Quarterback Decision Going Down to the Wire

Casey Thompson's availability against Minnesota will be a game-time decision, Mickey Joseph says

Joe Hudson | Nov 3, 2022

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Who starts at quarterback Saturday for Nebraska will be a game-time decision, interim head coach Mickey Joseph said after Thursday's practice.

No. 1 quarterback Casey Thompson is "trying to convince me that he's going to play," Joseph said. "But you know my rule as far as injuries. He's got to tell me that he's ready to go, but then I got to have enough sense to say you're ready or you're not. ... Right now, Casey is telling me he's ready to go."

Thompson left last week's game against Illinois with an elbow injury during the second quarter and didn't return. He was spelled briefly by Logan Smothers before Chubba Purdy played the remainder of the game.

Purdy and Smothers have both taken reps this week with the No. 1 offense while Thompson has practiced very little. Joseph said Purdy has had "a really good week" after his subpar performance Saturday. "Chubba's a rep kid, so I think with the reps that he's gotten this week. he should be much better on Saturday if he has to go."

Offensive lineman Broc Bando and receiver Omar Manning "should be available" Saturday after missing games with injuries, Joseph said.

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Coverage

Husker247 | Mickey Joseph after Thursday's practice: Latest on QBs, injuries, mindset for Minnesota
Nebraska Athletics | Joseph Talks Preparation Ahead of Minnesota
Hail Varsity* | Thompson a Game-Time Decision; Bando, Manning Available
Omaha World-Herald* | Thompson will be a game-time decision
Omaha World-Herald* | Third and daunting: Nebraska tasked with halting veteran Minnesota on money downs
HuskerOnline* | Thursday nuggets: Joseph gives final update on QBs, Minnesota prep
Lincoln Journal Star* | A bleak look at the Huskers' recent struggles when a backup starts at QB
Lincoln Journal Star* | Husker Hot Topic: Should Nebraska start Logan Smothers or Chubba Purdy?

From the other side

St. Paul Pioneer Press | Gophers football vs. Nebraska: Keys to game, who has the edge
Gopher Illustrated | Know Your Minnesota Football Foe: Nebraska Huskers

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Published Nov 3, 2022

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.