The Nebraska football team continued to prepare for a tough Texas offense Thursday afternoon during a two-and-a-half hour workout in Memorial Stadium in shoulder pads and shorts. 

The focus of the preparation has been stopping Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy, who ranks third in the Big 12 at 278.8 passing yards per conference game and had 220 yards passing on 25-of-39 passes last year against the Huskers in UT’s 22-20 win in Lincoln.  McCoy, who as a sophomore ranks fifth in the Texas record books in career passing yardage, has shown the ability not only to make throws downfield, but also to make plays when the pocket breaks down. 

“One of the things I see in McCoy is that, when he’s executing the offense, when something breaks down, he’s able to keep everything alive and he’s able to keep plays growing and create out of the pocket and use his God-given athletic ability to make plays downfield,” head coach Bill Callahan said.  “That’s probably the most impressive thing I see in their passing game is that McCoy can extend the play.”

One of McCoy’s top targets is sophomore tight end Jermichael Finley.  The sophomore tight end has 28 catches for 396 yards this season and had a then-career-high four catches for 37 yards last year against Nebraska.

“He’s a good tight end,” Callahan said.  “He has all the tools and all the traits you look for in an excellent tight end.  Blocking-wise, he’s complete.  In terms of getting downfield, he can stretch the field.  He has all the cuts.”  

Nebraska may be forced to face the Longhorns with a depleted linebacker corps.  Neither Blake Lawrence or Bo Ruud practiced Thursday.  Along with senior center Brett Byford, their status remains questionable for Saturday’s game against Texas.

“Hopefully, they’ll be ready tomorrow,” Callahan said.  “Hopefully, they’ll all be on the trip.  No one has been ruled out.  They’re still questionable right now.” 

The Huskers resume preparations for Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. game against Texas with a workout Thursday in Lincoln before leaving Friday for Austin.