MO'S STATUS: Signs point to Husker senior receiver Maurice Purify playing Saturday against Missouri.

He practiced with the team again Wednesday.

Football has not been the most important matter on Purify's mind this week after his girlfriend, Reia Shapiro, died in a weekend car accident in the Los Angeles area.

Purify said Monday he didn't know if he'd return to California.

Asked after Wednesday's practice if he thought Purify would play, Husker coach Bill Callahan said: "I do, but we're handling the situation delicately. We have great respect for Maurice and his wishes. We've communicated daily on that. I think when he's ready to make a statement or say something, I'll leave it to him to do that."

It is still not known if nose tackle Ty Steinkuhler will play against the Tigers. Steinkuhler missed practice again Wednesday because of an unspecified injury. He left last week's game against Iowa State in the first quarter.

BRING THE NOISE: A roaring crowd could be heard inside Memorial Stadium on Wednesday as the Huskers piped in sound to try to get ready for the noise that awaits them.

Callahan said the Huskers also used simulated crowd noise Tuesday while the team practiced in the Hawks Championship Center.

"That's why I like to go in there, because the sound reverberates in that small indoor facility," Callahan said. "I think we're prepared to play in it. It's the best you can do to try to create that (road) environment."

It should be noisy. It also should be a sea of gold. The Missouri athletic department is asking for fans to take part in a "Gold Rush" for the nationally televised game, which was declared a sellout Wednesday.

BY THE NUMBERS: 42

Average number of passing attempts, per game, over the past two seasons by Big 12 opponents against Nebraska, according to secondary coach Phil Elmassian.