STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 7:00 pm
Center Richie Incognito is one of Nebraska's best football players on either side of the ball.
Kurt Mann is, well, a solid backup.
However, it'll be Mann not Incognito who will start at center for Nebraska when it opens the season against NCAA Division I-AA Western Illinois at 6:10 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
"You take advantage of the opportunities you have, and I'm going to take advantage of this one," Mann said Tuesday. "Richie's going to be back, and he's going to be one of the best in the nation."
Incognito, a junior, apparently is among four Husker players who have been suspended for the opener. Although Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan confirmed Tuesday that four players have been suspended, he declined to name them.
However, three players were conspicuous by their absence on Nebraska's latest depth chart, released Tuesday by Callahan. In addition to Incognito, a preseason All-Big 12 choice by three publications, junior I-back David Horne and senior offensive tackle Darren DeLone also were left off the chart.
Incognito, a starter during the past two seasons, was found guilty in June in Lancaster County Court of a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from an incident at a party last February in Lincoln.
Horne, the team's second-leading returning rusher, was cited by Lincoln police for minor in possession of alcohol early Saturday morning at a Lincoln nightclub.
"His situation for this week is still kind of up in the air," Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said. "He's obviously one of our backups and a guy we expect to contribute."
DeLone was listed No. 1 at left tackle on Nebraska's preseason depth chart but was overtaken by senior Mike Erickson during preseason camp. DeLone has been practicing despite a broken thumb and index finger on his right hand.
It's been speculated that reserve fullback Grant Miller also would face suspension after being charged with assault at the same Lincoln party at which Incognito was arrested.
At this point, Callahan said, the suspensions are for one game. He said the suspended players will receive a standard ticket to watch Saturday's game from the stands but won't be allowed on the sidelines.
"We have very simple rules, and those rules were violated and there are consequences," Callahan said.
In addition to the depth chart omissions, there was other personnel news worth noting:
n Senior Benard Thomas regained his starting job at left defensive end after losing the job to sophomore Jay Moore during spring drills.
* True freshman Cortney Grixby will play this season. He's listed No. 2 at left cornerback behind junior Fabian Washington.
* Senior Sandro DeAngelis regained his field-goal and PAT duties after losing them to David Dyches early last season. However, Dyches, a sophomore, will handle kickoffs.
* Senior Steve Kriewald overtook sophomore Dane Todd at fullback after being listed behind Todd on the preseason depth chart.
* Ryan Goodman, a true freshman walk-on, emerged as the top backup at quarterback behind starter Joe Dailey. Goodman is listed ahead of scholarship freshman Beau Davis.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said Thomas and Moore engaged in "a heck of a battle" for the starting job. Cosgrove said Thomas was one of the most improved players in preseason camp.
"I believe he's bought in to the system," Cosgrove said.
In Nebraska's nickel package, Cosgrove said, the Huskers will use four ends up front Thomas and Carriker as interior tackles, and Moore and Wali Muhammad as ends.
Of Grixby, Cosgrove said, "We expect him to play. He's a very talented individual, and he's a quick learner."
Meanwhile, as expected, true freshman Terrence Nunn is the listed starter at the "Z" receiver position, or flanker.
Another newcomer, junior college transfer Cornealius Thomas, is listed No. 2 at left tackle behind Erickson.
"We will play our best players whether they're freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors," Norvell said.
Norvell said he anticipates the young players making mistakes, especially early in the season.
The veterans on offense also may be prone to mental gaffes, considering Nebraska's bold switch from a run-oriented attack to the West Coast offense.
"It's definitely a lot different system than what I saw here growing up," said Mann, a sophomore from Grand Island. "I'm just glad to be part of the change. Hopefully, it'll work out well for us."
Mann said competition with junior Gary Pike during preseason drills was "really close."
After redshirting in 2002, Mann appeared in five games as a reserve center in 2003.
"Last year, line calls were pretty minimal," Mann said. "This year, you're talking all the time. They kind of want to start with the center, so we have to go up there and make some calls that are really important for the other guys to know."
Mann said he and Dailey work well together, having practiced as reserves last season.
As for next week, Mann's uncertain where or how he'll fit into Callahan's plan.
"I'm not really worried about it, either," Mann said. "I have a lot to worry about this week."
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.