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The 19th-ranked Nebraska football team continued preparations for Saturday’s 7 p.m. game against USC with a two-hour long practice in shorts and helmets at Memorial Stadium Wednesday evening. As the Huskers continue to practice for their game with the fourth-ranked Trojans, they do it with a sense of respect for their opponents, according to head coach Bill Callahan.
“I’m very respectful of USC, Pete Carroll and their team,” Callahan said. “We just need to remain humble and hard-working.”
Callahan announced Wednesday that All-Big 12 center Kurt Mann would be held out of the game. Mann, currently hospitalized with a viral infection, will miss his second straight start after starting 24 straight games at center for NU.
“He’s climbing the walls,” Callahan said. “He wants to get out of the hospital as soon as he can. He’s doing great and wishes he could be with this team. But he’s still a little weak.”
In his place will again be Brett Byford with Andy Christensen and Jordan Picou backing him up. Callahan was impressed by Byford’s efforts in his first start against NichollsState last Saturday.
“I was pleased,” Callahan said. “I thought he managed the line well. I think he did good job communicating. He’s an experienced guy. He’s been in the system for three years, so he knew exactly what to expect. He stepped in and stepped up.”
Also on Wednesday, it was announced that senior fullback Dane Todd was named to the Division I-A American Football Coaches Association Good Works team. Todd was one of 22 players nationwide named to the team, and added to Nebraska’s nation-leading total of 11 honorees all-time. Todd was recognized for his abilities on and off the field. On the field, Todd is a two-year starter at fullback for Nebraska. Off the field, Todd is First-Team Academic All-American and two-time first-team academic All-Big 12 honoree. He also is an involved member in the community, volunteering his time to a variety of causes, including Safe Quarters Friendship Home Fund Drive, Nebraska Dance Marathon for Children’s Miracle Network, and the Relay for Life.
Nebraska wraps preparation for the USC game with a Thursday afternoon practice before preparing to leave for Los Angeles on Friday morning.