LINCOLN — For a coach who could start two freshmen and a sophomore at linebacker next week, defensive coordinator Carl Pelini sounded at ease addressing the news media after Thursday's practice.
Pelini said freshman Will Compton is working with the No. 1 defense; senior Phillip Dillard is running with the 2s.
“Every day, (Compton) just gets a better command of the position,” Pelini said.
At weakside, sophomore Mathew May and junior Blake Lawrence continue to battle for the lead.
“I love May's athleticism. He's got to learn to slow down a little bit,” Pelini said. “A lot of young linebackers want to go before they really know what's going on.
“Blake is a seasoned veteran. I think his knowledge of the position is really good. So I feel like that's a strong position where both guys are going to see significant playing time.”
Freshman Sean Fisher is expected to start at strongside linebacker.
Effort shows improvement
After a sloppy workout Wednesday, Pelini said the Huskers returned with better effort and execution.
“Any time the players get challenged, they always respond,” Pelini said. “Now the challenge for them is to maintain it day after day.”
Pelini said it's common to have to push players the first week of school. Their routines are different. It's not game week yet. Minds can wander. He said players are fighting the monotony of fall camp.
Once Saturday comes and NU starts to focus on Florida Atlantic, he expects a surge in excitement.
The opener is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5.
Quarterback fuels Florida Atlantic
Pelini's early appraisal of Florida Atlantic's offense: It “goes through the quarterback.”
Rusty Smith, whom Owls coach Howard Schnellenberger puts in the same class with Miami greats Bernie Kosar, Jim Kelly and Vinny Testaverde, is “very talented,” Pelini said. “He's got a big-time arm.”
Pelini knows one of those Hurricane quarterbacks quite well. He grew up with Kosar, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and followed Kosar's career at Miami.
“I have a lot of memories of that,” Pelini said.
Pelini was 18 when the quarterback led the Hurricanes to a 31-30 upset over Nebraska in the 1984 Orange Bowl.
Amukamara, West lead at cornerback
Pelini named Prince Amukamara and Anthony West as the leaders to start at cornerback, but Alfonzo Dennard and Andrew Green are pressing both starters for playing time. Green is a true freshman from San Antonio, Texas.
— Dirk Chatelain
• Check out The World-Herald's Thursday Husker practice video, only on Omaha.com.
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• The World-Herald's video review of the third week of practice:
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