

Nebraska’s Blaise Gunnerson takes part in a drill during a spring football practice at Hawks Championship Center on April 7.
Bill Moos is a traditionalist when it comes to college football.
One also might say the 70-year-old Nebraska athletic director trends toward “old school.”
So, it’s predictable that he isn’t wild about the NCAA’s ongoing changes to August football practice.
Moos feels the changes are a bit on the, shall we say, soft side.
Keep in mind, Moos played the sport at Washington State during an era when teams practiced twice a day in full pads for several days in a row.
Yes, with live tackling each day.
“Tackling? Jiminy Christmas, it was what we used to refer to as ‘Full Pack, Jack,'” he said. “Every drill was live.”
He paused and thought for a moment.
“That wasn’t just for a few days,” he said. “That was for 14 days. And one year our coach (the late Jim Sweeney) thought he was going to be ahead of the game and had us go three practices a day.”
Those days are over, never to return. What we’re seeing now doesn’t resemble those days in hardly any way.
During the past five years alone, the NCAA has stripped the teeth from preseason camp in August in the name of safety, softening one of the more grueling periods for players. Officials have eliminated two-a-days, reduced the number of practice days overall and added mandatory “off” days.
The trend continues, and this month is significant in that regard. According to SI.com, the fifth change to preseason camp in six years is expected to occur in coming days, as officials are poised to abolish long-standing collision drills, such as the Oklahoma Drill, and reduce the number of full-padded, contact practices and scrimmages.
On Thursday, a subgroup of the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee is expected to recommend the changes to the Division I Council, which must OK the new rules at its May 19 meeting.
As SI.com points out, college football is walking a tightrope, balancing between making practices safer and allowing enough physicality to ensure that players, especially freshmen, are prepared for a live game — a leading concern among coaches.
The latest model being strongly considered is referred to as an 8-9-8 model: eight practices in helmets only, nine in shells (helmets and shoulder pads) only, and eight in full pads. Under current rules, coaches are required to hold the first two practices in helmets and the next two in shells with the remaining days unregulated.
So, the movement toward less live hitting — with the goal of limiting concussions — continues to steam ahead at a remarkable rate.
Let’s be clear, Moos isn’t advocating for 1960s-style practices. He supports the NCAA’s concerns about concussions and injuries in general. But, again, there’s a fine line.
“What the NCAA is talking about is totally to protect the players, and I can agree with some of that because these guys are bigger, stronger, faster and there are still programs that are going to turn them loose,” he said. “Now, having said that, you get into the season and you’re playing games, and guys aren’t tackling well these days.
“If you want to play good golf and you go out and play three holes a week and don’t practice on the range, you’re going to struggle. Sports is about repetition. Tackling is an art. Blocking is an art. And just running up there three-quarters speed and hugging some guy, that ain’t gonna get it done on Saturdays when the action is live.”
As it stands, the NCAA is poised to abolish “board drills.” It definitely should reconsider that stance.
SI.com reports that nearly every coach who spoke to the website said his team still uses the board drill, in which two players align inches apart in a three-point or four-point stance and then collide. The drill is designed to teach the fundamentals of blocking and tackling, they say. Frustration over its impending elimination is clear across the coaching community, SI.com reports.
Moos obviously shares that frustration.
“You can ease up and have fewer days in pads,” he said. “But you’ve got to have more than what the NCAA is suggesting. The speed and the skill required to play this game at a high level requires even more (practice) than it did five, 10 years ago.”
“There’s a position somewhere in between that would be more beneficial,” he added. “You have to ask yourself: How many of these players are going to get hurt on Saturday because they’re not prepared for what they’re facing?”
This discussion doesn’t get all that much fan attention, but it’s clearly a significant matter for many coaches, and some ADs.
Most fans apparently don’t notice how sloppy games in September have been in recent seasons. They may soon start to notice, and drawing fans into stadiums is already an issue.
Yes, it’s weighty discussion because safety of the players has to be the foremost concern.
Moos, though, can provide levity to almost any situation.
“We went full blast for 2½ hours when I played, then after dinner we’d come back — still taped up and everything — and put shoulder pads and helmets on,” he said. “We would then work for 90 minutes on the passing game, and we never threw the damned ball in games!
“You know what I’ve always said about eliminating concussions?” he added. “Take the freaking facemasks off.”
He was joking. At least I think he was joking.
