Husker Football Notebook, 9/22: Availability of Octavien, Sievers still uncertain
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska defenders Steve Octavien and Clayton Sievers sat out of Thursday’s practice and their status is uncertain for Saturday’s home game against Troy.
“We backed them down (Thursday), and we’ll see where they’re at (today),” Husker coach Bill Callahan said Thursday following practice at Hawks Championship Center.
Callahan declined to disclose the players’ injuries. Earlier this week, Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove described Octavien’s injury as a “muscle twinge” in his leg.
A backup at weakside linebacker, Octavien this season has nine tackles.
Sievers, listed No. 2 at strongside linebacker, is yet to record a tackle. He also plays tight end in short-yardage and goal-line situations and defensive end in the nickel package.
In Sievers’ absence, junior Lance Brandenburgh would fill in behind starter Stewart Bradley. Brandenburgh also backs up starting middle linebacker Corey McKeon.
In other injury news, sophomore I-back Marlon Lucky, who suffered a minor elbow injury in last week’s loss at Southern California, came back strong in practice this week, Callahan said.
“He practiced all week and has done a really good job of bouncing back,” the coach said. “I think he’s practiced through some tough injuries. He’s had them before. And I’ve always liked his ability to come back and play hurt and play with some bumps and bruises. It’s kind of been his trademark since he’s been here.
“I’m proud of the way he’s practiced and prepared himself.”
So, will Lucky make his fourth straight start Saturday? Junior college transfer Kenny Wilson appeared to make a strong push for the starting job with team highs of 19 carries for 46 yards in Nebraska’s offensive struggle against USC.
“We’ll see — we haven’t made that decision yet,” Callahan said.
COVER ME: Although Troy enters Saturday’s game ranked a modest 48th nationally in pass-efficiency defense, Callahan said the Trojans’ coverage is excellent. “They have a lot of good guys, especially at the corner position, who could play anywhere in the country,” Callahan said. “They’re very sound. They use multiple coverages. And they have speed at the linebacker and d-end positions. So it makes them really effective.”
SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Special Olympics Nebraska will be raising money with its annual bucket pass outside Memorial Stadium before and after the Huskers’ game Saturday. The Nebraska-Troy game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Special Olympics Nebraska staff, coaches, volunteers and local high school cheerleaders will be at the entrance gates, outside the stadium and in tailgating areas collecting cash donations for two hours prior to kickoff and immediately following the game. For more information about Special Olympics Nebraska, go to www.sone.org.
PAY-PER-VIEW ORDERING: Time Warner (Channel 102, timewarnercable.com or 402-421-0300 or local office); DirecTV (Channel 796); Dish Network (Channel 462).
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