STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 7:00 pm
Nebraska cornerback Andre Jones has made no bones this month about the nervousness he feels as he prepares to make his first start as a Husker.
Those butterflies fluttering in his stomach are a good thing, said the 6-foot, 195-pound transfer from Fresno City (Calif.) Community College.
“I like to play when I’m on the edge a little bit,” he said Wednesday as Nebraska continued preparation for Saturday’s season opener against Louisiana Tech. “Being on the edge makes me more aware of stuff on the field. I don’t like to be too relaxed on the field. That’s when you blow coverages and stuff like that.”
Jones essentially moved into a starting role on Aug. 5 when senior Zackary Bowman suffered a season-ending knee injury. Jones will start Saturday opposite of junior Cortney Grixby, Nebraska’s only corner with starting experience.
“I prayed for this opportunity,” Jones said. “It looks like I got it. I’m going to go out there and dominate and do the best I can, perform to the best of my ability, and not let this team down.”
Jones was one of 14 NU defenders to receive black practice jerseys before Monday’s practice. Since the 1960s, the Huskers’ first-team defenders have been awarded black jerseys, hence the term Blackshirt. The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on Jones.
“When I was a little kid, I never would’ve dreamed or thought about playing at Nebraska,” Jones said. “The Blackshirts, back in the day, were not to be messed with. They were serious. When they pulled that black jersey out (on Monday), and it said ‘No. 25, A. Jones,’ that’s when I knew, ‘You’re a Husker player now. There’s something this team has seen in you to make you a Blackshirt.”
Jones said he’s 100 percent recovered from a tweaked hamstring that flared up earlier in camp. That’s a good thing, because as the new guy, he expects Louisiana Tech to throw his way often.
“I’m hoping they do,” he said. “I want them to come at me.”
PUNTING PICTURE: Dan Titchener, a 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore, served as Nebraska’s No. 2 punter last season, watching as Sam Koch averaged a school-record 46.5 yards per punt as a senior. Now it’s Titchener’s turn. “If we can bang it out there 40 yards and try to get a 40-yard average and create field position, that’d be great,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said. “If we can make the big play on the ‘sky’ punt inside the red zone, that’d be super as well.” What’s more, the coach said, he would like to see Titchener punt well against the wind, as Koch so often did last season. “I think that’s the huge challenge,” Callahan said. Titchener, of Cheyenne, Wyo., showed consistency in beating out true freshman Michael Such for the starting job, although Callahan indicated the competition continues. “Michael Such is a young guy with a really live leg and very strong foot. It’s just a matter of consistency and experience right now.”
GREEN STEPS UP: Tierre Green, a junior from Omaha, will make his first career start at strong safety Saturday. Husker defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said Green enjoyed an outstanding preseason camp. “He might have been our most improved guy during camp,” the coach said. “He improved every day.”
PRACTICE REPORT: Callahan said the Huskers emphasized third-down execution on offense Wednesday. “It’s such a big down in football,” he said. “Defenses give you so much variation in the nickel (package) that you have to be prepared to pick up almost anything in terms of the blitz.” NU worked in full pads for two hours in Memorial Stadium. Third-string tight end Josh Mueller was slowed by a sore back.
QUOTABLE: Callahan, on 5-6, 185-pound special-teams standout Brandon Rigoni: “With his size, those guys normally aren’t playing college football. Let’s face it, when you’re 5-6, it’s hard to be a front-line player and additionally have your teammates vote you a captain, and then become a Blackshirt. That just speaks volumes for his credibility, leadership and effort. He virtually wears himself out through the course of practice, to where we almost have to give him an IV for him to get through sometimes. You wish you had 100 Brandon Rigonis.”
JUST A THOUGHT: Written in red block letters above the tunnel through which Husker players will enter the field Saturday: “I play for Nebraska.”