• The defensive line knows it’s essential to put some heat on the Owls’ Rusty Smith.

• Zac Lee says he’s at ease with the role he’s taking on.

• The K.C. Star visits the Ohio steel town that helped mold three Big 12 coaches.

• After Monday’s practice, Bo Pelini says the depth chart is still in flux. Notes: 1, 2

• Tom Shatel takes a look at Tom Osborne’s new book.

• Saturday’s Legends Radio Show guests will be Bob Liggett, Ken Geddes & Mike Wynn.

• The UConn HuskyPedia™ site joins the SportsPedia® network.

• What’s the secret to the walk-on program’s success? Lee Barfknecht takes a look.

• Milestones have come quickly for Howard Schnellenberger’s young program.

• Cornerback recruit Anterio Sloan decommits. | 2010 list

• Carl Pelini sees improvement in the defense despite inexperience in some spots.

• A conversation with Jacob Hickman provides an unofficial O-line depth chart.

• A writer’s plea to Heisman voters: Think inside the tackle box.

• If everyone on defense is playing a step faster as Rickey Thenarse says, the payoff could be big, Tad Stryker writes.

• Decommits from 2008 form a sizable lineup of Husker foes in 2009.

• The LJS and OWH roll out their season previews.

• Tom Shatel and Sam McKewon see this season as a steppingstone to better things in 2010. Steve Sipple shares some observations from the 24 practices of fall camp.

• A tough economy has been no match for the state's passion for Husker football.

• The drive for perfection in practices has had its up and down days.

• John Papuchis describes Mathew May’s ascent from obscurity as a walk-on.

• Tickets for the first three home games are still available.

• From the Kansas City Star, a look at the strong connection between the football program and the people of Nebraska.

• It’s the Year of the Horn, says Nebraska StatePaper’s Big 12 preview.

• Starting positions are still up for grabs as the Huskers enter game-week mode. Notes from Friday’s practice: 1, 2, 3, 4

• Rickey Thenarse has earned respect in his home neighborhood in Watts. More player features: Matt O’Hanlon, Will Henry

• Howard Schnellenberger torches a big Nebraska "N" at a preseason bonfire & rally.

• Paul Jacobsen talks about his passion for collecting Husker audio & video recordings. (Jake is the guy behind the Lyell files.)

• There’ll be no crawling into a shell for the offense, Shawn Watson says.

• Northwestern State in Louisiana is the next stop for Quentin Castille.

• Memorial Stadium is No. 2 in a ranking of college football game-day experiences.

• Staying humble and focused is paying dividends for Niles Paul.

• Adi Kunalic changes things up in pursuit of better hang time on his kickoffs.

• The defensive backs turn more attention to creating turnovers.

• Injuries put a crimp on Florida Atlantic’s practices.

• From Sam McKewon, commentary on Bo Pelini and the media.

• The coaches see improved effort at Thursday’s practice, and there’s a youth movement at linebacker. | Notes: 1, 2 | Camp calendar

• The defense’s hopes begin with the line, Steve Sipple writes.

• The minimum bid has been received on each of the throwback uniforms being auctioned by the Athletic Department.

• Alex Henery’s big kick last November provided a lift that’s still being felt.

• Here’s some pay-per-view info for the Florida Atlantic game.

• A lack of consistency at Wednesday’s practice irks Bo Pelini. Notes: 1, 2, 3 | Player features: Ryan Hill, Barry Turner

• Tom Osborne objects to Bud Light’s red “Fan Cans.”

• Join Carl Pelini, Tommie Frazier, Brenden Stai and others on the Big Red Cruise.

• Ex-Husker Jordan Congdon wins the starting kicking job at USC.

• A trade sends Russ Hochstein from the Patriots to Denver.

• Cody Green leads in the race for No. 2 at quarterback. Ted Gilmore waits for more of the wide receivers to step up. Notes from Tuesday's practice: 1, 2, 3

• I-backs in the spotlight: Austin Jones, Rex Burkhead and the short-yardage guy.

• Player features: Prince Amukamara, Adi Kunalic

• The first Football Friday gathering will include Matt Davison & Tommie Frazier.

