LINCOLN — About 85 to 90 Nebraska football players plan to remain near Lincoln, coach Bo Pelini said Saturday, as the Huskers break from practice for five days.

“We have a huge group, bigger than I thought,” he said.

As a result, Nebraska will organize conditioning sessions Monday and Tuesday. The entire team plans to reassemble Thursday and practice on Christmas Day in Lincoln before departing for San Diego, where NU will face Arizona Dec. 30 in the Holiday Bowl.

The Huskers' early morning workout Saturday concluded a five-day stretch of four practices in which NU installed its game plan for the Wildcats.

“We had a good week of practice,” Pelini said. “They've earned some time off and a little bit of a rest.”

Nebraska found a good balance in devising its December schedule, according to the coach.

“You don't want to get to the point where guys are worn out, not just physically but mentally,” Pelini said. “I like the way this week came off.”

He trusts the Huskers to handle the next week well, too.

“It's the right time to give them a little break, freshen up, so when they get down to San Diego, they're hungry and ready to go,” Pelini said. “They're committed to each other. They're committed to what we're doing. I think they're mature enough now.

“Would I have thought that a year or so ago when I first got here? There's no way, but I think they'll handle this the right way, and it'll make us a better football team come Dec. 30. You've got to go with your gut as a head coach. We trust the players to do the right thing.”

Parting ways

Pelini addressed the departure of linebacker Chris Williams, saying it “just wasn't working out with him in the program.”

“Best to part ways,” Pelini said.

He used the word “violation” in discussing Williams' situation but did not elaborate.

Pelini said it's possible that other players with remaining eligibility would join Williams in leaving before the spring semester begins next month.

Lee, Green ready

Expect quarterbacks Zac Lee and Cody Green to play in the Holiday Bowl.

“We've talked about that,” Pelini said. “But you hate to be locked into exactly that scenario, because you never know what the situation's going to be. But I've already showed, I'll make a change on the minus-1 yard line. If it feels right, it feels right.”

The freshman Green entered the Big 12 championship game for one second-half series that began on the Huskers' 1-yard line.

“Cody's earned the right to play some,” Pelini said. “He's done some good things. But at the end of the day, we're going to do what we need to do to win the football game. Those situations always change. Who knows how that game's going to start?

“These bowl games can be crazy. You just play it by ear, but I'd like to get them both in the football game.”

Graduation day

The 6:30 a.m. practice allowed Huskers Larry Asante, Tyrone Fahie, David Harvey, Colton Koehler, Blake Lawrence, Derek Meyer, Matt O'Hanlon and Ndamukong Suh to attend commencement ceremonies Saturday morning at the Devaney Center.

Former Husker Octavius McFarlin also graduated.

“That's the No. 1 goal when you come to school,” Pelini said, “more than wins or losses. We're proud of them.”

— Mitch Sherman

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