LINCOLN For most older players, spring football is to be endured. It is hard work without the reward of games. The end can't come soon enough.
Matt O'Hanlon is an exception. The senior safety from Bellevue is eager for each practice to begin. "I just can't wait to get out here," he said.
O'Hanlon is among those for whom the arrival of coach Bo Pelini and staff has represented a new lease on football life. He has lettered on special teams the past two seasons "but never really gotten a shot at safety," he said.
"This is my last time around. I've finally gotten a look."
Before the start of spring practice, Pelini announced that there were no preconceptions about players. Everyone would be given a shot. When he heard that, "I was excited," said O'Hanlon. And his excitement was justified.
"I've stuck it out and luckily, the coaches have given me a chance."
A chance to play safety is all he has ever wanted, since giving up a scholarship at South Dakota to walk on at Nebraska in January 2005.
Former Cornhusker coach Frank Solich recruited O'Hanlon as a walk-on. But interest in walk-ons diminished following the hiring of Bill Callahan. As a result, O'Hanlon accepted a scholarship from South Dakota.
His career in Vermillion was brief, however. He went through two-a-day practices in the fall of 2004, earned the starting nickel back position and left.
He enrolled at Nebraska, determined to walk on despite Callahan's much-publicized attitude toward walk-ons. At South Dakota, "there were probably 10 guys who were cut from the program here, so when I left, I was a little wary," O'Hanlon said.
He "tried to steer clear" of those who had transferred from Nebraska, he said, because "I didn't want any negative effects on my self-confidence."
The decision was "a leap of faith," he said. "I had no idea if I was going to make the team or not. I prayed about it, and luckily, I had my chance."
He's appreciative of former assistant coach Bill Busch, in particular. Busch coached special teams for Callahan, and "he gave me a shot," said O'Hanlon.
O'Hanlon grew up a Cornhusker fan and "wanted to be here since I was 6 years old, since I saw all those guys running through the tunnel," he said. "But that scholarship at South Dakota drew me there. I kind of wish I would have just come straight here."
Giving up a scholarship to walk on at a program that was reducing the number of walk-ons it accepted was risky, at best. But O'Hanlon considers himself a risk-taker, "I guess," he said. "You kind of have to be where I'm at right now.
"If I wasn't a risk-taker, I'd still be at South Dakota."
Some questioned the wisdom of such a decision, though O'Hanlon is a bright guy. He was a second-team Academic All-Big 12 honoree in 2007, after being a first-team selection in 2006, majoring in secondary education/social sciences.
His parents never doubted him, despite the expense of walking on. "Thank God, I have two great parents who support me in everything I do," he said.
"Without them, I probably would be here, either."
Nebraska lost three safeties: Tierre Green, Ben Eisenhart and Bryan Wilson. Larry Asante is a returning starter, and Rickey Thenarse appears to be the top candidate to start at the other safety. But there's still opportunity for O'Hanlon.
"He's doing some good things, but he's got a lot to learn," Pelini said recently. "He's got some ability. He's a guy we're trying to force feed, see if he wants to step up."
O'Hanlon wants to, and he's doing his best to that end.
His persistence has paid off. "There have always been doubts in my mind, 'I'm never going to get to play.' But as time goes on, you realize you love being here, not just for the playing time but for the experiences and being with the guys," he said.
As O'Hanlon talked to a couple of reporters after Wednesday's practice, Major Culbert, another safety, walked past and acknowledged him.
"I don't have any regrets at all," O'Hanlon said. "I've always wants to play here and I'm finally here. It's almost over. I kind of don't want to see it end."
Mike Babcock is a freelance writer who covers Nebraska football.
Nebraska recruit arrested and accused of robbery in Texas
LINCOLN (AP) A Nebraska football recruit has been accused of stealing $900 from a man in his hometown of Denton, Texas.
The Denton Record-Chronicle reports that Josh Williams was released from jail Tuesday after being arrested on suspicion of robbery.
The newspaper reported that Williams punched a man sitting in a truck in the face and ran off with the cash the man had been counting.
The 220-pound defensive end signed a letter of intent to play at Nebraska in February.
NU football player waives preliminary hearing on sexual assault
LINCOLN (AP) Nebraska football player Andy Christensen has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He will now face a charge of first degree sexual assault in Lancaster County District Court.
Attorney Bob Creager said after Thursday's hearing that Christensen would plead not guilty.
Christensen remains suspended from the Nebraska football team.
Christensen was arrested in the wee hours March 8 outside the Brass Rail bar in downtown Lincoln. He's is accused of molesting a 23-year-old woman at the bar.
If convicted of the felony, Christensen could be sentenced to one to 50 years in prison.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 30.
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