Casey Thompson will miss Nebraska's game at Michigan, but who starts at quarterback in his place won't be known until shortly before Saturday's 3:30 p.m. EST kickoff.
Thompson, injured two weeks ago against Illinois, didn't practice this week, but "he threw a little bit yesterday and he threw a little bit today," interim head coach Mickey Joseph said after Thursday's Nebraska football practice. Thompson is "a competitor and he wants to play, but he understands that he can't play at a high level so we won't put him out there."
With Thompson on the shelf, Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers have been vying for the starting spot. Which of them will get the start? "I think we're all going to find out Saturday at about 3:30," Joseph said with a smile.
Joseph again stressed a desire to get a running game going against the Wolverines, who are No. 1 nationally in rushing defense at 72.4 yards per game.
"The number one thing we have to be able to do is hand that ball off," Joseph said. "Hand the ball off and slow it down, that's what we have to do."
Joseph said the team appears ready for the challenge of taking on the nation's No. 3 team despite being written off as 30-point underdogs.
"The guys came out this morning with a great attitude," Joseph said. "I thought they detailed the entire practice. I loved their focus in all three phases of the game. I think they understand that we gotta go in there and play at a high level. We are playing a very good football team. It is one the greatest venues in college football that you can play in, so we gotta be ready for the challenge. I think they are going to be ready for it."
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