Now that Nebraska quarterback Jordan Adams has returned to practice — he went through drills for the second straight day Wednesday — thoughts of a battle with starter Joe Dailey may again creep into fans' heads.

Don't bet on it. At least not in the near future.

For one thing, Adams remains less than full-speed, Husker head coach Bill Callahan said Wednesday.

What's more, because of Callahan's practice system, it might be difficult for anyone to unseat Dailey at this point.

In fact, Callahan said, Nebraska offensive coaches "spend an inordinate amount of time in our preparation with the starting quarterback. That quarterback receives almost all of the repetition. He's going to get 90 percent of the reps at practice.

"So, the backup has to take the mental reps and he has to be able to work in the individual drills, the selected drills throughout the course of practice."

In other words, the backup gets only a fraction of the snaps that the starter does.

Adams, a heralded transfer from Grossmont (Calif.) College, underwent surgery Aug. 27 to remove his spleen. His spleen problem was the result of complications from mononucleosis. His medical problems kept him from waging an anticipated preseason battle with Dailey, who won the starting job easily.

Callahan said Nebraska will take four quarterbacks to Pittsburgh for Saturday's game — Dailey, freshmen Ryan Goodman and Beau Davis, and junior Mike Stuntz.

INJURY REPORT: Two Husker starters — right cornerback Lornell McPherson (hamstring) and defensive end Adam Carriker (ankle) — are doubtful for the Pitt contest, Callahan said Wednesday. "But we haven't made any decision yet," he added. "If there's a chance they could play, we're going to take them with us. We may take them anyhow." NU plans to take about 80 players to the game.

AMOS RETURNS: Husker wideout Willie Amos, who missed last weekend's game with a groin injury, practiced Tuesday and Wednesday and appears ready for Saturday, Callahan said. Amos, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior, had two touchdown receptions in the season-opening win against Western Illinois. "His speed and his ability to work the deep routes and become a threat in our passing game is crucial," Callahan said. "He has the ability to take the lid off of the coverage, as we like to say. He can take the cornerback or safety out of the coverage element and open up the underneath lanes, or hopefully we can match him up one-on-one and cut him loose."

STREAKING: A win Saturday would allow NU to complete the nonconference season with a winning record for the 23rd straight season and avoid falling below .500 for the first time since 1981.

— Steven M. Sipple