Scout.com: 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Baker Steinkuhler OL, 6-6, 290, Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southwest HS)
Steinkuhler is one of the most decorated members of Nebraska's 2008 signing class after a standout prep career at Lincoln Southwest High School. The son of 1983 Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award winner Dean Steinkuhler, Baker earned Lincoln Journal Star Super State honors three straight years and Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska honors each of the past two seasons. Steinkuhler was also recognized as the top lineman on the prestigious Parade All-America team, which consisted of the nation's top 58 players, while earning second-team All-America honors from USA Today. Steinkuhler was a four-year starter and starred on both sides of the ball for Coach Mark King at Southwest, but is expected to begin his Nebraska career on the offensive line. Steinkuhler's play has helped Southwest rank among the state's top Class A programs in recent years. As a senior, he recorded 36 solo stops, 36 assisted tackles, helping the Southwest defense allow just 190 yards per game. Offensively, Steinkuhler anchored the offensive line which paved the way for Brandon Brown to rank fourth in Class A at 140.6 rushing yards per game. During his junior season, Baker anchored the lines for a 10-1 Southwest team that was ranked No. 1 for much of the season. During his sophomore season, Steinkuhler helped the Silverhawks to a state runner-up finish. Generally regarded as the top prospect in Nebraska, Steinkuhler was ranked the No. 2 offensive tackle according to Scout.com. He was also the SuperPrep Midlands region Offensive Player of the Year and the No. 25 overall prospect in the country according to that publication. He was also a first-team EA Sports prep All-American. Steinkuhler put his skills on display at the U.S. Army All-American Game in January, where he played on the defensive side of the ball. Baker committed to Nebraska at the start of his junior season and did not take any additional visits. Baker is the son of Sue Steinkuhler and Dean Steinkuhler and was born on July 12, 1989. His brother, Ty, will be a senior defensive lineman for the Huskers in 2008.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Will Compton LB 6-2 230 Bonne Terre, Mo. (North County)Compton is a quick linebacker who has skyrocketed up the rankings after convincing scouts on the camp circuit. He moves well and shows great ball instincts on film. He is not the biggest linebacker physically, but plays big on the field. He is as good in pass coverage as he is against the run. Compton starred as a running back and safety last year for North County. In nine games he had 455 yards rushing on 64 attempts averaging 7.1 yards per carry while catching 51 passes for 855 yards for a 16.8 yard average. On defense he had 70 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and an interception; Compton benches 325 pounds, squats 390 and has a 30-inch vertical leap.

Josh Williams DE 6-4 225 Denton, Tx. (Ryan HS)
Williams had 68 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, eight quarterback pressures, six sacks, and six deflected passes last year. He earned all-district and all-area honors lass year as a junior.

Rest of the Class

2007 Recap

Recap: Long before the Huskers narrowly escaped Ball State at home, and skidded to a 1-6 finish, they were actually seriously considered contenders for the Big 12 title. However, instead of a return to glory under Bill Callahan, Nebraska was just plain gory throughout October and November, yielding an unimaginable 428 points over the final 10 games. The high-profile collapse of the once mighty Huskers brought legendary former coach Tom Osborne back into the fold as interim AD, while Callahan was ushered out after four unremarkable seasons.

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Marlon Lucky

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Steve Octavien

Biggest Surprise: Although the toe tag had been on the Huskers for weeks, they somehow mustered up the energy on Nov. 10 to obliterate Kansas State, 73-31. The irony of the rout was that just seven days earlier, it was Nebraska that allowed more than 70 points in a loss to Kansas. At least for one afternoon, Husker fans got a glimpse of Callahan’s spread offense at its finest, producing a school-record 510 yards and seven touchdown passes from QB Joe Ganz.

Biggest Disappointment: Losing to Missouri, 41-6, on Oct. 7. At a time when they were still considered a threat in the Big 12 North, the curtain got pulled all the way back on the Huskers in front of a national TV audience. Chase Daniel & Co. lit up Nebraska for more than 600 yards of total offense, setting off the worst second-half stretch in Big Red history.

Looking Ahead: Could Nebraska have attracted a more proven commodity at head coach than LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini? Yup. However, while no one knows for sure how Pelini will fare in his first head job, you can bet that his teams will be far more physical and tighter on defense than the last few playing in Lincoln.

