The later the kickoff, the more the stadium rocks, the more lemonade is consumed.  It is lemonade they’re drinking out of those plastic tailgating cups, right?

Yes, the Huskers have their work cut out this Saturday at No. 17 Missouri.

Kickoff isn’t until 8:15 p.m. and Husker coach Bill Callahan knows the environment won’t be cozy.

Nebraska’s past two trips to Columbia, Mo., have been downright nightmarish — 41-24 losses, both of them.

“I know it’s not going to be the easiest atmosphere for any football team to go into, but no road game ever is,” Callahan said Monday. “But we’ve got some good senior leaders who have played a lot of tough road games and been in some tough settings. … I’m really confident in our players. We embrace those type of atmospheres because that’s what college football is all about.”

Saturday’s game will be the latest kickoff time for a Nebraska game since 1996,  when the Huskers went to Arizona State with a 26-game winning streak and left with a 19-0 loss. Though it kicked off earlier in Arizona, that one didn’t start until after 9 p.m. Nebraska time.

Callahan doesn’t think this 8:15 p.m. kickoff is a big deal. Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel is of the same mind.

“Once we start playing, it’s a normal game, whether we start at 7:15, 8:15 or 9:15,” Pinkel said. “I don’t think that’s a plus or minus for any one of the teams.”

Pinkel welcomes the home-field advantage, but notes it’s really only an advantage if his guys are playing well.

“We’ve got to give them (the fans) something to yell about, that’s up to us,” Pinkel said. “Our players are certainly looking forward to it. I’m sure Nebraska is, too. That’s why you get into this business, to have games like this.”

And while the Nebraska-Missouri game will be on ESPN, it was announced Monday that NU’s Oct. 13 home game against Oklahoma State was not chosen as a TV game. The games that will be televised that Saturday are:  

* Texas at Iowa State  (11:30 a.m., Fox Sports Net).

* Texas A&M at Texas Tech  (2:30 p.m., ABC). 

* Missouri at Oklahoma (5:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net).

* Colorado at Kansas State (8:15 p.m., ESPN2).

There’s no official word yet on kickoff time for the NU-OSU game, or if it will be shown on pay-per-view. Information will be coming soon.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION: Nebraska senior cornerback Andre Jones sat out the 35-17 win against Iowa State for disciplinary reasons. Callahan did not elaborate,  other than to say Jones would be available to play this week.

Callahan also didn’t get specific when asked about the health of defensive lineman Ty Steinkuhler, who missed most of last week’s game because of injury.

Despite several Huskers hobbling off the field in that game, Callahan was optimistic that everyone could play against Missouri.

“Really, right now, there’s nothing major relative to our medical status, so as far as I know, everyone’s good to go,” he said.

BY THE NUMBERS — 10: The number of true freshmen who have played so far this season for the Huskers: Prince Amukamara, Anthony Blue, Quentin Castille, Thomas Grove, Eric Hagg, Roy Helu, Adi Kunalic, Blake Lawrence, Niles Paul and Latravis Washington.

Last season, the Huskers played just three true freshmen.

SCOUTING REPORT — CB Cortney Grixby: Callahan heaped more praise on the shoulders of senior cornerback Cortney Grixby.

“I just love the way he’s playing,” Callahan said. “He’s been really competitive. He’s always been a highly competitive guy on game day.”

Grixby not only had two interceptions, but also deflected a pass that was picked off by linebacker Bo Ruud and returned 93 yards for a score.

Then there was his return game. Callahan called Grixby’s 51-yard kickoff return — with the Huskers trailing ISU 10-0 — the “spark” Nebraska needed.

He hopes some younger players follow his lead.

“Boy, it’s excellent leadership when you have a guy of his stature, being a fourth-year senior that’s contributing on all those types of plays,” Callahan said. “I think it sends a real strong message to all the guys underneath him.”

Opponent watch — Kansas State: Well, those Wildcats are feeling pretty good about themselves right about now, as well a team should after a 41-21 whipping of Texas in its house.

With a showdown against Kansas looming, K-State defensive end Ian Campbell told the Kansas City Star: “I’m sure KU was watching the game. This game was a message to everyone, not just KU.”

— Brian Christopherson