Callahan: No leader in quarterback race
Nine practices into spring drills, none of Nebraska’s quarterbacks have achieved a discernible edge in competition for the starting job, Husker coach Bill Callahan said Wednesday.
“All the guys are competing hard,” he said. “We’re putting them in a lot of different situations. And like I told you at the beginning of spring, I’m going to be real patient about naming a starter.”
Callahan said he would stick to his plan of naming a starter in the final days leading to Nebraska’s opener Sept. 1 against Nevada. Senior Sam Keller and junior Joe Ganz are the prohibitive favorites in the race.
“Both of those guys are competing, and Beau Davis has really shown a lot of good things,” Callahan said. “Of course, Patrick Witt has been impressive as a freshman.”
Junior college transfer Zac Lee, who is being held out of contact this spring with a knee injury, will join the fray in time for preseason camp in August.
“He’s still a viable candidate in the competition,” Callahan said. “I don’t want to dismiss him by any stretch of the imagination.”
PRACTICE REPORT: Nebraska’s practice Wednesday inside the Hawks Center featured about 40 plays of live scrimmaging to close the session. “We got a lot of things accomplished and we’re making progress,” Callahan said. “We’re trying to become a more consistent football team altogether. We’re trying to eliminate some of the procedure penalties, false starts, just little things that can stymie an offensive drive or really hold a team back from execution.” Strong safety Larry Asante (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion, Callahan said, while freshman I-back Marcus Mendoza (hamstring) was held out of drills altogether.
LUCKY ELUSIVE: Junior I-back Marlon Lucky is being asked this spring to improve his ability to gain more yards once he breaks into the secondary. “I see him getting better all of the time,” Callahan said. “He’s making more people miss. He had a very good run (Wednesday) down in the red zone. He broke away. He’s learning how to make moves on the third level against the safeties to create the big play. That’s what I’m excited about.” What’s more, “I’m really encouraged by his vision,” the coach said. “He’s seeing the field better. He’s running at different angles and using different techniques to spring himself free in the open field.” The 6-foot, 210-pound Lucky is the team’s leading returning rusher, having gained 728 yards in 2006, with an average of 5.2 per carry.
SAND COMING: Andy Sand, a senior walk-on from Lincoln Southeast, is yet to carry the ball or catch a pass in college, though his time may be coming. A tight end until late last season, he’s now among a handful of fullbacks competing for playing time in spring camp. “He’s an excellent receiver and a good blocking back, and we’re trying to utilize him in as many ways and roles as possible. He’s improved his blocking. We put him in the backfield this spring so he could get some isolation blocking and get some experience in (pass) protection. ... .He’ll certainly be a candidate in our offense because he has the ability to make plays.”
ETC.: Sophomore Ndamukong Suh, expected to be a stalwart in 2007, is moving back and forth between the two interior defensive line positions, although he’s spending the majority of his time at nose tackle. ... Nebraska takes today off from drills before resuming practice Friday.
— Steven M. Sipple
“All the guys are competing hard,” he said. “We’re putting them in a lot of different situations. And like I told you at the beginning of spring, I’m going to be real patient about naming a starter.”
Callahan said he would stick to his plan of naming a starter in the final days leading to Nebraska’s opener Sept. 1 against Nevada. Senior Sam Keller and junior Joe Ganz are the prohibitive favorites in the race.
“Both of those guys are competing, and Beau Davis has really shown a lot of good things,” Callahan said. “Of course, Patrick Witt has been impressive as a freshman.”
Junior college transfer Zac Lee, who is being held out of contact this spring with a knee injury, will join the fray in time for preseason camp in August.
“He’s still a viable candidate in the competition,” Callahan said. “I don’t want to dismiss him by any stretch of the imagination.”
PRACTICE REPORT: Nebraska’s practice Wednesday inside the Hawks Center featured about 40 plays of live scrimmaging to close the session. “We got a lot of things accomplished and we’re making progress,” Callahan said. “We’re trying to become a more consistent football team altogether. We’re trying to eliminate some of the procedure penalties, false starts, just little things that can stymie an offensive drive or really hold a team back from execution.” Strong safety Larry Asante (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion, Callahan said, while freshman I-back Marcus Mendoza (hamstring) was held out of drills altogether.
LUCKY ELUSIVE: Junior I-back Marlon Lucky is being asked this spring to improve his ability to gain more yards once he breaks into the secondary. “I see him getting better all of the time,” Callahan said. “He’s making more people miss. He had a very good run (Wednesday) down in the red zone. He broke away. He’s learning how to make moves on the third level against the safeties to create the big play. That’s what I’m excited about.” What’s more, “I’m really encouraged by his vision,” the coach said. “He’s seeing the field better. He’s running at different angles and using different techniques to spring himself free in the open field.” The 6-foot, 210-pound Lucky is the team’s leading returning rusher, having gained 728 yards in 2006, with an average of 5.2 per carry.
SAND COMING: Andy Sand, a senior walk-on from Lincoln Southeast, is yet to carry the ball or catch a pass in college, though his time may be coming. A tight end until late last season, he’s now among a handful of fullbacks competing for playing time in spring camp. “He’s an excellent receiver and a good blocking back, and we’re trying to utilize him in as many ways and roles as possible. He’s improved his blocking. We put him in the backfield this spring so he could get some isolation blocking and get some experience in (pass) protection. ... .He’ll certainly be a candidate in our offense because he has the ability to make plays.”
ETC.: Sophomore Ndamukong Suh, expected to be a stalwart in 2007, is moving back and forth between the two interior defensive line positions, although he’s spending the majority of his time at nose tackle. ... Nebraska takes today off from drills before resuming practice Friday.
— Steven M. Sipple
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