Joseph Says Huskers ‘On Point’ in Preparing for Illini

Physicality emphasized again after Thursday’s practice

Joe Hudson | Oct 27, 2022

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Mickey Joseph met with reporters Thursday for the final time before Nebraska's game Saturday against No. 17 Illinois, and once again he emphasized physicality.

"I think they are a physical group right now," the Huskers' interim head football coach said. "I think that they believe they are a physical group, and we had a physical practice Tuesday and a physical practice Wednesday. ... We have to try to be the most physical team on the field every Saturday. That is what Nebraska was built on."

The Huskers practiced in the stadium Thursday and were "on point," according to Joseph.

Joseph said Tommi Hill and Rahmir Johnson are working their way into the mix on offense. Hill is at wide receiver after starting the season at cornerback, and running back Johnson has been returning to form after battling injury problems.

Right guard Broc Bando, who missed the Purdue game two weeks ago with a foot injury, will be a game-time decision, Joseph said. He said receiver Omar Manning hasn't practiced since leaving the Oct. 7 game at Rutgers with an injury.

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Coverage

Husker247 | Thursday quick hits with Mickey Joseph
Nebraska Athletics | Joseph Talks on Physicality and Mentality of Team
Lincoln Journal Star* | Joseph stresses the need for Nebraska backups to be ready
Hail Varsity* | Huskers Getting Healthy, Physical Again Ahead of Illinois Game
HuskerOnline* | Thursday nuggets: Huskers wrap up final prep for No. 17 Illinois

From the other side

Illini Insider | Illinois OL jelling together: 'We only go as far as they lead us'
Illini Insider | Illini CB Devon Witherspoon earning national acclaim: 'I think he can still be way better'

More info

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Published Oct 27, 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.