On Friday morning, former Nebraska starting right guard Micah Mazzccua was spotted boarding a plane to San Francisco. The right guard has definitely had an impact on the field when he has been playing this season. Mazzccua came into Nebraska as a future NFL draft pick, and has played like one. However, his off the field mentality may not be matching up with what the Huskers coaching staff would like to see. Micah has transferred twice in his career, his journey began at Baylor then Florida before landing at Nebraska. When we look into this paired with the recent events we see a pattern emerge that could end up in a potential NFL starting right guard looking for a different career path.
Mazzccua is a player that has always played with an attitude, looking back to last year’s Florida vs Tennessee game that ended with Mazzccua in a fist fight on the field with a Tennessee player. His on the field production definitely does not go without notice though. Being questionably the Huskers best offensive lineman against UTEP and Colorado, Mazzccua graded out well in both the pass game and in run blocking. A big bodied, aggressive offensive tackle that opened up running lanes for the silky smooth law firm of Dowdell, Johnson & Johnson, Mazzccua was on his way to his best year yet. Things took a turn for the worse after the Colorado game when he was spotted arguing with offensive line coach Donovan Raiola on the sidelines.
Mazzccua does still have one year of eligibility if he uses his redshirt this year since he has only played in two games, so he may transfer out if problems with the team and coaching staff do not get worked out by season end. But where does that leave Nebraska’s offensive line room? The past two weeks have shown deficiencies on the offensive line. Who will take Micha’s place and how will this affect the offense as a whole?
With Turner Corcoran going down Saturday with a significant hamstring injury leaving redshirt freshman Gunner Gottula to get the start on Saturday against Perdue. Sophomore Justin Evans will continue to grow and continue to do an unexpectedly outstanding job at the left guard spot as Ben Scott stays at center. Henry Lutovsky will take Mazzccua’s place at right guard as he has done the past two weeks with Bryce Benhart continuing his tradition of starting at right tackle. The line looked weak last friday, with Illinois stopping the run at will and even getting pressure on Raiola, especially in the dreadful overtime performance. We will see this Saturday if this newly put together offensive line can get the job done or if the trouble in the trenches continues for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
