his tail off. He's strong, he's fast. Offenses? I don't know – they've just got to deal with him, because they started the game putting the center toward Suh, and it just makes them look foolish.”

Said Bo Pelini: “Jared's too good of a player if they're gonna do that.”

For the game, Baylor amassed 270 total yards, but ran 11 more plays than the Huskers did. The Bears (3-5 overall, 0-4 in the Big 12) thrice invaded NU territory after cutting the lead to ten. Once, kicker Ben Parks missed a field goal. On the second foray, Baylor turned the ball over on downs. The game clock ran out on their final charge, which occurred after a bizarre punt return that included three laterals and a touchdown-saving tackle by punter Alex Henery.

“We had plays at the end and we didn't do it,” BU quarterback Nick Florence said. “We fought hard in the second half, it was valiant effort, but it does hurt when it is so close.”

NU was left concerned with its running game, which produced just 145 yards and failed to deliver on several third down situations in the second half.

“Absolutely,” Pelini said when asked if he was concerned. “It's a huge concern. We've got to be able to run the football better. We didn't run the ball to my liking today.”

Said Husker center Jacob Hickman: “It was just missed communications that caused that. The effort was there.”

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Driving home Saturday night from Nebraska’s blowout 49-3 win over Florida Atlantic, I couldn’t help but think of another blowout win to kick off a season: NU’s 52-7 romp over Nevada in 2007.

In both, the opponents’ reputations far exceeded their actual gameplans and execution. And both teams wilted in the second half against bigger, stronger NU.

Nevada just stunk on offense, and admitted as much after the game. Florida Atlantic was more of a quandary.

The Owls were supposed to be athletic and exciting; instead, their quarterbacks, Rusty Smith and Jeff VanCamp, played hot potato with the football, firing wild darts before their receivers even had time to look for the ball. Nary a trick play, or even a trick formation, from FAU. Smith looked jittery, nervous and slow. His backup was mysteriously inserted in the second quarter and just as mysteriously removed. Apparently FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger likes Smith to see a drive from the sidelines.

At any rate, it was hard to get a read on Nebraska Saturday night. That’s part of the trouble with “directional” – or in the case of FAU, “oceanic” – opponents. Expect a better, stiffer test from FAU’s Sun Belt counterpart, Arkansas State.

On with the review:

Five Players We Loved

Junior running back Roy Helu: A big back who still knows how to pick his way through holes and burst out the other end pulling away from defenders. If he can stay healthy, Helu’s big ride in 2009 is just beginning.

Senior left guard Derek Meyer: The native Husker with a great story just moved to left guard a few weeks ago after working at right guard and right tackle for spring ball. Meyer wasn’t perfect, but he held up well, especially in pass protection. NU lacks great depth along the line, but Meyer was blue collar as advertised.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Will Compton: He played nearly every defensive snap in the first three quarters, and fit right in. Compton had a busy night around the ball. He’ll only get smarter and better.

Sophomore wide receiver Curenski Gilleylen: Two of his three catches were adventures, frankly – but he caught them. Gilleylen’s best play of the night, though, was a bone-crushing block to help spring Menelik Holt on his 28-yard touchdown catch-and-gallop.

Senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh: Quick tackle for loss on the first drive, and he later saved a first down by peeling back on a screen pass and taking down FAU fullback Willie Rose one yard short.

Special Mention - true freshman linebacker Eric Martin: His energy and enthusiasm on the game’s opening kickoff is precisely what that unit needs.

Three Concerns We Still Have

Again With The Penalties: Nine more to open the season, for 86 yards. Two personal fouls, two holding calls, a couple false starts. Sloppy.

Not Enough Niles: Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore spent fall camp talking up the junior from Omaha. Well, fine: If he made plays in the practice, give him a chance to make them in the games. A reverse. A go route. Something. Gilleylen and Holt got most of the choice looks.

Blocked Punt: Not the best thing to see two weeks before Virginia Tech.

Reviewing the Five Keys

KIDS: Watson tried to go right at FAU, but Helu found the corners of the defense an easier go. And if Roy can make it work, so be it.

Truthfully, NU nicely blended some running staples of the West Coast Offense with some new counters, sweeps and even a veer play. The Huskers ran two options near the goal line. Neither worked very well, but Cody Green did score a 1-yard touchdown on his effort.

