Sterup seized chance to return to starting lineup

[rl]The start of Zach Sterup's season was a nightmare for any senior. After starting 10 games at right tackle as a junior, Sterup figured to reprise the role in his final campaign.

But injuries held him back in fall camp, where redshirt freshman Nick Gates stood out and impressed Mike Cavanaugh and the new coaching staff. When Sterup returned, he found his role was usurped by a player three years his junior.

But Sterup didn't mope or complain and his patience paid off. Gates injured his ankle against Wisconsin and missed the next two contests as well, allowing Sterup back into the starting lineup. His play wasn't perfect, but he performed well enough that the coaches didn't feel right about simply sitting him when Gates returned for the Michigan State contest. Sterup had to be on the field somehow.

That's how the towering 6-foot-8, 320-lb. Sterup became Nebraska's right guard, a position he'd never played previously, replacing fellow senior Chongo Kondolo. And despite his inexperience, Sterup has refused to give the position back, starting the past three games on the inside.

"The more reps I can get, the better I feel there," Sterup said. "Last week during the first few practices of bowl prep I was a little rusty. We hadn't practiced for two weeks so I had to get back in the flow of things, but I'm getting more and more comfortable with each rep I take."

Sterup's first test was a brutal one. The Spartans boast the Big Ten's second-best rushing defense and Sterup was asked to pave the way against Malik McDowell and the rest of MSU's hearty defensive line. But the Huskers ran for 179 yards and averaged nearly five yards per carry as they knocked off the then-No. 6 Spartans.

"I was out there pretty raw and I didn't really know what I was doing," Sterup said. "Now I'm getting more comfortable with the play calls and the play designs and also the technique."

The good vibes have carried on since that game. In the three games that Sterup and Gates have started together, the Huskers have averaged 163.3 rushing yards per game and have given up just one sack. Nebraska averaged 149 rushing yards and surrendered six sacks in its first five Big Ten contests.

Sterup's career sendoff will come against a team that on paper doesn't look nearly as tough as Michigan State or Iowa. UCLA is seventh in the Pac-12 in rushing defense and has been ravaged by injuries to key defenders this year.

But Sterup isn't taking the Bruins lightly as he prepares for his final game. After almost losing his job, he knows better than to take anything for granted.

"They're talented," Sterup said. "Their whole defense is full of talented guys. They fly around and they're fast, athletic guys, so it's going to be a good challenge for us."

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