Every player is looking for an opportunity.
Nebraska was down 10-0 and reeling midway through the second quarter against Troy on Saturday, when Will Honas got his.
Things had just gotten worse for Nebraska in the process, however, as junior linebacker Mohamed Barry lowered his head and dove into a pile.
He connected with Troy quarterback Sawyer Smith’s head and earned an ejection for the rest of what became Nebraska’s first 0-2 start in more than 60 years.
Honas came in for his second appearance in Memorial Stadium, and two plays later, Troy running back BJ Smith ran past his outstretched arm and scored to push the deficit to 17-0.
“I was the quarterback player, and I ended up being too far outside to get the running back. I wish I could have made that play,†Honas said.
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A week removed from that team-leading, eight-tackle performance, Honas will sink his teeth into some of the true reasons he came to the Big Ten.
The run game and road tests.
“They’re loading the box and trying to come right at us, and as a linebacker that’s what you want. You want a physical game, football is all about being physical as a linebacker,†he said.
Honas will get his wish, with Michigan averaging 5.9 yards per rush this season.
Senior Wolverine running back Karan Higdon has accumulated 228 yards rushing and is averaging 6.7 per carry.
“Pro-style football is unique now. It’s stuff that I grew up playing against and played against for years in the NFL,†Nebraska inside linebacker coach Barrett Ruud said. “But most of these guys don’t see it. They don’t see a true fullback.â€
Honas will see a lot of tight ends as well in Michigan’s offense Saturday. The Wolverines had two tight ends in this season’s Mackey Award watch list — Sean McKeon and Zach Gentry.
Honas is looking forward to seeing more than just the on-the-field personnel on Saturday, though.
He said Memorial Stadium has been a great experience, and he’s positive the Big House in Ann Arbor won’t disappoint, either.
“It’s going to be awesome, I mean playing here is incredible and I think playing there will be just as special. It should be a lot of fun,†Honas said.
Even with Nebraska still searching for its first win of the season, Honas said there's no sense of panic. The details just need to be emphasized more, especially now against Big Ten opponents.
Honas said Ruud has been pressing the little things all week.
“His message to us is we have to be more detailed, little things are costing us. Whether it’s being off one step in our footwork or our fit, small things add up and end up being big things, and that is what cost us the game.â€