Nov. 23
Colorado 65 ... Nebraska 51
In a wild shootout with Nebraska cranking out 610 yards of total offense to Colorado's 518, the Buffs got three Hush Charles touchdown runs, a 31-yard Jimmy Smith interception return for a touchdown, and a ten-yard Scotty McKnight scoring grab in a 34-point second half run to turn the game around. Maurice Purify caught two of his three touchdown passes in the final 2:08 of the game, but to no avail. Joe Ganz bombed away for 484 yards and four touchdowns for the Huskers, and an for a score, but he also threw three interceptions. Colorado's Jordon Dizon made 18 tackles.
Player of the game: Colorado RB Hugh Charles ran 33 times for 169 yards and three touchdowns and caught a pass for 33 yards.
Stat Leaders: Colorado - Passing: Cody Hawkins, 17-29, 241 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Hugh Charles, 33-169, 3 TD. Receiving: Tyson DeVree, 4-51, 1 TD
Nebraska - Passing: Joe Ganz, 31-58, 484 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 12-69, 1 TD. Receiving: Maurice Purify, 11-136, 3 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Nebraska offense certainly didn't have a problem over the last several weeks, and even though Joe Ganz threw too many interceptions against Kansas and Colorado, he showed that he could turn into the type of passer who could lead the program out of the doldrums next year. The big problem was the defense that got no production from the line. Where was the pass rush on the Buffs? Where was the big stop against the run? The next coach has to first address the defense and work from there. The offense will be more than fine next year.

Nov. 10
Nebraska 73 ... Kansas State 31
Nebraska turned on the offense big-time, rolling for 702 yards with 510 coming from the arm of Joe Ganz, who threw seven touchdown passes including three to Frantz Hardy. Kansas State cranked out 528 yards of its own and scored first on a 21-yard Jordy Nelson catch, answered by a 94-yard Cortney Grixby return for a score, and had a 10-7 lead with a 31-yard Brooks Rossman field goal. And then the roof caved in, as the Huskers scored 45 straight points with all three Hardy scores, a five-yard Marlon Lucky run, and a 23-yard Todd Peterson catch. Josh Freeman threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score for the Wildcats.
Player of the game: Nebraska QB Joe Ganz completed 30 of 40 passes for 510 yards and seven touchdowns, and ran for 18 yards..
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 26-44, 320 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Johnson, 16-129 yds, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 9-125, 1 TD
Nebraska - Passing: Joe Ganz, 30-40, 510 yds, 7 TD
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 16-103, 2 TD. Receiving: Maurice Purify, 6-108
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... So did the offense wake up because Joe Ganz was under center, did things finally start to click in, or did the players decide to start playing? Whatever the answer, after obliterating Kansas State, Husker fans have to be wondering where this production was all year long. Now, with a win over Colorado next week, Nebraska would actually be bowl eligible. Does hanging up 73 points with 702 yards chance anything for Bill Callahan? Probably not, but if the offense does this again, there might be some pause before canning him. The defense still didn't do anything.

Nov. 3
Kansas 76 ... Nebraska 39
Kansas punted on its first drive of the game. That was it for Nebraska's fun, as the Jayhawks cranked out 48 first half points on four of Todd Reesing's six touchdown passes and three of Brandon McAnderson's four touchdown runs. Dezmon Briscoe caught scoring passes from 13, 14 and seven yards out for the Jayhawks, and Jake Sharp added two touchdown runs. Nebraska's offense was effective, with Joe Ganz bombing away for 405 yards and four touchdowns, with three to Maurice Purify, but it was killed by five turnovers and couldn't keep pace once the floodgates opened. The 76 points was the most allowed by Nebraska. KU outgained the Huskers 572 yards to 484.
Player of the game: Kansas QB Todd Reesing completed 30 of 41 passes for 354 yards and six touchdowns, and ran four times for ten yards.
Stat Leaders: Kansas - Passing: Todd Reesing, 30-41, 354 yds, 6 TD
Rushing: Brandon McAnderson, 35-119, 4 TD. Receiving: Marcus Henry, 6-101, 1 TD
Nebraska - Passing: Joe Ganz, 35-50, 405 yds, 4 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Roy Helu, 9-56. Receiving: Maurice Purify, 7-158, 3 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... If Bill Callahan's fate wasn't already sealed, it is now. Struggling to get the groove back in a tough year is one thing, but to give up 76 to Kansas, Kansas, proves once and for all that this isn't the Nebraska program that Tom Osborne left several years ago. On the positive side, Joe Ganz and the passing game were nearly unstoppable, outside of the times they screwed up themselves with four interceptions. At 4-6, the Huskers now have to win out against Kansas State and Colorado just to be bowl eligible. If the defense continues to be as horrific as it's been over the last few weeks, forget about it.

