LINCOLN — When Bo Pelini took over at Nebraska some 21 months ago, even without leading one practice or reviewing a moment of tape, he right away grasped a few of the priorities at hand.

Among the most pressing issues, NU set out to restore its depth in the secondary.

Things were thin back then. And as the Huskers began on Sunday the 12-day countdown until Big 12 play opens Oct. 8 at Missouri, it's sure a good thing they addressed the problem.

A barrage of injuries hit the defensive backfield Saturday night during their 55-0 dismantling of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Safety Rickey Thenarse limped off the field after covering a first-quarter kickoff. Safety Larry Asante was injured while returning an interception 74 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Later, cornerback Prince Amukamara hobbled to the sideline.

“Young guys are probably going to have to step up for us,” secondary coach Marvin Sanders said. Initial reports indicated that only the injury to Thenarse's right knee looked serious. Pelini is expected to share more information today.

Still, the injury to Asante's left ankle could linger. The Huskers' second-leading tackler, Asante didn't play after the interception.

Expect to hear more in the next two weeks about P.J. Smith and Courtney Osborne, both redshirt freshmen, and sophomore Austin Cassidy. All three made contributions in place of Thenarse and Asante.

At cornerback, Alfonzo Dennard and Dejon Gomes appeared to play well behind the starters. If the injuries worsen, even true freshman Andrew Green could get a look.

“I've said it since camp: We have great competition,” defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “Our backups are quality players. We don't expect there to be a drop-off. It was great to see P.J. out there, Courtney Osborne and Alfonzo.

“They came in, compete and they play well. That's good for our future.”

The revamped secondary was expected to serve as a strength for Nebraska. And it has. The Huskers rank 22nd nationally in pass-efficiency defense, 23rd in total defense and third in scoring defense. They're allowing seven points per game.

Nebraska, in fact, has allowed just three touchdowns in four games. And only one TD — in the final seconds of the 16-15 NU loss on Sept. 18 at Virginia Tech — capped a drive that covered more than 32 yards.

But pass-happy Mizzou and Texas Tech, the Huskers' first two conference foes, will test the secondary. Nebraska has lost three of its last four to the Tigers and three straight to Tech.

“I feel like I'm ready,” Smith said. “I'm ready to play a lot.”

He may have to. The 6-foot-2 safety from River Ridge, La., could be first in to play a key role if Thenarse or Asante are unable to move forward.

The defensive backs played a role in all three turnovers forced against ULL. In addition to Asante's interception, Amukamara, Gomes and Eric Hagg forced fumbles.

NU recovered two fumbles to finish plus-3 in turnovers. For the season, the Huskers are plus-4 and rank 18th nationally in turnover margin.

“We were really determined to come out and play four quarters of good defensive football,” said freshman linebacker Sean Fisher, who recovered the fumble that was caused by Gomes.

Even as the schedule turns more difficult, the Huskers expect more of the same.

Nebraska will return to heavy work on the practice field Wednesday and Thursday. It plans to break Friday and start a normal game-week schedule Saturday in preparation for the visit to Mizzou a week from Thursday.

Defensively, the Huskers vow to be ready no matter who's in the lineup.

“We've steadily improved each week,” Carl Pelini said. “Our players are locked in. We're going to be better in all areas when we face Missouri. Otherwise, I don't deserve to get paid, right?”

Contact the writer:

402-473-9587, mitch.sherman@owh.com

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