Huskers Focused on First Day in Full Pads

Lincoln - The Nebraska football team went through its first day in full pads during fall camp on Friday with a two-and-a-half-hour workout in full pads on a cool August afternoon at the grass practice fields near Memorial Stadium.

Coach Bill Callahan said he was pleased with the Huskers’ intensity during Nebraska’s fifth practice of the fall.

"It was fun. We put the pads on today and livened up the scrimmage and let the linemen cut loose," Callahan said. "We got a lot of situational work done today. We went down to the red zone for the first time, and I was really excited and proud about how our guys competed. Our offense put some points on the board, which was good to see."

The Huskers scrimmaged during the final period of Friday’s practice, and Callahan said he was impressed with several aspects of the competition.

Callahan also said a pair of newcomers will miss practice time during the next few weeks. Freshman offensive lineman Lydon Murtha sustained an ankle injury during Thursday’s practice and may miss the next two weeks of practice. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Adams was held out of practice today and will miss a month because of complications from a summer bout with mononucleosis.

In other football news, Husker senior linebacker Ira Cooper will receive his bachelor’s degree in sociology during 9:30 a.m. commencement ceremonies at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Saturday. Cooper joins former Husker Steve Warren in this summer’s graduation class that includes 19 current and former NU student-athletes.

The Huskers will continue fall camp with their first two-a-day practices on Saturday. Nebraska is scheduled to open the morning practice at 8:45. The second practice will begin at 3:40 p.m.