Solid Practice for Huskers; Blackshirts Issued

Lincoln -- Continuing preparations for Saturday's season-opening game with Oklahoma State, the Nebraska football team practiced in helmets and shorts on Wednesday for two hours at Memorial Stadium. Wednesday also ushered in another Husker tradition as 12 defensive players were issued Blackshirts prior to practice during meetings.

Defensive players earning Blackshirts included ends Benard Thomas and Trevor Johnson, nose tackle Ryon Bingham, defensive tackle Le Kevin Smith, linebackers Barrett Ruud, T.J. Hollowell and Demorrio Williams, cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Pat Ricketts, safeties Josh Bullocks and Philip Bland and nickel back Lornell McPherson. Thomas, Bullocks and Smith earned Blackshirts for the first time in their Husker careers.

Solich said he was pleased with Wednesday's practice. He also noted that Trevor Johnson has returned to practice this week and appears to be at full speed for Saturday's game after missing about two weeks with a leg injury during fall camp.

"Today's practice we went in sweats and the energy level was very, very high," Solich said. "I feel good about that right now, and the concentration level was very good. Sometimes when you convert from pads to no pads, players can sometimes get lax but this group has stayed right with it. It was a very good practice today, moving in the right direction."

The Huskers will practice on Thursday afternoon, then conduct a short walk-thru practice on Friday afternoon.