Shreveport, La.?Nebraska finalized its preparations for Friday?s MainStay Independence Bowl game against Mississippi with a half-hour walk-through practice at Independence Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Coach Frank Solich said his team has had an excellent attitude throughout bowl preparations and that he anticipates that carrying onto the field on Friday afternoon. He said the Huskers have great incentive to play well in order to finish off the 2002 campaign with a victory and gain momentum heading into next season.

Solich said on Friday that two starters will not be available for Friday?s game because of injury. Senior offensive guard Wes Cody will miss his final game as a Husker and sophomore rover Philip Bland has also been ruled out because of injury.

Solich met with the media at a late morning press conference at the Shreveport Expo Hall and once again complimented the Independence Bowl and the host city for their hospitality and organization.

?Our players have been treated exceptionally well at this bowl game,? Solich said. ?As a coach, it seems that we have had the right mixture of functions and yet we have been allowed the right amount of time to prepare for this football game.?

The press conference was followed by the Minuteman Luncheon at noon at the Expo Hall. Both teams were in attendance at the event hosted by Tim Brando of CBS Sports, a Shreveport resident. Husker senior rush end Chris Kelsay was presented with a Scholar-Athlete Award at the luncheon.

Friday?s Independence Bowl will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPN. The Huskers will return to Lincoln via charter on Saturday afternoon.

--Huskers--