Austin's status unclear for K-State game

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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star

Nebraska coaches have learned to never count out Greg Austin.

So, even though the senior left guard sat out most of Wednesday’s practice with a sore knee, offensive line coach Dennis Wagner remains hopeful Austin will have a chance to play Saturday at Kansas State.

That decision, though, may not come until game time.

Austin suffered a blow to his knee in Nebraska’s game at Iowa State and was on crutches after the game. On Wednesday, he went out in pads for individual workouts, but trainers then backed him down.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted it to be,” Wagner said. “But there are still some days before we play, and Greg has so much experience, that having him there ready to go would be a big help for us.”

If Austin is unable to play, either Andy Christensen or Jacob Hickman would start in his place. Christensen is listed as Austin’s top backup.

“They’re really good players, and (we’ve) shuffled them across the front through the preseason and during the in-season,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said, “so we’re confident in both those guys.”

Austin has battled knee problems throughout his career, having first injured his right knee in November of 2003. He has said that critical spots in his knee have no cartilage.

“Greg’s a very courageous guy,” Wagner said. “Just to be out here says something about the young man. We’ve told him from day one since we’ve been here that it was his decision if he wanted to play. We wanted him to make sure that he could enjoy his life after football.

“If I ever had the opportunity, I’d certainly hire him as a coach, because he’s that kind of guy. He loves the game and he studies it and works at it and he enjoys what he does.”

PHILLIPS SITS: In other injury news, tight end J.B. Phillips sat out Wednesday’s practice as a preventative measure. Phillips has a sore shoulder. “We’re just trying to make sure he’s OK and 100 percent for the game,” Callahan said.

BUSTING THE BLOCK PARTY: Nebraska blocked seven kicks last season, yet through six games this season, has blocked no kicks. What gives? Callahan’s not certain. “We’ve been trying to figure that out ourselves,” he said, noting the special teams have been aggressive in going after kicks. “Last year, sometimes the opportunity presented itself more, and we were fortunate to make those things happen.” Callahan credited the special-teams players, namely Jay Moore and Corey McKeon, for remaining disciplined, citing Iowa State’s fake field-goal attempt that Nebraska easily stopped. “You can become vulnerable when you rush as many kicks as we do,” he said. “You’ve got to balance it. You’ve got to mix up your rush with your safe look, so that you don’t get hit with a timely fake.”

BECOMING ROUTINE: The Nebraska-Kansas State game wasn’t selected for network television but still ended up as another night kickoff for the Huskers. It marks Nebraska’s fifth consecutive night game. No problem, said Callahan. “We’re in a good frame of mind and in a good routine because we’ve been doing this for the last four weeks,” he said. “For the players, as a team, we’re fine with it.”