Cooler temperatures and practicing in helmets and shoulder pads for the first time this fall helped turn up the tempo a notch for Nebraska Wednesday as the Cornhuskers practiced for 2 1/2 hours on the grass practice fields outside the Hawks Center.
Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said the coaching staff is "putting a lot of information to the guys," but added that the players seem to be handling it well.
"Our veterans are starting to get into the flow of practice and being in the shells today was big," Watson said, referring to adding shoulder pads. "You really get a little more sense of football because you're actually able to protect and run block and do the things you do in football.
"It was fun today."
The Huskers are scheduled to have afternoon practices on Thursday and Friday before going through their first two-a-day session on Saturday. Sunday will be the first off day of fall camp.
Splitting it 50-50
While Patrick Witt is listed as Nebraska's No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart behind starter Joe Ganz, Watson said there will be competition for the backup spot between Witt and third-teamer Zac Lee. Currently, Watson said practice repetitions are being split 50-50 between the two.
Watson said Witt, a redshirt freshman, has proven himself to be a good decision-maker. Watson said Lee, who is a sophomore, has some impressive physical tools, but is still learning the offense.
"Patrick has come back and been what I expected him to be," Watson said. "He's been really solid. He's pretty assignment-sound.
"Zac is still learning the offense. He's still going through that learning curve. He's getting better."
Watson said all of the quarterbacks are working on getting their timing down.
"Even though they've worked all summer, they haven't had to time up against a coached look," Watson said. "So they're really just getting their feet underneath of them -- all of them, Joe included."
Burkes still out
Starting right tackle Jaivorio Burkes missed his third consecutive practice and remains day-to-day, according to Watson, as the 6-foot-5, 325-pound sophomore attempts to get his blood pressure under control.
Watson said the medical staff will continue testing Burkes daily. The coaching staff thought they might get Burkes back on the field Wednesday, Watson said, but they're encouraged he'll get to practice soon.
"He's getting back to that normal range, so he'll be good to go," Watson said, noting that Burkes has a history of high blood pressure in his family. "He's just got to make sure he takes his medication and does the right thing -- eats right, sleeps right, etc. It's hard for college kids to understand that, but he'll be OK."
In Burkes' absence, Watson said redshirt sophomore Marcel Jones has performed well.
"Marcel was pushing (Burkes) during the later part of the spring and he's done a really nice job," Watson said. "Marcel has taken advantage of the reps he's getting. Those are two very, very good, young players."
Holt shining
One day after having what receivers coach Ted Gilmore called his best practice as a Husker, Nebraska backup "X" wide receiver Menelik Holt continued performing well Wednesday.
"He's started showing his ability," Watson said of Holt. "He's still a young player, still feeling his way around a little bit, too, but you see him coming along. He's going to be a good player. I'm not worried about him at all."
Watson said Holt, a junior, is among a group of relatively inexperienced receivers who are competing for backup jobs behind starters Nate Swift and Todd Peterson. Also included in that group is Niles Paul, Curenski Gilleylen and Will Henry, Watson said.
"Once you've got the assignments down, now you've got to put assignments with techniques and the defensive looks," Watson said. "They're just acquiring a feel for the game and that's where all those guys are."
Husker huddle
— Nebraska received its 10th verbal commitment for its 2009 recruiting class as Tallahassee, Fla., cornerback DeAndre Byrd has given his pledge to the Huskers, according to Rivals.com. The 5-10, 170-pounder has reportedly received scholarship offers from more than 20 schools, including Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Mississippi and Wisconsin.
— Watson said it will probably be next week before Nebraska has any type of full-scale scrimmages. Watson said the coaching staff will consider whether or not to scrimmage based on the weather and the overall health of the team. However, he said the Huskers will definitely get plenty of live action in during preseason practices. "We'll be real physical in this camp," Watson said.
— Defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler missed Wednesday's practice. Watson said he didn't know anything about Steinkuhler's status and referred questions to Nebraska head coach Bo Pelni. Pelini was not scheduled to do interviews Wednesday.
