On the heels of a disappointing start to the season, Nebraska returns to its friendly confines of Memorial Stadium for its home opener on Saturday.
Nebraska (0-1, 0-1 Big Ten) enters its first home game of the season against North Dakota (0-0), who is opening its season.
Coaches were satisfied with the Huskers’ practice mentality through the week while stressing improvements from their cross-Atlantic folly.
Here are a few pre-game notes leading up to kickoff in Lincoln:
>> Weather should hold for a picturesque Saturday in September. There’s a slight breeze blowing at 7.2 miles per hour from the north and the temperature was 74 at noon, rising to an estimated 82 by kickoff.
>> Each of Nebraska’s running backs carried footballs with proper technique during the Unity Walk on Saturday.
>> Little injury news was known before the game. Tight end Travis Vokolek didn’t warmup and was out of pads 90 minutes before kickoff. The team captain, who left last week’s game with an ankle injury, was considered day-to-day throughout the week.
>> Linebacker Nick Henrich was also watching warmups without pads on. He was dinged up during the Northwestern game.
>> Omar Manning, who did not dress last week in Ireland, was among those on the field for warmups.
>> North Dakota’s special teams unit was on the field warming up for an extended time. That included snaps, field goals and punts.
>> All three Nebraska quarterbacks atop the depth chart threw to receivers in warmups.
>> North Dakota players came out for walkthroughs and stretching over two hours before kickoff, well before the Huskers’ skill position group. The Fighting Hawks played at Utah State last season but haven’t played at a Power 5 FBS stadium since a 2018 trip to Washington.
>> Thirty-one recruits were invited to today’s opener. That includes junior college recruits, in-state stars and national standouts.
>> A lively crowd gathered in downtown Lincoln for the first home game of the season. The Haymarket Farmer’s Market was alive and well with fans in mostly red, but some green, scattered among streets and tailgates. There was live music in the Haymarket and a block party in the Railyard. Regardless of the week before, fans came eager to cheer Nebraska.
