JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson says the Cornhuskers moved at high tempo on fresh legs during Saturday’s practice at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida.
The Huskers were practicing for the first time in Jacksonville after arriving Friday for the New Year’s Day Gator Bowl against Clemson.
Watson said the team turned in good practices in Lincoln, then made the most of its days off for Christmas. The Huskers practiced for two hours in full pads on a sunny and warm morning.
“They’ve had five days off and they’re really fresh now,” Watson said. “It looks like day one of fall camp in terms of their legs and how fast they’re playing. I think they have a level of expectation here that’s developed, and they understand what it takes to win and how hard you have to work to win. They’re really looking forward to playing this game.”
The practice was highlighted by a short live-action scrimmage, with offensive starters going against defensive starters.
“It was real good,” Watson said. “We wanted to get back to hitting each other and the backs getting tackled and the defense actually tackling. They played fast and physical and it was a good way to start.”
A 12th Blackshirt was awarded Saturday, to Shukree Barfield. The senior defensive tackle joined 11 other players who have been wearing the coveted black practice jerseys since Nov. 11. The Blackshirts are a long-held tradition signifying defensive excellence.
In addition to holding practice, Nebraska assistants held a coaching clinic with high school coaches from the Jacksonville area. About 70 coaches were in attendance for the practice and clinic, receiving tips on several situational schemes as well as game preparation tips.
“We recruit down here and it’s an area we want to be better in,” Watson said of the coaches clinic. “We just wanted to extend our hand to the Florida coaches and the coaches in this area and let them know we’re good people and we hope they like our product and that we’d like to recruit their kids.”
Nebraska returns to practice Sunday.
Coach Bo Pelini and defensive coordinator Carl Pelini will be back with the team Sunday after being away Saturday to attend the funeral for their father, Anthony Pelini, in Youngstown, Ohio.
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