36 inches: FAU’s quarterbacks spent the entire night avoiding Suh and the rest of NU’s front four, and got nothing in return for their cowardice. You get out what you put in, and the Owls didn’t physically or strategically challenge Nebraska’s defense.

Attack Zac, Zac Attack: Once again, FAU was pretty tame in its blitzing of Lee. When the Owls did take a chance, Lee burned them with the touchdown pass to Gilleylen and a nice scramble for a first down. Lee wasn’t counted upon to win the game, but he held up nicely anyway.

Young Guns: The youngsters on offense and defense were terrific. Big thumbs up to Compton and Sean Fisher, plus redshirt freshman Cameron Meredith, who played a lot at defensive end, and recovered a fumble. On offense, Cody Green and Rex Burkhead both had their moments.

The Specials: Net wash here. Even with the blocked punt, NU’s net punting average was only one yard worse than FAU’s The Huskers did well on kickoff returns and kickoff coverage. Adi Kunalic booted two touchbacks, and a couple more bombs into the end zone were unwisely returned.

Three Questions We Still Have

Can NU get its goal-line package honed for game two? The Huskers used a couple fourth-down plays for touchdowns, but it shouldn’t have taken that long. Was Watson holding off on his pass packages to pound the ball on the ground? Probably.

How much better is Nebraska’s defense against the spread? We’ll find out when Arky State rolls into Lincoln. FAU’s pro-style attack wasn’t much of a problem.

Does Keith Williams return soon? Nebraska’s most skilled offensive lineman helps especially in the running game.

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Communication and execution improved in Wednesday’s practice for the Nebraska football team, defensive coordinator Carl Pelini told reporters after the Huskers’ roughly two-hour workout on the grass fields north of Memorial Stadium.

“Really good day,” Pelini said. “Both sides of the football. The whole staff is happy right now.”

NU’s defense turned the corner on its mental execution at just the right time. The Huskers will trot out two redshirt freshmen – Sean Fisher and Will Compton – and a sophomore – Mathew May – as its starting linebacker trio for Saturday’s season-opener vs. Florida Atlantic, which runs a complex, pro-style offense.

Fisher, Compton and May are about as green as linebackers could be.

“Anytime you’ve got young guys out there, there’s a little bit of anxiety on their part and the coaches’ part,” Pelini said. “But we talked to our guys going in. Communication has to be better. Our leaders who have played before – the safeties, the d-line, the corners – they’ve got to be talking back and forth with those guys. That’s what we saw today, and that’s what pleased us.”

The middle of the field should be a busy spot for Florida Atlantic’s offense. The Owls like to send wide-body tight ends down the seams, and receivers on short crossing routes. Both are prime responsibilities of the linebackers and safeties.

Pelini is aware of FAU’s advance strategy. NU has an effective weapon, of sorts, in combating it.

“They’ve got really athletic tight ends that get down the field in a hurry,” Pelini said. “The good thing for us? So do we. So we’ve been facing that all camp, the dilemma Mike McNeill, Ben Cotton and those guys give us every day. That’s nothing new for us. I think our linebackers are used to facing athletic tight ends.”

A handful of true freshmen could see the field Saturday for the Huskers. BUCK linebacker Eric Martin is the most likely candidate, but defensive back Andrew Green, defensive end Jason Ankrah and defensive tackle Thad Randle might play as well. Randle, an undersized spark plug from the Houston area, hasn’t been mentioned much in camp, but could factor into a pass rushing package for NU.

“He’s got a knack for it,” Pelini said. “He’s got fast feet and great speed off the ball and those are what you look for. The other things you can teach.”

NU will have a shortened practice Thursday and a walkthrough Friday.

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As Lyle Sittler stood there with his former teammates at Nebraska’s football practice Friday morning, the conversation invariably turned to an old NU coach, Bob Devaney, and the current one, Bo Pelini.

Sittler was the starting center on Devaney’s first three teams, 1962-1964, and was on hand for the unveiling of the throwback jerseys NU will wear for its 300th consecutive sellout. But first he watched the Huskers work out, and, of course, kept an eye on Pelini, the second-year head coach trying to pull a Devaney, if you will, and turn around a struggling program.

“They’re very much the same, in the little things,” Sittler said.

