Orlando, Fla. - The Nebraska football
team continued its preparations for the Capital One Bowl on Friday, practicing
for two hours in half pads at Freedom High School. The practice was the second
of four bowl practices in Orlando leading up to the Jan. 1 matchup with No. 6
Georgia.
The Huskers lifted weights following
practice, while the coaching staff addressed a group of more than 150 high
school coaches who attended practice as part of a Nebraska coaching clinic. Secondary
coach Terry Joseph addressed the media after practice and talked about the
challenge of facing Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray and a talented Georgia
passing attack.
"Obviously their quarterback (Aaron Murray) is
a great player," Joseph said. "When you look at his stats - 31 touchdowns,
eight interceptions - he really does a good job of finding those guys. It's
really going to be a challenge for us. We've got to play with great discipline
and technique and get some guys around the ball because they can expose you in
a lot of different ways.
"Playing against him the last few years at
Tennessee, Murray's been able to make some big-time throws. You watch him on
film, as you watch throughout the season, you really appreciate the ability he
has. He's always in control. He's a veteran and he doesn't get rattled a lot."
Joseph was asked how his secondary, which
leads the nation in passing yards allowed and opponent completion percentage,
will match up against the Bulldog passing attack.
"I think as you watch us play throughout the
season, we want to be aggressive, we want to challenge some guys and we don't
want to give a wide window to throw the ball. We want to have tight coverage
and we want to get bodies on bodies. The guys have really bought into the
system and played well, but this is going to be a different challenge because
they have so many guys who can work down the field. It will be interesting to
see how we match up, because everybody has to be on their 'Ps and Qs' because
anybody who lines up out there can go downtown on you.
Following practice, the Huskers traveled to
Universal Studios Florida, visiting a theme park for the second straight day
after spending Thursday afternoon at Walt Disney World. Husker players will
also have a chance to attend Orlando's other bowl game, the Russell Athletic
Bowl, a matchup between Virginia Tech and Rutgers this evening at Florida
Citrus Bowl Stadium.
Nebraska continues its Capital One Bowl
preparations with a third straight morning practice on Saturday. Following practice, offensive coordinator
Tim Beck, defensive coordinator John Papuchis, senior I-back Rex Burkhead and
senior linebacker Will Compton will meet the media at the first of two Capital
One Bowl press conferences.
