BIG 12 19
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
Helu trying to get on track this week
SAN
By Max Olson Daily Nebraskan
LINCOLN, Neb. — Roy Helu Jr. smiled and laughed at the reporter. He might have been mocking the question, but he was fair to do so.
"Yes, I believe I can carry the ball over double digits." Helu Jr. said.
He may believe it, but Nebraska hasn't seen it lately from its star I-back.
Ever since Helu exploded for a careerhigh 169 rushing yards on 28 carries against Virginia Tech, Helu has seen his production slip dramatically, due in large part to lingering issues with a shoulder injury.
Against Iowa State on Saturday, Helu rushed for a season-low 24 yards on a mere five carries and fumbled twice.
On Monday, Helu wasn't afraid to take on some of the blame for Nebraska's recent offensive struggles.
"It's me not playing the best I can," he said. "I take all the load on that, why we're not moving the ball and being productive."
Finding someone to share that load with Helu hasn't been as easy as it was supposed to be entering the season.
First, there was the dismissal of Quentin Castille in August. Then, freshman Rex Burk-
head went down indefinitely with a broken right foot.
It was that injury that prompted running backs coach Tim Beck to do something he'd hoped to avoid: pull freshman I-back Dontrayevous Robinson's redshirt.
The move paid off against Iowa State, as Robinson was one of the few bright spots for the Huskers' offense on Saturday.
In his first career game at I-back, Robinson led Nebraska with 77 rushing yards on 15 carries and scored Nebraska's only touchdown on a 3-yard run in the first quarter. He made his debut nearly four minutes into the game after Helu fumbled on the game's first play.
"Dontrayevious came in and gave us some spark, and he's going to be a really good football player" offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. "He's a freshman, so it was the first time he'd seen those kind of lights. Overall, we were pleased with his effort and how he worked in practice."
"He did really well for his first time," Helu said. "He's a good all-around back. He reminds me exactly of Quentin (Castille). He plays hard."
Helu said the 6-foot-1,215-pound back has a bruising style similar to the player he expected to back him up this season.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
lowa State's James Smith and Jesse Smith tackle Nebraska. Roy Helu (10) as he humbles the ball for a turnover in Iowa State in the first half of their game in Lincoln, Neb. last Saturday, Iowa state defeated Nebraska 9-7.
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Bradford opts for season-ending surgery
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sam Bradford addresses the media as he makes an official announcement that he is having season-end shoulder surgery, and plans to enter the NFL draft on Monday in Norman, OK. Freshland Landry Jones will continue to start at quarterback for the Sooners.
By Jono Greco The Oklahoma Daily
NORMAN, Okla. — His teammates stood behind in support, and head coach Bob Stoops sat in the wing with a smile on his face while Heisman-winner and junior quarterback Sam Bradford addressed the media Monday about his decision to opt for surgery and enter April's NFL Draft.
"To make this decision and to realize that I've probably played my last game at Oklahoma is really tough," Bradford said.
Bradford said surgery is the best option after sustaining two injuries to his right throwing shoulder, and if he does not have surgery, he would be at greater risk of a third injury.
"The best was to try to let the shoulder heal itself," Bradford said about the initial prognosis. "We tried that, and it didn't heal. It's just something [doctors] feel as long as I keep trying to come back, it's just going to keep re-injuring when I take a hit."
Bradford will undergo surgery on Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala.
"[Surgery is] pretty much going to repair the joint, put it back to normal and strengthen it." Bradford said.
Of all of the moments Bradford has gone through since his Initial AC joint sprain Sept. 5 against Brigham Young, he said the most difficult thing was being in the locker room against Kansas knowing his storied tenure as a Sooner was over.
"Last week was probably the hardest game I've ever had to sit on the sidelines," Bradford said. "Going into the locker room and seeing everyone celebrate, I just realized that I'm not going to be a part of that much more. It's pretty tough."
Now Bradford passes on the ceremonial torch to redshirt freshman quarterback Landry Jones, who has started four games this season while Bradford was sidelined.
"I think Landry's a great player," Bradford said. "He's been put into some really tough situations, and it's not easy coming in the middle of a game."
Bradford said the thing he's been most impressed about Jones is the role he has taken over the past month.
"I think he's just done a tremendous job, especially stepping up and being a leader of this team," Bradford said. "I just think it shows the tremendous upside that he has, and I think he's going to be a great player"
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE OCTOBER 30,2009