LINCOLN — After three days in the brutal August heat, Nebraska on Tuesday moved inside the Hawks Center, closed the doors and even seemed to have some cool air circulating for its fourth practice.
“This was a nice surprise,” Husker tight end Ben Cotton said. “I think it was a good move by Coach Pelini. I think a lot of guys appreciated it and it helped us have a lot more effective practice.”
NU worked out in helmets and shoulder pads for 2 ½ hours. Cotton had no idea if Bo Pelini and the staff would be taking the team back outside on Wednesday.
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson just said it was smart to give the team a break from the elements.
“After a while, the human body just wears down,” Watson said. “We want practices that are high-intensity practices, where we're able to execute for the duration of practice. We came in because we wanted to get our practices more crisp.”
What did players think about the difference?
“Oh, my gosh, way better,” linebacker Will Compton said. “You're like having fun practicing, and not just thinking how much water you're going to splash on your head when you get to the sideline.”
Hardrick back after dehydration
The heat took its toll Monday on offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, who was taken from the field by ambulance after practice. According to Lincoln Fire and Rescue, its team responded to a report of dehydration and cramping.
Although Hardrick was back Tuesday watching practice, Watson declined to discuss his condition and Pelini wasn't scheduled to meet with reporters.
“Coach is going to talk about all that,” Watson said. “So I don't even want to mess with that one.”
Tight ends joining 30,000 Balls Club
Cotton said Husker tight ends are concentrating on becoming better receivers. As part of it, assistant coach Ron Brown came up with the 30,000 Balls Club.
“Catching 300 balls every day, five days a week, all summer and offseason long,” Cotton said. “Just making sure you get your hands on the ball every day.”
With Mike McNeill moving to an adjuster/slot role, it should create more chances for Cotton and others. In addition to catching passes, Cotton said the group is working on being quicker out of breaks and gaining separation.
“I think the biggest focus for all of us tight ends is becoming more of a threat in the passing game,” Cotton said. “We established ourselves as pretty promising run-blockers last year — which we still need a lot of work on — but I think the biggest part of it right now is becoming more of a threat in the pass game.”
Watson said high expectations for Cotton were part of the reason for moving McNeill.
“He's a really good tight end,” Watson said. “He can run, he can catch, he can block — he can do everything. He's developed into a really good player.
“We wanted to clear the way for him. At the same time, Dreu Young's played really well and Kyler Reed's played real well, then we have an added piece with Ryan Hill. We're loaded.”
Carnes, Rodriguez make good impressions
Four practices have given the NU staff a glimpse at the incoming freshmen, and Watson talked Tuesday of quarterback Brion Carnes and offensive lineman Andrew Rodriguez being among those making good first impressions.
Of Carnes, Watson said: “Brion's going to be a really good player. Brion's got a real nice arm, he's very athletic, he's got great feet — he's got everything that you would look for in a quarterback to do what we do. I'm real encouraged with what I see out of him.”
Carnes, of course, won't figure into the quarterback race for next season. And that's the way the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Bradenton, Fla., is being treated right now.
“I don't put the fire hose out there for him to drink out of, I just give him the garden hose,” Watson said. “We really tame it down for him, so he can get his feet underneath him.”
The same can be said for Rodriguez, the 6-6, 325-pounder out of Aurora, Neb.
“He's got size and strength that a lot of freshmen don't have,” Watson said. “He's been very impressive, just in his skill set.
“He's got a lot of technique work to do and a learning curve with what we do and how we do what we do. But he's eager and he's got a skill set and I believe he'll be a really good player here. He's got a great attitude.”
Allen, Paul put on award watch lists
More preseason attention Tuesday:
• NU senior Pierre Allen is among 36 players on the watch list for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year award. Six Big 12 players are on the list.
• Senior Niles Paul is one of 51 on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. Paul led the Huskers last season with 40 receptions, averaging 19.9 yards per catch.
— Rich Kaipust
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