Full Pads

This week the Nebraska football team began practicing in full pads and today they started their first two-a-day. I think that it is safe to say that the new culture of Nebraska football is in place and the foundation has been paved.

A few years ago, it came out that during the season the team quite often weren't practicing in full pads. Everybody was scratching their heads. But now, most fans expect to hear that the team is all geared up and getting at it on the practice field.

Whenever I hear the coaching staff speak, one of the most often used words that is thrown out there is 'PHYSICAL'. Coach Pelini and his staff have built into the system that pretty schemes alone are not going to win games. Hitting hard and putting your opponent on their butt is needed to rack up the wins. As Coach Hawkins reminded us a few years ago 'this is Division I football'. And nothing says that this is a man's game more than strapping up the pads, hitting people and practicing during the week like you're under the lights on Saturday.

Once again . . . welcome back football season. It's been too long.