Coaches sent the Huskers on a 12-minute run as 1970’s fall practices began with two no-pads sessions Monday.
Linemen were expected to cover at least 1½ miles in that time; backs and ends, 1¾ to 2 miles. Those targets were met “almost without exception,” said coach Bob Devaney, who declared the team was “probably in as good a shape as any previous bunch.”
Devaney said he wanted to have his starting lineups figured out in less than two weeks. All eyes were on the quarterback competition between experienced juniors Jerry Tagge and Van Brownson. Battling it out at the up-for-grabs center spot were sophomore Doug Jamail, junior Bill Janssen and sophomore Doug Dumler.
The first day included work on punts and punt returns, which in past years didn’t happen until much later in camp. Senior placekicker Paul Rogers joined in the afternoon workout after his eligibility status was cleared up.
Players were adjusting well to Memorial Stadium’s new artificial turf and “appear to be a little quicker on it” than on the grass it replaced, Devaney said.
The first full scrimmage was set for Saturday afternoon.
