Husker Football Notebook, 9/13: Mann still sidelined with virus
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE and BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska starting center Kurt Mann did not practice Tuesday and is questionable for Saturday night’s game at USC.
Mann, a senior, had started 24 straight games before missing last week’s win against Nicholls State with what Nebraska coaches originally called a “virus.”
“We’re hopeful he’ll feel better,” Husker offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said after Tuesday’s practice. “He’s getting his rest right now. When doctors allow him to participate, he’ll be able to do that.”
Mann’s illness hasn’t been defined by Nebraska’s medical staff, Norvell said.
“He had a temperature,” the coach said. “Hopefully he’ll be better in the next day or so.”
Junior Brett Byford, who started against Nicholls State, likely would again start in Mann’s place.
Meanwhile, at USC, starting nose guard Sedrick Ellis, a junior, injured his knee Monday and will be sidelined several weeks, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Sophomore Fili Moala will replace Ellis in the starting lineup.
In addition, USC starting cornerback Kevin Thomas (high ankle sprain) remains questionable. The Trojans already have lost starting safety Josh Pinkard to a knee injury.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Prominent Nebraska football players, one after another, filed toward a makeshift tent set up by an ABC-TV production crew Tuesday in the north end zone at Memorial Stadium, a clear indication the Huskers have returned to the national spotlight. Saturday night’s game at No. 4 USC will be nationally televised on ABC. Nebraska players, though, say coach Bill Callahan has done a good job of keeping them calm and not letting them get involved in the hype. “Even with all the hoopla and everything, it still comes down to it’s a football game,” Nebraska linebacker Corey McKeon said.
SAGE ADVICE: Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor said he’s gleaned “a couple of tidbits of information” from teammate Sam Keller about facing USC. Keller, the quarterback who transferred to Nebraska from Arizona State last month, played against the Trojans last season. Keller went 26-of-45 with 347 yards and also threw five interceptions in a loss to USC. “He knows what works and doesn’t work,” Taylor said. And Keller’s advice? Don’t force big plays. “They’re disciplined, like we’ve known, and he told us about that,” Taylor said. “He told us the passing lane can collapse a lot quicker than you’re used to. Those guys are so good, so fast. You think you see a lane, and the next thing you know, it’s gone.” Keller is serving as scout team quarterback in practice this week.
UP TO SPEED: Even with an experienced, strong-armed quarterback on scout team, there’s one thing the Nebraska defense will have a hard time simulating in practice this week. Speed. “The speed that (USC) plays at is at a totally different level than what we’re used to,” Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said.
NO SWIFT RETURNS: Sophomore wide receiver Nate Swift somewhat joked Tuesday about being a punt returner, even though there wasn’t much to laugh about with his returns of 33 and 16 yards Saturday against Nicholls State. “I’m actually like third or fourth string,” he said. “I think they just threw me in there to see what would happen. It’s definitely not going to be a thing I do every game, I’m sure.” Terrence Nunn remains Nebraska’s top punt returner, with Cortney Grixby listed as his top backup.
STANDING TALL: One of the most unfavorable matchups for Nebraska, at least on paper, would probably be at cornerback, where 5-foot-9 junior Cortney Grixby could be matched against any one of USC’s 6-foot-5 receivers, namely Dwayne Jarrett. Grixby was prepared for the topic Tuesday. “It’s a question I get every Tuesday. It’s nothing different for me,” said Grixby, whose height always has come into question. “There’s a tall receiver on everybody’s team, I would hope. We’ve got big receivers in the BIg 12, too. It’s nothing we don’t see on a weekend basis.” Of course, Grixby makes up for his height disadvantage by being able to jump. “Short jokes? No,” said teammate Corey McKeon. “He has a 46-inch vertical. You can’t make fun of someone if he has a 46-inch vertical. It doesn’t matter how short they are. They can jump over you.”
FOR THE TEAM: Much has been made of Nebraska being put on a national stage with a chance to catapult itself back into the national picture. But what about Taylor? Does the senior quarterback think about what he could do for himself in terms of the national picture? No, he said. Not really. “Just go out there and play within myself and not make mistakes,” Taylor said, noting every player wants to be considered as one of best players at his position. “But if I go out there and I’m 5-for-5 for 45 yards and we rush for 400, then I think I’ll be pretty satisfied with that.”
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