Filed by Jon Nyatawa at 10:57 a.m.

Anthony West hasn't had trouble dealing with his midseason demotion, maybe the biggest reason why the junior cornerback's been such a reliable backup.

West played all of that Kansas State game, subbing in for the injured Alfonzo Dennard. He had three solo tackles in the Huskers' 17-3 win.

That was the most game action West has seen since Nebraska's Sept. 19 game at Virginia Tech. The next week, Dennard replaced West and eventually took over the starting spot.

But West stayed positive.

“I just wasn't making plays,” said West, who started 11 games at corner last year. “I'd be in position and just wouldn't get the ball out or make the play that I needed to make. I totally understand the decision that was made.”

Because of some injuries to Dennard, West has actually played plenty of cornerback during the past month. He received a Blackshirt in practice two weeks ago.

And before the KSU game, he took the majority of practice reps as Dennard tried to overcome a foot injury. Now, Dennard, who's also been hampered by a sore shoulder too, has a short week to try to get healthy.

But even if Dennard takes the job back, West won't changed his mindset. He's a good teammate, according to junior Prince Amukamara.

“That's the kind of person West is. That's his character,” Amukamara said. “He doesn't pout or anything. He's just ready to work every day.”

***

From the Big 12 office this morning: Senior Larry Asante and junior Alex Henery were named conference players of the week.

-- Asante had 10 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble against Kansas State Saturday. It's the fourth time an NU defensive player has been honored with the weekly award.

-- Henery booted two of his six punts inside the KSU 5-yard line and made a field goal. He was the special teams player of the week after his five-field-goal performance against Virginia Tech as well.

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