Huskers Turn Attention Toward Kansas State

Lincoln - The Nebraska football team began its preparations for Saturday’s game against Kansas State with a one-hour and 45- minute practice in sweats on the Memorial Stadium FieldTurf on Monday afternoon.

Nebraska Coach Frank Solich said the Huskers did not experience any new injuries following the Kansas game that should hold any Huskers out of action against the Wildcats. Solich added that defensive tackle Brandon Teamer returned to practice Monday, and that offensive guard Greg Austin will undergo knee surgery Monday evening to repair a knee injury suffered last week in practice.

"Guys handled today’s practice very well and moved through it pretty briskly, so we expect to be at full speed as we move through the week," Solich said. "I think we’re a little healthier. It appears Josh Sewell has made good progress. I thought Jake (Andersen) played better and was able to come off the ball better (against Kansas)."

Nebraska’s improving health could be a factor in the Huskers’ fortunes against Kansas State, which comes to Lincoln with an 8-3 overall record and tied atop the Big 12 North Division standings with the Huskers at 4-2 in league action.

Kansas State possesses one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, ranking eighth nationally in scoring offense with 38.6 points per game. The Wildcat offense features quarterback Ell Roberson, who has rushed for 696 yards and 11 touchdowns while throwing for 1,641 yards and 18 scores this season, along with running back Darren Sproles, who has rushed for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 games this season.  Solich said Roberson and Sproles would present challenges for the Huskers.

"Roberson is able to do it in the running game with the best of the them, and he has developed into an excellent thrower with an excellent group of receivers to throw to," Solich said. "Sproles has great, great quickness. He has excellent acceleration and it is obvious that he is a big-time back."

Nebraska will try to counter Kansas State’s high-powered offense with a defense that ranks eighth nationally in total defense, while leading the country in turnovers caused with 39 and interceptions with 24.

One of the leaders of the Blackshirt defense, senior linebacker Demorrio Williams, was honored for the second time this season as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Williams, who is a Butkus Award semifinalist, is the only Big 12 player to earn the award twice this season. In Saturday’s win at Kansas, Williams notched career highs with 14 total tackles, including four tackles for 17 yards lost. He also posted 1.5 sacks, recovered a fumble and had a quarterback hurry that led to one of Nebraska’s three interceptions.

Solich said Williams deserved the honor as one of Nebraska’s top defensive playmakers.

"He’s done it all for us," Solich said. "You don’t come across very many guys who are able to play back as a linebacker and play down as a defensive end with equal success. He’s got great ability. He has a unique way of avoiding blocks from all angles and making big plays. He makes big hits to force turnovers if he’s the first guy there, and he’s got a great feel for the game to find the ball whether it’s on the ground or in the air to get you a turnover. He’s just a very special player."