STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Sunday, March 26, 2006 6:00 pm
Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said he wanted an ultracompetitive environment in spring practice this year.
So far, so good.
The Huskers’ practice Monday — the fourth of 15 this spring — was highlighted by a spirited 30-play scrimmage that featured big plays on both sides of the ball.
With each snap occurring at the offense’s 41-yard line, starting quarterback Zac Taylor completed 5 of 7 passes for 110 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown strike to wideout Nate Swift, who was left wide open because of an apparent coverage snafu.
Continuing a strong spring, I-back Cody Glenn led all rushers with 40 yards on seven carries. Among the other I-backs, Marlon Lucky rushed six times for 10 yards, and Leon Jackson had three carries for 15.
Glenn was coming off a seven-carry, 61-yard performance in a similar scrimmage Saturday.
As was the case Saturday, Nebraska on Monday used a “first-and-10 scrimmage” format, meaning the offense received a point if it gained four or more yards. If the offense failed to gain four yards, the defense received a point. Final tally: Defense 19, offense 11 (the defense also won Saturday, 17-11).
“I think today was the most exciting day we’ve had out here,” defensive end Jay Moore said. “The defense was really fired up. We’re having a lot of fun. There’s a lot of confidence.”
The defense’s most impressive play arguably occurred when senior defensive end Adam Carriker corralled Glenn one-on-one for a 1-yard loss. On the next play, however, Glenn broke through tacklers and carried a few of them for a 13-yard gain.
“I’m really happy about the way we’re starting to run the football,” said Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell. “Our backs are running hard. We’re getting better.”
It’s too early to say who has an edge in the I-back race, Norvell said.
“After we have a body of work in the spring, we’ll have a feel for who’s where (on the depth chart),” he said. “Those guys are all working hard and doing a lot of good things. … They all have different strengths, and we’ll just keep finding out about them.”
Husker defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove generally was pleased with the Blackshirts’ effort.
“We could be more crisp, but I expect us to be good all the time — I don’t like getting gashed at all,” he said, noting that the Husker offense creates challenges with multiple formations and frequent shifts. “Our kids are doing a nice job of getting lined up. But our offense makes it such a mental game for the defense. It slows you down. You don’t play as fast until you get everything down.”
* STAYING AT NOSE: After initially playing both interior defensive line positions this spring, sophomore Ndamukong Suh will stick to nose tackle, Cosgrove said. The decision was made in part because NU coaches are pleased with the progress of sophomore tackle Ty Steinkuhler.
* HERE AND THERE: Free safety Bryan Wilson missed practice Monday with an undisclosed injury … Tight end Matt Herian didn’t practice because of a hamstring pull, limiting his work to jogging on the perimeter of the field … Nebraska will continue to practice in the Hawks Championship Center until at least April 8; Memorial Stadium is unavailable until that date because of construction … Callahan continues to spend significant time leading offensive line drills.