Some pregame observations from Columbus as kickoff between Nebraska and No. 5 Ohio State nears.
>> Junior wideout Omar Manning did not make the trip. He’s been questionable all week after missing spot practices throughout fall camp. Nebraska head coach Scott Frost has not said anything specific about what has caused Manning to miss time.
The wideouts in Columbus include: Kade Warner, Wan’Dale Robinson, Chris Hickman, Marcus Fleming, Alante Brown, Zavier Betts, Brody Belt, Wyatt Liewer, Levi Falck and Bennett Folkers.
The Huskers brought four walk-on wideouts and three true freshmen for the first game.
>> They also brought four tight ends: Jack Stoll, Austin Allen, Travis Vokolek, and Kurt Rafdal.
>> Inside linebacker Luke Reimer, a redshirt freshman presumed to be Nebraska’s third man in the rotation, did not make the trip. He suffered an injury in practice, but it’s not expected to be serious. Nebraska’s Ben McLaughlin said it was a “sore leg.”
>> Junior college defensive line transfer Jordon Riley made the trip, but it’s unclear if he’ll be able to play. He’s nursing an injury as well.
>> In terms of running backs, Nebraska brought every scholarship running back but one. Dedrick Mills, Rahmir Johnson, Ronald Thompkins, and Marvin Scott III all made the trip, as did walk-on Cooper Jewett. Sevion Morrison did not travel.
>> Nebraska’s first group of skill players during warm-ups: Mills at running back, Stoll at tight end, with Robinson, Warner, and Falck at wideout.
>> Garrett Nelson and JoJo Domann were the first two outside linebackers working in shell drills against the offense. Nick Henrich also warmed up at outside linebacker. Pheldarius Payne, another junior college transfer defensive lineman who has moved back to outside linebacker, made the trip.
>> Nebraska brought four quarterbacks, all three scholarship guys and walk-on Matt Masker.
>> Tyler Crawford, a freshman placekicker, traveled but junior college transfer Chase Contreraz did not. Crawford can handle kickoff duties. Frost said this week LSU grad transfer Connor Culp would start at kicker and Will Przystup will start at punter.
>> True freshmen defensive backs Tamon Lynum and Ronald Delancy III both traveled for their first games as Huskers. So did safety Isaac Gifford. Reminder: eligibility this season is frozen, so guys who might normally redshirt will be able to play free of the redshirt rule.
>> Nebraska did not provide a travel roster ahead of the game. It usually does. The Huskers also haven’t put out a depth chart this week. Frost is playing things as close to the vest as possible.
