There weren’t buckets of salt and bullhorns at the Nebraska football team’s Monday afternoon practice, but the Huskers didn’t cut any corners in their 2½-hour workout on the new fields east the Hawks Championship Center.

Yes, outside. The whole time. In a heat index that reached 115 degrees. NU had extra water stations set up and made sure players didn’t stand around too long in their helmets and shorts. But Nebraska didn’t ramp down its third practice of fall camp one bit. Nor did the Huskers particularly drag themselves through the Hawks Center when practice ended.

“It’s just about fighting through it, mental toughness,” head coach Bo Pelini said. “It’s not easy when you go through the heat like that. But our guys - they did fine. It shows how good of condition they’re in and how good of a job our strength crew did.”

A reporter asked if Pelini considered practicing inside. He looked around the Hawks Center, which, without turning on the air conditioning, is the equivalent of a sauna.

“No,” he replied. “Without the air, sometimes it’s hotter inside.”

Shoulder pads afforded Husker players their first chance to hit each other.

“It was a hot one today so everyone was kind of a little heated,” sophomore Rex Burkhead. “A lot more people flying around, trying to get that first hit in. There’s always a little scuffle. But that comes along with it. We’re brothers. We’re around each other every day. There’s always going to be something like that to happen. It just makes us better. It means we’re competing."

Pelini said coaches are “hamstrung” a bit by the 105-man roster limitations for fall practice, but they’ve divided the team into two groups based on their experience.

“We’re getting a good mix of getting the older guys repped and the younger guys taught,” he said.

Early in camp, Pelini also said he’s impressed with the most recent crop of true freshmen. In 2008 and 2009, NU redshirted most of its incoming class, and wouldn’t be blamed for doing so in 2010 based on the amount of depth and experience at most positions.

Still - “I think it’s a talented group of kids,” Pelini said. “We’ll see how it plays out. Some of them have really stepped up and did a good job.”

On with the report:

Particulars: NU practiced in extreme heat but apparently pulled through it well. Pelini didn’t hesitate to call Monday’s practice a good one, applauding the effort. With temperatures expected to stay near 100 on Tuesday, we’ll see if the Huskers ramp down at all.

What’s New: Left guard Keith Williams was held out practice with a pulled muscle and will return on Wednesday. Nebraska will add a 105th player to the roster Tuesday, Pelini said. Also, NU is using two yellow automatic snap machines to facilitate quarterback drills.

Coach Quote: “You haven’t heard me talk redshirt. I don’t know where that came from. He’s playing.” - Bo Pelini on kickoff specialist Adi Kunalic. If it wasn’t clear before - it is now.

Player Quote: He’s cool when you talk to him and get to be his friend, but he doesn’t really talk too much. He’s not the type of person who’d walk up to you and say hi. You’d have to walk up to him or chase him down. We’re two opposites together.” - NU linebacker Eric Martin on one of his best friends on the team, quarterback Taylor Martinez. No. 3 keeps to himself, but he’s impressed a lot of his teammates with his talent - and quiet leadership has its advantages.

Notes:

***It’s only been three practices, but running backs coach Tim Beck has seen sophomore Dontrayevous Robinson already make a move in fall camp.

“He’s been real impressive in the first couple days," Beck said. "Real physical. He’s been carrying his weight well. He’s always been a very tough guy, but he’s understanding things better. He’s playing fast and physical.”

***Burkhead said he’s bulked up to 214 pounds after a playing weight of 200 last season. Ideally, he’d like to start the season at 210 pounds. If that seems too big for the kid, remember that Nebraska is looking at reducing some of the wear and tear felt by some of the offensive players - evident toward the end of last year in the hard-hitting Big 12.

***A scout for the New England Patriots was on hand Monday seen talking to Pelini before practice and offensive coordinator Shawn Watson after it.

***Defensive back Andrew Green is now working at the Peso slot, according to the Lincoln-Journal Star. Green is a redshirt freshman and is working behind Eric Hagg and Austin Cassidy.
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Next Practice: Tuesday, in the afternoon heat.

See also: 8/9 Practice Photos

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