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NU football notes: Callahan outlines Spring Game plans
By the Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 12:51:55 am CDT
As has been the case in recent years, Nebraska’s first-string players will face the second string in the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.
“We’re going to put the ones versus the twos and let them compete,” Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan said Wednesday after the Huskers completed the 13th of 15 spring practices.
“I’ll say this: Our second team will give our (first) team a heck of a battle, I know that,” he said. “It’ll be fun.”
Last spring, the Red squad (made up of first-string players) defeated the Whites 35-7.
Callahan said he never considered having the first-string offense and defense square off this year.
“I just don’t think we have enough depth to split the team and try to do that,” he said. “With the format we utilize, the purpose and objective is to have consistency, have continuity, but also come out of it with confidence. Let us utilize and maximize the 15th practice to our advantage, so we can get something out of it.”
He said he remembers coaching at other schools where players drafted the teams themselves for spring games.
“But that was in a day and age when there were 125 scholarships,” he said. “It’s a little bit different now (with 85 scholarships). A lot of teams don’t even have spring games. A lot of teams can’t even get a second offensive line out there.”
Much attention Saturday will be on quarterbacks Joe Ganz and Sam Keller, who are competing for the starting job. Ganz and Keller will start the day sharing time with the first-string offense, Callahan said.
Callahan noted that some players will trade sides in the second half, the defense might blitz more this year than last year and that kickoffs will be returned, while punts won’t.
Callahan reiterated that he wouldn’t name a starting quarterback until preseason camp in August.
“I will say this, this is a great opportunity for them to compete in a pressure situation, you know, with a full house,” the coach said. “I think it’s great for Sam to get accustomed to the atmosphere and of course for Joey to compete in the environment.”
TICKET INFO: Spring Game tickets may be purchased online at Huskers.com. In addition, the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office will be open until 8 p.m. Friday. The ticket office and several ticket-selling locations around Memorial Stadium will open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with gates opening at 11 a.m.
INJURY REPORT: Junior Andy Christensen, projected as the starting left guard, will miss the Spring Game with a foot sprain. “It’s nothing severe,” Callahan said. “We’re just trying to be cautious.” Redshirt freshman Keith Williams will start in Christensen’s place. Meanwhile, true freshman I-back Marcus Mendoza (hamstring) practiced Wednesday wearing a leg brace. His status for Saturday is uncertain.
COACHING HANDOFF: Because of his responsibilities with the NFL Network broadcast, Callahan will hand off his play-calling duties Saturday to offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore. It will be the first time Callahan hasn’t called plays in NU’s Spring Game.
VISITORS ON HAND: A group of Auburn offensive coaches, including coordinator Al Borges, attended Nebraska’s practice Wednesday and met with Husker staff members. Most of the Husker defensive coaches earlier this spring traveled to the Auburn campus to pick the brains of Tiger coaches. Auburn defeated Nebraska 17-14 in the Cotton Bowl last January. “(The staffs) get along great, and there are a lot of things we do that are very common in terms of scheme,” Callahan said.
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By the Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 12:51:55 am CDT
As has been the case in recent years, Nebraska’s first-string players will face the second string in the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.
“We’re going to put the ones versus the twos and let them compete,” Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan said Wednesday after the Huskers completed the 13th of 15 spring practices.
“I’ll say this: Our second team will give our (first) team a heck of a battle, I know that,” he said. “It’ll be fun.”
Last spring, the Red squad (made up of first-string players) defeated the Whites 35-7.
Callahan said he never considered having the first-string offense and defense square off this year.
“I just don’t think we have enough depth to split the team and try to do that,” he said. “With the format we utilize, the purpose and objective is to have consistency, have continuity, but also come out of it with confidence. Let us utilize and maximize the 15th practice to our advantage, so we can get something out of it.”
He said he remembers coaching at other schools where players drafted the teams themselves for spring games.
“But that was in a day and age when there were 125 scholarships,” he said. “It’s a little bit different now (with 85 scholarships). A lot of teams don’t even have spring games. A lot of teams can’t even get a second offensive line out there.”
Much attention Saturday will be on quarterbacks Joe Ganz and Sam Keller, who are competing for the starting job. Ganz and Keller will start the day sharing time with the first-string offense, Callahan said.
Callahan noted that some players will trade sides in the second half, the defense might blitz more this year than last year and that kickoffs will be returned, while punts won’t.
Callahan reiterated that he wouldn’t name a starting quarterback until preseason camp in August.
“I will say this, this is a great opportunity for them to compete in a pressure situation, you know, with a full house,” the coach said. “I think it’s great for Sam to get accustomed to the atmosphere and of course for Joey to compete in the environment.”
TICKET INFO: Spring Game tickets may be purchased online at Huskers.com. In addition, the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office will be open until 8 p.m. Friday. The ticket office and several ticket-selling locations around Memorial Stadium will open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with gates opening at 11 a.m.
INJURY REPORT: Junior Andy Christensen, projected as the starting left guard, will miss the Spring Game with a foot sprain. “It’s nothing severe,” Callahan said. “We’re just trying to be cautious.” Redshirt freshman Keith Williams will start in Christensen’s place. Meanwhile, true freshman I-back Marcus Mendoza (hamstring) practiced Wednesday wearing a leg brace. His status for Saturday is uncertain.
COACHING HANDOFF: Because of his responsibilities with the NFL Network broadcast, Callahan will hand off his play-calling duties Saturday to offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore. It will be the first time Callahan hasn’t called plays in NU’s Spring Game.
VISITORS ON HAND: A group of Auburn offensive coaches, including coordinator Al Borges, attended Nebraska’s practice Wednesday and met with Husker staff members. Most of the Husker defensive coaches earlier this spring traveled to the Auburn campus to pick the brains of Tiger coaches. Auburn defeated Nebraska 17-14 in the Cotton Bowl last January. “(The staffs) get along great, and there are a lot of things we do that are very common in terms of scheme,” Callahan said.
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