Then Sittler described what I’d consider a very big thing – Pelini, pulling a player aside, coaching him briefly, and that player responding with a passionate hit. The key, Sittler said, is that “No. 46” – linebacker Eric Martin - wasn’t from Nebraska. He’s from Mission Viejo, Calif.

Devaney could do that, too, Sittler said. He pointed to 1962 starting quarterback Dennis Claridge, from Minnesota, and native Texan Willie Paschall.

“Die-hard Nebraska people (now),” Sittler said. “That kind of atmosphere is identifying itself with Nebraska once again.”

Paschall was more to the point: “Coach Pelini is like the reincarnation of Coach Devaney. He keeps the guys focused. He cares about them. He knows when to get them loose, and he knows when to keep them to the grindstone.”

Can NU just take that line and use it on the recruiting trail?

I didn’t know Bob Devaney. Never interviewed him. Heard stories, almost all of them involving Devaney’s later years, his fondness for a good joke. Watched his picks show as a kid. He seemed to favor UCLA quite a bit, as I recall. He laughed a lot on the show.

But the man who coached for Devaney, Tom Osborne, sees similarities in Pelini. And in the 1962 players, in their brief time around Pelini see the same. They see the humor. They see a guy who trusts his coaching staff. They see the gameday fire. They see a guy with clear expectations. And I think they see a guy who’s getting the players to buy in, to believe, to make plays.

I say “I think” because, of course, the results remain to be seen. Pelini built a strong 9-4 foundation in year one But what Devaney did was nothing short of amazing.

He took over a team that went 15-34-1 under Bill Jennings - losing five straight to Missouri by a combined score of 92-13 – and finished 47-8 in his first five seasons at NU. Five straight bowls, after the Huskers had played in two in their entire history. Played for the national title, essentially, in 1965. Chew on that for a second. And he did it, essentially, by working his players less, not more. He threw in the option, and a pass every now and then. Claridge called the plays.

Pelini could squeeze every ounce out of these Huskers and not achieve that by 2012. May not achieve Devaney’s 101-20-2 career record. It took Tom Osborne until the last five years of his career – you know, that 60-3 stretch – to surpass Devaney’s .829 winning percentage.

And yet you sense Pelini expects that kind of excellence of himself and the team. We’ve heard the line already around fall camp quite frequently – “You don’t come to Nebraska to win nine games.”

Back in 1962, nine wins suited the Huskers just fine. But Devaney’s success upped the ante. Then Osborne’s last five seasons shot it into the stratosphere. Just imagine if the Huskers had closed the deal in 1965, 1983 and 1993. Pelini would probably have to part the Platte River.

“That’s part of the deal here,” Pelini said. “You have to live up to the tradition every day.”

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Although “there’s not much difference” between half and full-padded practices for Nebraska’s football team, you can tell – these Cornhuskers are ready for the transition, which they can officially take Wednesday.

“We’re full go right now, even in shorts,” defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “Only thing is – we can do some live tackling (tomorrow).”

Thus far, there’s been “great competition” between the offense and defense, “and it actually goes by period sometimes, by plays.”

Pelini addressed the media as a whole Tuesday while head coach Bo Pelini and the rest of assistants were given a day off from reporters.

Carl Pelini covered a variety of defensive topics, including:

*Defensive tackle Jared Crick: “He looks a lot faster. He put on that weight in the spring and I think it slowed him a step. And now his body’s getting used to that weight and he’s a lot stronger.”

*The length of NU’s practice day, which roughly goes from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., the last team meeting: “They’re pretty much here for 14, 15 hours by the time it’s all said and done.”

[b*]The play of true freshmen: "We’re not telling anybody they’re redshirting. There’s some guys who are pushing for playing time. They’re a little behind the eight-ball in terms of learning so we force-feed them a little bit, but there’s some guys in that class who are talented enough to be on the field this year.”

*Guarding against complacency: “There isn’t a starter out there that doesn’t have a someone breathing down their neck for a position. Nine wins isn’t what we expect at the University of Nebraska, so there better not be any complacency going on.”

*One of those true freshmen, MIKE linebacker Eric Martin: “He’s physical and he loves the game of football. He loves to hit. And he’s gonna be a heck of a player here, there’s no doubt in any of our minds.”

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See also: Ten Huskers with the Most to Prove

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