Section B · Page 10
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, September 18, 1998
Running back ready to start for 'Huskers
The Associated Press
LINCOLN, Neb. — If it's up to DeAngelo Evans, the often-injured sophomore running back will be on the field when Nebraska plays Washington one week from Saturday — for sure.
gray area. Either I'll play a lot or not at all."
"If I play, I don't foresee myself being out there for just a couple of minutes," said Evans, who returned to practice earlier this week. "To me, there's noiller I'll play a
Right now, it looks as if Evans is on track to return, but the decision rests with trainers and coaches. Evans is recuperating from a procedure last month to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.
Last season, a recurring
abdominal injury kept Evans on the sidelines for 16 months. In fact, he hasn't taken a snap in a game since Nebraska lost to Texas in the 1996 Big 12 championship game.
At 5-foot-9 and 210 pounds, Evans is built like a fireplug. He said he is eager to get off the sidelines and stay out of the training room.
"I'm sick of it. I'm ready to come back," he said. "I'm tired of my teammates welcoming me back. It feels good, but after the second or third time, you get sick of it. I'am sick of everything that goes with being hurt."
Nebraska coach Frank Solich said the prognosis for Evans was good.
"The signs are that, right now, he feels fine, and he appears to be over the injury." Solich said.
That is good news for the No. 3 Cornhuskers (3-0). As a freshman, Evans gained 776 yards. In April, he had 93 yards in the spring game. His promising fall camp ended just before the Aug. 29 opener against Louisiana Tech.
In Evans' absence, Correll Buckhalter has been the leading running back with 103.3 yards per game. Nebraska still is averaging 259.7 yards per game, good for 10th nationally.
Evans has been one of several injured starters this fall. Quarterback Bobby Newcomb (knee), safety Clint Finley (knee) and defensive tackle Jason Wiltz (ankle) also should be back for the Washington game Sept. 26.
With so many starters out, the 'Huskers have struggled at times during their first three games. For his part, Evans said he was confident there would be improvements when he and others return.
"We haven't looked as crisp as we usually do at this point in the season," he said. "A lot of that is because of injuries. Once you've been injured, you want to come back and help the team any way you can."