Crammed a in tight, rugby-like scrum far too cramped for their middle-aged physiques, reporters circled around Bo Pelini early Saturday afternoon as the head coach opened practice to the media for the first time in three days.

“We missed you - if you couldn‘t tell,” one camera operator quipped. Another, unable to squeeze in, lifted his camera above the fray to capture what must have been the top of Pelini’s cap.

And then Pelini answered media questions for more than nine minutes on a variety of topics - starting with the injuries of linebacker Sean Fisher and cornerback Anthony Blue - without being pressed to address the elephant in the room.

When a reporter finally asked for his rationale behind the ban - which was accompanied by a shorter prohibition of practice guests - Pelini, ready for it, delivered an answer without a hint of irritation.

I wasn’t real happy with the way a couple situations were handled,” Pelini said, alluding to news reports of player injuries - including Fisher’s - before he could address them specifically. “One situation in particular. I understand you guys got a job to do - I’ve got a job to do, too.

“So I just thought it was at the right time - really not one single thing, a culmination of things - that I thought it was time to eliminate some distractions for this football team. Get back to focusing on what we need to focus on. I thought it was the right time to do that.”

Pelini then announced an adjusted practice availability schedule to the media, which is invited Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of next week. Pelini will speak at each gathering. Players can field interviews Tuesday, assistants on Thursday, and Pelini alone on Saturday.

“In hindsight, I wish that’s the way we would have handled it,” he said. “With all the things that happen in fall camp and the busy schedule, I wish we would in hindsight that’s the way we would have done it in the first place. But you live and learn, right?”

And Nebraska football marches on, as Pelini answered a variety of questions after Saturday’s two-hour scrimmage on the fields east of the Hawks Championship Center, a workout marked by “good tempo,” Pelini said.

Pelini had just one significant injury to report: Tight end Dreu Young, nagged by a bad back for more than a year, will again undergo surgery. He won’t be back until midseason “if at all.”

“It’s going to take some time for that to play our medically,” Pelini said. “He wants to be out there.”

Young was, along with sophomore Ben Cotton, one of the best blocking tight ends on the team, but Pelini said he’s comfortable with the depth at the position and wouldn’t initially think to recall slot adjuster Mike McNeill back to the position.

“That’s always an option,” Pelini said. “We have a lot of options.”

The quarterback race, meanwhile, got “clearer,” Pelini said. He wouldn’t elaborate.

Under the adjusted media schedule, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson won’t be talking until next Thursday.

“No timetable,” Pelini said. “There’s great competition. I see all three guys getting better. The picture’s become a little bit clearer for us, but nothing’s been decided.”

At linebacker, Fisher should miss the entire season, Pelini said, but junior college transfer LaVonte David - even before Fisher’s injury - was making a move at the position.

“He’s showing he’s a really good football player,” Pelini said. “He’s showing he can be a factor for us. We’re excited about him and what he’s shown up to this point. He’s come in and made some quick strides.”

On with the report:

Particulars: Nebraska scrimmaged and practiced for two hours on Saturday - likely its final major scrimmage of fall camp

What’s New: Media access. But you knew that. Dreu Young’s out until midseason and possibly all year. He was one of NU’s best blocking tight ends; look for a walk-on to slide in there and take over some of the blocking duties.

Coach Quote: When you’re in camp and it’s hot and you’re working hard, that’s part of the deal. You just look across the country. That’s why it’s football. - Head coach Bo Pelini on tempers flaring in practice.

Notes:

***Pelini said there’s a small chance that kicker Adi Kunalic will get a chance to kick some field goals in games season. Alex Henery is among the nation’s best kickers, and has been from the second Kunalic stepped on campus.

“We’re not afraid to put him in the game, I’ll tell you that much,” Pelini said.

***Aside from David, four linebackers appear to be most in the mix for playing time: Sophomores Will Compton, Eric Martin, and Alonzo Whaley and junior Mathew May. Pelini said Whaley’s struggled through some “consistency issues” during camp.

***Pelini doesn’t pay attention to polls too much - Nebraska is No. 8 in the Associated Press poll - but he does appreciate how a high ranking early helps anchor a team in the top 25.

