Husker Football Notes, 10/6: Mann on Husker travel roster

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Nebraska senior center Kurt Mann, who missed the last four games because of mononucleosis, will be among 70 players who travel with the team today for Saturday night’s game at Iowa State, Husker coach Bill Callahan said Thursday.

A senior from Grand Island, Mann is ready to contribute, although he won’t initially retain his starting role, Callahan said. Junior Brett Byford has been starting in Mann’s absence. Mann had started 24 straight games before becoming ill.

“Kurt practiced all week,” Callahan said. “He’s taken every rep. I’m sure there have been lapses here and there when he’s been a little bit weak. But by and large, he’s gutted it out and has done a heck of a job preparing. I’m really proud of him.”

In other injury news, Callahan said he hadn’t seen the results of the MRI on Steve Octavien’s injured hamstring. The backup weakside linebacker has missed the last two games because of the injury.

NOT EXACTLY: Iowa State runs a spread offense that is significantly different than Kansas’ attack, Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker said. “They run a few plays the same, but Iowa State does a lot of things different,” he said. “Iowa State likes to get its quarterback (Bret Meyer) on the move because he’s more of an agile-type guy. They like to get their quarterback on the edge, get him running and throwing on the move. They do a lot more options. They’ll run the quarterback draw.” Containing Meyer — and putting pressure on him in the pocket — will be crucial, Carriker said, especially if blitzing isn’t required. “If you can get after the quarterback with your front four, you don’t have to blitz. It really helps out your corners. It doesn’t put so much pressure on them.”

HANDS ON: Husker wideout Maurice Purify, a junior college transfer, is becoming increasingly involved in the offense as he learns the playbook. Purify, who had a season-high four catches for 91 yards against Kansas, is adept at handling both pass plays and run plays, said NU wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore, noting the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Purify’s prowess as a blocker. “Well, he’s such a big guy,” Gilmore said. “If he gets his hands on you, it’s hard to get them off. We want that physical presence on the perimeter.”

MAKING HISTORY: Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor made history with three scoring passes of 75 or more yards against Kansas. In fact, the Huskers never have had three 75-yard pass plays in a single season, let alone a single game. There have been a total of only 16 pass plays that covered 75 yards or more in school history. What’s more, there has been only one season (2002) with two pass plays longer than 75 yards. In addition, there have been only 25 pass plays of 70 yards or more in school history, and seven of those have occurred since Callahan took over as head coach in January 2004.

ETC.: Nebraska will have its walk-through practice Saturday morning in Des Moines, Iowa, following a breakfast and chapel service. ... Seven Husker assistants will be “scattered around the country” recruiting tonight, Callahan said.