Here are some quick notes and observations from Nebraska's full-pads practice on Thursday afternoon…
***Nebraska officially reached the halfway point of spring ball on Thursday, and head coach Mike Riley said “it’s been great so far” with how much the team has been able to install on both sides of the ball.
***Riley said the staff will meet with the players on Friday to go over Thursday’s practice and other things, then the Huskers will be off for the next 10 days. Riley said his message to the team was to use the time off for a mental break, but still wants the players to stay active physically and be ready to get back to work when they return.
***Nebraska experimented with an interesting position change on Thursday, trying out Joshua Kalu at safety. Kalu played safety alongside Aaron Williams with the first-team, and Riley said they wanted to “give it a looksie” to see where the best fit might be for Kalu.
***Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson Jr. (illness) and linebacker Tyrin Ferguson (knee) were both able to do some work in helmets, jerseys and shorts after missing the bulk of the first half of spring.
***Riley said Johnson would have to go through one more acclimation practice with no pads when the team returns from spring break, but said the freshman’s recovery has been going even better than they had hoped.
***Riley said he is seeing some separation starting to happen in the running back competition, but declined to give any details because he wants to keep the competition going as much as possible.
***Running back Devine Ozigbo was suited up but didn’t take many reps at all on Thursday, but Riley said he wasn’t aware of any injury situations regarding Ozigbo.
***Riley said overall the defensive backs had a very good day on Thursday, especially in the team’s red zone work. Riley said Chris Jones was “outstanding” today, while Kalu, JoJo Domann, and DiCaprio Bootle all made nice plays.
***Riley said the quarterbacks have progressed well through the first half of spring and are competing a high percentage of passes. However, he said Thursday was a bit of an “eye-opener” for them, especially with their red-zone struggles.
***Offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said Tyler Hoppes and Matt Snyder have emerged as the top two tight ends right now with their play this spring.
***Wide receivers coach Keith Williams said a big change this spring has been having to practice against as many coverages NU is using in Bob Diaco’s defense. He said he can’t remember a time at Nebraska when the receivers have had to think on the fly as much as they have this spring.
***Center Michael Decker said he really wasn’t sure why he struggled so much last year, but said he’s had a great offseason and is ready for to lock up the No. 1 center job this year.
***Nebraska will now be off for spring break until Tuesday, Mar. 28.
***Nebraska officially reached the halfway point of spring ball on Thursday, and head coach Mike Riley said “it’s been great so far” with how much the team has been able to install on both sides of the ball.
***Riley said the staff will meet with the players on Friday to go over Thursday’s practice and other things, then the Huskers will be off for the next 10 days. Riley said his message to the team was to use the time off for a mental break, but still wants the players to stay active physically and be ready to get back to work when they return.
***Nebraska experimented with an interesting position change on Thursday, trying out Joshua Kalu at safety. Kalu played safety alongside Aaron Williams with the first-team, and Riley said they wanted to “give it a looksie” to see where the best fit might be for Kalu.
***Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson Jr. (illness) and linebacker Tyrin Ferguson (knee) were both able to do some work in helmets, jerseys and shorts after missing the bulk of the first half of spring.
***Riley said Johnson would have to go through one more acclimation practice with no pads when the team returns from spring break, but said the freshman’s recovery has been going even better than they had hoped.
***Riley said he is seeing some separation starting to happen in the running back competition, but declined to give any details because he wants to keep the competition going as much as possible.
***Running back Devine Ozigbo was suited up but didn’t take many reps at all on Thursday, but Riley said he wasn’t aware of any injury situations regarding Ozigbo.
***Riley said overall the defensive backs had a very good day on Thursday, especially in the team’s red zone work. Riley said Chris Jones was “outstanding” today, while Kalu, JoJo Domann, and DiCaprio Bootle all made nice plays.
***Riley said the quarterbacks have progressed well through the first half of spring and are competing a high percentage of passes. However, he said Thursday was a bit of an “eye-opener” for them, especially with their red-zone struggles.
***Offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said Tyler Hoppes and Matt Snyder have emerged as the top two tight ends right now with their play this spring.
***Wide receivers coach Keith Williams said a big change this spring has been having to practice against as many coverages NU is using in Bob Diaco’s defense. He said he can’t remember a time at Nebraska when the receivers have had to think on the fly as much as they have this spring.
***Center Michael Decker said he really wasn’t sure why he struggled so much last year, but said he’s had a great offseason and is ready for to lock up the No. 1 center job this year.
***Nebraska will now be off for spring break until Tuesday, Mar. 28.
