LINCOLN — Safety Matt O'Hanlon thanked his teammates for speaking up on his behalf in the aftermath of the Huskers' 16-15 loss on Sept. 19 at Virginia Tech.

“That means the world to me to have guys come up to me and pat me on the back,” he said, “or speak up for me in the media.”

O'Hanlon, a senior out of Bellevue East, said this week in his first interview since the loss that he took it hard. His breakdown in coverage on an 81-yard completion keyed the Hokies' winning TD drive in the final two minutes.

He sacked Tech's Tyrod Taylor on the next play before the quarterback threw a touchdown pass on third down.

“It was difficult,” O'Hanlon said. “You've got to move on, though, and I think I've done that. If anything, it's motivated me even more.”

Dennard may gain first career start
Sophomore cornerback Alfonzo Dennard has worked with the first-team defense in practice since he replaced junior Anthony West midway through the Huskers' 55-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 26.

West has started 15 career games, tied for fourth most among NU defenders.

A start Thursday for Dennard would be his first.

Secondary coach Marvin Sanders said he's comfortable with Prince Amukamara, Dennard, West, true freshman Andrew Green and sophomore Anthony Blue.

Sanders said he'd like to preserve Green's redshirt.

“We're in the Big 12 season right now. Every down is crucial,” Sanders said, “so if we need him, I think he will understand that. He knows I will only play him if we need him.”

Of Blue, who missed last season with a serious knee injury and has been slow to return to top condition, Sanders said he's been impressed during the past two weeks.

The coach said he pulled Blue aside at practice this week. What did Sanders say?

“That's the Blue I've heard about,” Sanders said. “He just said, ‘Thanks, Coach,' and he went on about his business. I'm excited, because I think that young man is going to help us down the road. We're going to need him.”

Helu sits out practice because of illness

One sick Husker starter missed Tuesday's practice, but coach Bo Pelini said flulike symptoms aren't making their way through the team in any abnormal fashion.

Junior Roy Helu, the team's top I-back, didn't feel well Tuesday, so he sat out the afternoon practice. That's not something to be concerned about, Pelini said.

“No different than any other week,” Pelini said. “You always have guys that have a little bug. No issues.”

Helu could have practiced Tuesday, if necessary, Pelini said. They held him out instead.

Pelini said a few other unnamed players had academic conflicts and did not practice Tuesday.

Politicians mix it up before NU-MU rivalry

WASHINGTON — The trash talking over Thursday night's Nebraska-Missouri football game has reached the hallways of Capitol Hill.

Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Memorial Stadium, was talking to a scrum of reporters Tuesday afternoon when Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Faurot Field, walked by.

“Go Tigers,” the Missouri Democrat yelled over Nelson's comments about health care.

McCaskill watched last year's matchup between the teams in Lincoln as Nelson's guest. The moderates made a friendly wager on the game — Nelson put steaks on the line, McCaskill barbecue ribs.

“When we lost, I sent her the usual box of five steaks (and) she objected to it, called me cheap,” Nelson said.

He said he sent her another five steaks and was sure to nail down the specifics for this year's bet. Nelson will deliver 10 steaks if the Tigers prove victorious, while McCaskill must produce three slabs of ribs if the Huskers prevail.

“This is becoming a grudge match,” Nelson said.

Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., has his own steaks-and-ribs bet in place with Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo.

Nelson and Johanns expressed confidence about the outcome of Thursday's contest in Columbia.

“I'm really looking forward to the barbecue,” Johanns said.

— Mitch Sherman, Jon Nyatawa and Joseph Morton

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