“It’s pretty easy to move down if you screw up, but it’s pretty hard to start way out of there to move up if you have aspirations of doing something special,” Pelini said. “That’s always a positive. People recognized we played pretty good football at the end of last year.”

Next Practice: Monday. The practice is closed to the media.

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Our 50 Huskers to Know series returns for the fall, as we count down the key players on Nebraska’s 2010 team. Check back throughout fall camp for the countdown, and scroll to the bottom for links to the whole list.

No. 45 Dreu Young, TE, 6-4, 255, Sr.

An effective blocker and short-yardage pass receiver so long as he’s healthy, Young has yet to miss a day of fall camp because of nagging back problems. That’s good news for the Huskers, as Young is well-versed in NU’s attack, serves as a powerful blocker in Nebraska’s two-tight end formations, and can beat a linebacker down the field.

Ben Cotton has surpassed Young on the depth chart, but Young is still a receiving threat - especially as a check down. Watch for him to make handful of catches - and many solid blocks - in 2010.

See all of the Huskers: No. 50, No. 49, No. 48, No. 47, No. 46

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Following the 2010 spring camp, Nebraska now looks back at the progress made by each position group - and what progress is yet to come.

Position: Tight End

Spring Summary: Still loaded, even with Mike McNeill’s half-move to wide receiver. Nebraska finally has a stable of impressive blockers in sophomore Ben Cotton, junior Ryan Hill, senior Dreu Young and walk-on Mychael McClure. McNeill remains a threat when he lines up there, and sophomore Kyler Reed is a more assertive, experienced player - retaining all of the talent he’s flashed since his arrival at NU. Walk-on Brent Wells could be a nice player down the road, too.


Big Mover: Reed. With injuries to Cotton and Young in camp, Reed got a ton of repetitions with the first team. He took advantage of them, and should be a better pass-receiver in 2010.


More to Prove: J.T. Kerr, a redshirt freshman. Kerr came to NU to be a combo blocker-short yardage pass catcher, but we’ve yet to see the kind of expected progress.


Wild Card: Hill, who will line up at fullback some, but can also be a nice pass-catching option down by the goal line. Nice player.


Freshmen to Add: Chase Harper from junior college. Much will be expected from Harper, who appears to be the most physically gifted tight end NU’s had since Matt Herian.


Injuries: Young will battle chronic back issues for the rest of his career. Cotton missed a good chunk of practice, but some of that was precautionary. Cotton is a tough kid and a leader.


How to Spend Summer Vacation: Get healthy, stay healthy, and stay on track. And wait for Harper.

Spring Reviews on Quarterback, Offensive LineRunning Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End

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TE Dreu Young, 6-4, 250, Sr.

Nebraska’s running game suffered as Young slowly recovered from and battled back problems throughout the 2009 season. Although NU now has more viable receiving options at the position - including JUCO import Chase Harper - Young frequently played over the last half of the season as a power blocker in the double/triple/quad-tight jumbo sets. As his play in 2008 proved, he’s a receiving threat, too, in a short, controlled passing game, rolling off of defensive ends on quick playaction passes.

Young needs to stay healthy in 2010, and continue to be that key cog in the tight end rotation. We suspect, this spring, you’ll see a combo of the 2008 receiver and 2009 blocker.

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It was a quick vocabulary lesson in the difference between offensive and defensive coaches.

When Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini critiqued, at length, his defense in Tuesday’s press conference, he used the word “soft” to describe its physical effort in a 49-3 win over Florida Atlantic.

Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson’s word of the day? Tempo. As in the speed with which quarterback Zac Lee received the play from the sideline, communicated it to the offense, and actually ran it.

In a 21-point first half, it wasn’t so good, despite touchdown passes of 28 and 51 yards.

But when Nebraska sped up in the second half, FAU “couldn’t stop us,” Watson said after Tuesday’s two-hour practice on the grass fields north of Memorial Stadium. “We went right down the field on them.”

