Football Notebook

[husker rob]

Lucky honored

 

LINCOLN Nebraska I-back Marlon Lucky continues to rack up recognition for his career performance in Nebraska's 52-10 win over Nevada Saturday, earning offensive player of the week honors from the Big 12 Conference. The junior was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation national offensive player of the week on Monday.

 

Lucky's award-winning week comes as no surprise, as the North Hollywood, Calif., native pounded out a nation-leading and career-best 233 rushing yards to help the Huskers to 625 total yards against the Wolf Pack the highest output during coach Bill Callahan's four-year tenure. Lucky was also responsible for four of Nebraska's seven touchdowns, including a grab for NUs only passing score of the afternoon.

 

It was the second player-of-the-week accolade for Lucky, who also earned the honor following his performance against Troy in 2006, when he notched 156 yards on 10 carries and three TDs.

 

Depth chart

 

While Nebraska's depth chart features a few changes on the offensive side this week, most of the moves are related to players who figured to be front-liners returning from either injury or suspension.

 

At I-back, junior Cody Glenn is back on the chart as the Huskers' No. 3 I-back behind Marlon Lucky and Quentin Castille. Glenn had been bothered by hamstring and foot problems in the preseason, but received eight carries in the second half of the Nevada game.

 

Right guard Matt Slauson, who recovered from a separated shoulder in time to play the season opener, is back at the No. 1 spot ahead of Mike Huff.

 

Maurice Purify and Hunter Teafatiller are on the depth chart this week after missing the first game due to suspensions for off-season incidents, both related to alcohol. Purify is the backup "X" wide receiver behind Nate Swift, while Teafatiller is listed as the No. 6 H-back.

 

Ode to Grobe

 

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe owns a 37-35 record in his six seasons with the Demon Deacons. Prior to Grobe's arrival in 2000, the program was a combined 26-63 in the previous eight seasons.

 

Last season, Grobe guided Wake Forest to a school-record 11 wins, earning him ACC coach of the year honors. He was also selected as the national coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press, The Sporting News and CBS Sportsline.com.

 

The Demon Deacons were ACC champions and earned a BCS bid, losing to Louisville in the Orange Bowl.

 

Practice report

 

The Husker football team continued preparations for its first road contest of the year by going through a 2 1/2-hour practice Wednesday inside Memorial Stadium.

 

Head coach Bill Callahan addressed the media following the workout and primarily spoke about the challenge the Nebraska running game could face against a tough Wake Forest defense. WFU gave up just 54 yards rushing to Boston College last Saturday.

 

"I feel their front seven is the strength of their football team, no question," Callahan said. "It's outstanding. I can see why they had the success they had a year ago on defense. They harass, make plays and disrupt. They're well coordinated and have excellent fundamentals."

 

Callahan said this year's matchup with the Demon Deacons will be more competitive than the 2005 contest when the Huskers defeated Wake Forest in Lincoln, 31-3. Since the 2005 season when the Demon Deacons went on to a 4-7 record, WFU rebounded by winning the 2006 ACC Championship with an 11-3 record last season.

 

"They're much bigger, thicker and more physical, especially the two tackles inside," he said. "They're playmakers and run-stoppers. They have an excellent system."

 

Junior defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler was in uniform for Wednesday's practice, but his status for Saturday's game is still listed as day-to-day.

 

The Huskers will practice in Lincoln for the final time this week Thursday afternoon, before leaving for Winston-Salem, N.C., Friday morning.