Welcome to Husker Heartbeat - a sampling of links and quick wit to start your morning! Keep checking each morning, Monday-Friday, for new links! We look for the offbeat as well as the straightforward - so don’t just think of us as a typical link farm!

A quick abbreviation key FYI: OWH=Omaha World-Herald, LJS=Lincoln Journal-Star, CN=Corn Nation, BRN=Big Red Network, HI=Huskers Illustrated, BRR=Big Red Report. If we need to add more - we will. Others, like ESPN, are self-explanatory.

*Steve Sipple and Tom Shatel get out their crystal balls and predict Nebraska's season.

*Multiplicity is the goal of Nebraska's 2010 offense.

*Nebraska's cornerbacks allow Carl Pelini plenty of freedom to draw up a creative defense.

*The long climb begins for Western Kentucky's Willie Taggart.

*Other than running more than he's used to, Mike McNeillfeels pretty snug as a Husker wide receiver.

*Kyler Reed - Is he ready to make the leap?

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For the first time in this fall camp, Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini took on a clipped, irritated tone after his football team’s practice, seemingly unsatisfied with NU’s focus during the two-hour workout outside Hawks Championship Center.

“It was OK,” Pelini said. “Not to my liking. But it was OK. Got a long way to go, though.”

When asked if he was edgy, he replied: “Call it as you may.”

Over four minutes, Pelini didn’t precisely elaborate on Nebraska’s struggles Tuesday.

Sophomore linebacker Will Compton did.

“The mental part what was not there today,” Compton said. “We’ve got to do a better job than that. That was not up to our standard…we’re competing for a national title. The national champion doesn’t just go along each and every day and not put pressure on themselves and work hard. You’ve got to hold yourself up to a national championship standard if you want to compete for it.

“If he says we have a bad day - we’ve got to get it fixed.”

Said senior safety Dejon Gomes: “You’re trying to go out and get better. If you stay the same, in theory you’re losing a practice.”

Pelini shut down questions about the Huskers’ three-man quarterback.

“There’s a chance we could play ten guys,” Pelini quipped. “Anything can happen.”

Asked when he’d decide on a starter, Pelini indicated Sept. 4 - the day of the Western Kentucky game.

“So I’m not answering quarterback questions,” Pelini said.

Ditto for the rest of the depth chart.

“Guys that trot out there for the first play - guys we put out there - are the starters,” Pelini said. “Until then it’s a competition to see who steps up.”

It remains to be seen whether NU will release a depth chart prior to the first game.

Pelini said there were scholarships available to be given to walk-ons, but no decisions had yet been made. The coach reported no injuries.

With the start of fall classes on Monday, Nebraska welcomed the rest of its roster - mostly walk-ons with a handful of scholarship players - but Pelini said practice wouldn’t change much until the end of the week when the Huskers begin preparation for WKU.

On with the report:

Particulars: Nebraska practiced for two hours outside the Hawks Championship Center on one most of the pleasant weather days of August.

What’s New: Several players appeared held out of practice Tuesday, but Pelini reported no serious or significant injuries

Coach Quote: “If people have time to follow twittering and tweeting, then they need to get a job.” - Head coach Bo Pelini, on players’ Twitter accounts. Nebraska apparently has a policy on players having these accounts, but Pelini said it’s handled internally.

Player Quote: “We’re going to have a huge target on our back. Everybody’s going to be out there trying to prove a point on Nebraska as a whole, but especially on our secondary because of how we performed last year.” - Free safety Dejon Gomes on NU’s defensive backs.

Notes:

***Bo Pelini’s sole praise of the evening was reserved for left guard Keith Williams.

“He’s doing really well,” Pelini said. “He has practiced well. He hasn’t missed a rep.”

***Few of Nebraska’s offensive players were tipping their hands in the slightest about the NU quarterback race. Most of them stuck to the “it’s a competition” line.

“They’re all playing well,” receiver Brandon Kinnie said. “We’ll see.”

Said sophomore tight end Kyler Reed: “They’re all great leaders. They’re all out there leading the team with a great huddle presence.”

***To a player, this fall camp in 2010 is more intense than the previous two under Pelini. Part of it is higher stakes. And part of it is a resurgent pride on the part of the offense after struggling for much of 2009.

“We’re being a lot more physical,” Reed said. “We’re proving we can be a lot more physical with our defense. We have a great defense. If we can be physical with them, we feel we can be physical with most people in the country.”

And part of it is the leadership and chattering from receivers Kinnie and Niles Paul.

“It’s intense every day,” Kinnie said. “If it’s not, we make it intense.”

Next Practice: Wednesday. There is no post-practice media access.

