LINCOLN — The first two days of game planning are still a little rough on Eric Hagg.

He reviews the receivers' tendencies on certain routes, familiarizes himself with the opponent's go-to running plays, and at the same time, does his best to properly execute Nebraska's newly designed method of counterattack.

For more than a year, Hagg's been operating as the team's primary nickel back, a hybrid position that combines the responsibilities of a linebacker and a cornerback.

And still, Hagg spends the beginning of game weeks mentally juggling all of his duties, not exactly sure how he'll carry out his role on every play.

“The first couple days of practices are really stressful, I think, because I don't understand it all,” he said. “Your role kind of changes. But then when you get going, it starts making more sense.”

Things have begun to click more quickly now, not like this time a year ago. Last season, Hagg said practices were crazy.

Still, despite the various initial mishaps, it's not difficult to be patient with Hagg. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he's a gifted athlete, strong enough to bang with linemen and agile enough to stick with receivers. It's his versatility that makes Hagg an ideal nickel back.

“I think his talent can match up with anybody,” secondary coach Marvin Sanders said. “He's special because he can do so much.”

It doesn't take Hagg too long to catch on. By the week's fourth practice, more or less the Huskers' last chance to fine-tune their game-specific strategies, Hagg is strutting around the field as if he'd never once been overwhelmed two days earlier.

Come game day, Hagg knows that he's doing what the coaches ask. And that shows on the field, according to senior safety Larry Asante.

“I think the confidence part has just went up,” Asante said. “He's night and day compared to last year.”

Playing the position he does, Hagg can't afford to doubt himself.

When three or more receivers are on the field, Hagg's there too, matched up against a wide variety of athletes.

Hagg played until Nebraska's 55-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette got out of hand. He forced a fumble and had six tackles. One of those came on the opening series when he stopped a 6-foot-6, 230-pound Cajun tight end in the open field, 1 yard short of a first down.

His playing time is only going to increase. Thursday, Nebraska begins Big 12 play with a North Division showdown at Missouri. The Tigers average 310 passing yards per game, ranking as the nation's 10th-best passing offense

Texas Tech, which brings its spread attack to Memorial Stadium Oct. 17, ranks second nationally in passing yards per game (421.4). Two weeks later, Nebraska hosts Oklahoma.

“It just gives us both a chance to see actually where we're at,” Hagg said. “Now we're in the Big 12.”

He will see speedsters. He'll see tight ends. There will be receivers who will try to over-power him with physicality and shifty guys who'll use their quickness to get an advantage.

But Sanders said he doesn't hesitate putting Hagg into a one-on-one situation with anyone.

“He really understands his ability,” Sanders said. “It comes with confidence. (To) believe that you can do it with the best of them, (that) takes time to develop. And I think he's there now.”

Contact the writer:

402-473-9585, jon.nyatawa@owh.com

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