LINCOLN — Niles Paul and Prince Amukamara spent most of the first half in each other's ear hole, trading verbal jabs. It's been that way most of the spring.

But after Saturday's showcase, after his chief rival caught five passes for 103 yards, Prince felt compelled to approach Paul and concede victory. Sort of.

“You may have won the battle,” he said, “but you didn't win the war.”

Paul's response: “That was the war for spring ball.”

Spring games are tough to analyze. Does a shootout indicate offensive strength or defensive weakness? Do broken tackles indicate a tough runner or soft defenders?

But this much we know: In 2009, wide receiver was one of the weakest positions on the roster. And cornerback was one of the best.

So Husker fans should be thrilled to see one of the nation's best corners take a few licks. If Niles Paul can do it to Prince, who sticks to receivers like those rubber pellets in the FieldTurf, he can do it to anyone.

It wasn't just Paul on Saturday, either. No. 2 wideout Brandon Kinnie caught a ball over the middle and dragged defenders 10 yards into the end zone — with a little help from his friends.

Will Henry reeled in a 72-yard touchdown. Mike McNeill, the trusty tight end turned wideout, looked comfortable outside the hash marks.

But the offensive star was Niles Paul.

Twice he beat Amukamara for big plays, once for 48 yards, once for 31 yards. Paul wasn't open either time, but he adjusted to the ball and snatched it before Prince could deflect it.

“That's the difference between honorable-mention all-conference and all-conference,” receivers coach Ted Gilmore said. “You've got to go up and make those plays.”

Gilmore challenged Paul this spring.

His message: Spend more time studying film. Critique yourself. Learn the entire offense, not just your position. Be more precise with technique.

“He did things this spring that a couple years ago I didn't think Niles could do,” Gilmore said. “He's a big, young guy. He's never really had to pay attention to much technique, because he's been able to just pull himself through things.

“Well, at this level, there are guys just as big, coached just as well. When he puts himself in a bind, it's because he's not trusting his technique.

“That's where he's made the biggest improvement. He's listening. He's becoming more coachable.”

Sometimes receivers must rely on physical ability to make a play, Gilmore said. But sometimes, precise technique is the only way to get open and make a catch.

Paul, a senior who caught 40 balls for 796 yards in 2009, says he's now a “more detailed player.”

“I'm getting in and out of my routes quicker,” Paul said. “I'm stronger. I'm more explosive off the line. Just adjusting to the ball better. Just doing all the little things better to get open.”

Paul occasionally looked marvelous last year, especially late in the season. But he lacked consistency. Sometimes he got sloppy with the ball, or with his routes.

This winter, Paul spent a few days with Maurice Purify, former Husker and current Cincinnati Bengals wideout.

Purify showed Paul a few tricks to get away from corners at the line of scrimmage. He was impressed by Paul's willingness to learn.

“He wants to be good,” Purify said. “That's half the battle. There's nothing holding him back. He can be as good as he wants.”

Which would be a relief for Gilmore, who had a excruciating season last fall.

Entering 2009, Gilmore knew he didn't have a receiver who had been an every-down player. He hoped a few guys would step up. Didn't happen.

Failures in the passing game — partly the receiver's fault, partly the quarterback's — prompted NU to “pull in the reins,” Gilmore said, and focus on power running.

Gilmore believes a persistent focus on fundamentals this year could make a huge difference. He saw the fruit Saturday. Excitement had returned to his voice.

Kinnie is playing with more confidence in his second year with the Huskers. Thinking less, reacting more.

There's still a hole at No. 3 wideout, but McNeill could fill it. He said Saturday that he expects to line up everywhere in the fall: at tight end, in the slot, even split wide.

Paul, however, is the undisputed leader. As he goes, so go the receivers. Can he be All-Big 12? Can he develop the consistency?

He'll get help from No. 21 in the black practice jersey.

A year ago in practice, Amukamara covered whoever lined up in front of him. Not this year. He and Paul intentionally match up as much as possible.

“We've come to realize,” Paul said, “I'm the best competition for him, and he's the best competition for me.”

Contact the writer:

649-1461, dirk.chatelain@owh.com

« Sports - Big Red Today

Share