• A series with Syracuse appears to be in the works.

• Eric Warfield is sentenced for a fourth DUI infraction.

• Five tight ends are in contention for significant playing time this fall.

• Bo Ruud joins brother Barrett with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

• Bo Pelini discusses Quentin Castille’s dismissal with Jim Rome and Tom Shatel.

• Marcus Mendoza is back to a position he finds more natural. More from Monday’s practice: 1, 2, 3, 4 | Player features: Mathew May, Sean Fisher, Latravis Washington, Jacob Hickman

• Convicted of first-degree murder, Thunder Collins insists he was “the fall guy.”

• Larry Asante has turned into a better leader as he enters his senior season.

• Attention is nothing new for freshman I-back Rex Burkhead.

• Marcel Jones copes with trying to master both tackle positions on the O-line.

• Cory Ross signs with the UFL’s Redwoods. The Bengals waive Marlon Lucky.

• Quentin Castille’s exit narrows the Huskers’ margin for error in 2009 but opens a door for Rex Burkhead and several others.

• Zac Lee has the poise it takes to deliver on a big stage, those who know him say. More player features: Roy Helu, Mike McNeill

• Bo Pelini says Saturday’s scrimmage was good but that the team is a long way from being game-ready. Notes: 1, 2

• Alex Henery and five other walk-ons are placed on scholarship.

• Quentin Castille is dismissed from the team for violating team rules.

• Defensive end Donovan Vestal from Texas joins the recruiting class of 2010.

• The Huskers claim the No. 24 spot in the preseason Associated Press poll.

• Quentin Castille’s status becomes a question mark after he sits out a second day.

• The Associated Press looks at the Huskers in its college football preview: 1, 2

• Speed & versatility are in high demand as NU leans heavily on the nickel defense.

• Early tensions have evolved into friendship for Roy Helu & Eric Hagg. More player features: Menelik Holt, Curenski Gilleylen, Jared Crick

• Competition remains intense at Friday’s practices. Notes: 1, 2

• Milt Tenopir says the program is making strides but fans must be patient.

• Linebacker Sean Fisher works at putting his rare combination of attributes to use.

• It’s a more seasoned kickoff-return crew after last season’s on-the-job training.

• Carl Pelini has praise for Suh & the defense after Thursday’s practice. | Player features: Crick, Cassidy, Hagg | Notes: 1, 2

• Tad Stryker assesses Bo Pelini's task of closing the gap with the Sooners.

• The Sidetrack Band VA Tech concerts get a change of venue and add a tailgate.

• Jacob Hickman says adversity can make the O-line a stronger unit.

• Ron Brown sees a wealth of potential in his group of tight ends.

• Will the second season of the Pelini era see Nebraska make The Jump?

• Tommie Frazier & Trev Alberts will be part of a fundraiser Friday for the Omaha Firefighters’ Memorial and Salvation Army.

• David Max makes a return visit to “Web Talk with Bob” at 3 p.m. Thursday.

• Milt Tenopir is the headliner for Thursday’s Walk-On Club gathering in Hastings, and John Papuchis will do the honors next week in Lincoln.

• Driven to play one more season, Andy Christensen is in the hunt for a starting job. More player features: Castille, Henery, Lee, Turner & Allen

• Nebraska’s resurgence begins on the O-line, the K.C. Star writes.

• Niles Paul has become “the guy” at wide receiver, Shawn Watson says. Meanwhile, Menelik Holt knows this is his last chance to hit it big. More from Wednesday's practices: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

• Husker Dan checks in with some preseason observations and predictions.

• There’s still time to enter Californians for Nebraska’s drawing for Fla. Atlantic tickets.

• The coaches don’t intend to hold back on parts of the playbook to protect Zac Lee. And Cody Green’s maturity is an asset as he learns the offense.

• Derek Meyer is eager just to play football again after sitting out the past 2½ seasons. More player features: Terrence Moore, Pierre Allen

• An injury sidelines Brent Qvale, and Roy Helu sits out Tuesday’s practice. Notes: 1, 2, 3

• Fullback Tyler Legate wows his coaches with his toughness and attention to detail.

