Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska football team was back on the practice fields Tuesday evening, as the Huskers continue into the third week of the 2013 fall camp. The Huskers went through a two-hour practice in full pads inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice facility.
Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini met with the media after practice, noting that the team is making some good progress as they start their preparations for the 2013 opening game versus Wyoming on Aug. 31.
“We are making some good progress, we are getting a lot of things accomplished out there,” Pelini said, “I am seeing a lot of areas where we need to get better, but the energy has been good and the temp has been good. I see us improving as a football team right now.”
A player that has had to deal with changing positions is senior Andrew Green. Green, who previously played corner for the past three seasons for NU changed to safety going into this season. Pelini believes that the switch is starting to work out great, as Green is starting to show some of his cover skills at safety.
“He has come along well, we gave him a ton of reps out there today and he is getting better.” Pelini said, “I think he is comfortable and he has picked it up well. He has shown really good range back there and cover skills from his corner days, he’s getting better.”
With his added depth in the secondary, not only do the Huskers boast a solid cornerback trio with junior Josh Mitchell and seniors Stanley Jean Baptiste and Ciante Evans, the Blackshirt secondary has a proven senior leader in Green to play safety.
A player that much like Green changed positions from safety to cornerback and now back to safety is junior Corey Cooper. Cooper, who recorded 17 tackles last season with 1.5 tackles for loss has been impressing Pelini and the rest of the coaching staff during fall camp with his play at safety.
“His experience with playing up (cornerback) has helped him going back. Just getting game experience—getting confidence and having success.” Pelini said, “He understands how things work up front, so I think it made him a better safety having been up.”
Much has been said about the Nebraska football team announcing there will be four season long captains, with Taylor Martinez, Quincy Enunwa, Spencer Long and Ciante Evans being the captains chosen. Pelini so far has really liked how the captains have stood up to their leadership rolls, while also mentioning the four captains are not the only ones stepping up in the leadership department.
“I think we are getting really good leadership, not just the captains but some of the older guys as well.” Pelini said, “This team has some intangibles—leadership that I really like. It is a true theme, I like the way they have come together and hopefully that will continue.”
A player that has been making some noise on the offensive line has been senior Aurora native Andrew Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who has started eight games in his Husker career has shown some really good things at camp so far according to Pelini.
“He has played well, this has been his best camp and he is probably playing the best football he has ever played while he has been here.” Pelini said.
Nebraska will be back on the practice field on Wednesday as they continue their third week of fall camp practices. Check back at Huskers.com for all of your preseason football practice coverage including the latest news, photos and video features.
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