Cornhuskers Know Cuisine

Nebraska’s football team spent two hours Tuesday morning on the practice field at USC working up an appetite for its annual holiday feast.

Christmas dinner on the road has become a Cornhusker tradition, especially since the 1990s, when Nebraska began its custom of arriving at bowl sites before Dec. 25 to acclimate to the weather.

Arthur McWilliams, Nebraska’s director of food service, worked with the Beverly Hilton Hotel to prepare a Christmas night menu for players, coaches, support personnel and their families that included Nebraska-style prime rib, shrimp, teriyaki chicken, a salad bar, twice-baked potatoes, vegetables, fruit, homemade pies and a dessert bar.

“We try to give the players a feel of Christmas a little bit and make sure they get filled up,” McWilliams said after practice.

McWilliams, who has been employed in food service at Nebraska for 42 years, works with the university’s athletic-performance team, which includes a staff nutritionist. He is responsible for coordinating all of the Cornhuskers’ meals at the school’s “performance buffet” in Lincoln and when the team is on the road. McWilliams said Nebraska players are fed a steady diet of lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians and players with special diets are also accommodated.

During its stay in Southern California, Nebraska has rented a ballroom at the Beverly Hilton to warehouse much of its food supply.

*

Nebraska’s holiday tradition also includes a visit from Santa Claus. Dave Volk, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior offensive lineman, donned the red suit and white beard on Tuesday night and distributed treats to more than 30 children of coaches and support staff.

Nebraska players and coaches did not speak to reporters Tuesday--another Cornhusker Christmas Day tradition--but Coach Frank Solich said in a statement that Volk was right for the role.

“He has a lot of experience at it, and he has been eating pretty well to try to get ready for the role,” Solich said.

*

Nebraska’s roster includes three players with ties to Southern California. Junior running back Thunder Collins played at Manual Arts High and East Los Angeles College. Sophomore offensive lineman Vili Waldrop played at Wilmington Banning High. Senior Dion Booker, a free safety and rover, played at Oceanside El Camino High.... Tuesday’s practice featured a 12-play scrimmage between the Cornhuskers’ top offensive and defensive units. Nebraska will practice in sweats today, the first time since arriving Monday that it will not work out in full pads.... Nebraska is using USC’s weight room, a change from the Cornhuskers’ usual bowl-game custom of bringing its own weights by truck.

Gary Klein

*

Backup receiver Ethenic Sands of Miami was suspended for an undisclosed violation of team rules and will miss the national championship game Jan. 3 in the Rose Bowl against Nebraska.

Sands won’t make the trip, two sources close to the team said Tuesday. The top-ranked Hurricanes (11-0) are to begin practice in the Southland today.

Sources said the suspension was unrelated to Sands’ arrest Sept. 22 on charges of disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest without violence, both misdemeanors. The junior entered a deferred prosecution program, meaning the charges could eventually be dropped.

Sands made 26 receptions for 385 yards and one touchdown this year.