The difference? Lee himself. The junior from San Francisco was “a little nervous in the service,” Watson said, in the first half, and kept heading to the sidelines to receive the play. That’s not uncommon in some offenses; however, Watson and Co. are making a concerted effort to speed up without ditching the huddle altogether.

At halftime, Watson told Lee to stand by the rest of his teammates on the field.

“That’s step one,” Watson smiled. “Pretty logical.”

Then, NU coaches held Lee “more accountable” for making sure the line hustled to their spots.

“If guys aren’t getting their hand in the dirt, he’s got to get them to get their hand in the dirt so we can play,” Watson said.

Watson called Lee’s second-half tempo “beautiful.” Nebraska needed only four plays on each its first two drives in the third quarter, scoring touchdowns on runs by junior Roy Helu.

“It could have been a little better,” Lee said. “But it’s kind of a first game thing.”

Other than the tempo problems, Watson said Lee “graded out really high” in his initial start. He completed 15 of 22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

“We didn’t ask him to do a whole lot of stuff, but we asked him to do enough to win the football game,” Watson said. “And as the game wore on I gave him more responsibility. And he really handled it well.”

Concerns about Lee vacating the pocket to run seemed answered by Saturday’s performance. Lee only scrambled once, and that was for a 12-yard gain. Mostly, Lee said, he tried to buy time for receivers to get open downfield by stepping into the pocket and moving away from pressure.

“I’ll run if I have to,” Lee said. “But I’d rather somebody got open downfield and hit them for a big gain…you want to get out and run around and make plays yourself, but I think the best thing, in the big picture, is to let guys get open.”

Notes:

*Both left guard Keith Williams and tight end Dreu Young practiced in full pads Tuesday. Young missed most of fall camp and the first game recovering from back surgery.

“It’s good to have (Dreu) back,” Watson said. “He’ll be in the gameplan. He has a lot of thump on the line of scrimmage and he’s a good pass receiver.”

*Watson seemed pretty set on using just Helu and true freshman Rex Burkhead at running back.

“We would ride those two horses, to be honest with you, forever,” Watson said. “That’s the way we’d do it. And we need a third guy, it’d be Lester (Ward).”

Expect more of Ward in the Big 12 season, when Nebraska routinely used three running backs in 2008.

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Nebraska’s football team handled practice on the first day of fall classes well, head coach Bo Pelini told the media Monday night after a two-hour workout on the grass fields just north of the Hawks Center.

“Normally you come out the first day of school and it’s not a real good practice,” Pelini said. “They came out with real good energy today…we got a lot accomplished today.”

That’s a far cry from Nebraska’s first-day-of-school practice in 2008, which Pelini, at the time, deemed “not nearly good enough.”

Pelini said NU remains in camp mode. No prep on Florida Atlantic yet. Maybe later this week. But the Huskers did add 30-plus players who weren’t part of the original 105-man roster. Pelini said the total count was at 142. Lines for drills were longer, but the practice seemed just as logistically smooth as it was for the last two weeks.

The Quentin Castille dismissal was address obliquely, as a couple question were posed to Pelini about running backs being aware of an opportunity.

“I would hope so, unless they’re blind,” Pelini said. “But it shouldn’t change the way they’ve been competing…it’s pretty obvious. We let you guys beat a dead horse. We don’t need to. Our players know what’s in front of them.”

Nebraska returns to the practice field Tuesday, same time, presumably same grass fields.

Notes:

*Pelini brushed aside the opportunity praise true freshman Rex Burkhead more than he already has for Burkhead’s quick move up the depth chart.

“We’ve got a number of true freshmen who are in the mix for playing time,” Pelini said. “Nobody’s earned anything yet.”

*Tight end Dreu Young continues to practice without pads. The doctors have to clear Young for more contact before he puts them on. Young had back surgery recently.

*Freshman right guard Brent Qvale has a shoulder injury and will be out 3-4 months, Pelini. Qvale had been impressive during his brief time in fall camp.

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It’s one of the odder transitions you’ll ever find Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini make.

Literally seconds after saying he’d kicked junior running back Quentin Castille off the team, Pelini pulled out a white index card and announced the dreams of six in-state Husker walk-ons had come true: They were put scholarship for the 2009 season.

