Watson Breaks Down Backfield

The Nebraska football team continued preparations for its Sept. 5 season opener against Florida Atlantic with a two-hour practice Tuesday afternoon on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields northeast of Memorial Stadium. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson addressed some key position battles as the staff zeroes in on filling out the depth chart.

"We had a good practice," Watson said. "On both sides of the ball it was really intense. We coached them intense today. We're getting closed to game time. We're trying to get all of the details worked out. We got after each other today."

In the race for the No. 2 quarterback spot, Watson said true freshman Cody Green has taken the lead.

"He's done a great job. He's really catching on," Watson said. "I'm really pleased with where he is at. Latravis is competing hard with him, trying to make up the ground he lost. We'll make some decisions by the end of the week."

Watson said Green's maturity has not only earned him respect from his teammates, but also from the coaching staff.

"He's just a mature guy. He gets it," Watson said. "He understands life a little bit. He understands football. He just brings that to the table. It's just a gift he has. He's a natural leader. Football comes natural. I think that helps him with his leadership."

In addition to the quarterback race starting to take shape, Watson said Marcus Mendoza is pushing for a spot among the top-three running backs.

"We can do all kinds of things with him, Rex and Roy," Watson said. "Those guys all possess that kind of ability to go out on the perimeter because they have receiver skills when it comes to getting in and out of breaks and being an explosive player."

The offensive line picture is a little bit muddier because some players are still swinging positions, but Watson said D.J. Jones has stepped up this fall.

"D.J. Jones has played really well, had a really good camp," Watson said. "He's really upped his game. Last year he was finding his way through, transitioning. This year, he's there. He's had a really good camp. From the spring until today, what he's done is he's put himself in position to compete for a starting job."

The Huskers return to the practice field on Wednesday afternoon.