Grixby Has Senior Moment
5 comments so far
September 30, 2007 by
One of the more criticized Huskers last season (and through the off-season) was Cortney Grixby. Despite being a highly-touted recruit out of high school, he became the scapegoat for big pass plays in the secondary a year ago (regardless of how late the safeties were to help out).
But Grixby is just the latest player to remind us why you can’t really judge a college player until you’ve seen what they can do as a senior. Against Iowa State, Grixby had two interceptions (including one that he returned 41 yards to set up Nebraska’s final touchdown) and two big kickoff returns. He also tipped the pass that Bo Ruud picked off and returned for a touchdown. In other words, it was very obvious why he might have been regarded as a four-star prospect.
Grixby wasn’t alone, Bo Ruud lead the team in tackles, forced a fumble and for the second straight week returned an interception for a touchdown. Even Corey McKeon seemed to get on track with a tackle for a loss, a pass break-up, and a quarterback hurry to go with nine total tackles. Steve Octavien threw in a pair of tackles for losses as well. Tierre Green broke up a pair of passes. On defense, it was a good day for the seniors.
It wasn’t a bad day for the defensive line (where all of the starters are not yet seniors). Zach Potter recovered a fumble and recorded half a sack. Barry Turner had one and half sacks and another tackle for a loss to go with a pair of quarterback hurries. Ndamukong Suh had a pair of tackles for losses, including a sack. Even the ailing Ty Steinkuhler managed a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Imagine how this group could look next year?
Sure it could have been better. The Cyclones put together five drives of ten plays or more and ran 100 plays in total. But defense is all about keeping points off the board and as well as things have gone offensively for Nebraska, holding teams to 17 points might be enough to deliver the Huskers another Big 12 North title.
In any case, it was good to see Grixby play like a hybrid of Corey Dixon and Barron Miles, if just for one game.
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darren Sep 30 07
VERY well put, Steve. One of the great football truisms - you are as good as your senior class. Even in an age where more and more frosh are playing, it's still true.
NU underachieved when it's seniors did. And, those same players stepped up big on Saturday.
Dropping the names of two of my favorite Huskers - Dixon and Miles - didn't hurt either.
ze Sep 30 07
Didn't even read the article; checkin' out da BABES! :)
Oh yeah, Grix is playing better this year...
ze Sep 30 07
So, are these the new WVB recruits?
Husker Mike Oct 01 07
OK, something has been bothering me for two days now, and I haven't found the answer anywhere... I didn't see Cortney Grixby in the game at all in the first quarter. Bowman and Murillo started at corner, and Nate Swift returned punts at the start of the game. But when he entered the game in second quarter, he sure made his presence known with an interception and a great kickoff return.
I'm assuming that he got suspended for the 1st quarter, as when he did get into the game, he played lights out. But I haven't been able to find anything definitive.
Dwayne Oct 01 07
That movie is a riot. A lot of well-known actors in their early career. Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey. They had to have a blast making that thing.