Photos: All of the sights from the return of the Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) attracts a quartet of defenders in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws under pressure in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Two people wait for tickets before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Fans walk around Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Aimire Rodgers, 8, stands in front of the Legacy Statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Kash Boggs (right) throws to his grandparents as Drew Milligan climbs on to the Legacy Statue for a picture before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Victor Ortiz (left) helps Kim Bergmark find her tickets on her phone before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Tristan Minderman, Omaha, throws the ball on the east side of the Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Caden Haar (left) and Ryan Whiston, both of Lincoln, pose at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Xander Wilson, of Lincoln, poses at the Brook Berringer-Tom Osborne statue before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run on to the field to a sea of fans for the first time in the COVID-19 era before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) runs in the second quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Omar Manning (right) is defended by White Team’s Phalen Sanford (37) in the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles during the first quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Omar Manning (right) anticipates a pass from Adrian Martinez as he’s defended by the White Team’s Isaiah Harris (37) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks behind the Red Team during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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The White Team’s Wyatt Liewer (85) catches a first-down pass in front of the Red Team’s Mason Nieman to set up a game-tying touchdown by Liewer moments later on Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) signals for one more play as time runs out in the fourth quarter Saturday during the annual Red-White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans are scattered throughout the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers scrimmage in the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic as the Huskers hosts a team scrimmage during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Samori Toure (6) is tackled by the White Team’s Noa Pola-Gates during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (second left) gets sacked by the White Team’s Jake Archer in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Ty Hahn catches a pass in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Darius Moore (left) intercepts a pass intended for the White Team’s Will Nixon in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team kicker Chase Contreraz (right) kicks an extra point in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Brody Belt rushes for a fourth-quarter touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Zach Weinmaster (31) tries to avoid the tackle of the White Team’s John Bullock (84) in the fourth quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and the Huskers run onto the field before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost looks down after the White Team intercepts the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Cameron Jurgens (left) and Riley Moses get into position during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) speaks to quarterback Adrian Martinez before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Marvin Scott III (left) runs the ball as the White Team’s Isaac Gifford goes in for the tackle during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running backs coach Ryan Held walks down the White Team’s sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Fans chant “Go Big Red” moments the players take the field at the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A Nebraska fan celebrates with others after catching a hot dog fired from a cannon during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Gabe Ervin narrowly avoids being tackled by the White’s John Bullock in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Tyson Guzman (left) is pushed back by the White Team’s Trevin Luben in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander looks up at the scoreboard in the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Adrian Martinez scrambles around looking for an open receiver in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
White Team quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) scrambles away from David Alston as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (left) protects the ball as he rushes against Damian Jackson (38) in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (22) rushes in the second quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section stands for the national anthem during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers as the Huskers make their way onto the field for the Tunnel Walk before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska student section cheers on the Huskers during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Samori Toure (6) jumps over the White Team’s Noa Pola-Gates (bottom) in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Travis Vokolek (83) fends off the tackle of Jackson Hannah in the first quarter during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin (22) runs the ball as head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco watches the Red Team warm up before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska director of high school relations Kenny Wilhite pulls up his mask before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) smiles at offensive line coach Greg Austin after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team quarterback Logan Smothers (bottom center) runs the ball while pursued by the White Team’s Zach Schlager (right) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A referee watches the action during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (far left) is sacked by the White Team’s Jake Archer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Beau Psencik (center) is tackled by the White Team’s John Bullock (top) and Lane McCallum in the second half during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team running back Gabe Ervin protects the ball as he’s confronted by the White Team’s Braxton Clark during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Red Team starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (right) speaks with wide receiver Omar Manning as they exit the field at halftime during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Marvin Scott III (second right) is swallowed up by White Team defenders Jackson Hannah (first right) and Isaac Gifford (right) as teammate Austin Allen (left) looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football fans fill the stadium for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (center) jumps in an attempt to avoid a tackle from the Red Team’s Ashton Hausmann (29) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball downfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Young Husker fans bide their time while waiting for the Nebraska football team to begin play during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterbacks Logan Smothers (center left) and Heinrich Haarberg (center right) walk along the sideline during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska starting quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is tagged down by the White Team’s Blaise Gunnerson (24) and pursued by Jimari Butler (17) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Red Team’s Gabe Ervin (center) is pushed by teammates as he attempts to carry the ball for a few extra yards during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (center), playing for the Red Team, tries to elude by the White Team’s Braxton Clark (left) and Myles Farmer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska fans watch football from Memorial Stadium seats for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Adrian Martinez (2) throws a pass as Huskers’ head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Gabe Heins (right) attempts a field goal in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Matt Masker (18) throws the ball as Huskers’ head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) looks for an open receiver as Huskers’ head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Offensive linemen Keegan Manning (71) and Noah Stafursky (62) take on Jamin Graham (89) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Gabe Ervin Jr. (bottom) gets tackled in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) hands off the ball to running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) takes off on a run during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Martinez (2) hands off the ball to running back Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
John Bullock (right) attempts to strip the ball from Oliver Martin during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches the action on the field during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Isaiah Harris (37) runs for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson (left) and Tony Tuioti watch the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Travis Fisher (right) talks to cornerback Braxton Clark (11) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
John Goodwin (46) defends Blaise Gunnerson (24) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska assistant coach Mike Dawson (right) talks to linebacker Blaise Gunnerson (24) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Logan Smothers (8) runs the ball past Nash Hutmacher (72) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com. On Twitter @HuskerExtraSip.