LINCOLN — Nebraska I-back Roy Helu said it was his two fumbles, not his injured shoulder, that led coaches to limit him to five carries Saturday against Iowa State.

Helu said he was available throughout the game, which NU lost 9-7.

“I didn't take care of the ball,'' he said.

The junior lost a fumble on the first play of the game at the Husker 39-yard line. His other fumble came on his final carry with 9:22 left in the third quarter, which ISU recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

Assistant coach Tim Beck also said the fumbles were the reason for Helu carrying nine times fewer than any other game this season. Asked if the shoulder was a factor in Helu's fumbles, Beck said: “He played Texas Tech and didn't have any turnovers.''

Helu had zero career fumbles until two occurred against Louisiana-Lafayette, both recovered by NU. Helu shrugged at the notion that he's experiencing pain with contact.

“I'm pretty sure everyone on this team does, so there's nothing different with me,'' he said.

Helu ranked second in the Big 12 in rushing at 103.3 yards per game until gaining just 24 against the Cyclones. He's now third at 92 yards per game.

He wore a green no-contact jersey during Monday's practice.

Top receivers see scout-team duty

Receivers Menelik Holt and Curenski Gilleylen took snaps Monday with the scout team in practice, another attempt by receivers coach Ted Gilmore to jolt his group.

The receivers struggled Saturday in the 9-7 loss to Iowa State, dropping several passes. Starters Holt, a senior, and Gilleylen, a junior, contributed to the turnovers. Holt lost a fumble, and Gilleylen got his hands on a Zac Lee pass that was intercepted.

Fellow starter Niles Paul lost a fumble at the end of a 72-yard reception.

Gilmore described the play of his receivers as “inconsistent.” He said their level of play has declined this year. The coach was pleased with the receivers' progress early in the season.

“I don't know. Maybe they were reading too many (news) clippings,” Gilmore said. “We've got to get more consistent. We've got to catch the ball. That's our job. We've got to block. And we haven't been doing that consistently.

“It's not just one guy. As a group, it's inconsistent. They're taking turns doing it. You can't have that. They've got to clean it up.”

Gilleylen, second on the team with 16 receptions, and Holt, who has 15, could return to the top units as soon as today. Gilmore said he had not decided on whom to play on the scout team for the remainder of the week.

“They're mature, older guys, so I expect them to step it up and try to prove to coach that they deserve to be back over here,” Paul said. “(Gilmore) just wants us to keep going. He realizes we're in a slump right now, and he wants us to find our way out.”

Of the fourth-quarter pass that Gilleylen tipped with both hands before Michael O'Connell's interception with 2:51 to play at the ISU 37-yard line, Gilmore described it as “catchable.”

“If we can get two hands on it, we can make that play,” Gilmore said. “He's capable. He has the ability to make that play, and he should make that play. He's made tougher catches.”

The coach said he expects a tough set of practices for the receivers as Nebraska prepares to play at Baylor on Saturday.

“I'm going to be a little bit grayer after this week,” Gilmore said.

Injured linemen getting better

Senior center Jacob Hickman and junior defensive end Pierre Allen, linemen who sat out much of Saturday's game because of injuries, should be healthy by the end of the week, coaches said.

Hickman had his right foot heavily taped and played on the first two possessions against Iowa State. Allen, limping as he walked, needed help to reach the sideline after halftime. He didn't return to the game in the second half.

On Monday, Hickman participated in the light practice. Allen sat out but should be ready to go today, coach Bo Pelini said.

Pelini wasn't as optimistic about Chris Brooks. The senior wide receiver, dealing with a lower back injury, hasn't practiced in a week and Pelini said he's not sure when Brooks will return.

Defensive back Alfonzo Dennard joined Helu in green, no-contact jerseys Monday.

“We all wish we could all have a week off, but that's not part of the game,” Pelini said. “Get to this point of the year, everybody has bumps and bruises, different nicks.”

— Rich Kaipust, Mitch Sherman and Jon Nyatawa