Erstad puts coasting veterans on notice

Preseason press conferences are normally among the most positive interactions between coaches and media that the two sides will have all season. Without any losses or in-season turmoil, the events usually feature an upbeat tone and provide a very sunny outlook.

But Darin Erstad didn't pull any punches in his opening meeting with the media Monday afternoon. The fifth-year coach, who watched his team slump down the stretch in 2015 and miss the postseason, made it clear he hasn't been happy with the work some of his veteran players have been putting in.

"I’ve seen some hunger in these younger guys and some coasting in our older guys," Erstad said. "Our younger guys are flat out beating them out of positions right now. We’re just going to keep it open and see what happens.”

With 15 new players on the roster - including 14 freshmen - Erstad has made it clear to the Huskers that few if any spots are locked up right now. Age is not going to be a factor in who wins certain jobs.

“I don’t care how old you are. If you play better than an older guy, you’re going to take his spot," Erstad said. "That’s how we’re going to approach this thing. To say we’re going to pencil guys into certain spots, they haven’t earned that. If you finish eighth in the conference and don’t go to regionals, you don’t earn that.

"If you think you’re going to come out and cruise through it and think you have something locked up… unfortunately for some of those individuals, there are some young guys that are pretty good, and it’s fun to watch what’s going on right now.”

Senior shortstop Steven Reveles admitted there have been a "couple of incidents" in spring practice, but he believes the team has fought through them.

“If there is anything to blame, it’d be me," Reveles said. "I have that ability to rub off on the other guys and lead by example. I think we’ve fixed that and we’re good to go.”

With the start of the season less than two weeks away, the Huskers must find a way to iron out any wrinkles the locker room may have at the moment. Both Erstad and Reveles seemed confident that would happen in the coming days.

But if it doesn't, Erstad isn't afraid to turn to his younger players, especially those on the mound.

“We’ve got some young pups that are excited to pitch," he said. "If they’re going to keep doing what they’re doing, I’ve got no problem starting two freshmen on a weekend if that’s what it’s going to take."

***Erstad said the infielders Scott Schreiber (back) and Reveles (arm) will both be limited physically to start the season and won't play on back-to-back games. Erstad anticipates he'll be using his bench more this season.

***Erstad said pitchers Max Knutson and Jeff Chesnut will be in the bullpen, but "outside of that, we'll see how it plays out."

***Derek Burkamper is suspended for the first two weekends for a violation of team rules.

***Erstad said the next step for Ryan Boldt is improving on his power numbers. He compared the centerfielder to Joe Mauer - "Tremendous approach, tremendous swing, but when does the power comes? It might come this year, it might come in three years. But it's in there and it's coming."

***Erstad said catcher Taylor Fish has a "cranky hamstring thing" that just won't seem to go away. He said freshman Jesse Wilkening is going to play a lot.

***Nebraska doesn't elect captains, but Erstad said if it did, Reveles would be the captain.

***Chesnut said he's still unsure of whether he'll retain his "fire-stopper" role from last season or slide into the closer spot vacated by Josh Roeder.