• Can the Colonels hang tough with the Huskers? Get the lowdown on today's matchup from the newspapers in Lincoln (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), Grand Island (1, 2, 3),* Baton Rouge, Thibodaux (1, 2)* and Omaha (1, 2),* and from RealFootball365.

• Ted Gilmore comments on Maurice Purify's role and Nicholls' mystery players.

• Regardless of the score, it'll be a big payday* for Nicholls State.

• A virus could sideline Kurt Mann on Saturday.* More from Thursday's practice.

• J.B. Phillips' grasp of the offense pays dividends.

• Film study* helps give Terrence Nunn a leg up.

• Clayton Sievers takes in stride his status as a two-way player.

• Bill Callahan is wary of special-teams trickery by Nicholls State. More from Wednesday's practice: 1, 2,* 3*

• Greg Austin aims for continued improvement* on the offensive line.

• Andre Jones* gets off to a solid start at cornerback.

• The Blackshirts get ready to defend an option offense. More from Tuesday's news conference: 1,* 2*

• So far, so good* for the offensive line.

• Phillip Dillard's injury leads to some shuffling* of the linebackers.

• Here are the official pregame notes for the Nicholls State game: html | pdf

• Up next for the Huskers is Nicholls State, a 35-0 winner Thursday night.

• Division I-AA Nicholls State in Thibodaux, La., joins the Huskers' lineup of 2006 opponents.