Husker Spring Practice Notes

OWH reports a number of Husker players are reporting in a bit lighter than under the previous regime.

"Dillard reported for the Huskers' first spring practice Wednesday at 238 pounds. He was listed at 250 last season but said at times he was closer to 265. NU coach Bo Pelini told Dillard he wanted him playing at a lower weight. Guard Matt Slauson and defensive end Zach Potter said the same Monday, and defensive end Barry Turner and I-back Quentin Castille also are supposedly lighter."

The transition to more of a speed type attacking defense appears to be well on its way.

In addition, RB Cody Glenn is healthy and looks forward to competing for some touches after being disappointed with his amount of playing time last year, and lineman Mike Smith moves around in the 2 deep to C/G from offensive tackle. The starting line is shaping up with Jacob Hickman at C, Mike Huff at LG, Lydon Murtha at LT, Matt Slauson at RG and Javario Burkes at RT. OL Coach Barney Cotton said the team expects to do less 'cross-training' than last year's squad.

In a related article, Coach Bo Pelini believes QB Joe Ganz has a chance to be a special kind of QB, and the Husker senior is a little surprised by all the attention he is getting as "the man" now in Lincoln.

"And the new head coach, by the way, said he's impressed with Ganz."I like Joe," Bo Pelini said. "I think he is a leader. He has a tremendous amount of confidence, and I think he is a good football player. At this point of his career, he has only touched the base of his talent. There is a lot more out there for him. He understands that. "He is very intelligent. You put that together with the work ethic he has, and the sky is the limit."

Pelini, for the record, said all that this week, two days before the Huskers opened spring drills. It ranked unchallenged at the time as the highest praise delivered by Pelini about one of his new players. Apparently, the quarterback's feelings about Pelini are mutual."I love Coach," Ganz said. "His door is always open, and his mentality is definitely welcomed around here. He knows how to motivate us. He's a player's coach. I'm very excited to get to work for him."

Zac Lee, Patrick Witt, Beau Davis and newcomers Kody Sprano and Jim Ebke will audition for the understudy role this spring with the competition likely to continue into the fall.