Nebraska wrapped up its preparation in Lincoln for Saturday’s 11 a.m. game at Wake Forest with a two-hour workout Thursday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. The 16th-ranked Huskers are expecting a tough test on the road from the Demon Deacons.
“I’m expecting a great atmosphere,” head coach Bill Callahan said. “I know their fans are going to get excited about this game, and I know our fans will. It should be a superb atmosphere and a great college football game against the reigning ACC champions.”
In its first road game, Nebraska hopes to establish a road mindset that will serve it well throughout the season. The Huskers close the year with three of its final four games away from Lincoln.
“I think it’s important to win on the road,” Callahan said. “I think it’s important to establish a road mentality. We have to be a good road team to compete for a championship. It’s important to establish that mentality early.”
The focus of Nebraska’s defensive preparation has centered on Wake Forest’s passing game. The Demon Deacons were 45-for-60 for 366 yards in their season-opening 38-28 loss at Boston College. Kenneth Moore led the Wake receivers with 15 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. His 15 catches were the most by anyone in the nation last week.
“I see everything, the ability to catch the ball on the perimeter, inside on the crosses or deep,” Callahan said. “He can do whatever he needs to do. He’s a real weapon and a focus for our defense. He deserves that kind of respect. He’s a fine football player that does everything well and lets his athleticism come alive. He’s an extraordinary player. For a guy to have 15 catches in one game speaks volumes for his ability and also for their staff and the things they did to get him open.”
While the Deacons’ top receiver is in place for the game, the quarterback situation is more murky, with Riley Skinner suffering an injury last week that places his status for the game into question. Still, with either Skinner or Brett Hodges at quarterback, Callahan sees the Wake Forest quarterback as a weapon.
“They’re different, but still productive,” Callahan said. “They still operate at a high level of efficiency. They’re smart guys that make the right decision and know the offense inside and out. There’s a level of confidence that doesn’t drop off. Normally, when a backup comes into a game, you curtail your package to what he can do. But with them, they just plug Hodges in and they just continue to move.”
Against this potent passing offense, Nebraska will lean on a set of defensive backs that held Nevada to 108 yards passing and only nine completions on 27 attempts. Still, Callahan expects his secondary to be tested.
“I’m confident that they can compete at a high level,” Callahan said. “We have to go out and play at a high level. We have to play as good as we can play against a good pass offense.”
On the injury front, defensive end Ty Steinkuhler practiced and his status for the game will be evaluated closer to Saturday’s 11 a.m. CST kickoff.
The Huskers leave for Winston-Salem, N.C. Friday morning and will hold a walk-through at Groves Stadium that afternoon. Saturday’s game will be televised by ESPN.
