LINCOLN - Nebraska is getting ready for what will undoubtedly be another physical Big Ten matchup as they host Minnesota, on the heels of Saturday’s 26-9 loss to now fourteenth ranked Illinois.

In that matchup, Nebraska starting quarterback Casey Thompson went down with an arm injury and on Tuesday, Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph said Thompson remains day-to-day as he works through a nerve injury. Joseph says it’s time for players deeper in the depth chart to step up.

“This time of year, we’re dealing with a lot of injuries… We have the next man up mentality like we talk about every week,” Joseph said.

At Tuesday practice, Joseph noted both backups Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers took first team reps. Purdy, while in the game Saturday, went 3 -for-8 though the air for just 15 yards and a costly interception in the red zone. Joseph says Purdy needs to slow down while at the position.

“He can’t let his emotions take over,” Joseph said. “He has to understand the situation we’re in at that point…. He has to understand the situation we’re in at that point when he threw that pick. Let’s take the points and make it 20-12.”

Despite a tough game by Purdy, wide receiver Alante Brown still believes in what Purdy can do.

“Arm strength, I’m with Chubba,” Brown said. “He has a stronger arm to me.”

It’s no surprise that teams are trying to shut down one of the best receivers in college football in Trey Palmer and the Illini defense did just that. Palmer caught just one pass for one yard and Joseph said Palmer also needs to find ways to shed defenders.

“When they grab you, you have to shed them and get them off you,” Joseph said. “You have to play physical every snap. This was the first group to really get in his face since LSU. He knows better.”

Nebraska allowed 188 rushing yards to Illinois and average allowing opponents around 190 per game. They get ready for Mo Ibrahim from the Gophers, another physical runner. D-Lineman Colton Feist says it’ll be yet another challenge for the Blackshirts.

“Obviously, we got another challenge this week,” Feist said. “We have the 24-hour rule, we watch the film, and put that last game behind us. It’ll be good challenge for us, their offensive line is really good as well.”

Joseph says the Gophers' recipe for success is one that is often universal around the Big Ten.

“This league, they’re going to run the football, eat clock, and try to keep your offense on the sideline,” Joseph said. “That’s the vision. That’s what you have to try to get to.”

Nebraska has not beaten the Gophers since 2018 and they enter as a two touchdown underdog to the Gophers. Minnesota enters off a 31-0 win over Rutgers. Kick off for Saturday is set for 11 A-M central, 10 AM mountain time.