• Video: Rich Kaipust, Jon Nyatawa and Mitch Sherman break down the NU-KSU matchup on the Big Red Today Show:



LINCOLN — About a month after breaking a bone in his right foot, Rex Burkhead is back.

The Nebraska freshman I-back practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering the injury on Oct. 12, but it's unknown if he'll be healthy enough to play Saturday against Kansas State.

“We'll see how it goes,” NU defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “He's got a lot of catching up to do.”

Burkhead averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 23 attempts during the first five games of the season. He also caught eight passes.

K-State back impresses Pelini

Kansas State's Daniel Thomas possesses a rare combination of size and speed that can be lethal if the Huskers aren't tackling properly, according to Pelini.

The junior running back leads the Big 12 with an average of 106 rushing yards per game. And he's a big reason the Wildcats boast the best time of possession figure (34:16) in the conference.

“You've got to be physical when you get there, and at the same time, you've got to use your leverage, Pelini said. “You've got to be sure in the open field because he'll make you miss, too. He's not just going to lower his shoulder all the time.”

Osborne downplays influence on offense

Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne downplayed his influence on the recent improvements of Nebraska's offense, saying the team's coaches deserve the credit.

Osborne told reporters Wednesday that he does watch game film of Nebraska and its opponents. He does attend practice every day. And he did give offensive coordinator Shawn Watson some edited clips of his past teams running certain plays.

But the perception that Osborne has been scheming alongside the NU coaches as they've tried to revamp their offense is inaccurate, he said.

“I don't want to overemphasize my involvement because it really is very minimal,” Osborne said. “I'm not sitting up there drawing plays and saying, ‘You've got to do this.' Or, ‘Play this guy.' That's just not part of it.”

Osborne said he gives his input when asked, but mostly, he tries to stay out of the way.

“Unless you're there and at the meeting room and on the field, and you put in your 80, 90 hours a week, you're really not in a position to make any good judgments,” Osborne said. “I don't have any depth of knowledge where I can help them a great deal.”

TO sensed a Snyder comeback

When Osborne spoke with Bill Snyder at this time last year, he could tell that the Kansas State coaching legend wouldn't stay retired for long.

The two talked during the same weekend that Nebraska traveled to play K-State in Manhattan, Kan., about the time that rumors began swirling about a possible return for Snyder, Osborne said.

And that day, Osborne sensed that Snyder, who coached the Wildcats for 17 years before retiring in 2005, was ready to coach again.

“As I talked to him, I began to realize ... He missed it a lot,” Osborne said. “He's a very dedicated guy and he's done a great job. I admire him.”

Snyder was rehired at Kansas State in November 2008, fewer than two weeks after Nebraska's 56-28 win in Manhattan.

NU A.D. aware of allegations

Osborne said Wednesday that he's aware of the allegations made by former NU running back Thunder Collins, who claims to have received $1,000-a-month payments from boosters before leaving the football team as a senior in 2002.

Collins' statements were made during a press conference in jail after the 30-year-old was sentenced Nov. 12 to life in prison for first-degree murder.

Osborne, who said he's never met Collins, did not comment specifically on the matter, referring back to a statement released last week by Nebraska's athletic department.

The statement said NU “thoroughly investigated” Collins in 2002 and reported secondary violations to the NCAA.

“Nebraska never had any reports or information regarding large cash payments made to Collins,” the statement read. “The University of Nebraska takes all reports of violations seriously and thoroughly investigates and reports all infractions to the NCAA.”

— Jon Nyatawa

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