Lincoln,
Neb.- The Nebraska football team started its week of
preparation for Saturday’s Big Ten Conference Championship showdown
against the Wisconsin Badgers on Monday. The team practiced
in jerseys and helmets for approximately 90 minutes, splitting time
between the Hawks Championship Center and outside on the Ed and Joyanne Gass
Practice Field.
Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck addressed the media after practice,
and talked about what he and the team learned from the previous matchup against
Wisconsin earlier this season.
“They are a well-coached football team,” Beck said, “They are very
disciplined, tough, and they don’t make a lot of mistakes. You’ve got to
beat them, that is how you win.”
Beck also talked about the outlook for the center position for the
Husker offensive line, due to starting center Justin Jackson’s injury he
suffered against Iowa. Sophomore Mark Pelini, and junior Lincoln native Cole
Pensick will likely fill in for the injured Jackson Saturday night in
Indianapolis.
“I feel good, those are guys that have gotten a lot of reps this
season.” Beck said, “Mark (Pelini) held his own in there and did some really
nice things. Cole is a guy that has taken snaps in there before, and some at
guard. I imagine we will play both of those guys in there.”
With the game being played indoors at Lucas Oil Field in
Indianapolis, Beck is excited to open up the playbook against the Badgers.
“Yeah it certainly helps, you don’t want the weather to have any
impact on the ball game on either side of the ball.” Beck said, “I’m sure all
parties feel good about that.”
Beck also said that junior quarterback Taylor Martinez is one of
the main reasons the Huskers finished the season on a 6-0 streak.
“He has probably been the biggest part of our success,” Beck said,
“He has done a great job of keeping our guys composed through the games,
through some of the bad parts of the game.”
Check back here at Huskers.com as the Nebraska
football team continues to prepare for its Saturday showdown against the
Wisconsin Badgers. Kickoff between the Huskers and Badgers will be nationally
televised on Fox at 7 p.m.
