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Lincoln? The 20th-ranked Nebraska football team escaped frigid outside temperatures with a two-hour, half-pad practice inside the HawksChampionshipCenter in preparation for Big 12 opponent OklahomaState at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The contest marks the Huskers’ fifth straight Big 12 match-up and the first time the team has faced OklahomaState in Stillwater since the 2002 season.
Head Coach Bill Callahan was pleased with the fast-paced rhythm of practice as the team prepares to face the final third of its season schedule, which includes two road games.
“It was a good practice, a good tempo and a good energy on the practice field,” Callahan said. “I really liked the way we practiced today. We did a lot of situational review, we worked on our third-down package, we worked on short-yardage goal line, play-action passing and drop-back passing. All in all, it was a good day.”
Callahan additionally explained the decision to continue to start junior center Brett Byford against Texas despite the return of senior starter Kurt Mann the week before.
“We went in with a great plan, and we started Brett Byford because he was part of that plan,” Callahan said. “I think (offensive line) Coach (Dennis) Wagner wanted to let Brett play it out, and I thought (he) played a great game.”
After confirming that senior guard Greg Austin is back to full speed after spraining his knee against IowaState, Callahan was additionally encouraged with the performance by junior tackle Carl Nicks, who has recently showcased impressive play in practice.
“He’s pretty good,” Callahan said. “This week has been a really good practice (week) for him, and I know Coach Wagner feels really confident about his performance out on the field. This week during practice he has really, really improved, and we’re encouraged by that. Hopefully you’ll see him sometime on Saturday. It’s about experience. He’s more comfortable back on the left side now. It was just a matter of time before he worked into the mix. But we’re confident in his ability to play, and anxious to watch him.”
The Huskers continue practice for Saturday’s match-up with the Cowboys with a workout Thursday afternoon.