The Huskers practiced for just over two hours Wednesday afternoon in preparation for their Big Ten opener Saturday night against Wisconsin.

The Huskers (3-1) enter the game coming off a 73-7 victory over Idaho State at Memorial Stadium. Wisconsin (3-1) defeated UTEP 37-26 in its most recent outing. NU is looking to avenge a 48-17 loss to the Badgers in Madison last season.

On Wednesday, Athletic Director Tom Osborne announced that he will retire from that position effective January 1, 2013. Running backs coach Ron Brown talked about his relationship with Osborne following practice. Brown served as an assistant on Osborne’s football coaching staff for 11 seasons, from 1987 to 1997.

“I’m sad to see Coach Osborne retire, but I’m sure he’s thought about it a lot and prayed about it a lot and is operating under what he thinks is the best interests of the athletic department, his family and what the Lord has called for his life. He’s been an amazing guy. He’s one of those guys who has maximized as much as he could with what he was given. He’s covered a lot of bases and a lot of ground.”

Brown added that the announcement surprised him. “It caught me off guard a little bit. I kind of knew at some point it was going to happen because he’s not the type of guy who wants to overstay his welcome. If anything, he kind of left the coaching ranks early when he was 60 years old. I knew at some point he’d want to retire, but I didn’t expect it to be today."