Husker Football Notebook, 9/8: Mann slowed by virus
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska starting center Kurt Mann probably will be held out of Saturday’s game against Nicholls State because of a virus, Husker coach Bill Callahan said Thursday.
“We’ll give him a couple days and see if we can back him down and get him better,” the coach said.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Mann, a senior from Grand Island, has started 24 straight games for the Huskers, including last week’s 49-10 season-opening win against Louisiana Tech.
Callahan said he doesn’t think Mann’s illness is a long-term issue.
In Mann’s absence, junior Brett Byford likely will get his first start as a Husker. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Byford, in fact, has appeared in only one game in college, against Western Illinois in 2004.
“I have total belief and confidence that he’ll step in and step up and do a great job,” Callahan said. “He’s well-prepared.”
Callahan said his confidence in Byford stems in part from the significant amount of practice repetitions he has received over the years.
“He’s a smart guy and knows the offense well,” the coach said. “It’s just a matter of going out and executing under pressure. He can do it. He’s a great kid.”
A native of Hartselle, Ala., Byford in 2002 was ranked as the nation’s 18th-best offensive guard by Rivals.com. He received 20 scholarship offers and made official recruiting visits to Georgia Tech, Clemson and South Carolina.
Next in line at center would be junior Jordan Picou, followed by sophomore Andy Christensen, who last week saw ample playing time as a backup at both guard positions.
PRACTICE GUESTS: Among those on hand at Nebraska’s practice Thursday were former Husker defensive coordinator Charlie McBride and Christian Peter, starting defensive tackle on the Huskers’ 1994 and 1995 national championship teams. A New Jersey native, Peter will be among six ex-Husker standouts who tonight will be inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame. Along with Peter, four of this year’s inductees played on the 1994 and 1995 teams: offensive lineman Chris Dishman, defensive lineman Jared Tomich and cornerback Tyrone Williams. Other inductees will be offensive tackle Bob Lingenfelter (1974-76) and middle guard Kerry Weinmaster (1976-79). All of the inductees will be introduced at halftime Saturday.
WOW FACTOR: Peter evidently sees a lot of potential in NU’s current defensive line. “I’ll tell you what, they’ve got the ability and the potential to be better than us,” Peter said. “That’s a crazy crew they’ve got out there right now. I was a little scared when they brought me out into that huddle. I didn’t think I was going to get out alive. They all looked at me in the eyes . … There are some sick guys in that huddle.”
ETC.: Nebraska is 8-0-1 all-time against teams from Louisiana. The Huskers are 5-0-1 against Louisiana State, 2-0 against Louisiana Tech and 1-0 against McNeese State.
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