Dispositions Remain Sunny

Nebraska players welcomed a break from Southern California sunshine and reveled in rainy conditions Saturday during a two-hour practice in full pads at USC.

The Cornhuskers, who were off Friday, started their workout in a drizzle and continued uninterrupted through showers of varying strength.

The players did not long for Cook Pavilion, their huge indoor practice facility in Lincoln, Neb.

“It kind of reminds me of being back in high school and junior high when rain, snow, sleet, no matter what, you’re outside practicing,” tight end Tracey Wistrom said. “It was kind of fun to get muddy a little bit while you’re flying and slipping around.”

Said kicker Josh Brown: “It’s like a nice spring day out here.”

Nebraska Coach Frank Solich said he welcomed the chance to put the Cornhuskers through their paces under less-than-ideal conditions.

He was particularly pleased by the way his players handled a wet ball.

“The guys adjusted and moved around well,” Solich said. “[The rain] didn’t seem to limit us in any way, shape or form as far as getting in a good practice.”

Nebraska played two games in the rain this season. The Cornhuskers defeated Notre Dame, 27-10, on Sept. 8 at Lincoln, and waited out a 36-minute delay because of lightning to win a Big 12 Conference game at Baylor, 48-7, on Oct. 13.

Solich said the Cornhuskers will probably practice in helmets and shoulder pads today, then begin tapering their workouts for the national championship game against Miami on Thursday at the Rose Bowl.

Several Nebraska players acknowledged being star-struck when they attended the Lakers’ game against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night at Staples Center.

“I try to be mature about it, I don’t want to be, ‘Oh my God!’ but I couldn’t help it,” defensive back Keyuo Craver said.

Craver, 5 feet 11, shared a fraternity handshake with 7-1 Laker center Shaquille O’Neal.

“I came up to his bellybutton so everybody was laughing at me,” said Craver, who also met Kobe Bryant and took a picture and received a hug from actress Heather Locklear.

“That felt great,” Craver said of Locklear’s embrace. “I had a good time.”

Craver said the Cornhuskers were not bothered when they were booed by some members of the crowd.

“You can’t please everybody,” he said, “so why try?”

Before his team departed for its turn in the 46th Lawry’s Beef Bowl late Saturday afternoon, Solich refused to predict which player would eat the most prime rib.

“Our guys can probably eat with the best of them, but we’re not going to try and set any records,” Solich said.

Defensive end Trevor Johnson, offensive lineman Carson Schott and fullback Phillip Kniep ate four dinners each.

Solich and 10 Nebraska players are scheduled to visit children this morning at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte.