Huskers, ESPN Create Stadium Excitement

Lincoln - The Nebraska football team worked out in helmets and shorts for two hours inside Memorial Stadium in preparation for Saturday’s season opener with Maine, while ESPN's "50 States in 50 Days" created a fan frenzy outside the east entrance of the stadium on Wednesday afternoon. 

With the first game looming, the Huskers backed off and treated Wednesday’s practice like a normal Thursday practice during game week.

NU Head Coach Bill Callahan was pleased with the focus his team showed during the workout.

"We backed off today," Callahan said. "We had a brief, brisk practice. It was more of a mental practice and more of a quickness practice. By that, I mean we really focused on the (players’) first two steps being as quick as (they) can coming off the ball, our reaction and our assignments.

"I feel good about where we’re at from a mental standpoint and from an assignment perspective. It’s now a matter of execution and playing as physical as we can on Saturday night."

ESPN was also in town for the Huskers’ practice. As part of its "50 States in 50 Days" promotion, the network filmed the beginning of practice and taped segments in front of the east side of the stadium. The piece will air on Wednesday night’s SportsCenter.

Callahan also took time to address the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families down in the New Orleans area," Callahan said. "We have six players from down in that area. We again just want to send our deepest sympathies to all of the people and our blessings go out to all of them."

The Huskers continue game-week preparations Thursday afternoon. Coach Callahan will address the media following practice.