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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. 39 Kyler Reed, 6-3, 230, TE, So

The buzz surrounding Reed in 2009 toned down considerably when he dropped some passes early in the season. It disappeared after an injury in the Baylor game. Reed, while talented and athletic, didn’t seem quite ready for the physicality and speed of the college game.

He’ll be ready in 2010. Reed has put on muscle and coaches praise his maturity and more aggressive attitude. Reed can serve as a matchup problem for linebackers and safeties because of his speed, and he can be used as a H-back weapon, as well. Reed should improve as a blocker. We forsee double-digit catches and potentially a touchdown or two.

See all of the Huskers: No. 50, No. 49, No. 48, No. 47, No. 46, No. 45, No. 44, No. 43, No. 42, No. 41, No. 40

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Welcome to Husker Heartbeat - a sampling of links and quick wit to start your morning! Keep checking each morning, Monday-Friday, for new links! We look for the offbeat as well as the straightforward - so don’t just think of us as a typical link farm!

A quick abbreviation key FYI: OWH=Omaha World-Herald, LJS=Lincoln Journal-Star, CN=Corn Nation, BRN=Big Red Network, HI=Huskers Illustrated, BRR=Big Red Report. If we need to add more - we will. Others, like ESPN, are self-explanatory.

*Ohio State uses a "Hell Week" inspired by the Navy Seals during its training camp.

*OWH: The heat wears on the Huskers.

OWH: Is this the year for Kyler Reed?

*Recapping Ndamukong Suh's first game for the Lions.

*A lot of offense in Missouri's first scrimmage.

*Why the Big Ten chose Indy for the title game.

*Fox Sports: The Prince is ready for the NFL.

*Kansas State's most talented defensive player, Brandon Harold, is making his move in 2010 after injuries derailed 2009.

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Six players on the Red team who made an impact Saturday:

Quarterback Taylor Martinez: Well, the kid can run. Naturally and aggressively. The passing game, aside from a few basic throws, really needs work. Martinez can’t force the ball into tight spaces, or simply throw it up for grabs. But there is a lot of raw material with which to work.

Running back Rex Burkhead: Ran with purpose, momentum and terrific forward lean. He’s neck-and-neck with Roy Helu for the starting I-back job in our book.

Running back Austin Jones: A fumble aside, Jones epitomized what these spring games tend to be about: A guy down the depth chart who puts every ounce of effort into a handful of plays. Jones had a nice 15-yard run, a 14-yard catch and a 35-yard kickoff return. He even ran over defensive back Dejon Gomes. A triple threat kind of day. He certainly appears to be NU’s fourth-string running back.

Quarterback Kody Spano: Whether he ever takes a meaningful snap at NU is still unknown, but Spano probably handles the passing pocket about as well as any Husker quarterback. He seems to be moving a little slow out there, but he processes reads quickly, and makes nice throws. He completed 7-of-8 passes for 66 yards.

Tight end Kyler Reed: Four grabs for 47 yards. The acceleration is still there. The ball skills are there. Needs to make it happen in the fall.

Wide receiver Brandon Kinnie: Only had the one catch for 36 yards - but it went for a touchdown thanks to his effort and refusal to be tackled. Inside the team, coaches are pleased with Kinnie’s growth as a player.


SPRING GAME COVERAGE: Game Story, QB Commentary, Red Team Standouts, White Team Standouts, Photos

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It appeared that offensive coordinator Shawn Watson was pleased following the Nebraska football team’s first major scrimmage of spring camp.

Because the media doesn’t watch scrimmages, it’d be hard to tell you precisely why that was. Watson, while upbeat, was certainly sticking to the very basics.

“All we wanted to do was block,” Watson said. “Wanted to run. Tackle. Throw. Catch.”

And yet Watson said the offense, through 10 days of workouts, was “right where we want to be.”

“We’re seeing execution on film with a bunch of younger players, sorting through what, a week ago, was new,” Watson said. “It’s become familiar.”

The handful of injuries sustained before or during spring camp has opened the door to backups like sophomore tight end Kyler Reed, whom Watson pointed to as a player benefiting from minor setbacks to sophomore Ben Cotton and senior Dreu Young.

“Sometimes hardships bring a blessing to somebody else,” Watson said. “And that’s what it’s been for (Reed). He’s getting better because of the reps.”

Elsewhere, NU is getting good work from its skill players at quarterback, running back and wide receiver, although Watson wasn’t exactly singling any player out. In questions posed to him, Watson praised quarterback Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead, but added “that goes for all the players” at their given positions.

Over the course of 150 plays, Nebraska rotated its quarterbacks every eight. Martinez, a redshirt freshman, is “getting better” as a passer thanks to a “humble attitude” and a “hard hat” work ethic.

Running back remains a strength with three experienced backs - senior Roy Helu and sophomores Burkhead and Dontrayevous Robinson - leading the way.

