Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska football team practiced for just over two hours on Thursday inside the Hawks Championship Center in helmets only.

Head Coach Scott Frost addressed the media after the conclusion of practice to talk about how prepared the team is for Saturday's game against South Alabama.

"You never really know how prepared you are until the first kickoff," Frost said. "Hopefully we get to play after the first kickoff. If I'm comparing where we were last year, I know we're a long way from where we were. Guys are physically more ready to go, they're fresh, they're excited and confident. I'm pleased with where we are, but we need to go out and prove it and keep improving from there."

Frost discussed the week of practice leading up to the first game.

"I feel great," he said. "Our team needs to play like it's been practicing all fall and we're going to be in good shape. It's a little different this week with starting class on the same day as starting preparation for a game. I wasn't as happy with Tuesday and Wednesday practice as I would have liked to be. They were good, but just going to class and having that change of routine probably affected them a little. Today was really good. I think our guys are dialed in and ready to go."

Frost talked about the progress of the defense.

"I hope the front seven come out on Saturday and play like they've been practicing because they've been hard to move the ball against in camp," Frost said. "We really have to execute well and be aggressive on offense to move it against them. This team presents some unique things and I think they do a really good job with scheme. South Alabama has some plays that you have to be really disciplined and on your assignment with. I feel good about the front seven and where they are. They've been playing at a really high level all of camp."

Frost also commented on freshman quarterback Luke McCaffrey.

"Luke had a phenomenal camp," Frost said. "Every day he surprises me. He's a better player than I hoped he would be. [Sophomore quarterback] Noah [Vedral] has had a great camp, too. Noah's going to be our No. 2 going forward. We're going to do everything we can to redshirt Luke. If something changes, then we'll readdress that, but both our quarterbacks understand that."

The Huskers finish preparations for South Alabama with a walkthrough on Friday. Kick off for the 2019 season will be Saturday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium. Television coverage will be provided by ESPN.

COACH FROST AUDIO

Memorial Stadium Ready for 2019 Football Season

Nebraska will kick off the 2019 season on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, taking on South Alabama in an 11 a.m. game.
 
Husker fans will see limited changes at Memorial Stadium this fall as college football celebrates its 150^th season.  One significant change to the Huskers' game-day routine will be the Unity Walk path when the team arrives at Memorial Stadium to begin preparations for each home game.
 
Below is a closer look at what fans should watch for at Memorial Stadium in 2019:
 
Unity Walk

• The Nebraska football team will arrive at Memorial Stadium approximately two hours and 15 minutes before home games (approximately 8:40-8:45 a.m. this Saturday). Fans are encouraged to gather on the East side of Memorial Stadium to welcome the team at this time.
• The Unity Walk will have a slightly different path this season.  After proceeding through the East Stadium loop, the team will unload the buses near the bell tower on the south side of the loop.  From there the team will walk through the parking lot on the east side of the stadium, past the national championship and Coach Devaney statues outside and enter the stadium through Gate 20.
• Fans will be alerted when the buses depart the team hotel by a short burst of fireworks at the stadium.  This will signal that the team will arrive at the Stadium in approximately 8-10 minutes.

Spirit Squad Changes

• Fans will notice changes to the Husker Spirit Squad for the 2019-20 season, beginning with Saturday's game against South Alabama.
• The Spirit Squad will resume basic stunting and tumbling as part of its regular routines, enhancing the game-day experience for Husker fans.
• The new policy allows for tumbling and basic one-high stunting, but does not include other elements such as basket tosses and multi-level pyramid stunting.
• The 2019-20 Husker Spirit Squad includes six male squad members.

 
Husker Nation Pavilion

• The Husker Nation Pavilion will once again take place at the Ed Weir Track and as always will be free and open to the public. The primary entrance to the Husker Nation Pavilion will be on the South side of Ed Weir Stadium near the columns.
• The Husker Nation Pavilion features various forms of family fun and games for kids of all ages. Inflatable games (weather permitting) will be a regular feature, including an obstacle course, quarterback toss, hoops tic-tac-toe, hoops hotshot, and baseball toss. Face painting will also be available.
• Fans may sit in the Ed Weir Track and Field Stadium and have the opportunity to meet friends before the game or watch a game on the Ed Weir video board.
• The Husker Nation Pavilion will open three hours before kickoff (8 a.m. this Saturday).
• Updated weekly information on the Husker Nation Pavilion will be posted at https://huskers.com/hnp

 
Osborne Athletic Complex Lobby

• The Osborne Athletic Complex lobby will once again open four hours before kickoff and remain open until one hour before kickoff.

