Huskers Gaining Momentum in Spring Drills

Lincoln - Several hundred coaches from the coaches clinic stayed to watch the Husker football team practice in Memorial Stadium on Saturday.  The team held a situational scrimmage working on every aspect of the game, including short yardage, red zone sequence, goal-line scrimmage, inside run drills, 7-on-7, perimeter passing and the kicking game.

Head Coach Bill Callahan was particularly pleased with the offensive performance. 

“I thought by and large our offense really made some moves today,” Callahan said.  “If you look at the red zone sequence and how we performed in that area, I thought we were vastly improved from a couple of days ago.  I thought our running backs down on the goal line did a great job of lowering their pads, I thought our linemen provided some great blocking and we finally got a feel for that area of our play.  Overall our pass protection technique, which is very complicated, has improved. It was a real upgrade for us on offense.”

Callahan noted the passing game has shown improvement. 

“We continue to get better in the passing game, but there are still some growing pains that we will go through.  We turned the ball over quite a bit today which is not what we wanted to do obviously.  But that is something we need to work through as we continue to get more in the grove.” 

Coach Callahan was also pleased with the overall effort. 

“I thought our guys came to play today,” Callahan said.  “They were really focused in our morning meetings.  They are beginning to get a feel for what we are trying to accomplish within the system and we are beginning to repeat plays.”

Although Callahan said they haven’t established a depth chart, he noted the improvement of running back Cory Ross, quarterback Joe Dailey and all the players at those two positions.  

“Cory Ross really made huge strides this week,” Callahan said.  “What I liked about Cory was his completeness-- not only his ability to run the ball but as a pass receiver coming out of the backfield.  As you watched Cory today, down in the red zone and also down on the goal line, you saw his ability to lower his pads and actually punch a hole and push defenders back in the end zone.  All the backs ran well today.  Those guys are starting to show a feel for the system.”

The quarterbacks have also improved.  

“They were much better in terms of every thing they are doing--their reads, their decision making, they have really improved.  I thought Joe Dailey made some huge strides in the last two practices and everyone in that position has improved.  We have to continue to work on not turning the ball over and making the high percentage decision that will keep us in the normal down and distance.”

Callahan said the team put together two solid practices on Friday and Saturday and showed improvement overall. 

“By and large we are making great strides,” Callahan said.  “I was pleased with the two practices that we put back to back.  We are beginning to stack practices and I was pleased  with that.”

Now halfway through the 15 allowed spring practices, the Huskers will take Sunday off before beginning the third week of spring drills on Monday.