The Huskers held their first practice of bowl week at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Irving, Texas.
IRVING, TEXAS – The Nebraska Cornhuskers opened preparations for the 71st AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic with a two-hour practice at Texas Stadium Wednesday morning. Earlier in the day, Head Coach Bill Callahan visited with media covering the matchup between the Huskers and Auburn. A complete transcript may be found at the link at the top of the page.
Under the cool shadows of the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, Nebraska conducted its first workout in shorts and shoulder pads, working mostly in group drills before moving to some scrimmaging to close the practice.
“We had a good practice today,” Callahan said. “Our kids were energized and enthusiastic about being in Texas Stadium. It is a great atmosphere and environment. It was a good start for our football team. We have to put another one together tomorrow and be more consistent.”
Coach Callahan knows all too well about the game-day atmosphere in Texas Stadium from his nine years of experience in the NFL, most notably as as offensive line coach for three seasons (1995-97) with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It’s a great feel (in Texas Stadium),” Callahan said. “It represents excellence, winning and tradition. It’s the Dallas Cowboys; it’s Texas Stadium. I respect all of those factors. Our players fed off of that as well today.”
The Huskers return to Dallas and the Cotton Bowl Classic for the first time since 1980, when they lost 17-14 to Houston following the 1979 season. Nebraska is 1-2 all-time in the Cotton Bowl with its two other appearances coming in 1965 (a 10-7 loss to Arkansas) and 1974 (a 19-3 win over Texas).
Tomorrow Nebraska will practice from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Texas Stadium. Huskers' offensive coordinator Jay Norvell along with selected offensive players will participate at a news conference from 3-4 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl media hotel.
Nebraska takes on Auburn (No. 9 BCS/No. 10 AP/No. 10 USA Today-Coaches) in the 71st AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic on January 1. FOX Sports will televise the game nationally.
