Lincoln, Neb. - The entire Nebraska football team practiced for approximately two hours on the grass practice fields north of Memorial Stadium in shorts and helmets on Monday afternoon, as the Huskers began preparations for Saturday?s game with Troy State. The game with the Trojans is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff, and is not scheduled to be televised.
Monday marked the first time that the entire squad went through a full practice session, as the rest of the squad joined the 105 early reporting players last Friday. Coach Frank Solich said the inclusion of the rest of the squad and the attitudes of the late-reporting players will help the Huskers prepare for the Trojans.
"Practice went well," Solich said. "We had a scout team meeting prior to coming out on the field and that helped in terms of organization. The attitude of those guys has been excellent. It is very difficult to come out when you?ve already had a share of the team practicing and in shape and running things. Then you?re out there, and in some degree, a good share of them are running the opposing team?s plays.
"They did a very good job of it. Their attitudes are great, and it is allowing us to practice in a manner that will give us our best chance to continue to get better as we go through the season."
Solich said Nebraska will need to continue to concentrate on preparations for the Trojans, who finished 7-4 in 2001 in their first season of Division I-A football, despite playing at Nebraska, Miami and Maryland, and beating Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss.
"I was very impressed with Troy State last year. I thought they had very good athletes and moved around very well," Solich said. "They had a very good football team. They are capable of playing excellent football, and we are anticipating an excellent game."
Solich also announced that sophomore linebacker Chad Sievers and redshirt freshman I-back Marques Simmons returned to practice on Monday. Both players missed Saturday?s season-opening victory over Arizona State.
Solich praised Nebraska?s special teams and defensive performances during the Arizona State game, including senior place-kicker Josh Brown and junior cornerback Pat Ricketts, who both earned Big 12 honors on Monday.
"We are very pleased with Josh Brown getting the Big 12 Special Teams Player-of-the-Week award," Solich said. "If you look at our special teams, he was certainly deserving of it. His kickoffs were vital. The field goals kind of stand out to everybody with two of them over 40 yards, but the kickoffs were imperative in terms of field position for us.
"Pat Ricketts won the Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week award for us. He really had a very good ballgame for us. He had a number of pass breakups and supported on the run very well. He?s in our nickel and our dime packages, and he does a great job in terms of knowing it all."
Solich announced that junior rush end Benard Thomas may redshirt during the 2002 campaign. Thomas warmed up in uniform with the team before the Arizona State game, but did not suit up for the game.
"We really left the decision up to him. We felt that he could work his way into the mix of this thing this year, but his feeling that two very strong years would be excellent for him," Solich said. "This could all change, if you get an injury or two, so he will remain practicing with the top units throughout the course of practice this year."
Thomas, who contributed as a true freshman in 2000 and a sophomore in 2001, is listed as co-No. 2 with senior Justin Smith at left rush end behind senior starter Chris Kelsay.
Solich also announced that senior defensive tackle Jason Lohr underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Friday, Aug. 23.
In other news, Nebraska senior center John Garrison was included in the initial 2002 Rimington Trophy Watch List released by the committee that chooses the award honoring the nation?s best college center.
The award is named for former Husker Dave Rimington, who was college football?s most decorated offensive lineman, as the only player to ever win the Outland Trophy twice. He also won the Lombardi Award in 1982 and was a two-time consensus All-American and two-time academic All-American at Nebraska.
The Rimington Trophy was established in 2000 and is co-sponsored by Black and Decker and Canon, USA. Former Husker center Dominic Raiola won the inaugural award in 2000, while Ohio State?s LeCharles Bentley claimed the honor in 2001. The 2002 Rimington Trophy will be presented on Dec. 14, in Lincoln, Neb. Proceeds from the Rimington Trophy presentation will benefit the Boomer Esiason Foundation and the fight against cystic fibrosis.
