The Nebraska football team wrapped up the majority of its preparations for Thursday’s Konica Minolta Gator Bowl with a two-hour workout Tuesday morning at North Florida. The helmet and shorts workout occurred in cooler conditions, but once again sunny Florida skies.
The Tuesday practice was Nebraska’s final workout on the fields at North Florida. The Huskers will conduct a walk-thru on Wednesday morning, before making a brief stop at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in the early afternoon.
Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini and offensive coordinator Shawn Watson both said the Huskers have prepared well physically, and now will spend the remainder of time before kickoff getting mentally prepared.
“We have prepared as well and as thoroughly as we can, and now hopefully we can come out and pick up where we left off at the end of the regular season,” Pelini said.
Pelini said the Clemson offense will present significant challenges for the Blackshirt defense. Pelini said running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller each have big-play potential and quarterback Cullen Harper operates the Tiger offense with efficiency.
“He (Harper) may not have some of the numbers as the quarterbacks in the Big 12, but he is very smart, has a strong arm and makes the most of his opportunities,” Pelini said. “They will be a great challenge for us. They are a good football program and a win would be a momentum builder for the future. It is important for us to play our best game.”
Watson said he did not see any difference in the approach of the players during Tuesday’s workout. Specifically, the seniors going through their last practice in a Nebraska uniform treated the day with a professional approach.
“The seniors knew it was the last practice, but it was no different,” Watson said. “This has been business as usual. We have stayed on track and approached this like the most important game of the season. We approach every game that way and this has been no different.”
The Husker players, staff and families continued the entertainment portion of the trip on Tuesday afternoon with a visit to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
