Full-Time Success as a Part-Timer : College football: Servite graduate Derek Brown has two 100-yard rushing games this season for Nebraska despite splitting time at I-back.

Nebraska I-back Derek Brown has two 100-yard rushing games in two tries this fall, even as a part-time player.

Brown, a junior from Servite High School, splits time with sophomore Calvin Jones. Brown started the Utah game and gained 105 yards in 15 carries in the 49-22 victory. Jones had 92 yards in 11 carries.

Last week, Jones started and rushed for 119 yards in 16 carries. Brown had 154 yards and two touchdowns in 14 tries in his backup role in the 48-7 victory over Middle Tennessee State.

Coach Tom Osborne has labeled the two as the best tandem he has had at I-back since Roger Craig and Mike Rozier in 1982.

Splitting headlines and playing time apparently doesn’t upset Brown and Jones much, but Brown admits playing a full game might be nice.

“I think both Calvin and I would love that opportunity,” Brown said. “But we’re both back there so that would be hard to do. We don’t want to waste any talent. We want to have as many guys on the field as possible and fresher, too. I think that’s the purpose for our rotation. It may bother us some but we want to do what helps us win.”

Brown gets the start again in Saturday’s game at second-ranked Washington. Last year, Nebraska blew a 21-9 lead over the Huskies in the third quarter and lost, 36-21.

Osborne said Brown and Jones will rotate again when the 12th-ranked Cornhuskers visit Seattle. Brown will play the first quarter, Jones the second, then the two will split series in the second half.

“They’re both great backs,” Osborne said.

Brown may be quicker in the 40-yard dash, but Jones probably would win a race of 100 yards, Osborne said.

Brown said he is more likely to dart and dodge opponents, Jones is more apt to run over people.

Washington found out a year ago that Brown can be tough to catch. He rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns, the only 100-yard game by a back in 1991 against a Washington defense that Osborne has said was one of the best Nebraska had played in his 20 years as head coach.

Brown scored on runs of 27 and two yards in the game.

“It was nothing special,” Brown said. “It was one of those nights when I had a good game. I think it will be a little tougher this time.

“It’s a good thing they won’t have just me to key on. They’ll have (quarterback) Mike Grant, receivers Tyrone Hughes, Trumane Bell, Corey Dixon and a number of others, also Lance Lewis, who has been running wild the first two games. I’m just going to go out and do the best I can to help out.”