Huskers Elect Captains for 2004 Season

Lincoln?Nebraska continued its fall camp on Saturday morning with a two-hour and 15-minute workout on the Memorial Stadium turf. The morning workout marked the 13th straight day the Huskers have been on the practice field since the start of training camp on August 9.

Following Saturday morning’s practice, Head Coach Bill Callahan announced that four players have been named team captains for the 2004 season. The captains for this season include senior linebacker Barrett Ruud, junior receiver Ross Pilkington, junior free safety Josh Bullocks and sophomore quarterback Joe Dailey.

"There is a respect for their work ethic and their character on and off the field," Callahan said. "There are all types of leaders, silent leaders, vocal leaders, and leaders by example. I think we’ve got a good range of that across the board."

Barrett Ruud joins his father, Tom, in the prestigious list of Cornhusker team captains, and the Ruud’s are believed to be the first father-son duo elected as captains in NU football history. The elder Ruud was an all-conference linebacker who served as a team captain during his senior season in 1974. In addition, Barrett’s uncle, Bob Martin, served as a team captain in 1975, and his great-grandfather, Clarence Swanson was the Huskers’ captain in 1921.

Callahan also updated the status of several injured Huskers following the morning workout. He said NU expects junior offensive lineman Seppo Evwareye to return to action Sunday, while redshirt freshman defensive end Kevin Luhrs and freshman offensive tackle Lydon Murtha could be ready to practice sometime early next week. It is still unknown when senior receiver Ben Zajicek and freshman Andy Poulosky will return.

Saturday’s practice was the start of a full day for the Husker players and staff. Following the morning workout, Husker players had a quick lunch before all players and coaches take part in the annual Fan Day at Memorial Stadium from 1-2:30, before re-convening for afternoon and evening meetings.

The Huskers will complete the training camp portion of their fall camp schedule with a pair of practices on Sunday. Nebraska is scheduled to hit the field at 8:45 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. on Sunday. Nebraska will then take Monday off as the Huskers move into their regular-season practice schedule. Monday also marks the start of the fall semester at Nebraska.