Who was that big guy behind the Nebraska bench, looking like he both belonged and wanted inside the Husker huddle?

It was offensive lineman Jaivorio Burkes, a part-time starter a season ago as a sophomore tackle. He has been ruled out with a medical condition for this season but said Saturday he will be back next season.

“I'm just looking forward to next year,” he said.

Burkes declined to identify the medical condition that is keeping him out. He was sidelined in August 2008 because of high blood pressure.

He did say that he is “feeling pretty good.” He is not practicing with the team but is attending classes. He got plenty of high fives from teammates on the sideline and seemed in good spirits with them, although he admitted he'd rather be on the field with them than cheering them on.

Block party

A touchdown or a big block? Which gets a team more excited?

If Curenski Gilleylen's first half Saturday was any indication, it's the block.

Menelik Holt scored the touchdown on a 28-yard pass, but Gilleylen received more congratulations than Holt after throwing a huge block on the cornerback that gave Holt a clean route to the end zone. Gilleylen stopped for a few seconds to admire his work on the stadium's big screen before getting a huge hug from Holt.

Just under nine minutes later, Gilleylen caught a 51-yard touchdown pass, to which he got fewer atta-boys from teammates.

Bowl talk?

It's never too early to start thinking about bowls, right?

Officials from the Gator Bowl and Fiesta Bowl were on hand Saturday for Nebraska's opener. The Huskers beat Clemson 26-21 in last season's Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.

NU was last in the Fiesta Bowl in 2000, when it beat Tennessee 31-21.

Prospects on hand

All four of the official visitors expected by NU coaches made it to Lincoln Saturday. NU commits Mike Moudy and Donovan Vestal, both three-star recruits according to rivals.com, were in attendance, as well as Tejay Johnson and Harvey Jackson.

Jackson is a three-star defensive back prospect out of Missouri City, Texas. He had been quoted earlier in the week saying he expected to commit to Nebraska this weekend.

Other prospects on the sidelines during pregame festivities included 2010 pledges Andrew Rodriguez from Aurora and Tyler Evans of Waverly, as well as 2011 commit Ryne Reeves of Crete. Also on hand were in-state prospects Daniel Davie (Beatrice), Cole Fischer, Lincoln Hansen and Dion Jones (all of Millard North) and Glenn Lewis (Papillion-La Vista).

Huzzahs for Henery

It's not often that a kicker gets the biggest ovation — other than when he's making game-winning kicks — but that's exactly what happened Saturday during pregame introductions.

NU place-kicker and punter Alex Henery received the loudest cheers during the Huskers' video introductions. His cult hero status dates back to his game-winning 57-yard kick against Colorado a season ago.

Also of note from the pregame intros:

Seven offensive linemen were introduced (Marcel Jones, Mike Smith, Jacob Hickman, Ricky Henry, Keith Williams, Andy Christensen and Derek Meyer) and five defensive backs were also shown as starters (Prince Amukamara, Matt O'Hanlon, Eric Hagg, Larry Asante and Anthony West).

While everyone else started his intro with some sort of “Hi, Husker Nation” greeting, Amukamara lived up to his jokester status with his: “Salutations, Husker Nation.”

Sign watch

Maybe taking signs to the game is a fading fad. Good homemade signs were few and far between Saturday. The best of the small pool to choose from: “Second Year. Bring the Fear” or “Don't make me Suh ya.”

Suit him up

A recognizable face was in many of the Husker quarterback sideline huddles. Former Husker QB Joe Ganz was roaming the Nebraska sideline, putting in a few tips here and there for new signal-caller Zac Lee.

Countdown

The latest installment of the Tunnel Walk features a countdown of NU football, past and present. Here's how it went: 10 coaches, 9 Huskers, 8 Outland winners, 7 big hits, 6 points, 5 national titles, 4 Lombardi winners, 3 Heisman winners, 2 legendary coaches, 1 Nebraska.

— Nick Rubek