Ndamukong Suh entered Memorial Stadium's press room in usual fashion on Tuesday.
Naturally quiet, the 6-foot-4 defensive tackle sat in front of cameras and writers, waiting to be asked the most obvious question of the week.
Is this week's preparation different than other weeks because the opponent is No. 1 USC?
Surprisingly enough, Suh was one of the most natural interviewees of the day, responding with a sincere answer.
"I mean, it's the next game on our schedule," Suh said, "so we'll come out prepared."
And judging by last week's game at Wake Forest, if anyone can say the Cornhuskers will be prepared, it seems to be Suh.
The sophomore from Portland, Ore., recorded three tackles during Nebraska's 20-17 win over the Demon Deacons on Saturday, including two tackles for a total loss of nine yards in the red zone.
His first came at the beginning of the second quarter, when Wake Forest was still scoreless. Suh knocked back sophomore Kevin Harris for a three-yard loss before NU junior Zach Potter shoved Harris back two more and Nebraska linebacker Bo Ruud took Wake quarterback Brett Hodges back another yard.
The Blackshirts did allow 30 yards during the drive but were determined not to give up a touchdown.
Wake Forest settled for a field goal.
"It was definitely a good test," Suh said of Saturday's game. "We know we're getting ready to go against better teams as the season goes on, so people are going to get down in our red zone. We're going to have to learn to deal with being in a tight situation and having those short fields and playing out of that by either getting stops or holding them to field goals."
Suh notched another big play in the fourth quarter when he rattled Wake running back Micah Andrews for a loss of six yards with about seven minutes left in the game. The drive ended on the next play when senior cornerback Zackary Bowman intercepted a pass in the end zone.
NU Coach Bill Callahan said overall the play in the red zone was one of the most positive aspects of Saturday's contest, deeming it "pretty darn good."
"I thought the reaction to sudden change and the response to sudden change was real positive, coupled with the fact that we made some outstanding plays," Callahan said, adding that Suh was particularly impressive. "And then, complementing that with the back end play of our secondary, of course, and what we did in defending the pass and picking off a key pass in the red zone."
But the question is whether or not the Blackshirts will perform as well against a much stouter opponent on Saturday.
For Suh, the hype surrounding the game and the ability of the USC players is not unnerving. The Huskers have seen the Trojans before, and Suh has played against some of their linemen in All-American high school games.
Needless to say, he knows what to expect - a tough opponent.
And he's ready for the challenge.
"If the opportunity presents itself," Suh said, "I'm going to take it."
katelynkerkhove@dailynebraskan.com
