Lincoln – The Husker football team continued preparations for its first road contest of the year by going through a 2 1/2-hour practice inside Memorial Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

Head coach Bill Callahan addressed the media following the workout and primarily spoke about the challenge the Nebraska running game could face against a tough Wake Forest defense. WFU gave up just 54 yards rushing to Boston College last Saturday.

“I feel their front seven is the strength of their football team, no question,” Callahan said. “It’s outstanding. I can see why they had the success they had a year ago on defense. They harass, make plays and disrupt. They’re well coordinated and have excellent fundamentals.”

Callahan said this year’s match-up with the Demon Deacons will be more competitive than the 2005 contest when the Huskers defeated Wake Forest in Lincoln, 31-3. Since the 2005 season when the Demon Deacons went on to a 4-7 record, WFU rebounded by winning the 2006 ACC Championship with an 11-3 record last season.

“They’re much bigger, thicker and more physical, especially the two tackles inside,” he said. “They’re playmakers and run-stoppers. They have an excellent system.”

Junior defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler was in uniform for Wednesday’s practice, but his status for Saturday’s game is still listed day-to-day.

The Huskers will practice in Lincoln for the final time this week Thursday afternoon, before leaving for Winston-Salem, N.C., Friday morning.