“I think he’s done a good job of understanding the job and then kind of getting his body and his mind wrapped around what the responsibility is.”
The learning curve, Austin said, has been more cultural than on the football field.
“In some cases — like, the other day, I have to tell you this story. He got stopped by the cops and he was like, ‘Yeah, the light was orange.’ I’m like, ‘We don’t have orange lights in America, bro.’ He’s from Germany originally. I was like, ‘We don’t have orange lights.’ ‘It looked orange.’ It was a yellow light. You ran a yellow light. Actually he ran a red light, but he wanted to make the light orange. So with him, he’s just so kind of aloof to a lot of things Americanized.”
Not on the field. Nouili has found a place where he’s comfortable and he turned into one of the pleasant surprises of spring ball, with nothing but green lights ahead.
“With football, Austin said, “He’s just a normal kid, a normal young guy that’s developing into a real dude.”
Photos: All of the sights from the return of the Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) attracts a quartet of defenders in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws under pressure in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Two people wait for tickets before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Fans walk around Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Aimire Rodgers, 8, stands in front of the Legacy Statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Kash Boggs (right) throws to his grandparents as Drew Milligan climbs on to the Legacy Statue for a picture before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Victor Ortiz (left) helps Kim Bergmark find her tickets on her phone before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Tristan Minderman, Omaha, throws the ball on the east side of the Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Caden Haar (left) and Ryan Whiston, both of Lincoln, pose at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Xander Wilson, of Lincoln, poses at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run on to the field to a sea of fans for the first time in the COVID-19 era before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) runs in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Omar Manning (right) is defended by White Team’s Phalen Sanford (37) in the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles during the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Omar Manning (right) anticipates a pass from Adrian Martinez as he’s defended by the White Team’s Isaiah Harris (37) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks behind the Red Team during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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The White Team’s Wyatt Liewer (85) catches a first-down pass in front of the Red Team’s Mason Nieman to set up a game-tying touchdown by Liewer moments later on Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) signals for one more play as time runs out in the fourth quarter Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans are scattered throughout the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers scrimmage in the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers hosts a team scrimmage during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Samori Toure (6) is tackled by the White Team’s Noa Pola-Gates during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (second left) gets sacked by the White Team’s Jake Archer in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Ty Hahn catches a pass in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Darius Moore (left) intercepts a pass intended for the White Team’s Will Nixon in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team kicker Chase Contreraz (right) kicks an extra point in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Brody Belt rushes for a fourth-quarter touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Zach Weinmaster (31) tries to avoid the tackle of the White Team’s John Bullock (84) in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run onto the field before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost looks down after the White Team intercepts the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Cameron Jurgens (left) and Riley Moses get into position during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) speaks to quarterback Adrian Martinez before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Marvin Scott III (left) runs the ball as the White Team’s Isaac Gifford goes in for the tackle during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running backs coach Ryan Held walks down the White Team’s sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Fans chant “Go Big Red” moments the players take the field at the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A Nebraska fan celebrates with others after catching a hot dog fired from a cannon during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Gabe Ervin narrowly avoids being tackled by the White’s John Bullock in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Tyson Guzman (left) is pushed back by the White Team’s Trevin Luben in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander looks up at the scoreboard in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez scrambles around looking for an open receiver in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) scrambles away from David Alston as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (left) protects the ball as he rushes against Damian Jackson (38) in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section stands for the national anthem during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers as the Huskers make their way onto the field for the Tunnel Walk before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Samori Toure (6) jumps over the White Team’s Noa Pola-Gates (bottom) in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Travis Vokolek (83) fends off the tackle of Jackson Hannah in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) runs the ball as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco watches the Red Team warm up before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska director of high school relations Kenny Wilhite pulls up his mask before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) smiles at offensive line coach Greg Austin after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (bottom center) runs the ball while pursued by the White Team’s Zach Schlager (right) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A referee watches the action during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (far left) is sacked by the White Team’s Jake Archer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Beau Psencik (center) is tackled by the White Team’s John Bullock (top) and Lane McCallum in the second half during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin protects the ball as he’s confronted by the White Team’s Braxton Clark during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (right) speaks with wide receiver Omar Manning as they exit the field at halftime during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Marvin Scott III (second right) is swallowed up by White Team defenders Jackson Hannah (first right) and Isaac Gifford (right) as teammate Austin Allen (left) looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (center) jumps in an attempt to avoid a tackle from the Red Team’s Ashton Hausmann (29) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Young Husker fans bide their time while waiting for the Nebraska football team to begin play during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (center left) and Heinrich Haarberg (center right) walk along the sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is tagged down by the White Team’s Blaise Gunnerson (24) and pursued by Jimari Butler (17) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (center) is pushed by teammates as he attempts to carry the ball for a few extra yards during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (center), playing for the Red Team, tries to elude by the White Team’s Braxton Clark (left) and Myles Farmer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska fans watch football from Memorial Stadium seats for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Adrian Martinez (2) throws a pass as Huskers’ head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Gabe Heins (right) attempts a field goal in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Matt Masker (18) throws the ball as Huskers’ head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) looks for an open receiver as Huskers’ head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Offensive linemen Keegan Manning (71) and Noah Stafursky (62) take on Jamin Graham (89) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Gabe Ervin Jr. (bottom) gets tackled in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) hands off the ball to running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) takes off on a run during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) hands off the ball to running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
John Bullock (right) attempts to strip the ball from Oliver Martin during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches the action on the field during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Isaiah Harris (37) runs for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson (left) and Tony Tuioti watch the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Travis Fisher (right) talks to cornerback Braxton Clark (11) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
John Goodwin (46) defends Blaise Gunnerson (24) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson (right) talks to linebacker Blaise Gunnerson (24) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Logan Smothers (8) runs the ball past Nash Hutmacher (72) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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