Practice Report – Things Starting to Take Shape as the Spring Game Edges Nearer

(Photo – Kenny Larabee)

In less than one week, Nebraska’s spring practice period will be capped off with the biggest practice of them all – the spring game, to be played out in front of tens of thousands of Husker fans at Memorial Stadium this Saturday. According to offensive coordinator Troy Walters, his unit is starting to take shape in time for the main event.

“We’re heading in the right direction,” Walters said. “…We just have to be more consistent and have a little more grit. That’s going to come, but overall as a staff, we are pleased with the progress. We have to go out Wednesday and have a great practice and then guys have to go out Saturday in front of 90,000 and show what they can do. We’re pleased, but there is still work to be done.”

Although plenty of brand new players that arrived on campus in January will get their shot at some playing time, there are a couple of individuals that will likely be mainstays this fall that might not be able to see much of the field on Saturday.

Walters said that freshman wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is “still limited” with a hamstring injury. Also, fellow receiver J.D. Spielman is also having issues with an injury, and may not be able to fully participate on Saturday either.

While some players will be limited with injuries, others are still battling for their spot on the depth chart.

Offensive line coach Greg Austin told reporters that he’s “cross trained some guys” at a few different positions to get a feel of where they might best perform, but added that “nobody is solid” at any position on the O-line.

“Nobody’s solid until we play South Alabama, game one,” Austin said. “Those guys need to continue to work. Whenever you think you’re solid, there’s a tendency to lay off.”

The spring game will take place this Saturday, April 13th. Kickoff is at one o’clock but coverage will begin at 11.

In other news and notes from practice:

-Junior offensive lineman John Raridon told reporters that he’s been working at both left and right guard.

-Redshirt freshman Miles Jones has been limited with a shoulder injury, which caused him to miss the first two weeks of spring practice. On top of that, Jones has an ankle injury which is also hampering him. He’s been getting reps at both running back and wide receiver.

-Junior quarterback Andrew Bunch was considering a transfer from NU in the winter, but ultimately decided to stay. “At the end of the day, I want to play for Nebraska,” Bunch said. “All these guys are family to me and these are guys I want to go to war with so that was really the biggest thing for me.”

-Wan’Dale Robinson is “going to be a key ingredient come this fall,” according to Walters, saying that Robinson is a “real student” of the offense.

-Running backs coach Ryan Held spoke to reporters with his infant son, Jacob, in tow.