“Never been a problem with me, buddy,” Watson said in reference to the depth and rotation at the position. “Everybody’s going to a two or three-back system…what we have now in perfect. It’s by design.”

At receiver, Watson unsurprisingly praised senior Niles Paul, then pointed to seniors Will Henry and Joe Broekemeier, junior Curenski Gilleylen and sophomore Antonio Bell as players who have “flashed” during the spring. That quartet is likely battling for the No. 4 receiver spot behind Paul, junior Brandon Kinnie and senior “adjuster” Mike McNeill.

“Consistency is what we’re looking for (at receiver),” Watson said. “And that’s where we’re not quite at yet.”

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TE/WR Kyler Reed, 6-3, 230, So.

Promising freshman season never quite off the ground. Reed dropped some passes in traffic, for one thing. Other times, quarterback Zac Lee was so bent on throwing Reed the ball he forced it into double and triple coverage. Then Reed got hurt on a catch-and-run in the Baylor game, and served mostly as a blocker and/or decoy after that. He finished the season with six catches for 54 yards.

This year, we expect Reed to be used more dynamically, possibly at wide receiver or as a split-out tight end. Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson clearly wants to get this kid the ball in space, but he’s attracted enough attention from defenses at the tight end position that he needs to be used in different spots. Don’t be stunned if he’s used as an H-back or even as the tight end option back on that “inside shovel” play Florida employed so well for the last two seasons.

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In the summer and fall, Husker Locker created its “50 Huskers to Know” list for the 2009 season. We now review our list by examining production, injuries and depth chart position.

We’ll present these in five-player increments. Here we go!

No. 35 Ben Cotton/Kyler Reed: Their production doesn’t necessarily jump out at you, but their potential to be big contributors does. Nebraska tried hard - really hard - to get Reed the ball once or twice a game before his injury vs. Baylor, but it didn’t always work out. Cotton, meanwhile, was a key cog in Nebraska’s offense after the Baylor game, as the second or third tight end of those “heavy” sets offensive coordinator Shawn Watson reverted. Also caught a touchdown vs. Colorado. Both are keepers, and should creep up this list in 2010.

No. 34 Blake Lawrence: Retired from the game after lingering concussion problems; served as a student coach for the last half of the season. He’ll be making millions doing something else in a few years, we’re certain. Good kid.

No. 33 Baker Steinkuhler: Managed to make it through the season without any significant back problems and without speaking once to a reporter. Had a nice season as Jared Crick’s occasional backup. Although he’s slated to play beside Crick in 2010, we doubt that happens - it’s hard to see two 6-foot-6 guys on the interior of the defensive line - and Steinkuhler might still move to offense, where his dad, Dean, did so much damage. At the end of the day - we think he’s a decent defensive lineman, and potentially an elite offensive guard.

No. 32 Rex Burkhead: Served as a backup to Roy Helu through the non-conference season, flashing some potential. Looked like Nebraska’s best offensive player, in some respects, vs. Missouri. Then - boom! - broken foot. If Burkhead doesn’t get hurt, NU probably beats Iowa State and gets a BCS bowl berth. When Burkhead returned, he made an immediate impact in wins over Kansas State and Colorado, and dominated from the Wildcat formation in the Holiday Bowl. He is likely a co-starter along with Helu heading into 2010. He’ll leap forward on this list dramatically.

No. 31 Sean Fisher: Didn’t flash quite like linebackers coach Mike Ekeler said he would. Fisher actually looked best on special teams; at linebacker, he made a handful of big tackles, but mostly played too high and a step behind the ball carrier. He’ll have to battle to stay on the field once Eric Martin and LaVonte David pick up the defense.

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By the time Zac Lee finally got the play, the route and the read he had been looking for, he had to deal with something that’s typical of just about any Red/White Spring Game: A player slightly off assignment, out of position. Only this time it was linebacker Will Compton, right in front Lee’s perfectly lofted ball to receiver Marcus Mendoza near the goal line.

For Lee, it figured. The first two drives of his debut as NU’s top quarterback had been unceremonious three-and-outs, punctuated with a “phantom sack.” Seems a ref thought somebody touched Lee’s emerald green jersey for a half second while Lee stood in the pocket.

Meanwhile, White team quarterback Latravis Washington had already spearheaded two scoring drives – helped greatly by good hands of receivers Chris Brooks and Antonio Bell - leading his bunch to a 10-0 lead. The White looked surprisingly in control.

Finally, the junior from San Francisco got some breathing room on the third drive. And as he watched his pass float toward Mendoza, he wondered, why was Compton so close to it? Mendoza wasn’t his man.

“Will was a lot deeper than I would have liked,” Lee said. “The ball was close to being tipped.”

