Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska football team practiced for about 90 minutes without pads at the Hawks Championship Center on Thursday in preparation for Saturday’s game against South Alabama.

Head Coach Mike Riley spoke to the media after practice and confirmed that Freedom Akinmoladun will start at defensive end in place of the injured Jack Gangwish.

“Ross Dzuris will play for sure,” Riley said. “And then we’re looking at a couple other options there. We’re getting some guys ready. We probably won’t have quite the rotation we did last week.”

Riley also talked about how the team is responding to last week’s heartbreaking loss to BYU, 33-28.

“That was our first experienced game and a tough loss,” Riley said. “We had those same kind of wonders ourselves. I think that it’s been very good. The first practice on Monday, I thought everyone’s response was good. I think we have practiced better each day, which is the way it should be.”

Riley added that Cethan Carter is the lone player that will remain suspended this week, which means the Huskers will be thin at tight end.

“Sam Cotton has done a nice job this week of getting ready to play,” Riley said. “Andy Janovich is the H-Back/fullback, so it gives us a little versatility. My hope is that Trey Foster will be ready to play. He has had very limited, if any, practice. I talked to him today and he felt pretty good.”

Punter Sam Foltz continues to progress from his ankle injury, and Riley said, “we are going to let biology work for another day and see where he is.”