From the Sidelines
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Dave Bradley
While the Nebraska football program is making noise nationally for all the wrong reasons, there’s one member of the team who is slowly progressing his way up the depth chart in one of the feel-good stories of the year.
Former Aurora Husky Ian Boerkircher has climbed up to the number two option at right tackle, just behind starter Bryce Benhart.
It’s a story that is well-chronicled, but a story that is still kind of amazing.
While the Huskers suffered another terribly disappointing setback on Saturday to Purdue, and while the players and coaches (and fans) are seeking answers, following the game Ian told me the players are going to remain positive and that eventually, they’ll get the program back to where it belongs.
And while he didn’t get any snaps against the Boilermakers, he is still involved with his support from the sidelines.
He told me following the game that he found out about his promotion before the Minnesota contest a couple weeks ago.
“It actually happened before Minnesota when Teddy went down with his knee injury,” he said. “One of my assistant coaches came up and talked to me and said I just need to be ready to go if something happens (to Benhart). It was very exciting. I immediately started going over the game plan and reaffirming everything that I had learned that week. It was definitely cool.”
While Ian didn’t see any snaps against the Boilermakers, Austin Allen of course did, making three catches for 28 yards along with some crushing blocks against defenders, most notably two key runs by Jaquez Yant in the second quarter on the edge that sprung the freshman running back. That eventually lead to an Adrian Martinez four-yard touchdown run in the south end zone with 10:45 left before halftime to give the Huskers a 14-7 lead.
But credit Purdue in forcing a huge turnover at the 5:05 mark of the game as a pass intended for Austin was knocked up in the air, safety Chris Jefferson going high to snatch the ball.
Austin told the media afterwards at the main podium that his frustration level is at an all-time high, saying he let his teammates and the entire state down because he didn’t control what he could control.
He, along with the other captains, addressed the team following the loss after Coach Scott Frost left the locker room.
And as much as fans appreciate him taking part of the blame, anyone who saw the play could and would never expect any receiver to make that catch. Rather, give props to cornerback Dedrick Mackey for a key deflection.
Ian added that advancing up on the depth chart definitely gave him some energy to keep working.
“I try to work hard every time I’m out there (at practice).,” he said. “It was cool. It kind of gave me some fuel.”
Earlier in the week, Husker starting right tackle Turner Corcoran was asked about the rise of Ian, and he had nothing but praise for the transfer from UNK, talking about his hard work and consistent improvement to becoming a great player.
“I heard the words he said and I thanked him.,” Ian mentioned. “I just try to work hard and try to be a positive influence on the O-line. I try to help people out as much as I can and not get discouraged.”
Nebraska’s offensive line is still not quite there as evidence in their 143 net rushing yards against Purdue. Part of that, just possibly, is due to the fact that they’ve had to shuffle things around a couple times this season due to an injury to true freshman Teddy Prochazka at left tackle.
Ian said he knows his teammates and that he has faith in whoever the coaches turn to next.
“I have faith in any guy that’s asked to replace,” he said. “Bryce is a very hard worker and he knows what he’s doing. I think the chemistry is great. Obviously things haven’t been going the way we want but we just have to keep making plays.”
As far as now being number two on the depth chart, one injury play away from being part of the top unit, Ian said the approach on the sidelines really hasn’t changed one bit.
“Our coaches, especially the O-line coaches, emphasize if you’re a four or if you’re a two, you’re watching stunts and giving feedback to the players. It didn’t really change. I just try to focus in as much as I can.”
Ian’s brother, freshman tight end Nate, got his first catch against Buffalo earlier this season, and another against Northwestern. He said it’s fun to see him have success, too.
“Nate works really hard and it’s been exciting to see him get some love. Both of us just try to work as hard as we can and let everything else figure itself out.”
So the question that’s now being asked is where will the program go from here, with Ohio State coming to town on Saturday, followed by Wisconsin and then Iowa?
“It’s up to us in the program to fix it,” Ian added. “We’re going to reset and work as hard as we can every week.”
DAVE BRADLEY can be reached at advertising@hamilton.net.
