Nebraska Football Fall Camp: Updates on the Defensive Secondary, Special Teams

Leaders emerging for punt-return job; placekickers in open competition

Joe Hudson | Aug 7, 2023

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Nebraska Cornhuskers

The defensive secondary and special teams took center stage after Monday morning's Nebraska football practice.

Defensive backs coach Evan Cooper echoed the praise that head coach Matt Rhule had two days earlier for Isaac Gifford, the likely starter at rover. "He's tough, he's competitive, he works his butt off, he's disciplined, he's a violent player. He's the captain of that group. He's trying to push us to somewhere we haven't been."

For his part, Gifford said there's a new "level of trust" this year between players and coaches. "They really bring the best out of people, and they've definitely brought the best out of me."

Special teams coordinator Ed Foley said Brian Buschini will be the starting punter, but it's an open competition for the place-kicking job between returning starter Timmy Bleekrode and true freshman Tristan Alvano. Foley mentioned Billy Kemp IV and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda as leading contenders for the punt return job.

Scroll down for more from Monday's practice, , the seventh of fall camp. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. Refresh this page for the latest additions. | HuskerMax discussion

Coverage

Inside Nebraska | Quick Hits from defensive backs coach Evan Cooper
Inside Nebraska | Quick Hits from special teams coordinator Ed Foley
Husker247 | Quick Hits with Evan Cooper: 'I think we need to go over the standard'
Husker247 | Bleekrode talks through close kicking competition
Husker247 | Good fortune with Gifford and a second-chance secondary
Nebraska Athletics | Football Fall Camp Video & Report: Aug. 7
Video recaps | LJS, OWH
Hail Varsity* | Ed Foley Breaks Down Special Teams Position Battles
Hail Varsity* | Coach Evan Cooper Wants 'Everyday Guys' in Secondary
Omaha World-Herald* | Quick Hits with Evan Cooper: 'I think we need to go over the standard'
Omaha World-Herald* | Camp performance — not resume — will decide starting kicker for Nebraska
Omaha World-Herald* | Situational football, sweat equity: Nebraska is embracing Matt Rhule’s training camp
Lincoln Journal Star* | Healthy ankles, healthy kicks: Nebraska's Buschini ready for another year at punter
Lincoln Journal Star* | Kemp likely Nebraska's punt returner

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Published Aug 7, 2023

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.