 
Husker Fan Shop Locations

• Nebraska fans will have numerous locations to buy the latest Husker apparel for the 2019 season.
• The Husker Fan Shop locations at the East Stadium (Gate 18), Pinnacle Bank Arena and the College of Business are open on a daily basis and will also be open on Husker game days.
• Additional Husker Fan Shop locations on Saturdays will include tent or trailer locations outside the Stadium near Gate 2, Gate 22, by the Ticket Office on Stadium Drive, at the base of the pedestrian bridge at the North end of Stadium Drive and a location by the Hawks Center. Inside the Stadium, Husker Fan Shop satellite locations are near Gate 6 (West), Gate 14 (NE), Gate 12 (NW), the West Stadium Club and the East Stadium Club.

 
POW/MIA Chair

• Each game this season, a decorated veteran of U.S. military service will take his or her post next to this unoccupied chair in honor of the more than 800 Nebraskans lost in combat, but whose fate remains "UNKNOWN." The chair is located in North Memorial Stadium Section 33, Row 18, Seat 27.
• Nebraska will salute all Veteran's and active military at the Oct. 26 game vs. Indiana.

 
The Husker Sports Network from Learfield/IMG College

• The Husker Sports Network from Learfield/IMG College will once again begin its coverage of Nebraska football games five hours before kickoff (6 a.m. this Saturday). The network will continue with coverage for approximately four hours after the conclusion of the game, including an exclusive one-on-one interview with Head Coach Scott Frost.

 
Commercial Break Clocks

• A clock showing the time remaining in each media break will again be visible in Memorial Stadium. The new feature will allow fans to know when game action will resume on the field. The commercial break clock can be found on the upper east ribbon board near the south end.

 
Captioning

• For the first time in 2019, open captioning of public address announcements, referee announcements and emergency messages will be available on the ribbon boards on the facades of the East and West balconies of Memorial Stadium.

 
Special Events for 2019 Season

• Nebraska will celebrate numerous special events throughout the 2019 season.
• Nebraska will take part in the College Football 150 celebration throughout the year. The Huskers will wear a uniform patch throughout the year to honor this special anniversary in the history of the game.
• As the University of Nebraska recognizes its 150^th anniversary, Homecoming festivities for the Oct. 5 game against Northwestern will focus on the N150 celebration.
• Nebraska's special events and recognitions will begin this weekend. 
  • On Friday, the 2019 class of the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame will be enshrined in a private ceremony and reception.  The class will also be honored on the field between the first and second quarter of Saturday's game.
  • Nebraska will also honor the 50^th anniversary of the Husker Power program this weekend.  A private event honoring the Husker Power 50 team will be held on Friday evening and there will be an on-field recognition during the first quarter of Saturday's game.
• Other special dates for the 2019 season including the following:
  • Sept. 14 vs. Northern Illinois: Red Cross Day/First Responders Day, Nebraska Football Hall of Fame
  • Oct. 5 vs. Northwestern: Homecoming, Nebraska 150
  • Oct. 26 vs. Indiana: Veteran's Day and Military Salute
  • Nov. 29 vs. Iowa: Senior Day, Heroes Game

Other

• The Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office will open four hours before kickoff except for 11 a.m. games when it will open at 8 a.m.
• For additional information on Nebraska's game-day policies, Husker fans should visit Huskers.com/gameday. 
• Nebraska continues to have a clear bag policy at Memorial Stadium and all ticketed venues. More information can be found at huskers.com/bagpolicy.
• Fan drop-off attempts around the Stadium are prohibited. Uber, Lyft and other taxi drop-offs and pickups with be at 14^th and Vine streets.

South Alabama at Nebraska 

When: 11 a.m. Aug. 31 (Pregame at 6 a.m.) 

Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln 

Radio: 103.1 FM and b103.fm