1. Did the coaches see extra intensity from the players this week?

Bill Callahan might be the best person to answer that, since he spent part of the week working with the offensive linemen, a group that found the traffic in Los Angeles Memorial Stadium as clogged as the 405 Freeway while NU was being limited to 68 yards rushing by USC.

“We practiced hard this week, and as we explained to them when we came back from Los Angeles, we had to reestablish our focus, quickly,” Callahan said. “Troy got our attention … and we refocused. It’s a credit to the players and coaches.”

2. What did the players/coaches see as the most-improved facet in this game?

Oh, how about offensive execution and defensive intensity? OK, so that’s too broad a spectrum, so if you haven’t seen the stat sheet, look at Nebraska’s rushing total of 316 yards and 6.9 per-carry average. You can probably figure that Callahan was pretty happy with the guys up front.

“When the running game goes,” Callahan said, “you’re doing a solid job up front.”

3. No Cody Glenn again? What’s up?

Don’t expect the sophomore I-back to complain this week about a lack of action. Glenn strained a hamstring during practice earlier this week and he’ll have to be patient about his return.

“We worked him out this afternoon prior to the game and he just wasn’t at full speed,” Callahan said, “so we decided to back him down and get him ready for Kansas.”