Huskers Gear Up for Season Lidlifter vs. OSU

Lincoln? The Nebraska football team began preparations in earnest for Saturday's showdown with Oklahoma State with a two-hour workout on the grass fields Monday afternoon.  While temperatures crept above the 100-degree mark, Head Coach Frank Solich was pleased with the squad's work in what was likely the only practice in full gear leading up to the season opener with the No. 24 Cowboys.

'It was a good day for us,' Solich said. 'It was very hot and humid, and we got a very good practice in full pads. They responded very well to it (the heat) after having Sunday off and I continued to feel pleased with their attitude and work ethic.'

The Huskers received good news on several fronts today. The first was the return to practice of senior defensive end Trevor Johnson, who had been limited by an injury. Solich is optimistic that his co-captain will be close to 100 percent by the end of the week.

'We got Trevor (Johnson) back for part of the practice today, which was really good news,' Solich said. We are hoping that he will continue to progress and to be at full speed come game time.'

The other good news the Husker coach received was a boost in depth, as the rest of the team was able to report today ? the first day of the fall semester.  One of the players who can play a major role in preparations is quarterback Garth Glissman, who ended the spring fourth on the depth chart. He originally transferred to Hutchinson Community College, but rejoined the team the team and was able to practice for the first time on Monday.

'It gives us a very good boost,' Solich said on Glissman's return. 'He is a very good throwing quarterback and he has excellent height, so he gives you a realistic picture. He's not Josh Fields by any stretch of the imagination, but he can give us what we are looking for, so we used him today. He was only in a helmet and sweats so he didn't get in much work. He's always been a great attitude guy so we are happy that he is back.'

While Solich said that Glissman could play an extensive role in the team's practice plans, it may take awhile for the other squad members can become fully integrated, as they can only practice in sweats for the next two days, as the rest of the team is in half pads.

'It's a little awkward situation for them now,' Solich said on the remaining squad members. 'They have to go through the acclimation of being in sweats the first two days, while we are in shoulder pads. It does not match up well with them practicing with us this week, but we'll look forward to them joining us in full pads next week.'

The Huskers will return to practice Tuesday afternoon, and coaches and selected players will be available following the workout.

Tickets Available for Sept. 6 Game vs. UtahState
Nebraska Ticket Manager John Anderson announced late Monday that Utah State returned approximately 700 tickets from their allotment. Those tickets will be on sale through the NU Ticket Office beginning Tuesday morning and on-line at Huskers.com. Tickets can be purchased by calling the NU Ticket Office at (800) 8-BIGRED.