Lunch with Bo: Spark must come from more than one player

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By BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star

Husker head coach Bo Pelini says a lot of players have the chance to be “the guy” to give the offense a spark this week.

But Pelini, who met with the media at Tuesday's weekly news conference, wasn't ready to offer any specific names that may see more playing time. Like usual, that will depend on practice this week, he said.

Nebraska will try to get back on track after losing Big 12 home games against Texas Tech and Iowa State.

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Baylor (3-4, 0-3 Big 12) hosts Nebraska (4-3, 1-2) at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast on Versus.

While one player may be able to add a spark to the offense with one play, it usually takes the whole team for that player to succeed, Pelini said.

"You’ve got to be hitting on all cylinders front to back. It's not two or three guys," Pelini said. "It might be a right guard here, left guard here, wide receiver dropping the ball, running back missing a big hole. Our consistency hasn't been good enough to sustain drives. Then you lay the ball on the ground. You have to have more mental toughness."

Pelini was asked what improvements the wide receivers can make.

"Toughness, blocking on the perimeter, and obviously, catching the football," he said. "We need to play cleaner and make plays. We need attitude out there."

Pelini felt running back Roy Helu Jr. played tentatively against Iowa State. As for freshman Dontrayevous Robinson, Pelini says there were both good and bad things.

"He played tough, he played hard, he missed some holes," Pelini said. "He did some good things but needs to clean up some things."

After Robinson fumbled against Iowa State, offensive lineman Keith Williams was seen confronting Robinson. Pelini said that situation has been addressed.

"You have to do things in the right way at the right time," Pelini said. "You don't point the finger, you point the thumb. It's been addressed.  Nobody felt worse about that fumble than Dontrayevous. You have to look in the mirror and make sure you're playing perfect to do that. There is a time and place for that."

The offense will continue to think outside the box, Pelini said, and look at the best way to utilize the talents of its personnel.

As for the Husker defense, Pelini was asked if he feels the defense is playing at a championship level.

"We'll find out as the season progresses," Pelini said. "I like a lot of things we're doing. I still get frustrated at times. At times, things that hurt us last year hurt us again this year, (like) mental errors and just doing things undisciplined that's outside of the system."

Pelini: 'One guy can't do it alone'