Watson Prepares NU Offense for Next Road Test

Lincoln - The Nebraska football team practiced in full pads this afternoon on the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields as they continue to prepare for next Thursday night's game at Kansas State. After practice offensive coordinator Shawn Watson addressed the media.

"We've had two good days," said Watson. "It's good to have the speed of the game. You get the physicality and speed you need during a bye week. It's been a good two days of practice."

After a tough offensive performance last week in which Nebraska put up 17 points against South Dakota State, Watson said the offense is progressing.

"We've gotten back to the basics and going against our defense is a good measuring stick," he said. "We can be physical and we can play fast. We've had two really good days going against them and feel like ourselves."

Watson also talked about freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez putting last weekend's game behind him.

"He's done a great job. He puts things behind him real fast and he learned from them too. We've put him in a lot of situations to help him iron those things out. He's had two good days of practice. He looks like he did before the season began, which is pretty good."

Nebraska's game at Kansas State will mark their first conference game of the season. Watson discussed Martinez's preparation for his first Big 12 test.

"The antes up because it's a program that we have a lot of respect for. Those are all things that have Taylor's attention. He understands the importance of what were getting into with the conference season."

The Huskers travel to Manhattan to face the Wildcats next Thursday at 6 p.m. in a nationally-televised game on ESPN.