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Published Thursday
March 4, 2004
NU Football Notes: Huskers searching for Sewell's replacement
BY RICH KAIPUST AND ELIZABETH MERRILL
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - Will Richie Incognito begin a second straight spring at center? Nebraska Offensive Line Coach Dennis Wagner isn't saying.
The All-Big 12 pick has played the past two seasons at left tackle, but the Huskers need to replace starting center Josh Sewell.
"No question we've got to find a center," Wagner said. "We're going to try different people there."
NU opened spring drills a year ago thinking Incognito would make the move. Sewell's development led to him returning to tackle.
If Incognito changed positions, senior Nick Povendo and junior-college transfer Cornelius Thomas likely would compete for his old job, though Thomas doesn't arrive until summer. NU Coach Bill Callahan spoke specifically about Thomas' talents as a left tackle on signing day.
"Right now, we're not getting wrapped up in who's playing where," Wagner said. "In regards to the offensive line, it's important that they know how to play all positions anyway."
Kurt Mann was listed as Sewell's backup on the Alamo Bowl depth chart but played limited snaps as a redshirt freshman.
Pittman moves to running back
Looks like the Huskers will have a North Platte, Neb., running back on the roster after all.
Sophomore receiver Kade Pittman is moving to running back, his former high school coach at North Platte, Bob Zohner, said Wednesday.
Pittman ran for 1,165 yards as a senior at North Platte and averaged 7.3 yards a carry. He seems like a perfect fit for Callahan's West Coast offense because of his pass-catching ability.
"Kade was an awfully good running back in high school," said Zohner, who also coached Class A rushing record-holder Danny Woodhead. "He's got excellent hands . . . I would think he'd be just the ticket because he's tough."
Nebraska, by the way, passed on offering a scholarship to Woodhead, who is headed to Chadron State.
Auburn transfer to visit Lincoln
Pittman may have some competition soon.
Former Auburn running back Brandon Jacobs will visit Nebraska's campus in the next couple of weeks, the Mobile Register said. The 6-foot-4, 257-pounder was a USA Today All-American in high school but found himself as a backup at Auburn.
Jacobs would have one year of eligibility left after redshirting in 2004. Once he got his release from the Tigers, Jacobs told the Register that Callahan called "right away."
"I'm not for sure yet that I'm transferring to Nebraska," Jacobs said. "I'll go up there and see what they have to offer."
Schuler hasn't been cleared
Asked again Wednesday about offensive tackle Ryan Schuler (blood clots), Wagner said only that the freshman hasn't been medically cleared. "He's still on the team, still on scholarship," Wagner said. "He's just not doing anything.". . . Wagner also said offensive guard Greg Austin (knee) hasn't been cleared for spring practice. . . . Kennedy will put several former Huskers through testing for NFL scouts Wednesday at Cook Pavilion.
Pilkington sheds pounds
Nebraska's new offense already has made an impact on Ross Pilkington.
Pilkington, who played between 195 and 200 pounds last season, is down to about 185. The junior-to-be is one of the receivers excited about catching more passes and doing a little less blocking in 2004.
"They've got me focusing more on getting my body lean and fast, rather than bulky," Pilkington said. "Hopefully I'll be able to tell (the difference) in speed, but I don't plan on losing any strength."
Pilkington and tight end Matt Herian led NU last season with 22 catches. Pilkington said a change in his diet and Dave Kennedy's strength and conditioning program is "really helping a lot of guys cut off body fat."
Coaches want volleyball tickets
He may be known for his 18-hour workdays, but Callahan finds time in the fall to catch a little volleyball.
NU Volleyball Coach John Cook said Callahan and two of his assistants, Bill Busch and Kevin Cosgrove, have already requested volleyball tickets for the 2004 season.
The coaches worked together at Wisconsin in the 1990s, and Cook's volleyball office was next door to football. Cook's daughter, Lauren, is the same age as Callahan's 12-year-old daughter Cathryn.
"It was fun to be around those guys at Wisconsin," Cook said. "We all worked out together at lunch.
"They're great guys. They're going to work very hard."