Senior linebacker Colton Koehler, senior wide receiver Wes Cammack, senior offensive linemen Derek Meyer, junior kicker Alex Henery, junior tight end Dreu Young and sophomore center Mike Caputo will be scholarship players this year. All six should play one role or another on this current squad. Henery is considered one of the best kickers in the nation, while Young, Koehler and Caputo played often in 2008. Cammack is one of NU’s best tacklers on special teams.

“This is a great group of guys and it is great to be able to have the ability to recognize their contributions by placing them on scholarship,” Pelini said. “Each of those guys has shown a great commitment to our football program, and they do things the right way on and off the field.”

Pelini said there were more walk-ons who were deserving of scholarships, and he continues to strive toward rewarding them eventually, as well. Sophomore WILL linebacker Mathew May and sophomore nickel back Lance Thorell would have to be, presumably, high on that list.

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It was a summer afternoon fit for a Steinbeck novel, or roadside chain gang. Thick, fierce heat that pressed down on your shoulders, brought in by a south wind that pushed the sweat into your ears.

Nebraska’s football team opened fall camp in those 100-degree-temp conditions, spending nearly three hours on the freshly cut, newly marked grass fields east of the Hawks Center. Head coach Bo Pelini, crossed behind his back like a general, walked through the rows of 105 Husker players, fresh themselves off a difficult, punishing summer of conditioning.

And it was that conditioning, Pelini said, that saved them on a brutal first day. The Huskers took an extra water break but, otherwise, it was business as usual – in half pads, anyhow.

“They reacted well,” Pelini said. “I thought they flew around, and I saw some good things. I think it’s obvious they’ve done their work conditioning-wise, because that heat didn’t bother them at all.”

“…It was hot as heck out there, and you wouldn’t have known it. They worked hard. They’re in good condition.”

Still, Nebraska’s army of assistants were ready with tables of Gatorade, water and chocolate protein shakes just before the skywalk entrance back to the locker room. The bigger Huskers, especially the offensive and defensive linemen, lumbered through the Hawks Center.

One guy who wasn’t: senior middle linebacker Phillip Dillard, who lost 15 pounds over the summer and declared himself, “in the best shape of my life.” It was Dillard, remember, who fell to the bottom of the depth chart after reporting to spring camp at 250 pounds.

“After today, I might be at 229,” Dillard joked as sweat ran into his eyes. “I felt good out there. I’m not tired. I wasn’t breathing hard or nothing. Normally I’d get in the cold tub, but I feel great.”

Dillard’s change in attitude is reflective of a whole summer of accountability, which Pelini said he’ll empathize again in fall camp.

“They feel like they have something to prove,” Pelini said. “And they do have something to prove. The attitude seems right, but we’ll see as time goes on. It’s easy for it to be right the first day. But after we’ve been together 4,5,6,7 days in a row is the time we’ve got to make sure we stay consistent.”

Notes:

*True freshman Chris Williams was not part of the 105-man roster, as he is finishing rehab on an injured knee. “We’re trying to make sure there’s no issues with him, that he’s 100 percent,” Pelini said.

*Tight end Dreu Young is being held out of practice while recovering from an injury. “He’ll be fine,” Pelini said.

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Welcome! Here at Husker Locker, we'll be counting down the 50 most important players to watch in spring camp. Care to guess our No. 1 choice? The pick just might surprise you - and we won't unveil it until right before spring practice.

For now, we give you the first five on our list. Just as a taste of what's to come. Feel free to debate, argue or even agree. We'd never dissuade that.

One thing to remember: this is the only fraction of this bunch we'll be showing on the regular Husker Locker. The rest of it will be available via Locker Pass - and it's not something you'll want to miss.

Remember that our locker pass is more than just news, insight and gossip. It's merchant discounts, access to special Husker Locker events that others will have to pay for, recruiting reports that go beyond the last thing out of a recruit's mouth, great deals on Husker memorabilia, special interviews and the chance to create your own copy and blogs. We want to invite you to enjoy everything the site has to offer.

In the meantime, we at least invite you to sign up for our regular Husker Locker services!

