Huskers Hold Major Scrimmage

Lincoln?The Nebraska football team prepared for next weekend’s annual Red-White game with a two and one-half hour practice inside Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Huskers held the most game-like scrimmage of Bill Callahan’s two years as head coach, intended to simulate next-week’s spring game, including pitting its offensive and defensive groups against each other, as well as the inclusion of down-and-distance.

Callahan was pleased to have the opportunity for a full-scale scrimmage prior to the spring game, one that was not afforded last year.

"I really felt it was time to get ourselves a good live scrimmage prior to the spring game," Callahan said. "Last year, we weren’t as fortunate to do something like this, but this will be the norm as we move along in the (coming) years.

"By and large, I thought both sides of the ball worked well today," Callahan said. "Our defense created a lot of turnovers early on in the scrimmage. I thought our offense started out a little bit rusty, but that’s common in a scrimmage like this for the first time. They started to pick it up as we moved through it, so, all-in-all, I’m really satisfied with the outcome of what we did today. We’re becoming a more physical football team, which was our No. 1 objective."

As well as becoming a more physical football team, the Huskers have also placed more emphasis on creating turnovers by introducing various new drills this spring.

"We’ve implemented a five-minute takeaway circuit, and we’ve implemented a lot of different drills in that particular period," Callahan said. "Guys are working the ball, you can hear the coaches constantly emphasizing strip the ball, work the ball and club the ball. We’re doing those types of things that are creating more turnovers. We made some plays today in the passing game for some good gains, and consequently, our defense did a good job in stripping the ball from the receiver and taking it away."

Nebraska begins the final week of spring drills Monday, April 11 with a 3:45 p.m. workout. Only three practices remain before the annual Red-White Game on April 16. Tickets for the Spring Game can be purchased online at Huskers.com and by calling or visiting the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office.