Oct. 27
Texas 28 ... Nebraska 25
Down 17-3 late in the first half, Texas came up with Ryan Bailey field goals from 47 and 49 yards out, and then Jamaal Charles went ballistic. The Texas back tore off touchdown runs from 25, 86 and 40 yards out as part of a 25-0 run before Nebraska got within three on a four-yard Maurice Purify catch. Texas recovered the on-side kick and ran out the clock, thanks to Charles, who ended up with 290 yards, ran for 216 yards in the fourth. Nebraska got its early lead thanks to tow Nate Swift touchdown catches.
Player of the game: Texas RB Jamaal Charles ran 33 times for 290 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Texas - Passing: Colt McCoy, 12-28, 181 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Jamaal Charles, 33-290 yds, 3 TD. Receiving: Quan Cosby, 5-113
Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 23-35, 298 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 24-111. Receiving: Nate Swift, 6-112, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Husker run defense has gone from bad to worse. Just when it seemed like Nebraska was about to come up with the type of program-changing, season-defining win Bill Callahan so desperately needed, Texas and Jamaal Charles turned on the running game switch and tore up the fourth quarter. Is Joe Ganz going to take over for Sam Keller? Will Marlon Lucky start to get even more work? Now on a four-game losing streak, the Huskers need to find some fight going into next week, or they'll be eaten alive by Kansas.

Oct. 20
Texas A&M 36 ... Nebraska 14
Texas A&M rumbled for 359 yards with Stephen McGee and Jorvorskie Lane each going over 100. Nebraska held an early lead on a three-yard Quentin Castille touchdown run to answer a two-yard Earvin Taylor scoring run with a blocked extra point. And then it was all A&M and its running game, with Lane rumbling for four touchdowns from one yard, two yards, four yards and a yard out. The Huskers made it close in the second quarter on a ten-yard Maurice Purify touchdown catch, but wouldn't get any closer. The Aggies held on to the ball for 21:03 in the second half.
Player of the game: Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee completed 13 of 22 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown and ran 35 times for 167 yards
Stat Leaders: Texas A&M - Passing: Stephen McGee, 13-22, 100 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Stephen McGee, 35-167. Receiving: Pierre Brown, 4-49
Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 26-44, 275 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Quentin Castille, 9-60, 1 TD. Receiving: Marlon Lucky, 13-125
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Time to back up the bus and start from scratch. What, if anything, is working? At the moment, not much. At this point, the run defense has gone bye-bye, and things aren't going to get much better over the next few weeks, so it's time to start punching the ball deeper. Sam Keller threw it 44 times, but only came up with 275 yards with not nearly enough yards coming after the catch. Marlon Lucky was used as an outlet target, but he wasn't able to do much with his 13 grabs. With the season now in the tank, and changes certain to come after the end of the year, it'll be interesting to see how the team responds, and it's probably a good thing to get out of Lincoln and go on the road to deal with Texas and Kansas.

Oct. 13
Oklahoma State 45 ... Nebraska 14
Oklahoma State scored on its first six possessions, with Zac Robinson hitting Seth Newton for a 41-yard touchdown pass, and running for a three-yard score, and Julius Crosslin running for two one-yard touchdowns, on the way to a 38-0 halftime lead. The Huskers didn't get on the board until the first play of the fourth quarter on a 13-yard J.B. Phillips touchdown catch, but didn't get back on the board until the final minute on a one-yard Thomas Lawson catch. OSU ran for 317 yards and gained 551 yards of total offense.
Player of the game: Oklahoma State RB Dantrell Savage ran 24 times for 212 yards and a touchdown, and caught a pass for ten yards
Stat Leaders: Oklahoma State - Passing: Zac Robinson, 12-19, 234 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Dantrell Savage, 25-212, 1 TD. Receiving: Adarius Bowman, 6-100
Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 10-18, 129 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Quentin Castille, 20-102. Receiving: Terrence Nunn, 4-24
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Oklahoma State loss wasn't even as close as the 45-14 score would indicate. Where the passing from Sam Keller? Isn't the passing game supposed to be able to bomb its way back into games like this? Where's the production from the lines? The defensive line hasn't even been close over the last two weeks to doing anything right, while the linebackers haven't been the difference makers they're supposed to be. With the run defense having so many problems, the last thing the team needs is to see Texas A&M coming to town.

