Lincoln -- The Nebraska football team concluded the full-scale portion of its game week preparations for Saturday’s home game versus Southern Miss on Thursday with a two-hour practice in half pads inside Memorial Stadium.

The Huskers focused much of their time on red-zone situations.

"It was a big red-zone day for us," Head Coach Bill Callahan said. "We worked three times in that area and tried to improve on the detail or our game. Thursday is always a day where you want to refine what you’re doing, keep the ball off the floor and try to get as many completions as you can to stay in your rhythm and build your confidence."

Callahan announced that linebacker Chad Sievers returned to practice after sitting out several days due to injury.

"(Sievers) worked a little bit more today," Callahan said. "It’s a very positive sign that he worked and he’s getting himself prepared. Hopefully he’ll be ready to go full speed by Saturday."

NU will hold a light walkthrough tomorrow afternoon as it puts in its final preparations for Saturday’s 11 a.m. game versus the Golden Eagles.