You could call Dahrran Diedrick the Nebraska Cornhuskers' "Second Half Sensation."

The bulk of his work the past two seasons has come after halftime, when he has put up big numbers against tired defenses that perhaps were counting the seconds until the clock ran out.

The question always begged: What could the 6-0, 225-pound Diedrick do if he saw action in the first half against fresh opponents?

Everybody's about to find out.

Diedrick has been Nebraska's I-back in waiting for two years. His time is now.

"I just have to get in games and do it the same way I practice it," said Diedrick, who as a freshman and sophomore played behind Dan Alexander and Correll Buckhalter. "The only difference is that there's a lot more media attention on me now."

Diedrick, from Scarborough, Ontario, was the Huskers' first Canadian scholarship recruit. He emerged in October 1999, running for 99 yards (still a career high) against Iowa State.

A month later, fans started calling for Diedrick to see more action after he filled in for the injured Alexander and Buckhalter against Kansas State, running for 93 yards, including a 42- yard score.

"There were times where I thought I would get more playing time,'' Diedrick said. "It never seemed to happen, but I just kept working in practice to show the coaches that I was capable of being out there."

After running for 303 yards and two touchdowns on 57 carries as a freshman, Diedrick saw his workload cut a bit last season. He ran 33 times for 212 yards and three TDs. His season highs were nine carries for 69 yards against Baylor.

Diedrick said it hasn't been too difficult to wait his turn.

"Correll has been my roommate since I moved here, and he's been my best friend," Diedrick said. "It's easier to see your friend do well when you're not the one who's playing."

But now it's all about Diedrick.

"It's been my dream to be a starter here,'' he said. "I'm glad my time has finally come around."

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