Oct. 6
Missouri 41 ... Nebraska 6
606 yards of total offense to 297. 32 first downs. Only two field goals allowed. Missouri dominated Nebraska in every way possible, as Chase Daniel threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, highlighted by a 48-yard play to Danario Alexander late in the third quarter that made the blowout an epic rout. The Huskers could only manage Alex Henery first half field goals from 26 and 39 yards out. The Tigers got their final points off a fake field goal, with Martin Rucker taking it in from ten yards out.
Player of the game: Missouri QB Chase Daniel completed 33 of 47 passes for 401 yards and two touchdowns, and ran 11 times for 72 yards and two scores.
Stat Leaders: Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 25-43, 223 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 17-67. Receiving: Marlon Lucky, 7-56
Missouri - Passing: Chase Daniel, 33-47, 401 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Chase Daniel, 11-72, 2 TD. Receiving: Martin Rucker, 9-109, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Is this rock bottom for Nebraska? It's one thing to get blown out by USC, it's another to struggle to get by Ball State and Iowa State, and it's another to get annihilated by Missouri in such a crushing fashion. The Huskers weren't even close, with nothing of note from the passing game, no chance to get the running game going, and a lifeless effort from the defense. It'll be interesting to see the fallout. The program isn't going to stand for many more of these.

Sept. 29
Nebraska 35 ... Iowa State 17
Iowa State jumped out to a 10-0 first half lead, helped by a three-yard Jason Scales touchdown run, and then Nebraska took over with 28 straight points, with Sam Keller throwing a six-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Lawson, and Marlon Lucky running for a 41-yard score and throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Sean Hill. The Cyclones were marching, and appeared to be on the verge of turning things around, but Bo Ruud picked off a pass and took it 93 yards for a score. Keller and Lawson hooked up against from four yards out late in the fourth to put the game well out of reach.
Player of the game: Nebraska RB Marlon Lucky ran 16 times for 107 yards and a score, caught four passes for 16 yards, and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Stat Leaders: Iowa State - Passing: Bret Meyer, 26-51, 281 yds, 3 INTs
Rushing: Jason Scales, 31-115, 2 TDs. Receiving: Marquis Hamilton, 6-72
Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 18-28, 219 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 16-107, 1 TD. Receiving: Nate Swift, 4-59
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's not like the Husker offense is humming, but it's effective enough to beat the bad teams like Iowa State. The big concern was how it took so long to put away an inferior opponent for a second straight week, after having so many problems with Ball State. The defense forced four turnovers and did a good job of generating pressure, while Sam Keller was efficient, if not sensational. The team needs to be far more explosive to come up with a win in Missouri next week, and it has to do a far better job of controlling the clock, having only held on to the ball for 20:17.

Sept. 22
Nebraska 41 ... Ball State 40
Nebraska's record-setting offensive day almost went for naught as Ball State had a last-second field goal attempt to win the game, but Jake Hogue's 55-yard field goal attempt want wide left to give the Huskers the win. It was close, as BSU just missed on what would've been a sure touchdown pass to go for the field goal attempt. The Cardinals got up 37-28 in the fourth quarter on the third Nate Davis touchdown pass of the day, going 21 yards to Madaris Grant. The Huskers got back in it on a 34-yard Bo Ruud interception return for a score, and later went ahead for good on a 11-yard Maurice Purify touchdown catch. The Husker offense got 398 passing yards from Sam Keller, highlighted by a 73-yard scoring pass to Sean Hill, but Ball State's Davis was even better, connecting with Dante Love for a 58-yards score and Darius Hill for a 20-yard touchdown. In all the two teams combined for 1,162 yards of total offense.
Player of the game ... Nebraska QB Sam Keller completed 36 of 54 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns with an interception.
Stat Leaders: Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 36-54, 438 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 21-102, 1 TD Receiving: Marlon Lucky, 11-81
Ball State - Passing: Nate Davis, 26-43, 422 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: MiQuale Lewis, 19-122, 1 TD   Receiving: Dante Love, 10-214, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... This is why you have a Sam Keller. Ball State's offense is more dangerous than you might think, but that's not going to soothe any angered Husker fan worried about how close the Cardinals came to pulling off the win. Fortunately for the Nebraska offense, Keller showed how he can bomb away and keep pace when the defense couldn't come up with a stop. As close a call as this was, if there's a blowout win over Iowa State next week, the ship might be righted before the pivotal showdown with Missouri. The secondary had better get far tighter before then.

