Nebraska's Evans Quits Team

Nebraska's football team has a new look, with running back DeAngelo Evans quitting the squad and coach Frank Solich going with a new quarterback.

Evans, the starting I-back, was off to a slow start in his junior season. He missed practice and a team meeting Monday.

Sophomore Eric Crouch will start at quarterback against Southern Mississippi on Saturday, and junior Bobby Newcombe will play as a receiver and return punts.

Solich said today he wants both quarterbacks, who have vied for the starting job, to be on the field.

Solich said Evans was frustrated by his inability to fully recover from injuries. The coach said Evans wants to remain in school.

Last week, Evans was shut down with five yards on six carries as California stacked its defensive line and kept Nebraska's running backs out of the game, which the Cornhuskers won 45-0.

Evans' decision comes amid grumbling by players about playing time.

Two weeks ago, Solich visited Crouch in Omaha after the sophomore reportedly became upset when junior Bobby Newcombe was named the starter.

Last week, backup I-back Correll Buckhalter, the team's leading rusher last season, left practice for three days, apparently upset over the lack of playing time.

He carried 148 times and gained 776 yards as a freshman in 1996, but he missed 1997 with a pelvic injury.

His 1998 season also was cut short. He missed the first three games with a knee injury. When he returned, he carried 38 times for 218 yards and four touchdowns in three games. But he sat out the rest of the year with an injured big toe and bruised tailbone.

Evans had knee surgery after the 1998 season and had hoped to return to full speed this fall.

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