Husker Ameer Abdullah helps team bounce back

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by News 5 Sports

Story Created: Sep 17, 2012 at 11:55 AM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 17, 2012 at 3:32 PM CDT

The Huskers were in need of a bounce back win Saturday. As many of them shared safety P.J. Smith's sentiment that he needed to quote, "get that bad taste out of his mouth."

Sure, the defense played better, but let's wait until Big 10 play begins to make any sweeping prophecies about the blackshirts.

However, the running game has been stellar all year as versatile sophomore Ameer Abdullah has filled in valiantly for Rex Burkhead.

"That was one of the things that I saw in his ability was what a powerful inside runner he is for a guy that doesn't have great stature. He's not surprising me one bit the way he's running," said NU Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck. "I'm very pleased the way he's doing it. I'm happy for him and he's worked extremely hard to put himself in this position to be having the success he has."

"Ameer has done a tremendous job not only with running the football, but he's been a receiver, he's done a great job at pass pro. He's a return guy, had a big punt return today. I'm pleased with his desire to put it on his shoulders," said NU Running Backs Coach Ron Brown.

"He did a great job for us," quarterback Taylor Martinez said. "I always thought he was a great running back and I'm glad that he could show everybody else how good he is and, hopefully, he keeps doing a great job."

But if the behemoths up front don't pave the way it doesn't matter who you have in the back field. And, boy, have they ever so far in 2012 as Nebraska's averaging 295 yards on the ground through the first 3 games.

"Oh, man, they did a tremendous job, all those guys, all the glory goes to them because every time the surge off the ball was a positive surge and we never were stopped in the back field. So they did a good job," Abdullah said.

"This was a good physical answer to last week's game and I'm proud of the way our guys handled that," said NU Offensive Line Coach Barney Cotton.

"Again, a lot of it goes up front. We're doing a great job up front pounding the ball. Barney and John, Vince, those guys, do a great job with those guys. We're able to pound the ball. I see we rushed 59 times," said Beck. "I mean, that's impressive to be able to go out and do that against anybody."

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