Foppa
New member
Octavien wants to start shining
BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 - 11:58:42 pm CDT
Do not, under any circumstances, mention the words “Steve Octavien” and “flashes” in the same sentence.
As least, don’t do it in the presence of Octavien. He’ll cringe and bristle.
And that’s when he’s in a good mood.
Example: “Steve Octavien has shown flashes of being a havoc-wreaking linebacker during his Nebraska career.”
Here come the contorted facial expressions �-
“See, that’s the thing,” Octavien said in an upbeat tone. “You say ‘flashes’ and I don’t like hearing about ‘flashes’ because I’m not a ‘flash’ guy, ya know?
“I mean, I play ball.”
Octavien doesn’t necessarily disagree with the “flash” label. He understands it. He’s just disgusted that his entire career, beset by numerous injuries, has been a series of “flashes.”
A broken leg here, an appendectomy there. Throw in a nagging hamstring and a bum ankle, and you’ve got a head start on Octavien’s medical history.
Those problems, Octavien said, are finally behind him.
“Truthfully, I’ve never been better,” Octavien said. “Seriously, I’m 100 percent. This is the first time in a long time I’ve been 100 percent. Stronger, faster, mentally prepared.”
Don’t brush over the “mentally prepared” comment. Octavien said his mental and spiritual health was causing as much pain as his legs.
“In January, I contemplated a lot of things, man,” said Octavien, a senior from Naples, Fla. “It was probably the toughest time for me.”
Octavien declined to elaborate, saying only that he was “really lost” and wasn’t certain what he wanted to do with school and football.
Did he contemplate quitting?
“No, no �- I really don’t want to get into that. I’m not saying that,” Octavien said. “I’m just saying that �- a lot of things went through my head. I was just really lost. Just the way I was living, it wasn’t good. It was just very unhealthy.”
Octavien said several visits with Matt Penland, the team chaplain, helped him turn his life around. He says his life is more complete spiritually, which helped him with football.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said he’s noticed a difference.
“Mentally, he’s as good as he’s ever been,” Cosgrove said. “We’ve talked about it. He’s in a great frame of mind right now.”
Cosgrove wants Octavien to lose about five pounds from his 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame. Other than that, Octavien seems physically ready to contribute more consistently.
“We trained really hard (in the summer),” Octavien said. “I didn’t want any regrets this year. It’s my final year, so I did everything I could do to get to this point.”
Octavien came to Nebraska from William Rainey Harper (Ill.) College, where he played only four games in 2004 because of injury. As a Husker, he broke his leg in the first quarter of his first game in 2005 against Maine. He missed the rest of the season.
In that one quarter, he had four tackles, including two for loss, and conjured images of Terrell Farley and Demorrio Williams in the minds of Husker faithful.
Last season, Octavien was slow to recover from an appendectomy in fall camp. In game three against USC, he suffered a hamstring injury and missed Nebraska’s next four games. He had a triumphant return against Texas -- 10 tackles, seven unassisted -- and capped the game with �- a sprained ankle.
“I was like, ‘Man, this is getting frustrating,’ ” said Octavien, who missed the next game against Oklahoma State.
“Since I got here �- I’ve never really been able to showcase my abilities, never really got to play the way I want to play.”
Octavien will have every opportunity this season. He’s the starting WILL linebacker, replacing Bo Ruud, who’s moved to the SAM position. In Nebraska’s nickel package, Octavien can come off the edge as a pass rusher.
“I love it. I love it,” Octavien said. “I know (Adam) Carriker and Jay (Moore) are gone, so whatever it takes.
“Somebody’s got to do it. I’m down for that.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 - 11:58:42 pm CDT
Do not, under any circumstances, mention the words “Steve Octavien” and “flashes” in the same sentence.
As least, don’t do it in the presence of Octavien. He’ll cringe and bristle.
And that’s when he’s in a good mood.
Example: “Steve Octavien has shown flashes of being a havoc-wreaking linebacker during his Nebraska career.”
Here come the contorted facial expressions �-
“See, that’s the thing,” Octavien said in an upbeat tone. “You say ‘flashes’ and I don’t like hearing about ‘flashes’ because I’m not a ‘flash’ guy, ya know?
“I mean, I play ball.”
Octavien doesn’t necessarily disagree with the “flash” label. He understands it. He’s just disgusted that his entire career, beset by numerous injuries, has been a series of “flashes.”
A broken leg here, an appendectomy there. Throw in a nagging hamstring and a bum ankle, and you’ve got a head start on Octavien’s medical history.
Those problems, Octavien said, are finally behind him.
“Truthfully, I’ve never been better,” Octavien said. “Seriously, I’m 100 percent. This is the first time in a long time I’ve been 100 percent. Stronger, faster, mentally prepared.”
Don’t brush over the “mentally prepared” comment. Octavien said his mental and spiritual health was causing as much pain as his legs.
“In January, I contemplated a lot of things, man,” said Octavien, a senior from Naples, Fla. “It was probably the toughest time for me.”
Octavien declined to elaborate, saying only that he was “really lost” and wasn’t certain what he wanted to do with school and football.
Did he contemplate quitting?
“No, no �- I really don’t want to get into that. I’m not saying that,” Octavien said. “I’m just saying that �- a lot of things went through my head. I was just really lost. Just the way I was living, it wasn’t good. It was just very unhealthy.”
Octavien said several visits with Matt Penland, the team chaplain, helped him turn his life around. He says his life is more complete spiritually, which helped him with football.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said he’s noticed a difference.
“Mentally, he’s as good as he’s ever been,” Cosgrove said. “We’ve talked about it. He’s in a great frame of mind right now.”
Cosgrove wants Octavien to lose about five pounds from his 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame. Other than that, Octavien seems physically ready to contribute more consistently.
“We trained really hard (in the summer),” Octavien said. “I didn’t want any regrets this year. It’s my final year, so I did everything I could do to get to this point.”
Octavien came to Nebraska from William Rainey Harper (Ill.) College, where he played only four games in 2004 because of injury. As a Husker, he broke his leg in the first quarter of his first game in 2005 against Maine. He missed the rest of the season.
In that one quarter, he had four tackles, including two for loss, and conjured images of Terrell Farley and Demorrio Williams in the minds of Husker faithful.
Last season, Octavien was slow to recover from an appendectomy in fall camp. In game three against USC, he suffered a hamstring injury and missed Nebraska’s next four games. He had a triumphant return against Texas -- 10 tackles, seven unassisted -- and capped the game with �- a sprained ankle.
“I was like, ‘Man, this is getting frustrating,’ ” said Octavien, who missed the next game against Oklahoma State.
“Since I got here �- I’ve never really been able to showcase my abilities, never really got to play the way I want to play.”
Octavien will have every opportunity this season. He’s the starting WILL linebacker, replacing Bo Ruud, who’s moved to the SAM position. In Nebraska’s nickel package, Octavien can come off the edge as a pass rusher.
“I love it. I love it,” Octavien said. “I know (Adam) Carriker and Jay (Moore) are gone, so whatever it takes.
“Somebody’s got to do it. I’m down for that.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
