• See the latest edition of the Big Red Today Show, as our Husker writers break down all the latest Nebraska football news and more:

LINCOLN — Still no word on an emerging I-back to serve as Roy Helu's top backup.

Running backs coach Tim Beck said the Huskers would substitute situationally on Saturday against Iowa State.

Last week against Texas Tech, NU first used sophomore Austin Jones to replace Helu. Junior Marcus Mendoza played late as Helu sat with a shoulder stinger. Redshirt freshmen Lester Ward and Collins Okafor did not play. And freshman Dontrayevous Robinson shed his redshirt for special teams duty, though he did not get time on offense.

“I don't know right now who's going to go in there first,” Beck said. “I don't know if anybody's just jumped out and taken it and said, ‘I'm the No. 2 back right now.'”

Helu practiced again Wednesday in a green no-contact jersey. He's expected to start Saturday in the 11:30 a.m. game.

Ward has performed well in practice this week, Beck said.

As for Robinson, the coach said, he's getting there.

“I like what he's doing,” Beck said. “He's playing big. He's playing physical. He gives us a thud presence that we haven't had yet. A lot's going to depend on the game — where we're at in the game and what we need in that game. A lot of guys can do things better than him right now. So we'll try to utilize everybody's strengths.”

Lawrence, parents to meet with Pelini

The future of linebacker Blake Lawrence appears uncertain.

Lawrence, who suffered his third concussion in a one-year span last spring, sat out back-to-back practices this week.

According to defensive coordinator Carl Pelini, Lawrence and his parents are scheduled to meet with Bo Pelini and a decision concerning the junior's future is expected today.

Before August's preseason camp, Lawrence was fitted with a specialized helmet, one designed to soften the impact during collisions.

He was the team's top weakside linebacker until senior Phillip Dillard took over the position in mid-September. Lawrence, from Shawnee Mission, Kan., suited up for Saturday's game against Texas Tech, though he didn't play.

Fellas, meet Mean Joe

NFL Hall of Famer “Mean Joe” Greene spoke to the Huskers after practice Wednesday inside the Hawks Center. Greene, 63, attended the session as a scout for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won four Super Bowl crowns in his career with the Steelers from 1969 to 1981.

“What a great privilege for our guys to be able to meet him,” defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said.

Pelini said Greene shared some “great words of wisdom” with the Huskers.

“How to be a great teammate,” Pelini said. “How to be accountable to your team by preparing every day, mentally and physically. He kind of pointed to that as the secret to the Steelers' success in the '70s.”

Never mind who's at QB

Beck said he believes that offensive coordinator Shawn Watson has devised a plan on how Nebraska will use quarterbacks Zac Lee and Cody Green on Saturday. Lee and Green have split snaps in practice this week as they compete for the starting job.

“I'm sure Shawn knows what he wants to do, between Shawn and Bo and those guys,” Beck said. “But I'm going to tell you, we're going to run hard for whoever's handing the ball off.

“The guys are going to block hard. It's not going to matter. It's a team game.”

Coach Bo Pelini has not indicated that he would publicly name a starter before kickoff.

— Mitch Sherman and Jon Nyatawa

• See Wednesday practice video as the Zac Lee-Cody Green QB battle continues:

« Sports - Big Red Today

Share