Sports: Husker Football

Solich Says Husker Injuries Healing Up

NU balancing final exams, practices

by Samuel McKewon

December 20, 2001

LINCOLN - Rover Philip Bland is back. Tight end Tracey Wistrom looks good. And fullback Judd Davies is moving well.

The injury chips are falling the right way for Nebraska Coach Frank Solich.

Solich said Wednesday that the three starters are coming along nicely and should continue to gain momentum in preparation for NU's Rose Bowl game with Miami Jan. 3.

"Good to have Phil Bland out to practice," Solich said after practice. "He seems to be holding up well on the rehab running."

Bland had been suffering from a knee injury. Solich added that the fullback position was "as healthy as it has been in some time," and Wistrom was nearing 100 percent after a midseason knee injury.

The balance of practice and final exams this week has been near perfect, Solich said, a rare case. Most Huskers were able to make meetings and film sessions in addition to practicing.

Practice has been cramped a bit because the BCS poll came out a week later than planned, Solich said, but "a good use of time" has put NU in good shape to ship out to Pasadena early next week, where "three or four days of heavy work" will commence. NU coaches will ramp down the workload directly before the game.

"It doesn't seem like it's gone all that fast," Solich said.

Solich said recruiting is going well even though it's the "quiet" period that does not allow coaches to speak to players. Solich said DeMorrio Williams and quarterback recruit Curt Dukes will enroll in January to get a head start with a session of spring ball.