Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team continued preparations for its Big Ten West showdown with the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Tuesdayafternoon, as the Huskers practiced for nearly two hours inside of the Hawks Championship Center and outside on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields.

Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck spoke with the media following practice. Beck said the Huskers will have their hands full offensively Saturday, as the Gophers have been very stingy on defense this season.

“They are well-coached defensive team. They are very active up front, and they play the ball well in the secondary—a lot of man-to-man stuff,” Beck said. “They play their system, they have recruited to it and they coach them with good technique, and they do a good job. They are rarely out of position.”

Beck added that Minnesota’s defensive line is very active, pushing opposing offenses into third-and-long situations.

“They are active, they use their hands really well and get you into third-down situations. Obviously all offenses want to stay out of those situations,” Beck said. “They are really good in those situations, so you want to do everything you can to keep yourself out of third-and-long.”

Beck noted that it was good for the players to get back to work on the field, including sophomore quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr.

“He had a good day today,” Beck said of Armstrong. “He threw the ball well. I think it was good for the guys to get back on the field and get to work. (Tommy) is getting better. He will continue to grow. He is a young guy and it means a lot to him.”

Nebraska will practice again on Wednesday afternoon. Saturday’s Big Ten conference clash between Nebraska and Minnesota will be nationally televised on ESPN at 11:00 a.m. (Central).