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Huskers Ready for ‘Fistfight’ With Spartans

Frost and players discuss the loss to Oklahoma and the challenge vs. Michigan State

Joe Hudson

Huskers Ready for ‘Fistfight’ With Spartans
Huskers Ready for ‘Fistfight’ With Spartans /

Contents

  1. Commentary
  2. Coverage
  3. Video recaps
  4. Press conference video
  7. Side interviews (video)
  8. From the other side
  9. Info links

Facing a ranked opponent on the road for the second consecutive week, coach Scott Frost said his Huskers "know we're in for a fistfight” against Michigan State.

The Huskers face the No. 20 Spartans in a 6 p.m. CDT game Saturday on FS1. “It’s going to be a fun environment,” Frost said during Monday's Nebraska football game-week press conference.

Stopping MSU running back Kenneth Walker III will be a particular challenge. He leads the nation with 164.3 rushing yards per game.

The Huskers' stable of running backs will be minus true freshman Gabe Ervin, who injured a knee in Saturday's loss at Oklahoma when he went down without contact late in the third quarter. Frost said it was a patellar tendon injury that could end Ervin's season,  though a full evaluation from doctors is still pending.

Rahmir Johnson rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries against Oklahoma and caught three passes for 48 yards.
Rahmir Johnson rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries against Oklahoma and caught three passes for 48 yards / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Rahmir Johnson made his first career start in Norman after grading out best among the running backs during last week's practices. "I thought he took advantage of the opportunity," Frost said while noting that the coaches are still looking for a top guy to emerge at the position. Johnson was the Huskers' third different starter at running back in four games. Ervin started the first two.

As for Connor Culp's struggles, Frost said he has "a lot of faith" in the senior placekicker but said competition will continue at the position.

Frost called the offensive line "a work in progress" that's "getting closer" every week. "We need those guys to come off the ball and create some momentum," he said. Left guard remains a position without a clear No. 1 man.

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Commentary

Coverage

Video recaps

Press conference video

Click on name for Huskers.com transcript

Scott Frost

Travis Vokolek

Quinton Newsome

Garrett Nelson

Austin Allen

Ben Stille

Adrian Martinez

  • Side interviews (video)

    From the other side

    Info links

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    Joe Hudson
    JOE HUDSON

    Joe Hudson has operated a Husker-related website since 1995 and joined forces with David Max to form HuskerPedia (later renamed HuskerMax) in 1999. It began as a hobby during his 35 years as a newspaper editor and reporter, a career that included stints at the Lincoln Star, Omaha World-Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer and Denver Post. In Denver, Joe was chief of the copy desk during his final 16 years at the Post. He is proud to have been involved in Pulitzer Prize-winning projects in both Philadelphia and Denver. Joe has been a Nebraska football fan since the mid-1960s during his childhood in Omaha. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism and economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976. He resides a few freeway exits north of Colorado Springs and enjoys bicycling and walking his dogs in his spare time. You can reach him at joeroyhud@outlook.com.

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