Filed by Jon Nyatawa at 5:02 p.m.
Coach Bo Pelini said today that his team has handled the short week well, though Thursday's last-minute preparations might be more important than ever.
The Huskers practiced three times, one fewer than on normal weeks. They play at Colorado Friday afternoon.
But there's still work to be done, according to Pelini.
“I feel good about what we accomplished up to this point, but it just heightens the mental preparation that has to be done up between now and game time - to make sure we get up to speed,” he said after the week's final practice.
Pelini said he plans to give the players tonight off. They'll meet up for a walk-through Thursday, eat Thanksgiving Day dinner with their families and fly to Colorado after that.
So far, Pelini said the team has remained focused too, not concerning itself with next week's looming match-up against Texas.
Right tackle Marcel Jones, who missed nearly all of Saturday's game with an ankle injury, has looked better in practice this week, according to Pelini. Sophomore Alfonzo Dennard should be ready to play against Colorado too, Pelini said.
Pelini was also asked today about this thoughts on the turmoil at Colorado and its possible effects on Friday's game. He had good things to say about coach Dan Hawkins.
“He's a tremendous coach, good staff,” Pelini said. “They have pride and they're going to play hard. From what I understand, they've kind of given him a vote of confidence recently and he's going to be back again. He does a good job. I know the kids are going to want to play hard for him regardless of what the situation is.”
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