The work was conducted in just shorts and helmets, but it was football again. Husker camping: Day 1.

Nebraska head coach Mike Riley felt his players took on the first practice of the fall "in a crisp and nice fashion." As expected, energy was high, even if there were no pads popping.

"It's a little bit hard sometimes because the enthusiasm always for the first day is always at a high, high level and you really have to pull them back on the physical part of it," Riley said.

Day 1 isn't one that should be linked with hot takes, but here are a few quick hits of news:

-- DeMornay Pierson-El did not practice. He had a very good reason for his absence. He was attending his sister's wedding this weekend. "It was going to work out fine with our original schedule until the rules were changed, and practice was moved back a little bit." Riley anticipates him back for Monday's practice.

-- Lamar Jackson started at one corner, as expected, with Eric Lee getting the first crack at the other side. DiCaprio Bootle was also getting thrown into the mix.

"Their experience isn't big, but they are talented and they are smart," Riley said. "So what we'll just be looking for immediately is just being sound. Just being real smart. I think that's going to be the way they give everybody the trust that everybody needs for them to play."

-- Joshua Kalu remains at safety, as Riley said he would at Big Ten Media Days. The hope is he can stay there. "We have been excited about his fit at safety, what he brings in that area. So we like that look and we are hesitant to move it. ... We feel like with three guys right now (at corner), when you're talking about Lamar, Eric Lee, Bootle, and we'll see who else breaks into, that are sound, smart, good football players. That's our first option obviously."

-- Riley liked the work of the running backs: Tre Bryant, Mikale Wilbon and Devine Ozigbo. "It appeared to me that it was all kind of workmanlike with those backs. They went in, did their job, looked good, they're all physically prepared I think to the highest level of their lives. They're all ready to go."

The coach was also impressed with the athleticism of Jaylin Bradley. "I think that room is rising as far as what we might could get out of them. I'm excited about it."

-- Third-year sophomore Khalil Davis had worked at the nose in the spring. On Sunday, he was working at D-end behind Freedom Akinmoladun. At the nose, Peyton Newell was working with the second group behind Mick Stoltenberg.

"It's a late thought, and I think a good idea, and we will continue to look at that," Riley said of that change-up. "There will be movement naturally according to situations. Like that might not be what it looks like on third down."

Khalil Davis could play either spot, according to the coach. "With the background he had at the nose, it also creates some versatility there, but as far as a start on normal situations on first-and-10 between the 30-yard-lines, it's a pretty good look and a good idea."

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