LINCOLN — Carl Pelini said he was not concerned that Nebraska failed to record a sack Saturday in its 49-3 victory over Florida Atlantic.

The Owls played often in maximum-protection sets, Pelini said, and quarterback Rusty Smith did well at quickly unloading the football.

“If you really study the tape, which I did, we were collapsing the pocket,” Nebraska's defensive coordinator said after practice Wednesday at Memorial Stadium. “The quarterback was smart. He threw on time. He threw the ball away when he needed to, but he didn't have a lot of time to throw, even in the big protections.”

Nebraska recorded 34½ sacks in 13 games last season.

Less nickel, dime?

Arkansas State rushed for 203 yards per game last season to rank 18th nationally. The Red Wolves then piled up 358 rushing yards last week in their season-opening victory against Mississippi Valley State.

So Nebraska figures its opponent Saturday at Memorial Stadium will try keep it on the ground with running back Reggie Arnold and quarterback Corey Leonard.

Just what does that mean for NU defenders Eric Hagg and Lance Thorell — the fifth and sixth defensive backs in the Huskers' nickel and dime packages who play so much against many of the pass-happy foes on the Nebraska schedule?

“It means some less playing time,” Carl Pelini said. “But we also have a package where we play nickel against base offenses. And we did that a lot last week. We're able to get them on the field in different ways.

“These teams who try to deaden you up by coming out in big personnel and then spread you out, you've got to be ready to play nickel and dime in those situations.”

Injury update

The Huskers eased the workload for top defensive end Pierre Allen late in practice Wednesday as the junior deals with a sore back. Allen suffered the injury while lifting weights.

The back soreness will not keep Allen off the field Saturday, Pelini said. “I'm not worried about it at all,” he said.

Linebacker Mathew May (stinger) and defensive tackle Terrence Moore (turf toe) practiced again Wednesday, though offensive guard Andy Christensen (turf toe) missed a third consecutive day of drills.

Less Paul

Nebraska receivers coach Ted Gilmore downplayed Niles Paul's quiet performance against Florida Atlantic.

Paul, whom coaches highlighted as the undisputed No. 1 wideout during fall camp, caught just two passes for 13 yards. Meanwhile, Menelik Holt and Curenski Gilleylen combined for seven receptions and 137 yards.

“Based on what the coverage is and what they give, if he's open, Zac will go through his progression and give him the ball,” Gilmore said. “If he's not, he's going to work his progression and someone else is going to get it. That's all it was. It wasn't that Niles wasn't in the game plan.”

— Mitch Sherman and Dirk Chatelain

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