Push-ups and fullbacks: What stood out at Nebraska football's first fall practice

Nebraska football began fall practice on Monday at the Hawks Championship Center, splitting action between the indoor and outdoor practice fields. Reporters were allowed to take in a portion of the morning action. Here’s what stood out: Pass-catching drills: Wide receiver coach Garret McGuire was keeping a close eye on all of his players.

As the Husker wideouts ran through a variety of routes, any dropped pass that hit the wide receiver in the hands meant 10 push-ups for them. “C’mon!” exclaimed McGuire after one drop. “Give me 10!” Roman Mangini, then Billy Kemp IV went through that process, quickly running to the side of the field for their 10 push-ups before sprinting back in line.

Two quarterbacks put in the majority of the work during the open period: starter Jeff Sims and Heinrich Haarberg. The two went through plenty of different drills: pitches to running backs, flat routes with running backs and red zone with offensive playmakers. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield and newly promoted tight ends coach Josh Martin also watched over Nebraska’s pass-catchers when the Huskers moved into a red zone drill.

Sims and Haarberg threw passes simultaneously from within the 15-yard line as wide receivers and tight ends rotated through running routes into the end zone. Special teams: With a light rain falling outside, Nebraska’s special teams unit stayed indoors during the open portion of practice. Kickers Timmy Bleekrode and Tristan Alvano alternated field goal attempts, increasing their distance with each kick.

Both successfully converted within 45 yards before moving onto long 50-yard attempts that tested their legs. Defensive linemen: Groups of three defensive linemen at a time went through a drill near the southwest corner of the indoor field. Holding a ball attached to a stick, position coach Terrance Knighton simulated a snap before each group ran horizontally across the field, practicing a different arm movement each time.

Each trio did Knighton’s instruction of “club rip across,” and turned around to continue the drill going the opposite direction. But Ty Robinson stepped in. The junior tackle had seen something he didn’t like on the last set and made the final group — Princewill Umanmielen, Elijah Jeudy and Jacob Herbek — go back and do it again.

Offensive linemen: “Good, Nouri!” offensive line coach Donovan Raiola called as the senior drove back Henry Lutovsky in another corner of the end zone. Raiola, the only holdover on the coaching staff from a season ago, had one player holding a pad as another crashed into him. The lineman with the pad then had to get it out from between their respective numbers.

Fullback: Former Notre Dame fullback Barret Liebentritt got in plenty of drill work as the solo fullback working on the outdoor field in the few minutes that reporters were able to observe practice Monday. “Don’t break your hand,” one coach quipped at Liebentritt while he went through a drill that had a staffer holding a helmet on a stick — simulating a defender. Liebentritt smacked his hand on the helmet, causing the teaching moment.

A few running backs later joined him in drills: Rahmir Johnson, Anthony Grant, Gabe Ervin Jr. Personnel: Tight end Thomas Fidone looked strong while running routes. He’s still sporting the bulky brace on his left knee, but it doesn’t appear to impede him.

… Defensive back Myles Farmer was not spotted during the open portion of practice. Equipment: Staffers used red stability balls (the light, big ones you can sit on, not the heavy medicine balls) as a tool to simulate defenders. During a ball-carrying drill, NU running backs had a ball rolled at their feet while they darted through a small three-yard gap.

Grass: With all the rain Nebraska has received lately, the new grass fields looked particularly lush. Weather: 70 degrees, light drizzle. Music: none.

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