Walk-On Cassidy Gets a Scholarship as Huskers Continue to Prepare for Opener

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska football team continued to gear up for its season opener against Western Kentucky with a two-hour practice in full pads on the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice fields northeast of Memorial Stadium. Bo Pelini spoke after practice about maintaining a humble deamanor as the team approaches its first game.

"We have a lot of work to do," Pelini said. "Like I said, we're not nearly to the finished product yet. Our biggest competition now, and like it is throughout the whole year, is yourself. (It's) coming out every day with the right attitude, the right focus to keep improving and try and reach your potential. That's the challenge we have in front of us."

With a football culture built around competition, Pelini and his staff will remain focused on constantly evaluating the players and like today, correcting mental errors. 

"I think we need better attention to detail," Pelini said. "There were some good things out there. There were some things mentally; there were some mental errors, some things that weren't up to our standards. We saw a lot of good things too. We need a whole week's practice."

Pelini noted that senior quarterback Latravis Washington will see time on special teams this season. As a player who has sacrificed a lot for the team, the coaching staff wanted to give him the opportunity to work with the special teams. Pelini praised his attitude throughout his time at Nebraska.

"Latravis is as good of a guy in the locker room as you're ever going to have," Pelini said. "We love having him around, he has a great attitude; he's a winner. I can't say enough good things about LT."

Pelini also announced after practice that junior defensive back Austin Cassidy has been awarded a scholarship. The Lincoln Southwest product has been a walk-on in the program for the past three seasons, and has been one of Nebraska's key special teams performers. Cassidy is expected to again be a special teams leader this fall, while battling for playing time in the secondary.

The Huskers will continue to prepare for their season opener against the Hilltoppers with another practice Tuesday afternoon in Lincoln.