Competition Heats Up for NU Linebackers

LINCOLN ? It was another hot and steamy day for the Nebraska football team Thursday, as the squad continued fall training camp with a two and one-half hour workout in full pads on the grass practice fields. Temperatures hovered near the mid-90’s by the end of drills.

Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove seemed enthusiastic about the Huskers’ effort during the heat.

"It was a good practice," Cosgrove said. "We had a lot of energy for a hot, hot day. The (players) practiced well."

Cosgrove said he was pleased with the progress made by his defense this fall, particularly in the chemistry and leadership categories.

"I have been really impressed, and I talked to the defense about this last night," Cosgrove said. "I like their enthusiasm. We are really developing chemistry. I see guys on the sideline coming off (the field) and they’re giving guys high-fives, congratulating guys for doing a good job. That was one of our goals going into the season, and we are having fun out there. On hot days like today you have to push yourself, and they did a nice job."

Competition also is heating up to replace former Husker linebackers Barrett Ruud and Chad Sievers. Cosgrove said that the race between Bo Ruud and Steve Octavien for the starting WILL linebacking position is still neck-and-neck.

"We grade everything (Bo and Steve) do. Every scrimmage situation, they grade. They both have big-play ability, we just need to be more consistent with both of them. Steve is very sudden?a very explosive player, and Bo has tremendous range. He is very long, gets good hands on receivers and plays very smart. They both have very good abilities, but yet they are a little different."

Nebraska will hold its final two-a-day practice session Friday. Head Coach Bill Callahan, requested assistant coaches and players will be available to speak with the media only following the morning workout. There will be no press gathering following afternoon drills.

NOTE: Four members of the Army’s 1-134th Calvary Squadron were presented an NU flag, which was autographed by Coach Callahan, following Thursday’s practice. The all-Nebraskan unit is scheduled to set out late winter or early spring for military operations in Iraq. The squadron consists of 271 troops from a total of eight Nebraska cities?Beatrice, Crete, Fairbury, Fremont, Grand Island, Hastings, Lincoln and Wahoo. Soldiers in attendance included Major Eric Teegerstrom, Major Brent Flachsbart, Sgt. First Class Brian Cleveland and Private LeMarcus Gaskins.