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 Nebraska names Crouch starting QB Previous starter Newcombe stays on field at wingback
Posted: Tuesday September 14, 1999 10:27 PM
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Head coach Frank Solich found one way to end the quarterback controversy for No. 4 Nebraska. Heralded junior Bobby Newcombe, who started the first two games of the season, was moved to wingback Tuesday while sophomore Eric Crouch, who excelled as his backup, was named the starter. "This will give us a chance to have two great football players on the field at the same time," Solich said. "They both feel very comfortable about moving into the roles that we've asked them to move into." Newcombe also will return punts, which he did as a freshman. And if Newcombe was unhappy about the move, he didn't show it in front of the dozens of reporters gathered for Solich's weekly new conference. Newcombe smiled when Solich made the announcement. He grinned when Crouch took questions from reporters. And he cracked jokes when it was his turn to field questions. "Wingback Bobby Newcombe," he said as he clipped on a microphone and flashed his patented, toothy grin. Crouch and Newcombe both stressed the moves were best for the team. "I definitely feel ... it's going to improve our offense," Crouch said. "We've got a great wingback out there." Newcombe said that while "my heart is still at quarterback," he would take the change in stride. He said the thought of quitting the team never entered his mind. "I gave my word to come here," Newcombe said. "I don't give my word to people ... and then not follow through on it. I like it here." When Solich named Newcombe the starter over Crouch for the Iowa game, he said it was his toughest decision in 30 years of coaching. Crouch was upset about the decision and Solich drove to Omaha, Crouch's hometown, to talk with him. In order to give Crouch more time on the field, he was used some at wingback the first two games. While both Crouch and Newcombe have played well, Crouch's heroics led to his being named ABC-TV's Player of the Game two weeks in a row, and to an increasing clamour from some fans to let him start. Against Iowa, Newcombe rushed for two touchdowns and passed for another while Crouch ran for three scores. Last Saturday against California, Crouch became the first Nebraska player since Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers in 1973 to run, throw and catch a pass for a touchdown. Crouch was 2-for-2 passing for 102 yards and a touchdown, had nine carries for 21 yards and two scores and caught one Newcombe pass while playing wingback for a 60-yard touchdown. Through two games, Crouch was 5-of-7 for 170 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He is the team's second-leading rusher, with 113 yards on 14 carries -- an average of 8.1 yards a rush -- and five touchdowns. Newcombe was 10-of-17 for 213 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He has rushed for 46 yards on 27 carries -- an average of 1.7 yards -- scoring three times. Nebraska takes on Southern Mississippi on Saturday. Solich said Newcombe will continue to practice at quarterback, but would only play the position in an emergency. Senior Jeff Perino is now listed as the second team quarterback. Newcombe, who dazzled fans with his athleticism and speed while playing wingback as a freshman in 1997, tore a knee ligament in last season's opener. He returned three games later but was not nearly as effective and opted for reconstructive surgery in December. He finished the season with just 228 yards rushing and was 50-of-79 passing. Crouch, who was 4-2 as a starter last year after Newcombe was injured, was Nebraska's second leading rusher (459 yards, five touchdowns) and completed nearly 49 percent of his passes. Toward the end of the news conference, Crouch and Newcombe shook hands in the back of the room. "I think he has a great attitude," Crouch said. "I do owe him a touchdown pass."
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