Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team continued its week of preparation for Friday’s regular-season finale against Iowa on Tuesday afternoon. The team practiced in shoulder pads and helmets for just over two hours inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields.
Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck addressed the media after practice, focusing on the 23 seniors who will play their last game at Memorial Stadium on Friday.
“It’s been an honor being able to be around these guys,” Beck said. “I’ve had the chance to watch them grow up as young men and persevere through a lot of tough times. They’ve had a lot of hard-fought games, and I’m proud of them for the work they’ve put in together.”
According to Beck, saying goodbye to the seniors will be difficult, but the emotions won’t linger too long after the kickoff. After all, there’s still a rivalry game to be played.
“These games are always emotional,” Beck said. “Once the game gets started, though, I don’t know how much that emotion still plays in. When you’re beating on a guy and he’s beating on you, I don’t think you’re too worried about all that other stuff.”
One senior Beck especially admires for his performance and leadership this season is wide receiver Quincy Enunwa. The team captain has 44 catches for 578 yards and nine touchdowns this season, including a 27-yard touchdown at Penn State on Saturday. According to Beck, Enunwa’s great work ethic has been the key to his success.
“The work that (Quincy Enunwa) has put in has shown up on the field,” Beck said. “He’s a great example of the fact that if you’re humble and work hard every day, you’re time will come. You’re going to get you’re moment, and he’s had it.”
The biggest concern for Enunwa this season has been the health of his quarterbacks. With fellow senior Taylor Martinez out due to injury and freshman Tommy Armstrong limited in practice again on Tuesday, the Huskers will most likely turn to senior Ron Kellogg III against the Hawkeyes. However, Beck mentioned that in the case of another injury, he’s confident in redshirt freshman Ryker Fyfe’s ability to step in and lead the team.
“(Ryker Fyfe) throws the ball very well, he can run and he’s tough,” Beck said. “He’s very instinctive. Sometimes he might throw to the wrong guy, but he makes up for it with a great pass. If we have to go to him, we’ll hang on and go.”
Nebraska will hit the practice field again on Wednesday afternoon as the team moves closer to its final home game of the season. The Huskers will face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
