The Eastern Illinois Panthers clawed at NIU’s bowl credibility Saturday night, exposing a Huskie weakness and then weakening it further.

The Huskies gave up 232 ground yards, a feat just two teams accomplished last year (Nebraska 455, Southwestern Louisiana 234). Besides freshman quarterback Jeff Thorne’s scrambles, just five of EIU’s 44 runs were outside the defensive tackles. With two inexperienced tackles, NIU had a defensive guts-ache.

With gutty performances from its linebackers, notably first-time starter Steve Henriksen (16 unassisted tackles, two for loss, one pass break-up), the Huskies shut the Panthers out in the second half. EIU still put together drives of 98 and 65 yards, both ending on Thorne miscues.

EIU will continue to be a thorn in NIU’s side. Defensive end Cary Caliendo is doubtful for this week’s Nebraska game (dislocated elbow) and his opposite, right end Scott Van Bellinger, is questionable with a muscle strain in his neck.

Was it as bad as it reads?

“We made some mistakes, but we battled and we’re gonna battle and get better,” said defensive line coach Sheldon Herd. “I was impressed because guys were in there battling and doing some things. It wasn’t a situation where they just gave up and quit, they kept battling—that’s why we won the ball game. We’ve got some improving to do and we’re gonna get better.”

The Huskies have a few days to shore up the middle for their game against the Nebraska Cornrushers Saturday at Norman, Okla. Big Red ran for 455 yards in its 48-17 win and passed for 102. Nebraska is without All-Big Eight tailback Ken Clark, who rushed for 168 yards on 14 carries in that contest.

Just two Nebraska offensive starters return, the fewest returnees in head coach Tom Osborne’s Cornhusker career. Against Baylor last week, Nebraska ran 49 times, threw eight passes and didn’t break the plane until the last minute of the game for a 13-0 win. Sophomore Scott Baldwin rushed for 92 yards on 14 carries.

“Nebraska’s gonna be Nebraska, no matter who they line up,” said Herd.

Behind Caliendo and Van Bellinger on the Huskie media guide depth chart are Tim Green and Mike Jordan, respectively. Green racked up two hits for nine yards in losses against the Cornhuskers last year and Jordan filled in well for Van Bellinger Saturday night, with two tackles for loss including the Huskies’ only sack.

Huskie linebacker Nick Jones said he hardly noticed EIU’s Thorne was playing in his first college contest.