Huskers Ramp up Preparations for Trojans

Lincoln? The Husker football team ramped up preparations for its non-conference showdown with the top-ranked USC Trojans on Tuesday with a 2 1/2-hour practice inside Memorial Stadium.

 

Nebraska was back on the practice field after using Sunday and Monday to review game film and solidify its mental readiness for a game that is being tagged as one of the hottest tickets in college football this season.

 

Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson commented on USC following practice, making special mention of the coaching and athleticism this caliber of team brings to the table.

 

“They’re a very talented team,” Watson said. “No. 1, they’re very well coached. Then they have great athletes. It’s hard to rate the teams (I’ve coached against), but they are as talented as any of them, if not the most talented.”

 

The Husker offense is preparing to face a Trojan defense that has six Pac-10 honorees from last year’s 11-2 team by practicing against its own speedy Blackshirt defense. Although the Huskers are preparing for everything the nation’s top team might bring to Lincoln, defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said Nebraska’s main concern is its own performance.

 

“Our concern right now is about us and about how well we play and how much we’ve improved over the last week,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to work on right now. We need to improve our fundamental techniques. That’s the biggest thing.”

 

Cosgrove added that junior defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler is expected to play against the Trojans.

 

The Huskers continue a week packed with preparation with practice against on Wednesday afternoon beginning at 3:45 p.m.