UNO offense vs. ESU defense
At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Zach Miller is the key to the Mavericks’ option offense. He ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries and threw for 175 yards and a touchdown on 5-of-8 passing last week against Nebraska-Kearney in UNO’s opener.
“He does some good things because he’s a dual threat and I love dual threat quarterbacks,” Higgins said. “He’s similar to Andre (Sloan El), but two Andres make up one of him, he’s so big.”
The UNO offense has the ability to score in buches, and scored 35 points alone in the third quarter last week.
The ESU defense has been just as impressive in the first two weeks, ranking as the top scoring defense in the conference and sixth in the nation.
ESU offense vs. UNO defense
Emporia State’s offense did not get off to a good start in its first series last week against Augustana, going backwards 19 yards.
“That first series we looked like the Bad News Bears,” Higgins said.
The Hornets will obviously need to get off to a better start against the No. 5 team in the country. The UNO defense has a lot of size up front and has a lot of speed and size at linebacker. The Mavericks will be the best defense by far the Hornets have faced this season.
Higgins said the key this week is running the football. The Hornets did not run well last week — 69 yards on 41 carries — but Sloan El has been efficient and effective in the passing game.