LINCOLN — Quarterback Zac Lee said his injured left thumb wasn't an issue during Saturday's 55-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette, but he's still trying different things to make it more comfortable.

Lee wore a glove on his left hand as he warmed up to start Wednesday's practice.

When he walked off the Hawks Center turf, his thumb was taped, but he didn't have the glove on anymore.

“I'm just kind of trying different things,” the junior starter said after practice. “It should be good. It didn't really bother me in the game.”

So what's next?

“We're getting pretty creative with it,” he said. “I'm just trying things to see what works the best.”

History doesn't interest Pelini

Missouri has back-to-back wins over Nebraska and four in the past six seasons, but Husker coach Bo Pelini sees no connection between the past and what happens next Thursday in Columbia, Mo.

“I don't care about history,'' Pelini said Wednesday. “That's the last thing that's on my mind.

“They're a good football team. We're playing a very, very good, well-coached football team. It's going to be a heck of a challenge. But it's going to be won in 2009, not in 2008 or 2007 or 2006. It's going to be won or lost by the kids who take the field this year.''

Nebraska hasn't won at Faurot Field since 2001. In each of its past three visits, it has allowed 41 points to the Tigers.

Thenarse might seek extra year

Pelini at first said Rickey Thenarse is “out indefinitely'' on Wednesday but later hinted Nebraska already is thinking about the senior safety being granted a medical redshirt.

Thenarse hurt his right knee Saturday night against Louisiana-Lafayette, but Pelini has yet to classify the injury.

“Obviously I feel bad for Rickey,'' Pelini said. “But we feel pretty good about the chances of getting another year back for him.''

Thenarse has not redshirted during his Husker career.

Senior safety Larry Asante (ankle) practiced Wednesday. Josh Williams did not, and had his right foot in a walking boot, but Pelini said the backup defensive end is OK.

NU confident in West, Dennard

Pelini declined to handicap the battle between junior Anthony West and sophomore Alfonzo Dennard at one of the Huskers' cornerback spots, other than to say the defensive staff has confidence in both players.

West made his 15th career start against Louisiana-Lafayette, but Dennard wound up playing more.

“There's a lot of those guys back there that we feel are really capable,'' Pelini said. “We're a lot deeper there than we were a year ago.''

— Jon Nyatawa and Rich Kaipust

« Sports - Big Red Today

Share