LINCOLN — At least Bo Pelini's not sugar-coating his description of Saturday's Red-White game.
Basically, the Nebraska football coach said, don't expect anything flashy as the Huskers finish spring practice before a near-sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium.
“It's going to be really basic football,” Pelini said Wednesday after the Huskers' final heavy workout until Saturday. “We're not going to show a whole lot. Obviously, we want to see fundamentals, technique. It's not going to be a lot of scheme things.
“That's what these practices were for, but we're not going to open that up. Let them go out there, have fun and put on a show.”
Pelini described offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick as doubtful and fellow lineman Mike Smith as out for Saturday. The quarterbacks — except Kody Spano, coming back from a second knee operation — will be fair game for defenders to hit.
Coaches were to divide the players into Red and White teams after Wednesday's practice. Pelini said it would be an even mix, with first-team players on both sides.
Receiver Mike McNeill said he didn't know any details of the roster selection.
“I'm just trying to get Eric Hagg on the same team as me,” McNeill said. “That way, I don't have to go against him.”
The first half will be formatted like a normal game, with clock stoppages at the standard spots. A running clock will be used for the fourth quarter. The third-quarter format is undecided, with the decision based on progress through the first half and injuries.
“This just gives us another chance to evaluate the guys across the board and see how they react,” Pelini said. “Every time they walk out on the field, we expect them to perform.”
The Huskers will conduct a light practice Thursday and will take a break Friday.
Young is excited over a big crowd
Count tight end Dreu Young among the Huskers who are excited to play in front of a crowd on Saturday.
“Anytime we have a crowd, whether it's just (the media) at the beginning of practice or 80,000 people, it's better than practicing out here with just the coaches,” said Young, a senior from Cozad, Neb. “There's no people, there's no witnesses.”
Frustration on the sidelines
Ricky Henry, Nebraska's returning starter at right guard, won't play Saturday. He's missed the whole spring while recovering from shoulder surgery.
Henry, a senior-to-be out of Omaha Burke, said he has been frustrated at times to watch from the sideline.
“Yeah, but I take a lot of mental reps,” Henry said. “There's a difference between watching and going out and doing it, but you've got to make the most of it.”
It's a familiar spot for Henry, who sat out in 2008 as a redshirt after transferring from junior college. He said he's been impressed with the play of the line this spring notably redshirt freshman guard Brent Qvale, filling in for Henry.
“I just watch the position,” Henry said. “Watch the line. Make sure everybody's in the right place. Try to help them. Watch footwork, hands, everything.
“All the young guys are doing a good job, playing hard and making competition better.”
— Mitch Sherman
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