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Pelini: I-back rotation to continue
LINCOLN -- Nebraska has no plans to alter its three-man rotation at running back, coach Bo Pelini said Monday.
Marlon Lucky started the first two games, with Roy Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille seeing nearly equal playing time.
The Huskers have had difficulty establishing a consistent ground attack through two games. They average 118.5 yards a game, ranking 82nd nationally.
Pelini said in a teleconference with reporters that Lucky, Castille and Helu have similar talents, and he wants to make sure each gets his share of carries. The coach said that if one of the backs gets on a roll, that back will see more playing time.
"I think it's beneficial for us having three running backs," Pelini said. "It keeps them fresh. It keeps a lot of guys in the flow of the game. We're starting to get a little more consistency when we're subbing them. They can all make plays."
Helu, who has 16 carries in two games, is averaging 6.9 yards per attempt and 55.5 a game. Lucky, who has 19 carries, has run for 33 yards a game. Castille has a total of 12 yards on 12 carries.
Pelini said the I-backs continue to be subbed series to series.
"We don't want a guy sitting there all half and all of a sudden getting into the game," he said. "We want some consistency there."
On the defensive front, Pelini announced that Pierre Allen would start Saturday's game against New Mexico State in place of injured lineman Barry Turner. Turner broke a bone in his left leg against San Jose State and probably will miss the rest of the season. Clayton Sievers will be the backup to Allen and the other defensive end, Zach Potter.
Allen had 10 tackles, three behind the line of scrimmage, and one pass breakup against San Jose.
"We've felt strong about Pierre and what he brings to the table," Pelini said. "Is he to the level of Barry yet? No, he doesn't have the experience Barry has. He's a good talent, and he's going to play well for us."
New Mexico State, coached by Hal Mumme, will be playing its opener at Nebraska.
Nicholls State was supposed to play at New Mexico State on Sept. 4, but that game was canceled because Hurricane Gustav made it impossible for the team from Thibodeaux, La., to travel.
The Aggies plays a spread offense akin to systems used by San Jose State and the Big 12's Missouri, Kansas and Texas Tech.
Aggie quarterback Chase Holbrook holds 36 of his school's 47 total offense and passing records. In three seasons he has completed better than 70 percent of his passes and thrown for 8,485 yards and 60 touchdowns.
"He can make all the throws," Pelini said. "He's smart, he's well-coached, he plays in a system he understands. He doesn't hold the ball too long. He throws the ball in rhythm. Coach Mumme does a good job with his quarterbacks. They always put up good numbers."
Pelini reinstates lineman Christensen -- Nebraska football player Andy Christensen has been reinstated to the team after his acquittal on a sexual assault charge, Pelini announced Monday.
Christensen will resume practicing this week but will be suspended for Saturday's game against New Mexico State.
A Lancaster County District Court jury found Christensen not guilty Tuesday of first-degree sexual assault.
He had been accused of reaching under a 23-year-old woman's skirt and molesting her at a Lincoln bar in March.
Christensen pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors stemming from the case. He'll be sentenced in November for resisting arrest and criminal mischief.
Christensen did not immediately respond to an interview request made through the Nebraska sports information department.
Pelini said Christensen was reinstated after discussions with him, his family, athletic director Tom Osborne, team leaders and university administration.
"I have clearly explained to Andy and his family that going forward (we) will have a zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol and any off-field incidents," Pelini said in a statement.
Christensen started three games at left guard as a junior last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He started eight of 14 games as a sophomore and was a first-team academic All-Big 12 selection in 2006.
Christensen was arrested by Lincoln police outside the Brass Rail in downtown Lincoln on March 8.
He aggressively resisted efforts to handcuff him and place him in a police vehicle, kicking the vehicle and denting it.
He was placed in a security chair at the jail to control his behavior.
"We do not take the misdemeanor charges against Andy lightly," Pelini said. "His actions were unacceptable for a player in our football program."
Allen steps up for Huskers -- The Nebraska football team returned to the practice field in shoulder pads and shorts Monday afternoon for a one-and-a-half hour workout inside Memorial Stadium.
Pelini was pleased with how the team began its preparations for Saturday's 6 p.m. game against New Mexico State.
"We had a good, high-tempo practice," Pelini said. "We got a lot of work done. The effort was good."
Among the most important work done Monday was to establish who would replace Barry Turner at defensive end after Turner suffered a season-ending leg injury during Saturday's 35-12 win over San Jose State.
The leading candidate to take over there is sophomore Pierre Allen. Fifth on the team in tackles, Allen led the Huskers in tackles on Saturday with 10, including three tackles for loss.
"He's a young guy, just gaining experience, but he's talented," Pelini said. "He has good size and explosiveness. We like him. We thought he really stepped up in the spring and continued to get better."
While Allen has emerged as the starter at open end, questions still remain at the spot. With Allen's ascent to the top of the depth chart, the focus now shifts to adding depth behind him.
"You'll see a little more Clayton Sievers," Pelini said. "We have a number of other guys that we're working through there to see if we can develop some depth over there at that position."
While the Huskers began to try to fill for a injured defender, a defensive player returned to the practice field as safety Rickey Thenarse worked out with the team Monday.
"He's progressing," Pelini said. "He's doing a lot better."