Callahan Expects Tough Environment

Lincoln - The Nebraska football team continued preparations for its first Big 12 road game of the season with a two-hour workout in half pads inside Memorial Stadium on Tuesday. The Huskers face Texas Tech in Lubbock in a 6:10 p.m. nationally televised (TBS) contest on Saturday.

Earlier in the day at his weekly press conference, Head Coach Bill Callahan spoke about the Red Raiders, telling reporters they have a firm dedication to their distinctive style of pass-heavy offensive football.

"It’s a very unique and unconventional type of system," Callahan said. "They have an unwavering commitment to what they do. They throw it, they throw it again, and then they throw it some more. And then they’re going to throw more on top of that. That’s just a philosophical approach that they’re comfortable with. They’ve got a lot of confidence in the players and the system that they have there."

Callahan said he’s ready for his first Big 12 road contest, and although he is not too familiar with Lubbock, he expects a difficult environment on Saturday night.

"I know it’s a tough place, a tough environment to play in," Callahan said. "It will be hostile on Saturday night. I’m sure it will be a tough environment, but that’s part of being a good football team. You have to go down there ... and be able to function efficiently and effectively and challenge yourself and your team to win games on the road. That’s what the great teams do."

Another topic of discussion was Barrett Ruud’s pursuit of former Husker linebacker Jerry Murtaugh’s all-time tackles record, which Ruud would break by collecting eight tackles on Saturday.

"That’s a great milestone, just from the aspect of his ability to endure the years that he has played football here at Nebraska," Callahan said. "You think about the toll it’s taken on his body, and for him to endure that and be as productive as he is, it speaks volumes as a person and a player. What a great milestone that is, and he is surely deserving of that."

NU will continue its preparations for the Red Raiders with an afternoon practice on Wednesday.