LINCOLN — Sophomore guard Brandon Thompson is recovering from an ankle sprain, and he may not play in Saturday's opener, coach Bo Pelini said Tuesday.

Thompson will be fine eventually, just maybe not in time for the 6 p.m. kickoff against Western Kentucky, Pelini said.

It's been assumed that redshirt freshman Brent Qvale has emerged as the team's No. 3 guard behind senior starters Keith Williams and Ricky Henry.

Besides the four serious preseason injuries that have been well-documented, Pelini isn't anticipating that health concerns will keep any other Huskers off the field Saturday.

Small DBs

Look for Nebraska to use its size and strength at receiver against the Western Kentucky secondary on Saturday. The Hilltoppers have no players taller than 6-foot on their two-deep in the defensive backfield. No cornerbacks are listed taller than 5-10.

The Huskers have noticed.

“Very fast but very small,” junior Brandon Kinnie said, “so we look to take advantage of that.”

Kinnie is 6-3 and 220 pounds and will play alongside other top receivers Niles Paul (6-1, 220) and Mike McNeill (6-4, 235).

Josh Williams ready

Josh Williams will just be waiting for his number to be called.

The sophomore has worked his way up to being the top backup to starting defensive ends Pierre Allen and Cameron Meredith. He just doesn't know what that will mean in terms of playing time against Western Kentucky.

“I just know when we get out there on Saturday, whatever happens happens,” Williams said. “When they tell me, I'll go in there.”

Williams is in a position similar to Meredith a year ago. Playing behind Allen and Barry Turner, Meredith saw enough time to record 21 tackles, including five for losses.

Although Williams and Jason Ankrah are unproven, Williams believes they will solidify the position. Williams has given himself a chance by adding nearly 50 pounds to his 6-foot-4 frame since coming to Lincoln two years ago.

Nervous time

Carl Pelini is feeling the pressure. The defensive coordinator said he struggles more to deal with the games like the opener Saturday against Western Kentucky because of the Hilltoppers' unknown element.

Western Kentucky is operating new offensive and defensive schemes under its first-year coaching staff.

“You just can't be surprised if nothing you've worked on is what you see,” Pelini said.

Additionally, the coach said, he's always nervous before the first game of the year.

“It wouldn't matter if we brought all 11 guys back; the emotions right now would be the same,” he said. “You feel untested.''

Jake Cotton in court

Nebraska freshman Jake Cotton, son of offensive line coach Barney Cotton, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Lancaster County Court to a misdemeanor assault charge.

Cotton, 19, a defensive lineman, is accused of slapping his former girlfriend late last year, when both were students at Lincoln Southeast High School.

Cotton left the courtroom without speaking to reporters Tuesday. His lawyer, Terry Dougherty of Lincoln, said he had filed a discovery motion requesting that the Lancaster County Attorney's Office provide him police reports and other evidence related to the charge.

The County Attorney filed the misdemeanor charge against Cotton Aug. 13. The incident in question was reported to have occurred between 5 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009, and 2 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009. The former girlfriend, then a 17-year-old high school classmate, reported the alleged assault to police April 2.

Lancaster County Attorney Gary Lacey said the decision to file a charge was made after interviewing witnesses to the incident. Husker coaches have declined to discuss the matter.

Freshmen ticketed

Offensive lineman Andrew Rodriguez and defensive lineman Tobi Okuyemi, two true freshmen, were ticketed for minor consumption at a dorm early Sunday morning.

Around 1:45 a.m. Sunday, campus police responded to a noise complaint on the third floor of Robert Knoll Residential Center and detected an odor of alcohol upon entering the room.

Rodriguez, 19, and Okuyemi, 18, were among four students cited after submitting to a preliminary breath test, according to police.

Through a team spokesman, Bo Pelini said he was aware of the incident and that punishment would be handled internally.

— Jon Nyatawa, Rich Kaipust, Mitch Sherman and Leslie Reed