Huskers Get First Spring Practice in the BooksHuskers Get First Spring Practice in the Books
Football

Huskers Get First Spring Practice in the Books

Lincoln, NE- The Nebraska football team practiced for just over two hours Saturday in the Hawks Championship Center in jerseys and shorts, marking the first practice of spring football for the Huskers.

"I thought it was pretty smooth, it was not a lot of drama," said head coach Mike Riley. "We did a lot of installation teaching for some parts in field goal, field goal block, we did a lot of specialist work."

Riley added that offense and defense practiced individually for an hour. "Our goal for spring practice is to be fundamentally and technically sound," said Riley. "If we can learn good technique we can plug it all into stuff that goes into the game." 

He also noted that Zack Darlington who previously played quarterback was practicing as a wide receiver today.

"What he's looking for is opportunity, and what we are looking for is a guy who is really a good athlete."

Riley also addressed defensive coordinator Mark Banker working directly with the safety position.

"There's such diverse teaching between what you teach corner skills and what you teach safeties," Riley said of his plan to have Banker work individually with the safeties. "In my life, I've been both on the field, and it's hard. Technique wise, they're different."

When asked on the difference between today's practice versus one year ago, Riley said "Just like light years, no doubt about it. Just those choices for the quarterbacks, the routes, as far as assignments, that's the way it should be."

Nebraska’s annual Red-White Spring Game is set for Saturday, April 16 at Memorial Stadium, with kickoff at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at here, or by calling the Nebraska Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-8 BIG RED.