Practice Report – Huskers Sticking to their Guns on Spring Game Format, Washington and Robinson Won’t Play on Saturday

(Photo – Kenny Larabee)

While other universities have started to stray away from a format that resembles actual football during their spring game, at Nebraska, the spring game won’t be tampered with anytime soon. There’s a simple reason why: the spring game continues to be a huge draw at NU. This Saturday, more than 80,000 fans will pack Memorial Stadium for what is essentially a scrimmage.

“Our fans are the best in the country and I don’t know if it’s close,” Nebraska head coach Scott Frost said following the Husker’s practice Wednesday morning.

Lack of fan support is likely a leading reason why other programs have decided to switch things up during their spring games (like at K-State, where the Wildcats will be holding an “interactive practice” instead of a traditional game), but as Frost pointed out, injury concerns are likely an even bigger reason why schools have taken on a different format. As far as Frost is concerned though, tinkering with the spring game at Nebraska is not something that will likely ever happen with him at the helm.

“I don’t think we’ll ever go down that road because of the support we get and the unbelievable amount of fans we get at our spring game,” Frost said.

The format won’t be the only thing that’ll be familiar this year for Frost and the fans. Last year at this time, Frost was experiencing a homecoming of sorts, still trying to find his footing as the new head coach of the Huskers. But now with year one under his belt, Frost finally has had some time to catch his breath.

“It’s always a special deal to come out of the tunnel at Memorial Stadium,” Frost said. “I think it’ll feel a little bit more like home this year.”

A season of uncertainty could lie in wait for Frost and company in year two. But one thing is for sure, Frost was adamant that Huskers won’t be backing down from playing a live game this spring. “We’re going to play football.”

In other news and notes:

-Frost revealed that freshman wide receiver/running back Wan’Dale Robinson and running back Maurice Washington will not participate in the spring game. Washington continues to battle legal issues in his home state of California, while Robinson has a hamstring injury.

-Inside linebacker Nick Henrich will require surgery for a shoulder injury and won’t be available until the season is set to start in the fall. Fellow Burke grad Chris Hickman will not play in the spring game either.