After 14 spring practices, Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor is finally ready to relax.
The senior who shattered spring game records by throwing for 357 yards in the first half of last year's Red-White Spring Game has seen most of the reps with the No. 1 offense this spring.
``We're all excited,'' Taylor said. ``It's fun to get through these 14 practices and then have a chance to relax and have some fun in front of 60,000 people.''
Taylor will lead the Red team, comprised of NU's first team offensive and defensive units, against the reserve White team in Saturday's annual scrimmage.
Last year's game drew 63,416 people to Memorial Stadium. Saturday's kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.
Taylor was admittedly nervous during last year's scrimmage but gave the fans their first showing of his abilities. He went on to complete 20 of 27 passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions before sitting out the entire second half in a 42-14 win for the White team.
``Anytime you walk out in front of this many people, you're going to have some jitters,'' Taylor said. ``It's just kind of nice to get a feel for what the atmosphere is going to be like during a real game.''
One burning question that remains is who Taylor will be handing the ball off to in the backfield. As of Thursday, the answer appears to be sophomore I-backs Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn, who were both named to the Red team roster.
Despite battling through injuries, Glenn has emerged as a power runner, while Lucky has improved his quickness this spring.
Sophomore quarterback Harrison Beck has been battling injuries to his shoulder and hamstring, but a negative MRI on Tuesday showed no major damage to the shoulder.
If he's cleared to play, Beck should see some time with both the Red and White teams.
Taylor, who got his first taste of the spring scrimmage last season, said the game would be very important for Beck.
``He'll be prepared for it and expected to go in, so it'll be really huge for him,'' Taylor said.
On the defensive side, the Cornhuskers' front seven returns five starters at defensive end and linebacker.
Junior linebacker Steve Octavien, who started Nebraska's opener against Maine before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter, is back at full strength.
NU Coach Bill Callahan said Octavien's recuperation has gone as planned.
``From as far as I can tell, he's really moving well,'' Callahan said. ``He's still making a lot of plays. We've slowly but surely seen him develop.''
Two of Nebraska's starting linebackers, junior Bo Ruud and senior Stewart Bradley, participated in non-contact spring drills but will not play Saturday.
Ruud broke his arm during practice leading up to last season's Alamo Bowl and Bradley tore ligaments in his knee in NU's loss to Texas Tech in October.
The Huskers are also still looking to fill the gaps left behind at the safety position.
Junior Tierre Green, who started at cornerback last year, and senior Andrew Shanle, a special teams player for most of his career, have seen most of the reps this spring at strong and free safeties, respectively.
All in all, spring practice has seemingly gone well for Callahan.
In his third spring season as coach of Nebraska, Callahan said it gets easier each year.
``It's year three, so it's more manageable,'' Callahan said. ``We're having a lot of fun out here.''
Taylor agreed that the Huskers have continued to improve in every aspect of the game.
``I think we've come a long way,'' Taylor said. ``I think we have a lot of stuff to work on this summer and during fall camp, but guys got after it and guys were focused. I think we're much farther ahead than we were four weeks ago.''
