Amid a firestorm stands a quiet kid from Grand Island, looking forward to his big opportunity.

Kurt Mann expresses concern for Richie Incognito, the fiery Nebraska standout center who was suspended indefinitely Tuesday by Husker head coach Bill Callahan for repeated violations of team rules.

At the same time, Mann understands he must seize the opportunity the suspension has created for him. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Mann, a third-year sophomore, will make his first college start Saturday when Nebraska opens the season against Division I-AA Western Illinois at Memorial Stadium.

Incognito is regarded as Nebraska's best offensive lineman and one of the team's best players, period.

Mann, however, has the confidence of his linemates, said Husker senior guard Jake Andersen.

"He knows how these things work," Andersen said. "He knows what to expect. He doesn't need us to tell him. I'm sure he's got a little bit of nerves, but he'll be fine."

Mann won the starting center job after a nip-and-tuck August battle with junior Gary Pike. Mann and Pike practiced with the first-string offense throughout preseason camp as Incognito battled a variety of minor injuries and a bout with bronchitis.

Mann is quick and athletic, said Nebraska offensive line coach Dennis Wagner.

Andersen said he likes Mann's "awareness." Indeed, Mann can analyze a defense's alignment and communicate it to his linemates, Andersen said.

Callahan said Mann is "an intriguing guy."

"He's a smart, low-key personality type," Callahan said. "But he's got great ability to run the offense in terms of communication up front. He has range, he has size. He just needs that experience, and he's going to get it Saturday night."

Added Andersen: "Kurt's pretty quiet, (keeps) to himself a little bit. He shows up every day, and goes out and does his work and goes home."

Mann's quiet nature stands in contrast to Incognito, who has been involved in numerous scuffles in games and in practices during his four years at Nebraska.

According to several people close to the program, Incognito scuffled Tuesday with Nebraska receiver Grant Mulkey. Callahan declined to say what led to Incognito's suspension.

Whatever the case, Incognito's absence leaves a void in a line that some pundits considered iffy even with him in the lineup.

Mann said Nebraska benefits from Incognito's intensity.

"On the practice field and the game field, I mean, no one can match his intensity," Mann said. "Technique-wise, he's about as good as they come, too. If you just watch him in practice, you can pick up a lot technique-wise and hopefully apply that to your game."

After appearing in five games last season as a reserve center, Mann entered spring practice as a tackle and wound up playing both positions this month during preseason camp. Wagner, in his first season at Nebraska, expects his linemen to be adept at multiple positions.

"It's definitely tough," Mann said. "Going through fall camp, there were a lot of times when I was like, ‘Man, I just wish I could play one position.'"

Bear in mind, Mann and his linemates have been learning multiple positions in a new offense.

The official unveiling of the Huskers' West Coast attack occurs Saturday.

Mann raves about Callahan's prowess as a West Coast guru.

"I mean, if you could hear him talk in meetings, you'd just be blown away with all the knowledge he has about offensive schemes and what offense to run against what defense," Mann said. "It's just incredible. So everybody's got a lot of confidence that he's going to be calling the right plays for us."

Earlier this week, Mann was surrounded by reporters who were probing him, a soft-spoken kid suddenly thrust into the limelight. It's unclear when, or if, Incognito might return to the team, so Mann figures he might as well get used to the attention.

"I'm just glad to be part of the changes and stuff," he said. "I hope it will work well."

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.