Sept. 15
USC 49 ... Nebraska 31
USC rolled for 313 rushing yards in a blowout that was far worse than the final score would indicate. Down 10-7 after a Cody Glenn touchdown run, the Trojans caught a huge break when Malcolm Smith picked up a fumbled kickoff return and took 64 yards to the Husker 45. Five plays later, Stanley Havilii ran for a two-yard score, and the rout was on. USC scored 35 straight points helped by two interceptions and two Chauncey Washington touchdown runs. Nebraska bombed away to make the score look better, with two Sam Keller to Todd Peterson touchdown passes in the final 4:32.
Player of the game ... USC LB Keith Rivers made ten tackles, broke up a pass, and added a quarterback hurry
Stat Leaders: Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 36-54, 389 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 17-33 Receiving: Maurice Purify, 7-80
USC - Passing: John David Booty, 19-30, 144 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Stafon Johnson, 11-144, 1 TD   Receiving: Fred Davis, 3-38
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Nebraska appeared to prepare for everything but the possibility of its defensive line getting obliterated by the USC offensive line. The Trojans are far more talented than the Huskers, but the USC skill players didn't necessarily do anything special. The O line opened up huge holes to sprint through, while the defense teed off on the Nebraska running game to force Sam Keller to throw it 54 times. The important thing now for Nebraska is to not be completely demoralized. This is the type of game that kills a program's confidence, especially one like Nebraska that planned on this being a possible coming out party. With Ball State and Iowa State ahead to tune up against before the showdown at Missouri, the season has hardly started.

Sept. 8
Nebraska 20 ... Wake Forest 17
Nebraska overcame three turnovers, including a critical interception, and had to hang on late to pull off the tight win. Marlon Lucky's 22-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter gave the Huskers the lead, but it took a Zackary Bowman interception in the end zone late in the fourth to preserve it. The two teams traded scores all day, with Wake Forest getting two short touchdown runs, and a 25-yard Sam Swank field goal, while the Huskers got two Alex Henery field goals along with a 25-yard touchdown catch from Sam Hill.
Player of the game: Nebraska CB Zackary Bowman made seven tackles and a critical interception in the end zone
Stat Leaders: Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 24-41, 258 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 24-90, 1 TD. Receiving: Terrence Nunn, 6-83
Wake Forest - Passing: Brett Hodges, 12-24, 140 yds, 2 INTs
Rushing: Kenneth Moore, 8-116, 1 TD. Receiving: Kenneth Moore, 4-35
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Don't read too much into the close call at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are good, and this was a battle the team needed to fight through to get to the USC showdown. Even so, it has to be a little bit of a concern that it hasn't clicked yet for Sam Keller and the passing game. Keller wasn't needed against Nevada, but he failed to do much against a Wake Forest secondary that got bombed on by Boston College the week before. The defense had way too many problems with the Wake running game, but it held tough when it had to.

Sept. 1
Nebraska 52 ... Nevada 10
Marlon Lucky tore off three touchdown runs and caught a 16-yard touchdown pass as Nebraska overcame an early 10-7 deficit to score 45 unanswered points. Quentin Castille added two short touchdown runs and added 78 yards helping the Huskers roll up 413 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Nevada only managed nine first downs to Nebraska's 35, and got its points on a 36-yard Brett Jaekle field goal and an 80-yard Jonathon Amaya interception return. The Huskers held on to the ball for 40:38.
Player of the game ... Nebraska RB Marlon Lucky rushed 30 times for 233 yards and three touchdowns, and had three receptions for 33 yards and another score.
Stat Leaders: Nevada- Passing: Nick Graziano, 8-24, 109 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Nick Graziano, 6-29 Receiving: Mike McCoy, 2-27
Nebraska - Passing: Sam Keller, 14-25, 193 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 30-233, 3 TDs Receiving: Marlon Lucky, 3-31, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... All eyes were on Sam Keller in his debut for the Huskers, and outside of an interception returned for a touchdown, he was decent. However, the win over Nevada came from the running game, as Marlon Lucky showed a flash of the greatness many expected from him when he was one of the team's superstar recruits a few years ago. The defense dominated the Wolf Pack from the start, and was especially nasty on third downs. As long as the running game controls the tempo, and the D gets quick stops, this will be a nasty team to beat over the next few weeks in big games against Wake Forest and USC.