Nebraska didn't release an official depth chart until Saturday. Here's what it looked like: Nebraska two-deep

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LINCOLN — The Husker staff isn't sure when Will Compton will return to Nebraska's lineup, but it does appear that the sophomore linebacker will be healthy again at some point before the season ends.

Coach Bo Pelini didn't disclose the specifics of the injury, though Compton was seen before Saturday's game with a cast on his right foot. Pelini said he had no timetable for Compton's recovery, either.

Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said the same thing after the game Saturday night.

“It really is a healing process,” Pelini said. “There's kind of a large range of time. I really don't know exactly, just kind of got to play without him.”

The Huskers will spend the week reassessing their personnel options at linebacker.

Sophomore Alonzo Whaley, who started Saturday, was Compton's primary backup at middle linebacker, but Pelini said others will likely get a look at that position as Nebraska prepares for Idaho.

Communication error leads to big play

The longest play from scrimmage for the Western Kentucky offense Saturday night probably shouldn't have happened.

Junior running back Bobby Rainey darted through the middle of Nebraska's defense for 46 yards in the third quarter before fumbling at the 1-yard line.

But the Huskers weren't on the same page before the ball was snapped, another communication error that the NU defensive coordinator said occurred often during Saturday's 49-10 win.

“It was a signal that was missed,” Pelini said. “Truthfully, half of our defense was running a pressure and the other half was playing a zone. When that happens, good things aren't going to happen.”

Freshman Evans stands out

Secondary coach Marvin Sanders was considering redshirting Ciante Evans — that was until the freshman emerged as the No. 3 cornerback.

Prince Amukamara and Alfonzo Dennard won't come off the field too often for Nebraska, but if either suffers an injury, Sanders said Evans will be the one called on to fill in.

So Evans, the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder from Arlington, Texas, needed some in-game experience. That's why he made his debut Saturday, Sanders said.

“He's an athlete,” Sanders said. “Ciante has a lot of ability.”

‘High and tight' for Smith from now on

P.J. Smith almost made it. First to the end zone and then to the elevator.

The sophomore safety nearly returned a second-half interception for a touchdown, but lost the ball inside the Western Kentucky 5-yard line. Smith nearly got past reporters without talking Saturday night, even pressing the button on an elevator near the locker room before he was stopped.

“I made a good play,” Smith said of the interception. “I was just thinking about the end zone and had the ball flying around out here instead of keeping it tight. High and tight from now on. That was a touchdown right there. Six points.”

Western Kentucky recovered the fumble, but went three-and-out on the ensuing possession.

— Jon Nyatawa and Nick Rubek

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