| |
 Huskers getting used to hospitals
Posted: Thursday June 24, 1999 04:11 PM
Nebraska wrapped up spring ball the same way it finished its first four-loss season in 30 years: with a lot of players in the training room. Eight players, including quarterback Bobby Newcombe, I-back DeAngelo Evans, wide receiver Frankie London and linebacker Tony Ortiz, missed all or most of spring practice. Huskers coach Frank Solich tread lightly in the spring game; Eric Crouch, the only healthy, experienced quarterback available, wore a green jersey, which meant no hitting allowed. Nebraska and Colorado both faltered last season because of injuries. But if both teams get well by fall, they should rekindle what has been one of the best rivalries of recent years. Seminoles can air from anywhereIf Florida State senior Dan Kendra gets his injured knee in shape and completes his move from quarterback to fullback, the Seminoles will show a rare versatility in the skill positions. Coach Bobby Bowden could start four players who have thrown a touchdown pass -- Kendra, quarterback Chris Weinke, All-American wide receiver Peter Warrick and tailback Travis Minor. Weinke, by the way, is coming along well from his neck surgery. Doctors didn't allow him to wear a helmet until mid-April and he has just begun using weights to strengthen his neck. New hierarchy in HoosierlandIt once would have been heresy to even think that football could overtake basketball at Indiana. But this may be the year. Football coach Cam Cameron has 19 starters returning, including exciting quarterback Antwaan Randle El and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (Ah-DUH-wallay Uh-GOON-lee-uh). The Hoosiers won't play either Ohio State or Michigan State, and they have seven home games, a luxury usually reserved for the Tennessees and Nebraskas of the world. Just think, with Purdue coming off a Top-25 finish, the 75th anniversary battle for the Old Oaken Bucket may be important outside the state, too. April showers bring May recruiting tripsYou want to know how early recruiting starts these days? Try finding an assistant coach this month. May is the month in which coaches may travel to watch high school spring practices. Juniors are watched closely and the best ones, if they haven't been already, are asked to come to a college's summer camp. Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said his staff began this month with a list of 2,900 names. Auburn can sign twenty-five players next February. That's a tough cut to make.
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
