Several key Huskers cleared to play Saturday, according to Riley

By Tommy Rezac

Senior cornerback Chris Jones has been cleared to play for the first time this season, and the timing couldn’t have been better as the Huskers prepare for their toughest test of the year thus far in No. 9 Wisconsin on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Jones won’t be “full time,” Riley says, but they expect him to see some snaps. Jones has practiced the entire week.

The Huskers wrapped up their final full length practice of the week on Thursday afternoon at the Hawks Championship Center. Head coach Mike Riley said that Jones isn’t the only key player back in the fold for Nebraska.

“Josh Kalu has practiced this week and we anticipate him playing in the game,” Riley said. “Marcus Newby has been practicing. He missed a day (due to illness), but it had nothing to do with his hamstring, so we anticipate him being able to play probably in a rotation basis.”

“It’s good to have them back, there’s no doubt about it. It’s good to have more players that can play in the games. These guys are good players.”

Riley says they’re still determining whether or not Newby and Kalu will start Saturday. Junior safety Antonio Reed will still be involved in the game plan, even with Kalu coming back.

Junior running back Mikale Wilbon did not practice Thursday, but Coach Riley said he’s doing “much better” as he recovers from a sprained ankle. Wilbon could at the very least be an emergency running back, according to Riley.

Elsewhere, senior right tackle David Knevel isn’t 100 percent back yet, so true freshman Brendan Jaimes will start for the third straight week. Sophomore Michael Decker will be starting at center again as well.

Keys to winning

Riley said the formula for beating Wisconsin on Saturday will be running the ball and protecting quarterback Tanner Lee.

Wisconsin’s defense has forced 16 sacks this season; the fourth highest total in the country and the second highest in the Big Ten. Eight of those sacks came against Northwestern in the Badgers’ 33-24 victory last week.

Riley also mentioned limiting big plays will be a critical part in staying competitive against Wisconsin.

Nebraska and Wisconsin kick off from Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Pregame coverage starts at 2 p.m. and the entire game will be carried live on KLIN.

You can contact Tommy at 402-840-5226, or you can follow him on Twitter @Tommy_KLIN.