Red Report: Suh may be suspended for the Oklahoma State game

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By BRIAN ROSENTHAL and BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star

SUH STATUS: Speculation is that Husker sophomore defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh could be suspended for some, or all, of today’s game against Oklahoma State because of a mid-week practice altercation with a teammate.

Husker coach Bill Callahan does not meet with the media on Fridays. Through a spokesperson, he declined comment on the situation.

Playing on a defensive line that is already lacking in depth, Suh is 10th on the team in tackles with 19. He has six tackles for losses and one sack.

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PURIFY STILL NO. 2: Nebraska wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore said Maurice Purify isn’t listed at No. 1 on the depth chart because of his offseason, off-field incidents.

“It was made very clear he would have to work his way back,” Gilmore said Friday at the weekly Big Red Breakfast in Omaha.

Gilmore, when asked why Purify doesn’t play more often, noted that in the Missouri game, more passes went to Purify than any other receiver.

“Maurice is in a position to make a lot of plays for us, and we will continue to do that,” Gilmore said.

Purify has 24 receptions and is Nebraska’s second-leading receiver — behind running back Marlon Lucky, who has 35 receptions.

Purify has been battling a shoulder injury this week. When asked about injuries in general, Gilmore said all of his receivers would be ready to go against Oklahoma State.

QUICK HITS:

n Gilmore said Todd Peterson has struggled recently with dropped balls — two in each of the last two games — but that he has faith in the junior receiver.

Gilmore said he’s had conversations with Peterson and has closely looked at film.

“I’m confident he’ll do everything and correct that problem,” Gilmore said.

n Gilmore said some young receivers are “champing at the bit” to get more playing time. He stressed patience, saying that it’s a situation of those players having to wait their turn behind more experienced, established receivers.

He spoke of Menelik Holt’s “functional speed,” how Will Henry was the team’s most-improved offensive player in fall camp, and how coaches figured Henry would be a “two-year project” when they originally recruited him.

n Freshman Curenski Gilleylen will redshirt, Gilmore said. “He brings a lot of speed … you always talk about speed, speed, speed but can they play fast?” he said. “Right now we have to get him to pull the trigger. We’ve got to get him to play fast. When he does and he knows what he’s doing, wow, you see it.”

n Gilmore called junior Nate Swift an “unsung hero” this season. “Nate has quietly done his job,” he said. “When it’s all said and done that’s all you can ask for.

n What happened to redshirt freshman tight end Mike McNeill? Gilmore said senior walk-on Sean Hill stepped in early in the season and took away many of McNeill’s reps.

“Mike is still making his way into the rotation,” Gilmore said. “Mike has got to get a little bit stronger, do a better job on the blocking end of it.

n Gilmore said Oklahoma State “has as much talent as anybody in this league” but has been inconsistent. He said the Cowboys’ secondary is the deepest he’s seen since he’s been at Nebraska, and that OSU will play as many as nine players who are all interchangeable between safety and cornerback.