• Niles Paul wants to be the guy who “makes it happen” this year on punt returns.

• Cornerback Anthony Blue is feeling up to speed again, both physically and mentally.

• Improved consistency makes Keith Williams a potential star at left guard. More player features: Zac Lee, Anthony West, Barry Turner

• Ex-Husker Kevin Dixon tries to make the most of his second chance at Troy.

• Bo Pelini likes the intensity at Monday’s practices. More 1, 2, 3 | Video: 1, 2

• The Broncos acquire Le Kevin Smith, and the Browns release Bo Ruud.

• Bo Pelini gets it, and that alone is cause for celebration, SI.com says.

• The Denver Post spotlights Shawn Watson in its preview of the Huskers.

• Quentin Castille makes ball security an area of extra focus.

• Kelvin Clark & Tom Sorley will be Saturday's guests on the Legends Radio Show.

• Nutritionist Josh Hingst tries to make sure each player is properly fueled.

• Coaching special teams is a group effort, but John Papuchis ties it all together.

• Tim Tebow and Tommie Frazier may have far more in common that you think. The same goes for their championship teams.

• Extensive film study firms up the secondary’s grasp of the defensive system.

• With the first rest day of camp here, the coming week is when a big jump forward must occur, Bo Pelini says. The OWH takes stock.

• Player features: Alfonzo Dennard, Derek Meyer, Latravis Washington | Mike Hays

• Shawn Watson discusses what each offensive coach brings to the table.

• Visiting players from the 1962 team see shades of Devaney in Bo Pelini.

• Back by popular demand: Brian Brown’s printable H’Pedia football schedule card.

• There was good and bad in Saturday’s practice and scrimmage. | Notes: 1, 2

• Ndamukong Suh says it’ll take hard work to rank among NU’s greats on the D-line.

• Ex-Huskers footballers will play in a benefit hoops game organized by Eric Warfield.

• It’s a battle of the Jonses at right tackle. Player features: Koehler, Crick

• David Max is a guest on "Web Talk with Bob." Listen to the podcast.

• The L.A. Times previews Nebraska, which it ranks at No. 20.

• Bidding on the 1962-style throwback uniforms has begun.

• A short scrimmage helps kick off the first two-a-days. | Notes: 1, 2

• Missouri is selling tickets for its home game against NU.

• Tim Beck says it will take time to determine who’s No. 3 at I-back.

• The offense seems to have the tools for a more vertical passing game.

• Latravis Washington is thick in the race for No. 2 at QB. | Watson on Spano

• Steve Sipple senses there’s a harder edge to this year's training camp.

• More from Thursday’s practice: Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4 | Features: Thorell, May

• In Wisconsin, the Madison Mad City Huskers will have a get-together August 22nd.

• On the D-line, Jared Crick knows he must make teams pay for doubling up on Ndamukong Suh. And end Pierre Allen aims to build on his strong showing of 2008.

• And on the O-line, Jacob Hickman and D.J. Jones share some thoughts.

• Quarterback Kody Spano is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in the same knee he injured earlier this year. | BBS discussion.

• More from Wednesday's practice, the first in full pads: 1, 2

• Tickets for four of the first five home games are available.

• Alex Henery is named to the watch list for the Lou Groza Award.

• Indirect paths turn two former rivals in eight-man football into teammates.

• The N.Y. Times College Sports Blog predicts a 9-3 finish as it previews the Huskers.

• Will two walk-ons start at linebacker when the season opens?

• Defensive back Eric Hagg earns the coaches’ confidence.

• Virginia Tech loses its top tailback, Darren Evans, to a torn ACL.

• Lawrence Phillips racks up another assault conviction in California.

• Former Husker, future Tusker? Joe Ganz will take another shot at a QB job.

• Carl Pelini says after Tuesday's practice that there's hot competition at all positions. One battle is between Blake Lawrence and Mathew May. Notes: 1, 2, 3

• Ndamukong Suh makes it onto the 40-man watch list for the Outland Trophy.

• Derrie Nelson & Russell Gary are Saturday's Legends Radio Show guests.

