Husker QB Thompson returns to practice; Synek rises; Farmer is back

With two games left on the schedule, interim coach Mickey Joseph’s future at Nebraska is still up in the air.

But that doesn’t alter his focus going into Saturday’s game against Wisconsin. Joseph discussed the Badgers and several other topics during his weekly media availability session Tuesday at Memorial Stadium.

Quarterback carousel: It was the first topic of the news conference once again, and understandably so.

Who’s at quarterback? Casey Thompson practiced Tuesday and participated in team drills. Although Joseph said he’s still day-to-day, it’s a promising step in the right direction. If Thompson can’t go, it’ll be Logan Smothers, who Joseph praised for his effort at Michigan.

However, the Huskers have suffered another blow at the position. Chubba Purdy, who started at Michigan, will be out and require surgery on his high ankle sprain. If Thompson can’t go, it’ll be redshirt freshman Jarrett Synek behind Smothers. Synek worked with the second unit at Tuesday’s practice.

“I think when you look at it as a coach, he’s the most athletic one,” Joseph said of Synek. “Because if you’ve got to go to a third guy, you want them to be athletic. You don’t want them to all be the same. He can go in there and give you some run game and throw it a little bit.”

Success starts with recruiting: Joseph talked about the importance of recruiting Saturday in Ann Arbor and he was asked once again Tuesday afternoon. It’s no secret recruiting in Lincoln can be a geographical challenge and you have to “go where the heat’s at” to find kids.

It’s no surprise Joseph and his staff have focused on Texas and the southeast, along with the Kansas City, Missouri, area; St. Louis; and New Jersey. Joseph said it’s also pivotal to understand what you have to do and where you’re at in the country and be able to go and convince kids to come to Lincoln.

But along with talent, you’ve got to find grit in recruiting. Joseph said if it was all about stars and ratings, he would’ve never found Justin Jefferson at LSU.

“When we evaluate a kid, we’re looking for grit,” Joseph said. “We’re looking for that finish on every play. So you’ve got to look at it before you bring them in.”

Facing Wisconsin: Saturday’s game will be a battle of interim coaches between Joseph and Wisconsin’s Jim Leonhard. Similar to the past three weeks, the Huskers will face another stout defense and another talented running back in Braelon Allen.

“Real good defense and they like to run the football — it’s no secret,” Joseph said. “They haven’t changed much. They play hard, they don’t do a lot, but what they do, they do well. They don’t make mistakes.”

Farmer set to return: Myles Farmer will be back Saturday. Farmer was suspended for the Michigan game after being cited for a DUI the previous weekend. Joseph added the sophomore practiced well Tuesday.