Lincoln ? The Nebraska football team practiced for two hours Wednesday afternoon in full pads split between the Cook Pavilion and Memorial Stadium, as the Huskers continue preparations for Saturday?s showdown with No. 7 Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

NU was forced off of the grass practice fields due to wet conditions. The moved sent the Husker offense into Memorial Stadium, while the defense went into Cook Pavilion. The two squads finished the practice together inside the stadium.

"It was a good practice today," Head Coach Frank Solich said. "We went full pads and had a split practice, so we would have more room. The defenive went into the Cook (Pavilion) and the offense stayed up here on the main field. All-in-all it was a good practice. I think they are preparing well. They want to play extremely well, so they are relly working hard at it.

The Huskers will continue preparations for Saturday night?s matchup with No. 7 Texas on Thursday afternoon.

Nebraska junior punter Kyle Larson has been selected as one of 10 semifinalists for the third annual Ray Guy Award, recognizing the nation?s top collegiate punter. Larson, a native of Funk, Neb., is averaging 42.6 yards per punt in 2002 and has pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 12 times this season. Larson has averaged 45 yards or more in five games this season, including a 57.2-yard average against Utah State. Larson ranks 17th nationally in punting average and keys a Husker punt unit that is 14th in net punting at 37.7 yards per attempt.

"We are really happy to see Kyle Larson named to a semifinalist in the Ray Guy Award," Solich said. "In our mind, he is really deserving of this kind of an honor. He has had a great career here, and he certainly wants to finish it up well. And we are proud that he is one of the semifinalist.

Larson has been Nebraska?s nominee for Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week three times this season. He averaged 42.5 yards per punt last season and was a third-team All-Big 12 selection. Larson is one of three Big 12 punters among the 10 semifinalists, joining Curtis Ansel of Kansas and Colorado?s Mark Mariscal.

The Ray Guy Award is presented by the Greater Augusta (Ga.) Sports Council and the 2002 winner will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the ESPN College Football Awards Show.

Curtis Ansel Kansas

Joey Biasatti Texas Christian

Vinnie Burns Virginia Tech

Dustin Colquitt Tennessee

Pat Fleming Bowling Green

Joey Hildbold Notre Dame

Mark Mariscal Colorado

Glenn Pakulak Kentucky

Mike Scifres Western Illinois

2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch will be at the Huskers Authentic store on Saturday, Nov. 2, beginning at 9 a.m. Patrons who buy the special edition Eric Crouch poster, will receive his autograph on as many posters as they buy. However, if fans choose to have Crouch sign store items, or personal items, patrons will be limited to one item/autograph per person.