Packers? Green Says Pelini Will Motivate Huskers and Get Them Back on Track

Take it from a running back who only needs 46 more yards to become the Green Bay Packers' all-time leading rusher . . . Nebraska will get back on track this weekend because Bo Pelini is the Huskers' head coach.

Before signing a contract to return to the Packers earlier this week, Ahman Green watched Nebraska's loss to Texas Tech last weekend. He was in Lincoln to support his nephew, NU receiver Niles Paul, who calls Green his all-time favorite Husker player.

A running back on two Nebraska national championship teams, Green also was a five-time Pro Bowl selection at Green Bay when Pelini was a linebacker coach for the Packers and a bit of an NFL rarity.

"He didn't coach me directly when I was there, but I've seen linebackers that he coached at Green Bay, and he made a difference," Green said, citing the way Bo influenced players attitudes and helped them understand their assignments.

Pelini "is one of the few coaches in the NFL that when he left the team, guys missed him," Green said. "It was like, 'Man, we wish Bo was still here."

Nebraska players felt the same way when Pelini left NU's program as an assistant coach in 2003, only to return 4½ years later as the Huskers' head coach.

Green says Pelini has a unique way to connect with players and get them back on track and headed in the right direction again. "He knows how to motivate players," Green said, "so they understand their responsibilities and keep their mistakes to a minimum."

Pelini-coached players play hard, both in the NFL and in college, Green said.

Green needs only 46 more yards to surpass Jim Taylor's career Green Bay rushing record of 8,207 yards.

Last week, 19 former Nebraska players saw action in the pros. Check out Huskers in the NFL for Week 6.