STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, November 2, 2006 6:00 pm
Because of the 11 a.m. start time to Saturday’s game, Nebraska likely will play host to only one recruit this weekend — quarterback Patrick Witt of Wylie, Texas.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Witt orally committed to Nebraska this past June and plans to enroll in school in January.
At one point, Nebraska had planned on having as many as a dozen recruits attend Saturday’s showdown against Big 12 rival Missouri, according to one Internet recruiting site. That all changed last weekend when ABC announced the game would begin at 11 a.m. instead of 7 p.m. Both times were being considered.
The Texas-Nebraska game two weeks ago in Lincoln also began at 11 a.m.
Asked Thursday how much the early kickoffs have affected the number of recruiting visits, Husker coach Bill Callahan said, “It’s stung it pretty good.”
In fact, the coach said, the early starts mean NU will have to reschedule trips for as many as 16 recruits.
“(The early start time) hurts because kids have to travel from a distance,” he said. “Sometimes it’s hard to get a connecting flight and also make the kickoff and enjoy the game itself — especially with kids playing on Friday nights until late.”
Missing Husker games “doesn’t allow a player to see Nebraska at its best,” the coach added. “That’s what’s disappointing — that a guy can’t come in and see the game-day festivities and the coaches and be in the locker room and see what’s going on.”
With so many postponed visits, the Nov. 26 Colorado game and the month of December stack up as key recruiting opportunities.
“We’re going to have to have a huge December,” Callahan said. However, “It’s hard to manufacture a gamelike atmosphere in December.”
INJURY REPORT: Neither Corey McKeon (ankle, knee) nor Steve Octavien (ankle) practiced Thursday. Although both linebackers are expected to play Saturday, they will be monitored closely starting in pregame workouts, Callahan said. “We’re just trying to keep them rested,” the coach said, noting the two linebackers are taking “mental reps” during practice. In other words, McKeon and Octavien stand beside defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove and note the assignments of the practicing players.
PRACTICE REPORT: Nebraska practiced in earnest for the last time this week Thursday, moving outdoors for a 90-minute session at Memorial Stadium after three straight indoor workouts. Callahan said he was pleased with his team’s overall effort this week. “I liked the focus, concentration and detail,” he said. “That’s what any coach would look for. And that’s what showed up on the practice field. That’s what I’m excited about. That’s what we’re all excited about.”
UP NEXT: The Huskers will hold a walk-through practice this afternoon in Memorial Stadium.