Here are some numbers to ponder for a moment or two in regards to this Saturday's annual spring game in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. 80,000, this is the estimated attendance figure for a practice mind you, not very many colleges in the country can lay claim to having that many fans paying $35 or more for a glorified practice where the quarterbacks will be wearing the green "hands off" jerseys. 100, this is the number of recruits who are expected to be in attendance for the annual game, coming from as far away as Louisiana I hear. They will be introduced prior to the game and be allowed to "walk the tunnel" and then run onto the field. Think that might have just a "little bit" of influence in regards to what a regular Saturday afternoon game in Lincoln will feel like. Uh, just a little huh, makes one think that this Bo character might have something upstairs on how to run a college program huh.

As I understand it, coach Pelini decided to divide the players up for the game kind of like we used to do when we were kids in the neighborhood, take the 2 best players, designate them as the captains and then alternate the picks between the 2. The format for the game/scrimmage has yet to be decided with part of it being situational work with the rest playing with a running clock. One of the most interesting things is that this spring's top 2 running backs, senior Marlon Lucky and sophomore Roy Helu on opposing squads. Lucky turned down the opportunity to turn pro in order to return for his senior season, in part because of how poorly the team did last season and to use this season to improve his play, which in turn hopefully will lead to a better position in the draft. Coaching will be interesting in the game, as both coordinators, Carl Pelini for the defense and Shawn Watson for the offense will be calling the plays for both squads. Saturday's game is for more than pride, they are playing for dinner. The winning team will receive steaks for dinner, while the losers will be stuck with hot dogs. Joe Ganz was overheard saying that a couple of the linemen on the red team told him that "dogs, just won't do", so he has even more pressure on him.

Everyone in Lincoln will be most interested in the defense as that part of last season's team was most responsible for the worst season in modern Nebraska history. Eleven, no that isn't the number of games on neither the schedule, nor the answer to the question "how many players are on the offensive team in football?", but rather, that is the total number of turnovers that the defense (sorry can't use the term "Blackshirts" until they earn it) caused this past season, an all-time low in Nebraska history. The Pelini brothers have brought back to Lincoln the "swarm to the ball" mentality which encourages players to be tugging, tearing and ripping at the ball as the carrier is being tackled. I am also eagerly anticipating the debut of Cody Glenn on the defensive side of the ball. Since Glenn made the switch from running back to linebacker, all I have been hearing from the coaching staff is how great his instincts are and how high his energy level is, not to mention that his play looks like he is a natural for the position.

In regards to the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Joe Ganz will be back for his senior season and appears poised to lead a very explosive offense. The battle for the number 2 spot behind Ganz seems to be between red-shirt sophomore Zac Lee and red-shirt freshman Patrick Witt; barring injury to Ganz, it is doubtful that either Lee or Witt will get much action this season. I am very interested in seeing how Kenny Wilson does returning for his senior year after missing last season with a broken leg. Wilson was a very fast powerful running the last season he played and having him back will only be a bonus for this year.

All in all, it is only a practice, but given the way last season went, I am totally stoked for Saturday's game. GBR everyone.

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JEH45 said:

	Bug: How'd the spring game go?
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April 23, 2008
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Bugeatersteve said:

	JEH45, Check out the game review I just posted, it is very detailed.
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April 24, 2008
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