Huskers Shift Focus to Southern Miss

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska football team worked out for two hours on Thursday as the team began to transition into preparations for its season opener next week. The Huskers took to the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields in full pads as the coaching staff began to wrap up fall camp and move toward next Saturday's matchup with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Following practice, Defensive Coordinator John Papuchis met with the media to discuss how the team is gearing up to face their fist opponent.

"It was the first day we introduced some of the ideas and got some good work against some scouts," Papuchis said. "They kind of got a feel for what the game plan is."

The Golden Eagles will come to Lincoln under the leadership of first-year head coach and former South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. When asked how the Huskers will prepare for a team with a new staff, Papuchis said research is key.

"You turn over every rock, look at the resources that are out there and use your best judgment," Papuchis said. "We're not going to know exactly what they're going to try to do coming in here, but we're going to try to get the best idea we can possibly get from all their coaches' backgrounds. We're going to get a feel for what they do and hope that we've taught enough lessons throughout the course of spring ball and fall camp that we apply them next week."

Papuchis also discussed the race at cornerback, which looks to be a particularly deep position for the Big Red this season.

"I think going into the year, it might be a situation where we play multiple guys in the game," Papuchis said. "It's a good problem to have. We're looking for people to maybe take the job, but when the competition is there and it's good and equal to an extent, we might play a couple guys and see how it plays out next Saturday."

Nebraska will continue preparations tomorrow as the team moves closer to its season opener next week. NU will face Southern Miss on Sept. 1 at 2:30 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast regionally on ABC and ESPN2.