• Nebraska coach Bo Pelini answers questions after Thursday's practice:

LINCOLN — Junior linebacker Blake Lawrence will no longer play football at Nebraska after suffering his fourth concussion in 18 months.

Lawrence, from Shawnee Mission, Kan., said in a written statement that he would be taking a substantial risk if he continued his playing career.

But coach Bo Pelini said Lawrence will still be welcomed around the NU program. Lawrence was at practice Thursday.

“It's the right thing for his future,” Pelini said. “He's an intelligent kid with a tremendous future ahead of him, whatever he decides to do after playing here. He's still a big part of this football team.”

Lawrence said in his statement that he'll serve as a student coach.

Who's the QB? We'll know Saturday

Pelini said Monday morning that selecting a starting quarterback would be a game-time decision. Four practices later, that hasn't changed.

Junior Zac Lee or true freshman Cody Green? Pelini may have an idea whom he'll pick, but he told reporters after Thursday's practice that they'd have to wait until Saturday to see who won the battle.

“You guys will find out what happens when the game's starts,” Pelini said. “If we were going to name something different, we wouldn't do it here.”

Pelini opened up competition for the team's No. 1 quarterback position after Saturday's 31-10 loss at Texas Tech. And to create a more accurate simulation of game atmosphere, the NU quarterbacks went through three-fourths of the week's practices without their green, no-contact jerseys.

But Pelini didn't discuss their performances Thursday.

“Nothing's changed at the quarterback position,” he said. “I don't know how many times I can say that.”

Physical receivers please Pelini

A plea for more physical play was among the points of emphasis from the offensive coaching staff this week, and Pelini said he liked how the wide receivers responded.

Nebraska operated out of the shotgun in three- and four-receiver formations regularly against Texas Tech. If that's the case again Saturday, the wide receivers' ability to open running lanes on the outside will be critical for the NU ground game.

During the week's practices, Pelini said the group blocked well.

“I like the physicality they brought to the table,” he said. “I thought we made some steps forward in that area. Now we've got to put it on the field on Saturday.”

The unit will more than likely be without senior Chris Brooks, who has a lower back injury. It's not serious, according to Pelini, but it has kept Brooks out of practice all week.

Turnovers will come, Carl Pelini says

The Huskers spent much of the loss to Texas Tech searching for a momentum-shifting spark. This time, NU's defense couldn't provide it.

The same unit that forced two fourth-quarter interceptions in a comeback win over Missouri recorded no turnovers in the 31-10 loss to the Red Raiders. Nebraska's now 0-2 when it fails to force a turnover.

But there's not much more defensive coordinator Carl Pelini can say. Creating turnovers is stressed daily.

“I think our guys are doing everything that it takes to get turnovers,” he said. “We're challenging receivers. We're running hard to the football. We're doing all those things. They'll come, and when they start coming, I think they'll come in bunches.”

Halfway through the season, the Huskers have forced 13 turnovers. They had 17 all of last year. In 2007, they created just 11.

— Jon Nyatawa

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