Huskers eager to start spring practices
Spring football practice at Nebraska begins in two days. That’s 124 days too late, as far as senior offensive lineman Matt Slauson is concerned.
“I’ve been ready since Nov. 23,” Slauson said, referring to the date of Nebraska’s last game.
“I mean, everyone’s so stoked, especially me, coming off a really disappointing year, and this being my last year. I want to get a ring so bad.”
Slauson was among five players who spoke at Monday’s news conference at Memorial Stadium. Words like confidence, intensity and excitement were fairly abundant.
Much of that has to do with the anticipation of a fresh start under first-year coach Bo Pelini.
“It’s his drive to win,” safety Larry Asante said. “I love Coach, and I think he’s after our best interests. He wants to win, first and foremost, and I want to win. Whatever we’ve got to in order to win, I’m down for it, and I’m going to do it.”
Wednesday is the first of 15 spring practices, culminating with the annual Red-White Spring Game on April 19. More than 47,000 tickets have been sold.
Pelini promised physical practices.
“We’re not going to be out there playing tag,” Pelini said. “I’ll promise you that.”
Said Slauson: “It’s going to be straight up hitting, and it’s going to be fun. The big guys in the trenches usually like that.”
Senior defensive end Zach Potter said players aren’t using last year’s 5-7 record as motivation for this season. Rather, 2007 is forgotten.
“I think if you look at all the numbers and the record, it’s going to put you down,” Potter said. “We need to keep the confidence up, and if we look back at the numbers and stuff from last year, it’s just going to hurt us.”
Pelini said only two players — Ndamukong Suh and Anthony Blue — will be held out of spring practices because of injury. Running back Kenny Wilson, who missed last season with a broken leg, will be limited at the start of spring drills.
“He’s coming along,” Pelini said. “He has good days and bad. He worked his butt off, and he went through everything in the winter.”
Pelini also said senior running back Cody Glenn, who’s been bothered by foot problems, is “full go” heading into spring.
“He had a good winter. He’s doing well,” Pelini said. “I really like Cody because he’s the kind of guy that will do anything to help the football team.”
Pelini said it’s too early to talk about possible position changes, but said there will likely be some as spring ball progresses.
“We never make anybody move,” Pelini said. “You make somebody move to another position, and their heart isn’t in it, then it’s not good for anybody on the team. It has to be their decision.”
Have any players approached Pelini about wanting a position change?
“No, but I’ve joked around with a couple of guys, and they said they’re open to it.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
“I’ve been ready since Nov. 23,” Slauson said, referring to the date of Nebraska’s last game.
“I mean, everyone’s so stoked, especially me, coming off a really disappointing year, and this being my last year. I want to get a ring so bad.”
Slauson was among five players who spoke at Monday’s news conference at Memorial Stadium. Words like confidence, intensity and excitement were fairly abundant.
Much of that has to do with the anticipation of a fresh start under first-year coach Bo Pelini.
“It’s his drive to win,” safety Larry Asante said. “I love Coach, and I think he’s after our best interests. He wants to win, first and foremost, and I want to win. Whatever we’ve got to in order to win, I’m down for it, and I’m going to do it.”
Wednesday is the first of 15 spring practices, culminating with the annual Red-White Spring Game on April 19. More than 47,000 tickets have been sold.
Pelini promised physical practices.
“We’re not going to be out there playing tag,” Pelini said. “I’ll promise you that.”
Said Slauson: “It’s going to be straight up hitting, and it’s going to be fun. The big guys in the trenches usually like that.”
Senior defensive end Zach Potter said players aren’t using last year’s 5-7 record as motivation for this season. Rather, 2007 is forgotten.
“I think if you look at all the numbers and the record, it’s going to put you down,” Potter said. “We need to keep the confidence up, and if we look back at the numbers and stuff from last year, it’s just going to hurt us.”
Pelini said only two players — Ndamukong Suh and Anthony Blue — will be held out of spring practices because of injury. Running back Kenny Wilson, who missed last season with a broken leg, will be limited at the start of spring drills.
“He’s coming along,” Pelini said. “He has good days and bad. He worked his butt off, and he went through everything in the winter.”
Pelini also said senior running back Cody Glenn, who’s been bothered by foot problems, is “full go” heading into spring.
“He had a good winter. He’s doing well,” Pelini said. “I really like Cody because he’s the kind of guy that will do anything to help the football team.”
Pelini said it’s too early to talk about possible position changes, but said there will likely be some as spring ball progresses.
“We never make anybody move,” Pelini said. “You make somebody move to another position, and their heart isn’t in it, then it’s not good for anybody on the team. It has to be their decision.”
Have any players approached Pelini about wanting a position change?
“No, but I’ve joked around with a couple of guys, and they said they’re open to it.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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