LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska backup quarterback Harrison Beck
was a no-show at practice for the second straight day Sunday, and
the Cornhuskers suffered a blow on the injury front with the news
that starting cornerback Zackary Bowman is out for the season with
a knee injury.
"We felt at the time that it happened that it was just a sprained knee. We were disappointed to hear that it could possibly be a ligament, but then, of course, the MRI this morning proved that it was positive and that he will be out for the season."
-- Nebraska coach Bill Callahan on Zackary Bowman's injury
Coach Bill Callahan said after Sunday's practice in half pads
that he had not spoken with Beck since before the sophomore from
Clearwater, Fla., skipped Saturday afternoon's workout. Beck's
whereabouts weren't known, but his parents said he has contacted
them to tell them he's safe.
Bowman, who started the last five games in 2005, tore his
anterior cruciate ligament Saturday during a one-on-one drill.
Callahan said Bowman came down on his leg wrong while defending a
corner route. He had a magnetic resonance imaging test Sunday.
"We felt at the time that it happened that it was just a
sprained knee," Callahan said. "We were disappointed to hear that
it could possibly be a ligament, but then, of course, the MRI this
morning proved that it was positive and that he will be out for the
season."
Bowman, a senior from Anchorage, Alaska, transferred from New
Mexico Military Institute last year. He made 27 tackles and a
team-leading 14 pass breakups and was second on the team with two
interceptions.
"Just visiting with him he feels that he's going to come back
for another year, which is tremendous," Callahan said. "He does
have a redshirt, so that's great."
Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said he would call on
junior-college transfer Andre Jones to step in for Bowman.
Cosgrove said he already has confidence in Jones' abilities in
the little he's seen from him through four practices.
"He gets better every day," Cosgrove said. "He's a tremendous
athlete, and I'm just anxious to watch him progress as camp goes
on."
On the Beck front, Callahan said he spoke with Beck's
stepfather, Dave Bothwell, but nothing was resolved.
Beck's mother, Evelyn Beck-Bothwell, told Nebraska media outlets
that her son was disappointed with the amount of practice
repetitions he received the first two days of preseason camp.
Callahan declined to comment on Beck-Bothwell's comments and
said his conversation with the stepfather would remain private.
"Other than that, Harrison is OK from what I understand, and
I'm anxious to see him return, if he comes back," Callahan said.
"I'd like to visit with him a little bit, and I look forward to
that. I'm hopeful that he makes a decision to come back."
Callahan declined to comment on what Beck's status would be with
the team if he were to return.
"We look at everything on a case-by-case basis," Callahan
said. "That's up to Harrison. It's Harrison's choice and decision
and his desire in terms of what he wants to do with his career."