Mike Riley Confirms 5 Suspensions For Nebraska In Season Opener, Givens Price Moves To Defensive Tackle

The Nebraska Cornhuskers had a odd day, and things got more odd after the end of the Thursday evening practice.

Earlier, I told you about the Portland Tribune article, mainly about 5 players being suspended for the opener vs. the BYU Cougars on September 5th. Tonight, Head Coach Mike Riley confirmed there would be suspensions. However, there were no names.

Mike Riley confirms 5 #Huskers will be suspended for the 1st game, won't tell us names, or give us a timetable as to when he will.

— Mike Welch (@RealMikeWelch) August 14, 2015

Riley says the suspensions are due to a team violation #Huskers

— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) August 14, 2015

It's good that Riley, who wasn't supposed to talk to the media tonight after practice, owned up to the piece.

Riley acknowledges 5 #Huskers suspensions. Won't say who. Tells me report was by a guy "I grew up with" #Huskers pic.twitter.com/grWy2f9tf9

— John Gaskins (@937JohnGaskins) August 14, 2015

Riley apologized how news came out but confirmed 5 players will be suspended for BYU game. Did not name names. #Huskers

— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) August 14, 2015

Eggers covered Riley 14 yr OSU. I asked if he told Eggers meeting was off record. Riley shook head, smiled. "He was just listening" #Huskers

— John Gaskins (@937JohnGaskins) August 14, 2015

Riley appears to have made mistake w access, not setting off-record parameters. But knows Eggers so well, didn't think he needed to #Huskers

— John Gaskins (@937JohnGaskins) August 14, 2015

The last tweet by Gaskins is a fair point, but that's going to fall into a wait and see what happens thing. Will Riley clam up a little or give the Nebraska media more access, which is what it seems fans and such wonder why it came from a Portland reporter and not a Lincoln/Omaha reporter.

In other news:

Riley says minor injuries keeping out 5 relevant WRs is common occurrence in his time coaching. WR & DBs susceptible to them. #Huskers

— John Gaskins (@937JohnGaskins) August 14, 2015

I asked Riley if he could go back, would he have worked WR out as much. Said #Huskers staff will definitely evaluate plan for next year camp

— John Gaskins (@937JohnGaskins) August 14, 2015

#Huskers were without wide receivers Westerkamp, Reilly, Pierson-El, Hovey, Burtch, Allen ... Am I missing anyone?

— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) August 14, 2015

This is interesting in how the Wideout group has these issues, but not a majority of others in different spots.

Best thing I saw at tonight, Stanley Morgan Jr hurts shoulder on onside kick drill refused to come off field #huskers --->

— Nick Gregath (@NickESPN1480) August 14, 2015

---> after 3 more plays & refusing after each play his coach forces him to get off the field. Kid is tough. #Huskers Morgan Jr is special.

— Nick Gregath (@NickESPN1480) August 14, 2015

Let us all hope this is nothing much.

Jordan Stevenson in a walking boot but Riley said he doesn't believe injury is long term. #Huskers

— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) August 14, 2015

/shrug.

Nebraska offensive lineman Givens Price has moved to defensive tackle and TE Jared Blum is transferring to S. Dakota St. #Huskers

— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) August 14, 2015

Interesting part on the Givens Price news. He played a fair amount last season on the Offensive Line. That could be a depth thing. As far as Blum, well, not a scholarship player so wish him well.

Turner got more looks, especially deep passes, w those 5 WR out & didn't make most of them. Had K-Williams blowing gasket by end. #Huskers

— John Gaskins (@937JohnGaskins) August 14, 2015

Oh Jamal....

Valentine practiced for first time Thursday night: "Even if it was my first day, I felt good running around and flying around" #Huskers

— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) August 14, 2015

That would be Vincent Valentine, and that's a good thing.

As stated above, good on Riley to come out on a night that he wasn't scheduled to talk to the media (DC Hank Hughes was scheduled). It's going to be a learning curve not only on the field, but in the fan base and media. He may have done that back in Corvallis, but at the same time, this isn't Corvallis.

That all being said, for now, that's all that Mike Riley owes any of us, media or fans or whatever. As I mentioned earlier (IMO), people begged for this type of access, but now gets upset when it came from something they weren't comfortable with.

The next practice with media access comes on Saturday. We will be watching and reporting as well there.