Lunch with Bo: Fans too harsh on QB Lee
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By BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star
Husker coach Bo Pelini addressed how the coaching staff will evaluate the starting quarterback job during his weekly news conference on Tuesday.
Pelini says Zac Lee is QB No. 1 until the job is taken away. Lee and true freshman Cody Green will be evaluated in practice this week, just like every other week.
"You watch the film and evaluate, and you play the guy that's ready to win football games," Pelini said. "There are a lot of things that go into that."
Pelini asked the media if the group would like for him to elaborate on that, and then did so.
"To me it's pretty cut and dry," Pelini said. "You evaluate all their snaps, what they're doing. Somebody has to execute and do the things necessary to win football games."
Pelini said the starter for Saturday's game against Iowa State will be a game-time decision, but added it's the same way for each position each week.
He will have input in the decision of the starting quarterback, Pelini said, but will lean heavily on quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and his expertise in that area.
Pelini believes Lee needs to stop putting so much pressure on himself. He feels bad that the public has been critical of Lee, even when it's not always his fault.
"It's going to affect the guy, he feels like the whole state of Nebraska is against him, and that will affect anybody," Pelini said. "I've been there, you persevere and take an 'I'll show you attitude.' It's disappointing when people boo. It's dissapointing to me when that happens."
Green said that after knowing little of the offense early in the season, he's now comfortable with more than 200 plays in the offense. Green is also more comfortable passing the football after favoring rushing plays before.
Bo: We need consistency, to make plays
This week, the unranked Huskers (4-2, 1-1 Big 12) take on Iowa State (4-3, 1-2) at 11:30 a.m. at Memorial Stadium. The game is broadcast on FSN.
Nebraska owns a 15-game winning streak against Iowa State at home, dating back to a loss in 1977.
In reviewing the film from Texas Tech's 31-10 victory against Nebraska last week, Pelini took some positives. The defense rushed the passer well, he said, and tackled well for the most part.
There were good things on offense, Pelini said, but it was inconsistent.
Pelini said he believes the offense is going through some of the struggles that the Husker defense did last year with inconsistency and inexperienced players.
"You can't panic, and in time you turn an inconsistency into a strength," Pelini said.
Pelini addressed what has been perceived as his abuse of game officials.
"I think I've been pretty tame with the officials," he said. "I've been making an effort to do that. I've been the calmest I've ever been in my career this year. You’ve always got to keep looking in the mirror. I was frustrated the other day. I’ve got to work on being too animated."
Pelini was also asked if he's worried about the public perception of him and the program when he is short with the media.
"No," Pelini said. "I'm never disrespectful. I'm a very direct person, and that's how I answer questions. I don't believe I'm ever disrespectful."
Pelini addressed several other topics:
- On I-Back Roy Helu: "He's doing better. He'll be out there (Tuesday). We'll have in a (no-contract) jersey. He had a stinger."
- On the Huskers' running game: "It's about hard work and getting down in the trenches and doing it."
- On Iowa State: "There are a lot more spread out (on offense). I think they're playing harder. Right now they're a better football team than they were a year ago."
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