Nebraska cornerback Andre Jones’ bold comments regarding the Huskers’ game against Southern Cal were a hit on national airwaves Wednesday.

They weren’t necessarily a hit with his head coach.

“I’ve told the team again — and again and again — to respect their opponents, and I certainly do,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said after Wednesday’s practice at Memorial Stadium.

Callahan did cut Jones some slack.

“With the first opportunity to get in front of the media, some guys are going to make some errors,” Callahan said. “But I’m very respectful of USC, Pete Carroll and his team.”

Callahan added, “(The players) are a little excited. They’re a little emotional. They want to do well. But we don’t need any bold statements. We just need to remain humble and hard-working.

“He’s a young kid. We all grow from things we say. I think this will be a lesson I’m sure he’ll understand for a long time to come.”

Nebraska, with a 2-0 record and No. 19 ranking, plays No. 4 Southern Cal (1-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday in Los Angeles. It’s NU’s first game pitting ranked teams since Callahan took over at NU in 2004.

During Tuesday’s weekly media luncheon, Jones, a junior college transfer, told reporters, “When we beat USC, this is going to slingshot our whole season. We’re ready to go in there and show the world that Nebraska’s back on top — that order is restored.”

Nebraska starting middle linebacker Corey McKeon, one of the team’s most outspoken players, supported Jones.

“Andre can say whatever Andre wants to say,” McKeon said. “If that’s what’s going on in his mind, that’s fine. I’ll back him up.”

TRAVEL PLANS: Nebraska will take 73 players to Los Angeles, Callahan said. The team will leave Lincoln earlier than it would for most road trips, with plans to arrive in Los Angeles on Friday in time for lunch. The Huskers then will have a walk-through practice at the Coliseum. “There’ll be a little bit more down time (than usual) at the hotel that evening,” the coach said. “We’ll let the kids relax a little bit more.”

TODD HONORED: NU senior fullback Dane Todd was named to the Division I-A American Football Coaches Association Good Works team. Todd was one of 22 players nationally named to the squad, and added to NU’s nation-leading total of 11 honorees all-time. Todd was recognized for his abilities on and off the field. On the field, he is a two-year starter. Off the field, he is an Academic All-American and two-time academic All-Big 12 honoree. He’s also done volunteer work for a variety of causes.

QUOTABLE: Husker standout defensive end Adam Carriker, on the possibility of improving his NFL Draft stock with a big game against USC: “It is a little bit of motivation for me,” Carriker said. “But there’s plenty of other stuff out there to motivate me. I mean, if you can’t get up for USC, I don’t know what you’re going to do with your life.”