The Huskers went half-pads today as they approach facing the Wildcats amid Finals Week at the University of Nebraska.
The
addition of that particular factor could have been some contributor to
practice just being OK with the head coach. “It was a decent practice.
It was decent tempo – nothing great. I’d say it was pretty average,”
Pelini said of the overall impressions from today’s practice. “I’m sure
we’ll pick it up better tomorrow.”
With the
distractions of finals for many of the athletes, one had to wonder how
the schedules work in regard to getting enough practice in while
allowing plenty of time for kids to study for their last exams of the
semester. It’s not Pelini’s first go-around with that, however. So,
he’s comfortable with the schedule they have laid out, which will have
them practicing tomorrow, Friday and Saturday this week. “it’s the
schedule I have been around. I like the schedule. You have to make use
of every chance we have to practice,” Pelini said.
One
aspect of bowl preparations that isn’t really possible during the
course of a season is the additional opportunities to get
younger
players some practice reps they might not have gotten during the course
of the season. Many of these players, because they have redshirted or
are on the Scout Team, have spent most of the season replicating the
offense or defense of the team Nebraska was to play rather than what
Nebraska does itself.
Pelini said that approaching that
with the more inexperienced players was part of bowl preparations. But
it wasn’t foremost on his mind, saying “We’re getting ready to win a
football game. Any time you are out here, you have a chance to get
reps. You have a chance to improve yourself.”
Speaking
of improving, there will be no doubt a lot of thoughts around Husker
land about this offense of the Huskers, which has managed to produce
less than 20 points per game in conference play. It was an offense that
didn’t score a single offensive touchdown versus Texas in the Big 12
Title game, junior placekicker Alex Henery getting the credit for all
12 points from four field goals. As to any changes with the offense
during this valuable time, Pelini said that bowl preparation or not,
that’s something they always look at doing. “We’re always looking to
tweak the offense a little bit,” he said, but said confidently “We’ll
be ready to go.”
Pelini added when asked about the
current quarterback situation with junior Zac Lee starting and freshman
quarterback Cody Green backing him up, “there is no change (on who
might start).”
Nebraska will resume practice tomorrow
as the players try to navigate preparations for Arizona as well as
preparations for finishing off this semester of school.
Notes
Senior
defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said he has two final exams tomorrow. As
you might guess, he's more anxious about graduation which is this
Saturday, than he is the bowl game. But he said once this weekend is
out of the way, all his attention will be on going out with that 10th
win, which he said he hopes will lead to the team next year doing even
better.
Sophomore defensive end Pierre Allen didn't
practice today. Since the late part of the season Allen has been
nursing a chronic toe injury which Defensive Coordinator Carl Pelini
said, simply needs time to heal. The process for Allen since has been
getting a practice day off here and there. So, he is expected back to
practice this week, potentially as early as tomorrow.
The team started acutal Arizona practice today
In
regard to recruiting, this is a time where coaches can hit the road,
seven at any one time, and do in-home visits with a number of senior
prep players around the country. The Head Coach said that they will do
that this week, but not until toward the tail end.
Check out this post practice video with senior defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh. And make sure to keep checking back as we will have much more audio and video with Husker coaches and players from today's practice.
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