Pelini happy with Huskers' progress
With nine practices in the books and Nebraska’s Spring Game fast approaching, Husker coach Bo Pelini said he likes where his football team is at this spring.
Granted, Wednesday’s practice wasn’t without its kinks.
“We’re working some problems on both sides of the football (but) the effort has been good and we’re staying fairly healthy,” Pelini said.
What were the problems?
“Just a lot of mental things, a lot of scheme-oriented things, obviously a lot of technique areas and it goes all across,” Pelini said. “We’re not going to be satisfied until we’re perfect.”
Receiver Will Henry was in uniform after missing most of spring practice with a hamstring injury.
Offensive lineman Keith Williams tweaked his shoulder during practice. “We’ll see how that comes out,” Pelini said. “Right now he’s playing good football.”
Former Colorado coach Gary Barnett was also on the sidelines checking out the practice.
CODY WATCH: Pelini continued with rave reviews on how senior Cody Glenn has adapted to linebacker after moving from running back this spring.
“He’s already been a factor on defense,” Pelini said. “He’s still got a lot to learn. He’s still swimming in it mentally a little bit, but he’s doing a lot of good things.”
Pelini mentioned Glenn before being asked about him. He said he really likes the linebacker’s nose for the football.
“He’s shown the ability that he can be a heck of a football player on that side, and we’re excited about that.”
Also earning Pelini’s praise were running back Roy Helu and defensive end Pierre Allen.
BY THE NUMBERS:0
Number of tickets remaining for the April 19 Red-White Spring Game.
About 65,000 tickets have been sold. Now, only the following groups can get into the game without a ticket: Youth taking the Drug Free Pledge, children under the age of six, UNL students and staff and former Husker football players. Stadium capacity is 81,067 if a fan is in every seat.
SCOUTING REPORT: S Major Culbert
Pelini said he feels Husker junior Major Culbert is “fairly locked in” at the safety position. That’s noteworthy, considering Culbert has been moved around throughout his NU career — playing safety, linebacker and running back.
What does Culbert say?
“As long as I get a chance and get an equal amount of reps with everybody else, and get a chance to get on the field and showcase what I’m capable of doing, I want to help out.”
Culbert said he loves how physical he can be at safety and now believes he just needs to clean up some mental mistakes.
“When I don’t do things right, the coaches don’t even have to coach me,” Culbert said. “I already know what I did wrong — it’s all mental. As long as I’m focused and keep my eyes on my keys, I should be golden.”
OPPONENT WATCH: Iowa State
Austen Arnaud has thrown 37 passes for a grand total of 267 yards in his career. Phillip Bates has caught more passes (5) than he’s thrown, and he’s best known for the grab that helped Iowa State beat Iowa last fall.
For one of them, all that’s about to change. And it might just change for both of them.
Iowa State, fresh off a 3-9 season, has a major hole to fill at quarterback following four-year starter Bret Meyer’s graduation. Sophomores Arnaud and Bates have spent spring practice working to replace Meyer, but coaches haven’t ruled out the possibility that both could see action next season.
Based on his experience, Arnaud is considered the front-runner. Bates is the dark horse, a raw but talented prospect. Bates threw for 2,963 yards at Omaha North, but Iowa State put Bates at receiver last season because coach Gene Chizik felt he couldn’t afford to keep him on the sidelines.
— Brian Christopherson and Brent C. Wagner
Granted, Wednesday’s practice wasn’t without its kinks.
“We’re working some problems on both sides of the football (but) the effort has been good and we’re staying fairly healthy,” Pelini said.
What were the problems?
“Just a lot of mental things, a lot of scheme-oriented things, obviously a lot of technique areas and it goes all across,” Pelini said. “We’re not going to be satisfied until we’re perfect.”
Receiver Will Henry was in uniform after missing most of spring practice with a hamstring injury.
Offensive lineman Keith Williams tweaked his shoulder during practice. “We’ll see how that comes out,” Pelini said. “Right now he’s playing good football.”
Former Colorado coach Gary Barnett was also on the sidelines checking out the practice.
CODY WATCH: Pelini continued with rave reviews on how senior Cody Glenn has adapted to linebacker after moving from running back this spring.
“He’s already been a factor on defense,” Pelini said. “He’s still got a lot to learn. He’s still swimming in it mentally a little bit, but he’s doing a lot of good things.”
Pelini mentioned Glenn before being asked about him. He said he really likes the linebacker’s nose for the football.
“He’s shown the ability that he can be a heck of a football player on that side, and we’re excited about that.”
Also earning Pelini’s praise were running back Roy Helu and defensive end Pierre Allen.
BY THE NUMBERS:0
Number of tickets remaining for the April 19 Red-White Spring Game.
About 65,000 tickets have been sold. Now, only the following groups can get into the game without a ticket: Youth taking the Drug Free Pledge, children under the age of six, UNL students and staff and former Husker football players. Stadium capacity is 81,067 if a fan is in every seat.
SCOUTING REPORT: S Major Culbert
Pelini said he feels Husker junior Major Culbert is “fairly locked in” at the safety position. That’s noteworthy, considering Culbert has been moved around throughout his NU career — playing safety, linebacker and running back.
What does Culbert say?
“As long as I get a chance and get an equal amount of reps with everybody else, and get a chance to get on the field and showcase what I’m capable of doing, I want to help out.”
Culbert said he loves how physical he can be at safety and now believes he just needs to clean up some mental mistakes.
“When I don’t do things right, the coaches don’t even have to coach me,” Culbert said. “I already know what I did wrong — it’s all mental. As long as I’m focused and keep my eyes on my keys, I should be golden.”
OPPONENT WATCH: Iowa State
Austen Arnaud has thrown 37 passes for a grand total of 267 yards in his career. Phillip Bates has caught more passes (5) than he’s thrown, and he’s best known for the grab that helped Iowa State beat Iowa last fall.
For one of them, all that’s about to change. And it might just change for both of them.
Iowa State, fresh off a 3-9 season, has a major hole to fill at quarterback following four-year starter Bret Meyer’s graduation. Sophomores Arnaud and Bates have spent spring practice working to replace Meyer, but coaches haven’t ruled out the possibility that both could see action next season.
Based on his experience, Arnaud is considered the front-runner. Bates is the dark horse, a raw but talented prospect. Bates threw for 2,963 yards at Omaha North, but Iowa State put Bates at receiver last season because coach Gene Chizik felt he couldn’t afford to keep him on the sidelines.
— Brian Christopherson and Brent C. Wagner
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