Mike McNeill's name was missing from the final box score Saturday. The senior receiver, whose 60 receptions during the past two seasons are second most among Huskers, didn't record a catch in the NU opener. But he isn't worried. “The touches will come when they come,” he said. It's a lot easier for McNeill and the rest of the NU playmakers to carry that positive outlook this year.

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• Hawkeye D-line set for Round 2

Nebraska's coaches are still working with Josh Williams to improve his physicality, but they had few complaints about the way the sophomore defensive end suddenly stepped into a first-team role Saturday. Aside from a couple of typical first-game mistakes, Williams played well when he replaced sophomore starter Cameron Meredith in the second quarter of the 49-10 win over Western Kentucky, according to assistant coach John Papuchis.

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• Hawkeye D-line set for Round 2
• A tricky puzzle for defenses to solve

There will come a time when Nebraska hosting Illinois at the Devaney Center is just another key match in the battle for a Big Ten crown. But in 2010, the final nonconference volleyball showdown between the Huskers and Illini will be no ho-hum affair. Two weeks into the season, No. 7 Nebraska plays its first true home matches this weekend as it welcomes a formidable group of foes to its Players Challenge tournament. The Huskers take on 20th-ranked Dayton on Thursday and Western Michigan on...

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• A tricky puzzle for defenses to solve
• Notes: Coaches want Williams to get...

World-Herald staff writer Rich Kaipust chatted with fans about the QB battle, the depth chart, upcoming games and the latest polls. Check out the replay.

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• Hawkeye D-line set for Round 2
• A tricky puzzle for defenses to solve

Life has delivered some body blows to Rickey Thenarse. The Nebraska senior lost two brothers in separate shootings in 2008. He missed time that season with a dislocated collarbone. As a high school freshman, he was even shot in the leg. A season-ending knee injury suffered in the fourth game of last year was almost the knockout punch. “I honestly, for the first time in a long time in my life, almost gave up after that,” he said.

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• » Photo Showcase: Tuesday's Practice

When Alonzo Whaley left the practice field last Thursday, his primary mission was not eating or showering or studying. He needed to find his roommate. Whaley and Will Compton came to Lincoln the same year: 2008. They play the same position: linebacker. They grew up together in Bo Pelini's labor-intensive system. According to Whaley, they're “blood brothers.” But Compton had learned the scheme faster. Compton was a starter entering 2010. Whaley was a backup.

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• Hawkeye D-line set for Round 2
• A tricky puzzle for defenses to solve

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Mike McNeill said he and his Nebraska offensive teammates were on board. Taylor Martinez was emerging as the Huskers' starting quarterback last week, and major change was on its way to becoming official by Saturday night. Martinez was a redshirt freshman unseating a senior who had started 12 games last season (along with a sophomore who had started two). Some veterans would have to adjust to seeing one of their own on the bench as NU started the season.

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• » Photo Showcase: Tuesday's Practice

After seeing his team go 2-14 in Big 12 basketball last season, Nebraska coach Doc Sadler promised an extensive review of his program, including strength and conditioning. Changes in that area are now in progress, Sadler said Tuesday. “We want to focus more on the mental toughness part of it, instead of just being concerned about how much stronger they are getting,'' he said. “We want them pushed to the limit.

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• A tricky puzzle for defenses to solve
• Notes: Coaches want Williams to get...

Jessica Yanz closed the book on her life as a volleyball player, and she was perfectly at peace about her decision to move on. But Yanz's college career was defined by its unexpected twists and turns. Maybe it's fitting that another door opened only after she'd said her goodbyes. When No. 7 Nebraska plays its home opener Thursday night, Yanz will be on the other side of the net from her former teammates, the starting setter for 20th-ranked Dayton. She couldn't have imagined that she'd be...

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• A tricky puzzle for defenses to solve
• Notes: Coaches want Williams to get...

Idaho football coach Robb Akey said he hopes a few Nebraska defenders on Saturday remember that Nathan Enderle is almost as much friend as foe — or, at least, that he's a Nebraskan. Enderle, the senior four-year starting quarterback from North Platte who helped orchestrate an impressive turnaround at Idaho last season, will lead the Vandals into Memorial Stadium for an 11:30 a.m. kickoff. “I hope he'll have enough buddies on the team that they won't want to beat him up too...

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• Hawkeye D-line set for Round 2
• Ex-Mav Kammrad leading Lynx into...

The true freshman receiver from Moreno Valley, Calif., saw action in his first Nebraska game in Saturday’s 49-10 win over Western Kentucky. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Enunwa played about 10 snaps and made one catch for 10 yards in the fourth quarter. Enunwa is from the same high school (Rancho Verde) as sophomore linebacker Eric Martin.

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• Hawkeye D-line set for Round 2
• A tricky puzzle for defenses to solve