Pelini Gears Up Defense for Big Ten Home Opener

LINCOLN - The Nebraska football team practiced in full pads on Tuesday afternoon for just over two hours. With the great fall weather, the team was able to utilize the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields outside. After practice, defensive coordinator Carl Pelini chatted with the media about this week's upcoming game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.                                                             

Ohio State has used two quarterbacks this year in Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller, and Pelini was asked his thoughts on the two.

"They both have different approaches to the game. I think one is a little more mobile than the other one," Pelini said. "I think they're both efficient in what they do. They run their offense. They execute well. They're very sound fundamentally. The quarterback is asked to manage the game and I think both of them do it."

With the Huskers being handed their first defeat of the year last week, Pelini believes that the players are responding well in practice this week.

"We've been working awfully hard this week. We got back to work on Monday," Pelini said. "You just have to move forward and think about the next game win or lose. I know it's coach speak, but it's the truth. If you're a player that's how you have to approach it every day."

Pelini also discussed how he expects to see the linebackers go out and make more plays in this weekend's game. 

"I want them to play more recklessly," Pelini said. "I think, they want to be perfect all the time in their run fits, and I want them to make plays. Get off blockers, not just get the right fits all the time. It's just a different mindset. They played well, but I just want them more active."

The Huskers Big Ten Conference home opener against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium will kick off shortly after 7 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ABC -HD.