The Huskers worked out inside the Hawks Championship Center on Monday, the fourth of 15 spring practices.
the Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, March 31, 2008 7:00 pm
The Huskers worked out inside the Hawks Championship Center on Monday, the fourth of 15 spring practices.
It’s not yet certain when the Huskers will have their first scrimmage.
“For me, every day’s a scrimmage,” Husker coach Bo Pelini said. “We’re making progress. The physical nature of what we’re doing up front is good. We haven’t really brought anybody to the ground for any length of time, but that will come.”
Pelini said the defense is making strides, “but let’s face it, this offense has been together for awhile, so they’re ahead.
“You’re seeing it (on defense). For the first couple of days, it was (done right) two or three times out of every ten. Now we’re seeing it more like five or six times. Like I said, steady progress. As long as we’re seeing guys make improvements, that’s what we’re after now.”
Wide receiver Will Henry has a hamstring injury and was riding the bike during the practice. Pelini said Henry is day-to-day. He did not yet know the timetable on tight end Tyson Hetzer, who was hobbling around in street clothes. Running back Kenny Wilson also continued to sit out practices.
Former Husker Brandon Rigoni (2004-06) was seen helping out during the practice. Vershan Jackson (1995-97) has also been helping, though it’s not certain yet what their roles are.
Also at practice on Monday was reporter Phil Taylor of Sports Illustrated. A story on the Huskers under Pelini is in the works.
BY THE NUMBERS: 51,000. Number of tickets sold to April 19’s Red-White Spring Game. The largest crowd to see a Nebraska spring game was 63,416 in 2005.
Scouting report: WR Curenski Gilleylen
Redshirt freshman Curenski Gilleylen has been seeing time with the first-string offense, much of it as a slot receiver, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said.
“We have to get him on the field,” Watson said. “He’s had a real good first week. He’s a real good player.”
The 6-foot, 210-pound Gilleylen in 2006 caught 30 passes for 915 yards and nine touchdowns at Leander (Texas) High School.
Watson also praised sophomore wideout Niles Paul of Omaha. “Both of those kids have flashed (their talent),” Watson said. “They’re exactly what we thought they were when we recruited them.”
Opponent watch: Oklahoma
Sam Bradford threw for 104 yards and completed 8-of-16 attempts, but injuries held back OU’s offense during the team’s first spring scrimmage Saturday, according to The Norman (Okla.) Transcript.
Among the projected offensive starters held out were running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, wide receivers Manuel Johnson and Adron Tennell and offensive lineman Duke Robinson.
— Brian Christopherson and Steven M. Sipple