LAWRENCE, Kan. — It was an overcast Saturday afternoon, and no one saw Tornado Carl coming.

As in Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini.

After Kansas marched down the field for a 13-play scoring drive in the second quarter, converting on one third down and two fourth downs, Pelini whipped up a sideline twister that almost sounded like an oncoming train.

The first one to catch Pelini's fire was senior linebacker Phillip Dillard, who was subbed after the second fourth-down conversion.

Next up for the defensive coordinator was his younger brother, NU head coach Bo Pelini.

They stood nose-to-nose and jawed about the defense, going blue word for blue word with a lot of spittle mixed in. On two occasions both appeared to be done. Apparently they were only catching their breath. They quarreled two more times.

The last one to hear it from Carl Pelini was redshirt freshman linebacker Will Compton, who went in for Dillard but looked out of place when Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing scored on a 5-yard run.

Carl Pelini got in the face of Compton, yelling in his ear and even grabbing at his chin to get his attention.

Cameras clicked and onlookers raised their eyebrows at the rant that was animated even by Pelini standards.

Sass from students

As if the Nebraska offense hasn't had enough to think about with its recent struggles, the Kansas student section was close enough to nearly be in the Nebraska sideline huddles.

It's close quarters on both sidelines at Memorial Stadium, but the Husker offense drew the task of trying to talk strategy near the Kansas students.

After NU's first scoring drive, one Jayhawk fan yelled to Husker center Jacob Hickman, “Go home (No.) 67.” The senior turned, smiled and waved.

The Nebraska defense huddled on a sideline area near a large group of fans dressed in red.

The two sections “chant battled” for a while before kickoff. Nebraska fans started things with their “Husker Power,” quickly drowned out by “Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk,” from the Kansas students.

Does he count as two?

Speaking of student sections, not many around the country can boast 7-footers. Even fewer can say they have a preseason basketball All-American among them.

KU had both Saturday. Toward the middle of a sea of blue was Kansas hoops center Cole Aldrich. The Kansas basketball team opened its season Friday night with a 101-65 drubbing of Hofstra at Allen Fieldhouse. Aldrich finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Fisher tour

Kansas hosted a large group of recruits Saturday, one with a familiar face and last name.

Millard North junior Cole Fisher, the younger brother of Husker linebacker Sean Fisher, was in the group that walked around the track before kickoff and sat in the stands behind the NU bench.

Fisher, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound outside linebacker prospect, visited Notre Dame last weekend. His only offer to this point is from Iowa.

Scrapbook moment

Saturday was Senior Day for a group of 11 Jayhawks. Included in that group was Reesing, a four-year quarterback starter.

Reesing sprinted out when introduced during pregame ceremonies, leaping into his awaiting parents' arms and drawing a laugh from many in the stands.

There was also a video tribute to the seniors set to Green Day's “Time of Your Life,” showing highlights for each player.

Come in, Bo ...

Now those headset guys know what it's like to be on the other end of one of Bo Pelini's microphones.

The NU defensive coaches had problems with their headsets early on, causing a little frustration from the head coach.

After a couple of changes and swapping around, the Husker coaches were all on the same wavelength.

— Nick Rubek

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