Stuntz takes safety first approach at Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. - As Mike Stuntz walks off the University of Nebraska practice field his face looks almost as red as the jersey he's wearing. It's 100-degrees and the senior Husker's been working hard.

"I want to get on the field this year as much as possible," said the former St. Albert High School All-American. Stuntz is reflective as he sits in the bleachers, nodding to teammates as they make their way to the locker room. Perspiration beads sit on his upper lip. "I didn't shave today," Stuntz says, grinning as he gets his picture taken.

"I talked to Coach Norvell after last season and decided I would have a better chance of playing at safety," Stuntz said. It's his third position as a Husker. Stuntz, a quarterback and cornerback standout in high school, began his Big Red career as a split end, playing in 10 games as a freshman in 2001.

But it was a pass, not a catch, that secured Stuntz's place in Husker lore. For N.U. fans it was THE pass, at least for that year, if not for all time - a 63-yard touchdown to quarterback Eric Crouch, who won the Heisman Trophy that season, against Oklahoma on a reverse. It helped secure the win against the team Nebraskans loves to beat. "It felt great," Stuntz said. "At the time it was huge for me. I used to watch Nebraska play Oklahoma on T.V. when I was a kid and I knew what a big game it was."

As a sophomore, Stuntz played in six games as Jammal Lord's backup quarterback. He completed 10 of 25 passes for 100 yards, including 72 yards on seven completions against Iowa State.

"I was a big Iowa fan growing up," Stuntz said. "I am the only one in my family who didn't go there. But I always rooted for the Cyclones except when they played the Hawkeyes."

Stuntz redshirted in 2003 and last year was a reserve quarterback, whose primary role was assisting the transition to the West Coast Offense by signaling plays from the sideline. An option quarterback in high school, Stuntz's quarterback skills were better suited to Frank Solich's offense.

"Right now Coach Busch (safeties' coach) said I'm number three on the depth chart with Tyler Fisher," Stuntz said. He said he's still learning the position. "It's a whole new deal from playing cornerback. It's not hard to learn, I just have to get some experience."

Stuntz likes his new coach. "He (Busch) keeps things interesting. He doesn't just talk and talk and talk. He's not so serious and makes it fun."

Stuntz has worked with a lot of coaches in his four Nebraska seasons, some because he switched positions, others due to coaching changes under Solich and last year's regime change. The 22-year-old said the coaches' revolving door has been good and bad.

"I've had the chance to work with a lot of great coaches," Stuntz said, rattling off the names - Brown, Gill, Cotton, Norvell, Bush, Callahan. "At the same time, it's been frustrating because I've never felt totally comfortable. I don't know them, they don't know me, but that's the way it works. I do the best I can."

He has no regrets about his decision to join the Huskers. "I thought about it day after day after day for a while," he said. "But it was the right choice and if I had to do it over again I would do the same thing." Stuntz said he only wishes he could contribute more and hopes this season he'll see more action. "I am looking forward to it," he said. The Huskers open the season Sept. 3 against Maine.

"I am not going to make any predictions on our record, but I know we will be a lot better this year," Stuntz said. "Our comfort level is a lot higher running the system, especially defensively. We are doing less thinking and more reacting."

As a boy, Stuntz told his dad he wanted to play for Iowa, but in high school he realized the Nebraska option system suited him better. "It came down to Nebraska as choice 1-a and Iowa 1-b."

Stuntz said most Iowans have been understanding and supportive of his decision. "I get some good-natured ribbing and a few with more sinister comments," he said. "But that is rare and most people have been very supportive."

He hopes to return to the Metro area after graduating in May with a professional golf management degree. Stuntz said he's not certain what he'll do. "I got to work at a country club in Lincoln this summer and that was a good experience. I think it would be fun to be a teaching professional."

Stuntz said he keeps tabs on his alma mater, regularly checking St. Albert's scores online. "I know fewer and fewer names, but I will be a follower forever."

08/13/2005 TOM MCMAHON, Daily Nonpareil