• Marcus Mendoza knows that speed alone won’t win him playing time at receiver.

• Quentin Castille says he went home to Texas “to get some things right.”

• Tom Shatel says a redshirt for freshman QB Cody Green might not be a given.

• Ndamukong Suh is No. 10 on CollegeFootballNews’ list of top players for 2009.

• Shawn Watson seems to have the weapons on offense to give other teams fits. He plans to pick his spots for use of a hurry-up approach.

• Barrett Ruud is emerging as a leader of the defense for the Tampa Bay Bucs.

• Ndamukong Suh’s biggest task? Making his teammates better, Tad Stryker writes.

• Bo Pelini describes Monday’s practice as “average at best.”

• Baylor is selling tickets for its home game against the Huskers.

• Mike Ekeler says his linebackers must become more physical.

• Nebraska is fourth in Tim Griffin's preseason Big 12 power rankings.

• Here’s how you can turn KU’s ticket package into a plus for military veterans.

• As Barney Cotton looks for the right combination on the O-line, undersized center Mike Caputo makes his case with power, leverage & tenacity. Notes from Sunday’s practice: Receiving depth, Niles Paul, Chris Brooks, Timing (1, 2), Chatter

• Larry Asante hopes to benefit from Mike Minter’s tutelage.

• Brandon Kinnie’s former coach says the receiver has great potential but says stardom shouldn’t be expected in his first season in Lincoln.

• The Huskers hold up well in a sizzling first practice: 1, 2, 3 | Photos: 1, 2

• It’s a fresh start for a slimmed-down Phillip Dillard. And Barry Turner comes back fully mended and better-schooled in the defense.

• The university is auctioning four field-level-experience tickets for the Sept. 5^th opener.

• Players describe a summer conditioning season marked by accountability and intensity. | Video | Notes: 1, 2 | Commentary: Shatel, Sipple | Fan Day: 1, 2, 3, 4

• Register for the Halo of Hope Foundation’s Husker Hog Ride on Aug. 29.

• Four weeks before kickoff, things heat up today with the first practice of preseason camp. | An Ode to August | Fan Day facts & map

• ESPN.com’s Tim Griffin lists his three predictions for Nebraska.

• The Huskers open at No. 22 in the coaches’ poll.

• Matt O’Hanlon enters preseason camp as the hunted instead of the hunter. More: Five position battles | McNeill's expectations | Fan Day pointers

• Join the Sidetrack Band at the VA Tech game.

• WR/DB Tyler Evans of Waverly commits to the recruiting class of 2010.

• Sam McKewon has five questions about the special teams, defense and offense.

• The Huskers barely crack the top 40 in CollegeFootballNews’ preseason rankings.

• Opportunity knocks for Zack Bowman, and the former Husker is responding.

• Fans’ most-cherished memorabilia often comes with a story behind it.

• Roy Helu Jr. is named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award.

• Here are all the details for those planning to attend Fan Day on Saturday.

• Out-of-staters’ alert: “Walk Ons: Huskers’ Edge” can be seen via webcast. Randy York says it’s more about Nebraska’s culture than football.

• Did a lack of longevity keep Bob Devaney off the TSN list of greatest coaches?

• Steve Sipple says the Big 12 can’t afford to fall further behind in the TV-revenue race.

• A torn ACL apparently has ended Stewart Bradley's season with Philadelphia.

• See how various aspects of the NU program stacked up in a player poll at Big 12 Media Days : Fans | Stadium | Coach | Mascot | Uniforms

• The electronic version of the 2009 media guide is now available for downloading.

• Colorado has single-game Nebraska-CU tickets for sale.

• With preseason camp nearly here, the LJS looks back at infamous Camp Curtis.

• How vital are running the ball & stopping the run? The OWH looks at the numbers.

• Tommie Frazier had much to share with the crowd at Football 202.

• Receiver Keeston Terry decommits from the 2010 recruiting class, opting for KU.

• Cornhusker Kickoff 2009 is in stock and ready to ship. Save $10 on a new-to-DVD Johnny Rodgers highlights video plus the Game of the Century DVD. 30 remaining.