Beck, Huskers Look to Hit the Ground Running

With the season opener three days away, the Nebraska football team took the field Wednesday for a two hour workout on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields, just northeast of Memorial Stadium. The Huskers practiced in helmets and shoulder pads in their last major workout before toning things down for their game against Western Kentucky.

After Wednesday's practice, running backs coach Tim Beck addressed the media and talked about his position. One player that has impressed Beck this fall camp is senior Roy Helu Jr. Beck said he has seen a more calm Helu the past four weeks.

"I see him playing more relaxed, not putting as much pressure on himself having to be the guy," Beck said. "I think he knows that he is the veteran of the group and there is a lot expected of him, but I also feel like he has been able to play a lot more relaxed."

With Helu and sophomores Rex Burkhead and Dontrayevous Robinson at the top of the depth chart, Beck pointed to junior Austin Jones and sophomore Lester Ward as possible candidates as the fourth back.

"We'll look at A.J. (Jones) and Lester (Ward), maybe guys who have separated themselves a little bit if we get the opportunity to, but right now we're just focusing on those other guys and doing what we need to do to win the game."

The Huskers will return to the practice field on Thursday for an afternoon workout. NU kicks off the 2010 season against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday at 6 p.m. in a matchup televised on Fox Sports Net Pay-Per View.