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg...8&u_sid=1023942
Published Thursday
March 4, 2004
NU Football Notes: Huskers searching for Sewell's replacement
BY RICH KAIPUST AND ELIZABETH MERRILL
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - Will Richie Incognito begin a second straight spring at center? Nebraska Offensive Line Coach Dennis Wagner isn't saying.
The All-Big 12 pick has played the past two seasons at left tackle, but the Huskers need to replace starting center Josh Sewell.
"No question we've got to find a center," Wagner said. "We're going to try different people there."
NU opened spring drills a year ago thinking Incognito would make the move. Sewell's development led to him returning to tackle.
If Incognito changed positions, senior Nick Povendo and junior-college transfer Cornelius Thomas likely would compete for his old job, though Thomas doesn't arrive until summer. NU Coach Bill Callahan spoke specifically about Thomas' talents as a left tackle on signing day.
"Right now, we're not getting wrapped up in who's playing where," Wagner said. "In regards to the offensive line, it's important that they know how to play all positions anyway."
Kurt Mann was listed as Sewell's backup on the Alamo Bowl depth chart but played limited snaps as a redshirt freshman.
Pittman moves to running back
Looks like the Huskers will have a North Platte, Neb., running back on the roster after all.
Sophomore receiver Kade Pittman is moving to running back, his former high school coach at North Platte, Bob Zohner, said Wednesday.
Pittman ran for 1,165 yards as a senior at North Platte and averaged 7.3 yards a carry. He seems like a perfect fit for Callahan's West Coast offense because of his pass-catching ability.
"Kade was an awfully good running back in high school," said Zohner, who also coached Class A rushing record-holder Danny Woodhead. "He's got excellent hands . . . I would think he'd be just the ticket because he's tough."
Nebraska, by the way, passed on offering a scholarship to Woodhead, who is headed to Chadron State.
Auburn transfer to visit Lincoln
Pittman may have some competition soon.
Former Auburn running back Brandon Jacobs will visit Nebraska's campus in the next couple of weeks, the Mobile Register said. The 6-foot-4, 257-pounder was a USA Today All-American in high school but found himself as a backup at Auburn.
Jacobs would have one year of eligibility left after redshirting in 2004. Once he got his release from the Tigers, Jacobs told the Register that Callahan called "right away."
"I'm not for sure yet that I'm transferring to Nebraska," Jacobs said. "I'll go up there and see what they have to offer."
Schuler hasn't been cleared
Asked again Wednesday about offensive tackle Ryan Schuler (blood clots), Wagner said only that the freshman hasn't been medically cleared. "He's still on the team, still on scholarship," Wagner said. "He's just not doing anything.". . . Wagner also said offensive guard Greg Austin (knee) hasn't been cleared for spring practice. . . . Kennedy will put several former Huskers through testing for NFL scouts Wednesday at Cook Pavilion.
Pilkington sheds pounds
Nebraska's new offense already has made an impact on Ross Pilkington.
Pilkington, who played between 195 and 200 pounds last season, is down to about 185. The junior-to-be is one of the receivers excited about catching more passes and doing a little less blocking in 2004.
"They've got me focusing more on getting my body lean and fast, rather than bulky," Pilkington said. "Hopefully I'll be able to tell (the difference) in speed, but I don't plan on losing any strength."
Pilkington and tight end Matt Herian led NU last season with 22 catches. Pilkington said a change in his diet and Dave Kennedy's strength and conditioning program is "really helping a lot of guys cut off body fat."
Coaches want volleyball tickets
He may be known for his 18-hour workdays, but Callahan finds time in the fall to catch a little volleyball.
NU Volleyball Coach John Cook said Callahan and two of his assistants, Bill Busch and Kevin Cosgrove, have already requested volleyball tickets for the 2004 season.
The coaches worked together at Wisconsin in the 1990s, and Cook's volleyball office was next door to football. Cook's daughter, Lauren, is the same age as Callahan's 12-year-old daughter Cathryn.
"It was fun to be around those guys at Wisconsin," Cook said. "We all worked out together at lunch.
"They're great guys. They're going to work very hard."
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg...8&u_sid=1023942