After strong offseason, game day the next test for Casey Thompson's leadership
DUBLIN, Ireland – Following Nebraska’s first on-site practice in Ireland on Wednesday, Casey Thompson made his way onto the sideline of Aviva Stadium to snap a few pictures and videos and soak in the 51,700-seat venue.
Roughly two days later, the former Texas transfer will be making his debut on that field as the Huskers’ new starting quarter.
Not much has changed for Thompson and NU’s offense since head coach Scott Frost officially named him the starter late last week.
Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple said Wednesday that his two most important goals for the fifth-year junior were the same as they’d been since the first day of spring practices: “Taking care of the football and being a leader.”
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As the season opener draws near, Whipple said there wasn’t much else Thompson could do to improve himself in the latter. When it comes to taking charge of the offense and the team, the next step can only be achieved under the bright lights on game day.
“Leadership comes from your play, not from your mouth,” Whipple said. “There’s going to be a bump in the road. There’s going to be something that happens – it always does in the first game.
“As coaches, you like to have everything in plan and in play, but very rarely does it happen in the first game. I’ve been on both ends of it. Get out of the first quarter without giving the game away, really. Then settle in.”
How will Thompson handle early adversity?
Whipple hinted that Nebraska’s offense, both with and without Thompson under center, had struggled with getting off to slow starts. That was the case again during Wednesday’s practice in Dublin.
So Whipple said he wouldn’t be surprised if Thompson and Co. have to overcome a few hiccups early on in Saturday’s opener against Northwestern. The test will be how Thompson responds and rallies his teammates when that adversity hits.
Has Thompson done enough this offseason to earn the full trust of his fellow players?
“I don’t know. It’s not politics. Saturday we’ll find out, right?” Whipple said. “He’s won me over; he’s won Coach (Frost) over.”
According to running back Gabe Ervin Jr., Thompson has done just about all he could to win over the rest of the Huskers.
“Casey came in with that leader attitude, showing what the standard is supposed to be, what the culture is supposed to be at Nebraska,” Ervin said. “He deserves (to be named the starter). He works his butt off. He works hard on his keys and his points with throwing, and everything is good.
“I’m excited and looking forward to seeing Casey out there doing what he do.”
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