On with the list!

No. 50 Derek Meyer, OL, 6-5 300, Sr. Nebraska's offensive line already has plenty of experience and talent on it, but Meyer, a walk-on who transferred from Kansas State after one year with Ron Prince, brings experience and flexibility of his own. Offensive line coach Barney Cotton often carved out time to praise Meyer for his work in practice, and Meyer was one of the offensive scout team MVPs. He'll vie for time this spring and in the fall.

No. 49 Dreu Young, TE, 6-4, 245, Jr. The Cozad native may be in line for a scholarship next fall if he can hold off redshirt freshmen Ben Cotton and Kyler Reed this spring. Young is improving as a blocker and serves as a nice target around the goal line. There's always room for a guy like this, but Reed, Cotton and sophomore Ryan Hill will push him.

No. 48 Brett Maher, P, 6-0, 160, RFr. Meet whom many believe will be Nebraska's next punter. Maher, from Kearney, averaged 41 yards per boot in high school and reportedly did a nice job this fall on the scout teams. Maher will get competition from kicker Alex Henery, who may pull double duty, and former UNO punter Jonathan Damkroger. All of them will be looking to improve on a so-so performance from Dan Titchener in 2008. NU was 106th in net punting.

No. 47 Matt Holt, LB, 6-0, 200, So. Holt was the "who's he?" Husker of the year for his performance in the Texas Tech game; he'll have some more company in 2009 - including Matthew May, who you'll see later - in his linebacker role. Holt is active and athletic, and he doesn't fit in at LB, he may see some time in the secondary. Definitely a special teams dynamo.

No. 46 Antonio Bell, WR, 6-2, 180, Fr. Bell was originally a 2008 signee, but wasn't able to enroll at NU until January. There's a good reason Nebraska didn't just redirect Bell to a junior college for a reason; his size and especially speed can make a big impact on a wide receiving corps that needs a consistent No. 3 receiver. Bell will get a look.

What's the early word from Oklahoma?

Check out the full platter of spring football coverage!

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Bowl games generally boil down to star players making – or not making – the crucial plays to win. We’ve got a list of big name difference makers for you to enjoy, too, but here’s a rundown of eight “lesser-known” dudes who might play a factor in Thursday’s Gator Bowl. Keep your eye on them.

Clemson center Bobby Hutchinson and Clemson guards Thomas Austin and Mason Cloy: The three men responsible for blocking Nebraska defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Ty Steinkuhler. Austin is the best of the bunch, Cloy’s a freshman who had the flu earlier this week and Hutchinson is the feel-good story of volunteer-coach-turned-starter. How they handle one of the nation’s toughest tandems will dictate how easily the Tigers get the running game going.

Nebraska running back Quentin Castille: Long ago NU chose to cast its lot on short-yardage plays with Castille, the 240-pounder who seems to run better in the open field than between the tackles. Expect two or three moments, whether it be on third down or near the goal line, when Castille will need to deliver without fumbling.

Clemson receiver Tyler Grisham: He might be CU’s No. 3 receiver, but Grisham is a crafty senior who will often be put in the slot, matched against a NU safety or nickel back. Don’t be shocked if he slips behind the defense once or twice. Nebraska needs to know where this guy is on third down, too.
Nebraska tight end Dreu Young: Doesn’t get the pub or the catches of starter Mike McNeill, but Young will be counted upon to bust Clemson’s zone twice or thrice during the game. He’s also handy down by the goal line.

Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers: The best of the Clemson bunch up front, from our vantage point. And a true freshman, to boot. Bowers is a big, hard-driving pass rusher who will try to go right through NU tackles Mike Smith and Jaivorio Burkes. He’s a first-round NFL pick in two years. Maybe the first pick. Watch him.

Nebraska punter Dan Titchener: Didn’t have a good first half of the season, but a mid-year benching seemed to wake him up a little. He won’t get better punting conditions than he’ll have in Jaxtown.

Nebraska defensive end Pierre Allen: Doesn't get the accolades of his other defensive line mates, but he'll be working against an offensive line that can beaten by his outside move.

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