Lincoln ? The Nebraska football team practiced for two hours Wednesday afternoon with the defense practicing in cool and damp conditions on the grass practice fields north of Memorial Stadium The offense went inside Cook Pavilion, as the Huskers began preparations for Saturday?s game with McNeese State. The game with the Cowboys is scheduled for an 11:30 a.m. kickoff and will be carried on a live internet broadcast on a subscription basis at HuskersNside.com.

"Today was a practice where we split up the team a little bit." Head Coach Frank Solich said. "The defense wanted to be down on the grass ... and the offense went into the Cook. Again, as usual, it was a full pads practice that went two hours and things went pretty well."

I-back Thunder Collins is expected to return to the field on Saturday, after having his eligibility restored by the NCAA on Tuesday. Solich said Collins understands the role he will be stepping into when he returns to the field.

"Coach Gillespie and I visited with Thunder today, so he understands exactly how he is fitting back into this," Solich said. "He has had very limited time with the No. 1 offense. The time he has spent practicing leading up until today has basically been with the No. 2 offense. It is not a situation where he would be automatically going in second. We will put David (Horne) in second, but Thunder should see playing time in this game, and we would like to work him back in."

The Huskers are scheduled to return to the practice field on Thursday in Memorial Stadium. Coach Solich will address the media following practice.

Note to Media: Due to Hurricane Lili, McNeese State is flying into Lincoln late Wednesday and will practice at Memorial stadium Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. SID Louis Bonnette said practice is open to the media and Head Coach Tommy Tate and players will be available both before and after practice.