But it wasn’t, as it landed right over Compton’s hands and into Mendoza’s waiting arms. It was first of three Lee touchdown passes, and the first six of the Red’s 31 consecutive points in a 31-17 victory over White Saturday in front of more than 77,000 fans who enjoyed a sunny, warm day at Memorial Stadium.

For the game, Lee completed 15 of 18 passes for 214 yards. He also threw touchdowns to tight end Ben Cotton (24 yards, on a similar route over the middle) and Wes Cammack (42 yards, with a perfectly thrown pass in between cornerback Anthony West and Larry Asante).

“I’d like to say it went pretty well,” Lee said. “I’m sure I’ll see some things on film that I’d like to get better at. It was good. We had some success.”

As did the White bunch, which controlled most of the first half until Lee’s first touchdown pass and a fumble on its following offensive drive by reserve running back Lester Ward. The White defense, led by Ndamukong Suh and a surprisingly quick and physical Barry Turner initially stung the No. 1 Red offense and its top offensive line. Quentin Castille was twice dragged down behind the line of scrimmage, and Lee was forced to throw the ball quickly.

On White’s offense Washington, a converted linebacker who’s been a quarterback for all of four weeks, started his day with an eight-minute drive, culminating in an Adi Kunalic field goal.

He completed of 9 of 13 passes in the first half for 112 yards and a touchdown to Brooks. The highlight play was a 27-yard fade route to freshman Antonio Bell, who leapt on one foot to make the catch and landed on his back. Washington found Brooks two plays later with a four-yard TD pass.

“Some of my passes, I was just jumping at them,” Washington said. “But after that first series, I calmed down and managed the game really well.”

Meanwhile, Lee was trying to dodge rushers and pick his spots wisely.

Surprising? Not necessarily. It was part of what head coach Bo Pelini envisioned in equally splitting up the teams for the game.

“We had a lot of guys playing next to people that they haven’t played next to before,” he said. “That takes some time. It’s not an ideal situation, but for what we wanted to accomplish today, it’s the right thing to do…you saw them get more confident and kind of get their feet underneath them.”

Once Lee hit Mendoza, the Red’s collective feet hit the ground rather quickly. They amassed 380 total yards in the game, almost all of it in the final seven or so drives.

Defensive tackle Terrence Moore stripped Ward on the White’s next drive. Tyrone Fahie recovered for the game’s only turnover. Lee took back over and hit Cotton for a touchdown two plays later. The Red led 14-10 at halftime. After the White team punted to begin the third quarter, Lee completed three consecutive passes, the last of them to Cammack, who badly beat cornerback Anthony West on a post route, then scooted around Asante at the five-yard line and dove into the end zone.

“We were moving in a good direction in terms of just being aggressive to the football and finishing plays,” defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “I just saw shades of last of year and I didn’t like that. That’s got to get fixed.”

The Red tacked on an Alex Henery field goal to begin the fourth quarter, then benefited from the day’s best run, a 33-yarder by redshirt freshman Collins Okafor, who cut back left into a wide hole, shimmied to his right, and accelerated through two tacklers on his way to the end zone. Okafor, who entered the game as NU’s No. 5 running back, led all rushers with 79 yards.

“Every day, he’s been getting better,” offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “Today was icing on the cake for him. He really stood out.”

Washington capped scoring for the White with a 71-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyler Reed. Washington sidestepped the rush and found Reed, wide open, 15 yards away from him. Reed hauled in the pass and did the rest, outsprinting all of NU’s defensive backs to the end zone.

“He’s very explosive,” Watson said. “As he grows, he’ll really enhance us.”

Reed’s performance was part of a strong group showing from Ron Brown’s crew. In all, tight ends caught 17 passes for 255 yards - almost half of the passes caught in the game.

Quite frequently, they were wide open on short curl routes underneath the linebackers, who were often camped out in unusually deep Cover 2 zones. Lee and redshirt freshman Cody Green in particular feasted on throwing to them, while Washington was a little more apt to stretch the ball downfield.

“A lot of talent there, and some experience,” Bo Pelini said. “We feel real good at that spot. We’re deep at that spot.”

Overall, Pelini declared himself “happy” by the scrimmage, and the spring itself, which he called “long and physical.” Many of Nebraska’s practices dragged near the three-hour mark, and were longer than the Red/White Spring Game itself. NU’s coaches mixed and matched quite a bit throughout the spring, trying to find the right combination of players.

Players must now hone their talents on their own this summer, and prepare for an even more competitive fall before the Sept. 5 Florida Atlantic game.

“We got a lot accomplished in spring ball,” Pelini said. “We got a lot done. I’m happy. I’m not satisfied, but I’m happy with the progress we made. But we have a long way to go yet.”

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