Nebraska Spring update: The walking wounded

By Timothy Williams  |   Tuesday, April 11, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers are hard at work this spring, but with hard work come various types of bumps and bruises. Here's a quick rundown of the Cornhuskers' walking wounded:

-Backup quarterback Harrison Beck missed practice again on Monday. The sophomore has been slowed by a hamstring injury suffered in the second spring scrimmage. Monday also saw Beck receive an MRI on his sore shoulder. Coaches say that the procedure is merely common practice for any injury that affects the shoulder. At this time, coaches are silent on whether Beck will be held out of this Saturday's spring game with the injuries.

-Outside linebacker Steve Octavien continues to turn heads and improve his game this spring. The junior started Nebraska's first game of 2005, and was then lost for the season when he suffered a serious leg injury in the second quarter. Octavien appealed and was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA because of his injury, giving him two full seasons left to play at Nebraska. One of the fastest linebackers on the team, he has been catching running backs from behind, and is consistently around the ball in scrimmages. Coaches have been raving about the JUCO transfer's potential since he arrived in Lincoln, and perhaps 2006 will set up as a breakthrough season for Octavien. Fellow linebackers Bo Ruud and Stewert Bradley also continue to rehab the injuries that shortened their 2005 seasons. The two linebackers are participating in spring practices, but they are being held out of contact situations.

-Sophomore running back Marlon Lucky has fought through the bumps and bruises of a very physical spring, and has shown consistent improvement. Coaches have noted and praised his improved pass blocking skills this spring, and his commitment to running the ball inside. All of the running backs have been suffering from the effects of a more physical approach to the running game this spring. Cody Glenn missed one of the team's practices last week with an ankle injury, and Leon Jackson was forced to sit out a few series following a big hit he took during a scrimmage. None of the injuries have been serious enough to rule any of the backs out for the spring game.

-Senior tight end Matt Herian continues to make progress in his recovery from a devastating leg injury that ended his 2004 and 2005 seasons. Herian spoke with the media last week for the first time since suffering the injury two seasons ago, and he is eager to return to the field this year. He is currently slowed by a pulled hamstring, and has been held out of most of the teams contacts drills during the spring. Coaches are not expected to play Herian in the spring game, as they take a cautious approach with his recovery. The plan is for Herian to be able to fully return to practice this fall. When asked for his thoughts about his rehab, the senior from Pierce, Nebraska responded, ``It's been up and down. There's good days and bad days. I kind of look back at those situations. They've made me better as a player and better as a person.''

On a final note, the Nebraska Cornhuskers' annual Red White Spring game will be played this Saturday, (April 15th), at 12:30 central time. The format is expected to see the starters play the backups, (1s vs. 2s), with a running clock, similar to last years game. Because of construction, Memorial Stadium's north end zone seats will be closed off for the game. The construction, expected to be finished by the home opener in September, will expand the stadiums seating above 80,000, and includes new locker rooms, athletic offices, and training facilities.
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