News And Notes From Nebraska Football Practice No. 14


Another practice, another chance to see how newbies are stepping up to help take the place of Nebraska football’s walking wounded. Let’s have a look at how this morning’s practice turned out:

(Thanks to our own Jake Bockoven for his amazing work in bringing us these notes as always):

-A large crowd was on hand. A number of players’ family members joined the media on the sideline. Tom Osborne was also present.

- Some players missed practice due to graduation (Jake Cotton, Zaire Anderson, Kevin Williams)

- Offensive lineman Corey Whitaker is out for the year with a torn ACL.

- Fullback Andy Janovich and offensive lineman Zach Sterup are both a coin toss to play against Florida Atlantic.

- The offense and defense appear to be digging deeper into the playbook.

- The offense ran bootlegs, screens, and draws and showed the diamond formation.

- The defense worked on their blitz packages, including standing up a prowling Randy Gregory behind the line.

- Defensive Corodinator John Papuchis was outwardly impressed by the effectiveness of the blitz packages.

- Quarterbacks Tommy Armstrong, Jr. and Ryker Fyfe both took snaps versus No. 1 defense today. Stanton only practiced with No. 3 team offense.

- Armstrong had a strong day controlling the offense and reading blitzes.

- He continues to throw low on short and intermediate routes causing more drops by his receivers (this kind of throw notably plagued Quincy Enunwa and Kenny Bell in 2013). After a slow start, he finished strong, carving up the defense by the end of practice.

- Fyfe had an up and down day as the flow of the No. 2 offense was off. He was not always on target either, throwing a pick to linebacker Trevor Roach.

- Running back Terrell Newby anticipated to be back by Monday. Still no Brandon Reilly.

- The Huskers may be able to play four scholarship running backs this year. Mikale Wilbon looks the part and made a spectacular one-handed catch while running with the second team offense.

- Wide receivers have looked stellar in camp so far, but today was not one of their best days. Many had trouble catching, on or off target. Kenny Bell did drop a few. After one drop, Bell dropped to the ground and started doing push-ups.

- True freshman tight end Freedom Akinmouladin looks very raw. Expect him to redshirt.

- Offensive guard Dylan Utter got a look with the No. 1 offense, replacing Cotton. Givens Price continued playing at right tackle

- Defensive ends Jack Gangwish and AJ Natter appear to have a step on grabbing the backup spots. Both were thrown in with the No. 1 team so the coaches could get a look. Gangwish looked particularly impressive when bull rushing.

- Defensive tackle Kevin Maurice continues to look impressive with the second unit. Look for him to get opportunities on obvious passing downs as he excels at disrupting throws.

- Linebacker Courtney Love is impressing at linebacker. Coaches are trying to get a good read on him. He was thrown in with the No. 1 defense at the start of scrimmage and stayed in with No. 2 unit at times.

- The defensive backs were a large part of making the offense look bad at times. Cornerbacks were constantly in receivers’ faces, often jumping routes to get an knockdown or interception.

- Josh Mitchell and Byerson Cockrell stood out as pass-jumpers. Daniel Davie continues to get the No. 1 unit snaps opposite Mitchell, while Jonathan Rose is working with the second unit.

- Rose and Davie named Co-No. 1s opposite Josh Mitchell by Pelini following practice.

- Both defensive backs Josh Kalu appears to be an unlikely redshirt at this time. Kieron Williams may also avoid one.

- Safeties Corey Cooper and Nathan Gerry look like naturals. Communication and play identification doesn’t appear to be a problem this year.

- Drew Brown went 4-for-4 today including a 55 (or so)-yarder as the entire team heckled. Mauro Bondi also hit some from 40 and 50 yards, but was less consistent.

- Kicking choices likely made soon according to Pelini.

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