WHO’S CALLING?: Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said this week that he called the plays during the first half of the Oct. 20 Texas A&M game, but not since.

Head coach Bill Callahan took over play-calling duties in the second half against the Aggies, then called the entire game Saturday in a 28-25 loss at Texas, as he has during his four seasons at NU.

Against A&M, Nebraska trailed 16-14 at the break and lost 36-14.

That game marked the first time all season that Watson coached from the sideline instead of the press box.

“We obviously talk a lot after series are over, just like we would if I were up in the box,” Watson said. “The A&M game, obviously I was really involved in calling (plays). The Texas game, Bill really called it.”

Watson said he’s found it beneficial to be down on the sideline with players.

“I think it’s important for players to have someone to go to and sort out the issues, get some leadership on the sidelines, which my position requires me to do,” he said.

THE TURNOVER GAME: One statistic that concerns Callahan quite a bit this week is turnover margin.

Nebraska ranks 11th in the conference and 105th in the country in that category. Kansas is first in the conference and third nationally.

“They’ve been opportunistic,” Callahan said of the Jayhawks. “They’ve made a lot of plays off batted balls and got a lot of (interceptions).”

Callahan said the issue of ball security was addressed with the team early in the week.

“Because, when you get on a roll, when you’re playing good defense (like Kansas), there’s an energy … where guys start feeding off each other and they’re confident they can make plays to get the ball back for their offense.”

Of course, turnover margin is not the statistic most Nebraskans are talking about this week. More conversation has gone to NU’s rushing defense, which ranks 119 out of 119 major-college football teams.

“No one is more disappointed than I am about that,” Callahan said. “I know our coaches are beside themselves in that regard because of the statistical production and the production on the field. There’s no question we’re disappointed about that.”

BY THE NUMBERS: 5

Number of categories in which Kansas ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 Conference: Scoring defense, total defense, pass-efficiency defense, turnover margin and kickoff returns.

KU is second nationally in scoring defense (10.3 points) and first in the country in kick returns (averaging 29.9 yards).

Nebraska, meanwhile, ranks fourth or lower in every conference statistic except net punting, where the Huskers are second.

SCOUTING REPORT: QB SAM KELLER

Yes, Sam Keller’s done for the season with a broken collarbone, but Callahan still offered an assessment of the quarterback’s football future this week.

“He’s a competitor. Just visiting with him, you could see it on his face and feel his emotion, he wants to help this football team,” Callahan said. “He’s a guy’s guy.  That’s the best compliment I could give Sam Keller.”

Keller had his ups and downs, but had enough ups to be on pace to set a school record for most passing yards in a season. In nine games, he threw for 2,422 yards.

Callahan suspects Keller is not done playing football.

 “He has a great opportunity to continue to develop and become a quarterback in the National Football League. I think he’s got that type of talent,” he said. “He has the arm to do that.  In time, as he develops, he’ll make a fine quarterback for somebody.”

Opponent watch: Kansas State

KSU’s do-everything receiver Jordy Nelson is among 12 finalists for The Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s  top receiver.

Nelson’s receptions per game (9.5) and receiving yards per game (126) rank second in the conference to Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree.

He also is a dangerous punt returner, an 89-yard touchdown return against Texas serving as example.

According to the Kansas City Star, Nelson’s 76 receptions this season are already a school single-season record. He still has four regular-season games left.

As KSU coach Ron Prince told the Star: “I don’t know if any other player means more to his team than he does to ours.”