SportsLine wire reports
April 16, 1999

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The sidelines of Tom Osborne Field have turned into a M.A.S.H. unit this spring with as many as 15 players being on the sidelines in sweat pants because of injuries.

Among these wounded Cornhuskers are at least eight probable starters. And though the injured NU players are showing signs of recovery, all of them will be missing from action during the annual Spring Game Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Coach Frank Solich prays there will be no more casualties in the final scrimmage at Memorial Stadium.

"We're not through with it," Solich said. "We've got one day left."

Co-No. 1 quarterback Eric Crouch will continue to wear the green jersey, signifying he can't be hit, but everyone else will be fair game.

WITH SO MANY KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS out with injuries, the offense has struggled to get into a rhythm this spring.

Solich is optimistic that that will change Saturday.

"I think we can be a good pass- protection team, and I think we will be a better run-blocking team, too," Solich said. "We have more healthy guys and that should make a big difference."

One of those players, who will be making his first spring scrimmage appearance, is fullback Willie Miller. Miller missed the first part of spring after having surgery on his knee during the winter.

One constant the whole spring has been NU senior lineman James Sherman. Sherman said the injuries on offense have made it more challenging for everyone.

"We have guys out and a lot of younger players in there on the offense," Sherman said. "But we need to execute the best we can, and the top offensive line is doing a pretty good job of that."

THE LIST OF OFFENSIVE PLAYERS not participating includes quarterback Bobby Newcombe, I-backs DeAngelo Evans, Dan Alexander, DeAntae Grixby and Alik Tillery, linemen Adam Julch and Billy Diekmann, and wingback Frankie London.

Part of the offensive struggles have been related to the dominating performance of the defense. The defensive dominance hasn't just been by the Blackshirts. Defensive Coach Charlie McBride has called the defense one of the deepest in some time.

A question mark coming into the spring about who would be rush ends has turned into a spot that goes at least three-deep on each side, said Rush Ends Coach Nelson Barnes.

"I think I've found some guys who are going to be able to play," Barnes said. "For the most part, I think we've answered the questions about how the rush ends are going to perform next year in terms of leadership, in terms of hustle and in terms of being able to make some big plays."

Injuries to two top returning linebackers, Tony Ortiz and Julius Jackson have given freshman Randy Stella valuable playing time.

STELLA HIMSELF MISSED THE FIRST WEEK of practice with a knee injury. However, since he has returned at full-speed, he has been impressive, Solich said.

"It's been awhile since Randy has really been able to do things on the football field the way he's capable of doing them," Solich said. "But he was moving around well. He showed his speed and quickness, and that's very promising."

A change in this year's Spring Game will be that Solich isn't calling the plays.

For the red team, Dan Young and Ron Brown will coach the No. 1 offense and George Darlington will head the defense.

The white team with the No. 1 defense will have Turner Gill and Milt Tenopir coaching the offense and McBride heading the defense.