Nebraska's offense, coming off of a so-so performance last week against Pittsburgh, is working this week to "shore up every area," Husker offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said Wednesday.

Norvell said part of the improvement process involves getting true freshmen such as running back Brandon Jackson and wide receiver Terrence Nunn more involved in the offense.

Nunn played sparingly against Pitt, and Jackson didn't play at all.

The Huskers (2-1) have this weekend off before starting Big 12 Conference action Oct. 2 against Kansas in Lincoln.

"Our young players have gotten a lot of reps this week," Norvell said. "We've rested some of our older guys. We're trying to get our guys fresh and we're trying to get some younger players some critical experience and elevate them a little bit."

This week the Huskers have worked hard on short-yardage and third-down situations, Norvell said. Against Pitt, NU was 0-for-6 on third-down situations in the second half.

SKELETON CREW: With several Nebraska assistants on the road recruiting this week, the Huskers have had a skeleton coaching crew working in practice. On offense, Norvell and head coach Bill Callahan, who calls the plays in games, have handled most of the duties. On defense, coordinator Kevin Cosgrove oversees the linebackers and secondary, while graduate assistant Aaron Stamn coaches the defensive line.

INJURY REPORT: Although Nebraska has a slew of limping players, Callahan said nobody has been ruled out of the Kansas contest. Among the most notable players on the injury list are starting cornerbacks Fabian Washington (knee) and Lornell McPherson (hamstring), and No. 1 defensive end Adam Carriker (ankle). "I'm just going to play it by ear and see what happens on a day-to-day basis and see how our players respond throughout the weekend," Callahan said. "I'm real hopeful all of them will be ready to go, but you never know."

QUOTABLE: "We're doing what we have to do to win ball games. It's a matter of sealing the deal game to game" — Nebraska quarterback Joe Dailey, on the Huskers' being outscored 33-28 in the second half this season.

— Steven M. Sipple