inger on his left hand.A source had told ESPNs Adam Schefter that the wide receiver would be a game-time decision.Its unsure how much Coates, who also has a laceration above his

LINCOLN, Neb. -- It was spring practice in 2015, Nathan Gerrys first with Nebraskas new coaching staff, when defensive coordinator Mark Banker pulled him aside one day and told him he should have been able to make a difficult play.He almost bit my head off, Banker recalled. He said, `How am I supposed to make that play?Because youre Nate Gerry, Banker replied.Sure, Gerrys reputation preceded him in the changeover of coaching staffs. He started every game in 2014 and was the teams defensive co-MVP.Even though he led the Cornhuskers in tackles and interceptions last year, Gerry admits he struggled to learn Bankers pass-coverage system. Banker has taken over coaching the safeties this season, and Gerry has thrived.He has four interceptions, including two on back-to-back series last week against Wisconsin, and his seven tackles for loss are second-most on the team. This week he was among three Big Ten players named semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nations top defensive player.Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, whose sixth-ranked Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) host the No. 9 Huskers (7-1, 4-1) on Saturday night, said his co-offensive coordinator, Tim Beck, told him all about Gerry. Beck was the OC at Nebraska until Bo Pelinis firing in 2014.Hes a draftable player, very draftable player, and just real fast and physical, Meyer said.With at least five games left in his career, the senior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is one interception from tying Dana Stephenson (1967-69) for most picks in a career (14) by a Nebraska player. Gerry already holds the school record for career tackles for loss by a defensive back with 19, and he needs five more to break the single-season record of 11 by Ciante Evans (2010-13).Me being a kid from South Dakota, given the opportunity from coach Pelini, just being able to get on the field and playing one of my years here, I thought that would have been cool for me, Gerry said. Im pretty excited for myself. I think its obviously a cool accomplishment. There is a lot more that needs to be done for this football team.Gerry is in his second year as a team captain and leader of a secondary that has allowed only seven pass plays of 30 yards or longer through eight games. Last season, the Huskers gave up 26 in 13 games.Gerrys first two interceptions of the season came against Wyoming, and he had a team-high nine tackles the following week against Oregon.He was even better the next week in his eight-tackle game against Northwestern. He made one of those exceptional plays Banker has come to expect from him when he walked up to line to cover the running back. He took two steps forward after the snap but noticed the quarterback looking to pass to a receiver cutting across the field behind him. Gerry backed up, stretched out and swatted away the pass with his left hand.Saved a touchdown, Banker said.In last weeks overtime loss at Wisconsin , Gerry was playing center field when Alex Hornibrook threw a ball right to him. Gerry showed excellent instincts on the second pick, getting in front of the intended receiver as the right-handed Bart Houston awkwardly threw back toward the middle of the field while moving left.When its pass coverage, Badgers coach Paul Chryst said, hes where he should be. Hes an opportunist.Banker said Gerrys game is similar to those of some of the top safeties he coached at Oregon State, including Sabby Piscitelli, a second-round draft pick in 2007 who played five years in the NFL.Im pleased with some of the things hes done, obviously. At the same time, there were three plays in the last game that I thought he could have made and made a difference on, Banker said. He along with everybody else, theres a ton of room for improvement.On that, Banker gets no argument from Gerry, who said hes determined to finish strong for the Big Ten West-leading Huskers.Last year I didnt fulfill my role how I wanted to, he said. This year Ive flipped the switch a little bit.---More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.orgWholesale Nike NFL Jerseys . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. 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The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov.PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Sammie Coates is active against the Miami Dolphins, despite dealing with a fractured index finger on his left hand.A source had told ESPNs Adam Schefter that the wide receiver would be a game-time decision.Its unsure how much Coates, who also has a laceration above his left palm, will be used because of the injuries.The Steelers promoted Cobi Hamilton from the practice squad as insurance at outside receiver, but Coates wants to be a major contributor.Coates, who was limited in Fridays praactice and was listed as questionable on the injury report, has 421 yards and two touchdowns in five games, including at least one catch of 40-plus yards in every game.ddddddddddddIts going to swell because its not healed all the way, Coates said Friday. Its part of the game. ... Cant be worried. You have to play football. You have to be a pro.ESPN NFL Insider Chris Mortensen contributed to this report. ' ' '