Huskers Hit the Field Early, Prepare for WildcatsHuskers Hit the Field Early, Prepare for Wildcats
Football

Huskers Hit the Field Early, Prepare for Wildcats

The Nebraska football team underwent its earliest day practice of the 2009 season, working out for an hour and a half inside the Hawks Championship Center on Saturday morning.

"We had a good week of practice," head coach Bo Pelini said. "They've earned some time off (now) and we'll have a little bit of rest. We had a real physical week. I've had some success in bowl games and the big key is you have to get enough practice, but you don't want to over-practice them. You don't want to get to the point where guys are worn out physically and mentally. You have to find the balance."

Approximately 85-90 players will be in Lincoln throughout the holiday break for informal workouts, before the entire team rejoins Thursday, Dec. 24 to being game week preparations for the Holiday Bowl. The Huskers will depart for San Diego on Christmas Day as NU meets Arizona on Wednesday, Dec. 30 for Pelini's third bowl appearance as Nebraska head coach, including the 2003 Alamo Bowl as interim head coach.

"It's the next challenge," he said. "It gives us a chance to get better as a football team and hopefully gain some momentum going into the offseason. Obviously everyone wants to finish on a high note and get that 10th win, but it's also about continuing the progress we're having right now."

Several Huskers had an event-filled day, as eight Nebraska football players are part of the December 2009 commencement ceremonies in Larry Asante, Tyrone Fahie, David Harvey, Colton Koehler, Blake Lawrence, Derek Meyer, Matt O'Hanlon and Ndamukong Suh, in addition to former Husker Octavius McFarlin.

"That's the No. 1 goal when you come to school, more so than football wins and losses or anything else," Pelini said. "We're proud of them. They worked hard at is so it's great to see."

Nebraska Football December 2009 Graduates