Huskers Hit Practice Field on Sunday

Lincoln -- The Nebraska Cornhuskers are 3-0 and moved up to 11th in the coaches poll, but remain 15th in the Associated Press poll.  It was business as usual on Sunday however, as the team prepared in full pads for nearly two hours for a Thursday prime time game against Southern Mississippi.

"We've practiced on the grass quite a bit last week and again today," said Head Coach Frank Solich.  "We are preparing for our first game of the season on grass, so we want as much time on that surface as possible."

The Huskers had a short workout on Friday, and had Saturday off.  Solich said once the practice began, the pace was good.  "They pushed themselves today.  Sometimes it is difficult to come back from a day off, but once the whistle blew, they picked up the pace and really worked at it."

Although the Huskers are not following a normal routine, Solich said it seems to be working out well.  'We might be able to use this all to our advantage.  It all comes down to playing well in the game, but I believe we have adjusted well to a Thursday game.  Some teams are more used to playing Thursday games, but it is pretty unusual for us, but we are adapting well.'

The Huskers will have to adjust to playing on a Thursday, on the road, on the grass and at night, although they have had one night game this season.  Coach Solich said this will be a key game.  "If you are going to be a good football team," Solich said, "You need to play well on the road.  Southern Miss has great athletes, so we will have our work cut out for us.  But we have gotten where we are today by preparing well, day by day, and that's what we hope to continue to do this week."

Solich said that linebacker Barrett Ruud successfully went through a complete practice and should be fine by game time.