NU Works on Special Teams

LINCOLN ? The Husker football team continued preparations for its Sept. 3 season opener against Maine Thursday with a two and one-half hour practice inside Memorial Stadium. The squad underwent several different situational drills during the workout, including red zone, two-minute and 5-on-4 pass rush drills with the top units squaring off against each other.

One area in which Nebraska has focused a lot of attention during the fall has been special teams. Head Coach Bill Callahan said that NU has put forth more effort during this pre-season’s camp as opposed to last season.

"We are spending an inordinate amount of time on special teams this year," Callahan said. "We’ve put special teams in the middle of practice. We have an additional 10-minute period at the end of practice with an additional specialists period. You saw the kickoff returners, not only the back-line guys, but you saw the fullbacks and tight ends catching additional variations of kickoffs including the lob kick and the squib kick. That’s an area where we have to improve (this year). We didn’t handle the ball very well last year against Kansas State, and it cost us dearly. We are trying to zero in on every minute detail of the game. There’s improvement, but we still have a long ways to go."

Callahan also released the status of redshirt freshman offensive guard Andy Christensen, who underwent season-ending surgery Thursday after suffering a right shoulder injury earlier in fall camp. While the Huskers will sorely miss Christensen, who was challenging for the starting spot at left guard, Callahan said several capable athletes appear ready to step in.

"(Andy’s) progress was really coming along (before the injury)," Callahan said. "I felt that he really had a chance to contend for the starting position as a redshirt freshman. That’s tough, but we have other quality guards who are stepping up. Greg Austin has stepped up, and Mike Huff has stepped up as well."

One Husker who has stood out at the left guard position is fifth-year senior Jared Helming, who was moved back to offense after switching to the defensive side of the ball last season.

"We did move Jared Helming from defense to offense. He is a backup right now, but he is contending for that starting role. He is much better (since he switched to defense). You take a guy from the defensive side and move him back over, and we’ve mad that move twice. He’s just more fluid in his fifth and final year of playing that guard position. He understands the nuances a lot better, he’s coming off the ball a lot smoother and he’s so strong. He’s a physical presence at that position, and we’re looking for his help as we move along."

Nebraska returns to practice Friday at 3:30 p.m. Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove and requested assistants will be available to address the media following exercises.