Tag Archives: Corey Cooper

It’s only been two days since that debacle of a practice Saturday, so it appears that coach Bo Pelini’s not making any concrete conclusions just yet. But…

Pelini said Nebraska’s defense “made some significant progress” during practice sessions on Monday and Wednesday. Better practice habits. More attention to detail. Guys’ grasp of concepts has been enhanced. They’re playing faster. “I’ve seen us make a big jump in the last two days as to where we were over the first week,” Pelini said.

Pelini declined to name anyone specifically, but he said there are certain players who’ve made considerable progress. “There’s some really positive signs going on out there,” he said.

Then again, though, there’s much more to do, according to Pelini.

“That (progress) needs to …

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Coach Bo Pelini said he’s not changing the fundamental principles that make up his defensive system. No surprise there. But are subtle alterations coming?

Pelini, speaking on “Sports Nightly” on the Husker Sports Network Wednesday night, made a point to say that his scheme is “multiple” yet “simple,” indicating that no plans for a complete overhaul are needed.

But last season, he thought that too often his players “were trying to be so perfect” that it hindered their playmaking ability. Pelini characterized that approach as “one of the worst things we did” on the defensive side of the ball.

So, it’s teaching the system without overwhelming the young players or compromising their instinctual nature — that seems to be the NU coaching staff’s primary defensive objective …

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Rex Burkhead and Nebraska’s medical staff won’t make a final decision on his status until just before Saturday’s game against Minnesota, NU coach Bo Pelini said after practice Thursday.

Burkhead, battling back from a third MCL sprain (suffered Oct. 20 at Northwestern), did return to practice this week. He practiced well, according to Pelini. But it appears the Huskers will remain cautious with their star I-back, who’s missed the last three games.

Burkhead’s officially a game-time decision. Said Pelini: “We’re going to play it by ear, see how he feels and go from there.”

Other notes from Pelini Thursday…

>> No decision yet on senior Tim Marlowe (shoulder), either. That will be sorted out Saturday, Pelini said.

>> The last two weeks, senior Justin Blatchford …

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Nebraska was in desperate need of a momentum-changing play, and Taylor Martinez delivered.

The junior quarterback — who’s now the career leader in total offense at NU — tied the game at 14 with a 71-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter.

It couldn’t have come at a better time for the Huskers.

Earlier in the quarter, Kenny Bell had dropped a potential touchdown pass on third down. And kicker Brett Maher missed a 30-yard field goal attempt on the next snap from scrimmage. A 12-play drive, which lasted just over six minutes, to begin the second quarter ended with no points.

Then MSU responded. Le’Veon Bell turned a third-and-1 into a 40-yard gain. A late hit moved MSU back, but Andrew Maxwell completed …

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The Huskers have finished their pregame warmup routine here on a gray and chilly Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.

A venue that seats 75,005 is still filling up, though there are expected to be some barren bleacher pockets. We’ll see how many Husker fans show up. The Nebraska marching band is here, crammed into the northeast corner of the field (the sidelines here are quite small).

A few noteworthy items and observations as we approach kickoff…

>> Senior Rex Burkhead is not suited up.

>> Sophomore Ameer Abdullah is dressed, however — and he looked fine going through warmups, despite rumors suggesting otherwise. Abdullah, Jamal Turner, Tim Marlowe and Braylon Heard were catching punts for several minutes. Heard looks like he’s moving well, too.

>> …

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The success Michigan had on third down against Nebraska last year, especially in obvious passing situations, played a “huge part” in the 45-17 NU loss, defensive coordinator John Papuchis said.

Quarterback Denard Robinson completed five of his eight pass attempts on third down. He totaled 127 yards on those five passes, including a touchdown throw. Nebraska was also whistled for a defensive pass interference on a third down and goal play.

Papuchis said the Wolverines had certain route combinations that exploited the way NU runs its match-up zone defense. The coaches set aside time in the spring to analyze it, he said.

“Some teams, if they study how we match routes enough, can kind of manipulate some of our adjustments,” Papuchis said. “But then we …

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After a crisp start to Saturday’s game at Northwestern, the Huskers are again finding ways to beat themselves. Or at least make it much more difficult to find success.

Nebraska trails 7-3 after one quarter – credit the NU defense for an impressive effort so far, or else it could be worse.

The most blatant mistake came on a punt that Ameer Abdullah was trying to fair catch. But he bobbled it and dropped it. Northwestern recovered the loose football at the NU 14-yard line.

The Wildcats scored on third down pass play, taking a 7-3 lead with 1:35 left in the first. They were also credited with a first down – their first of the game.

Other Nebraska sloppiness includes: a personal foul penalty …

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Coach Bo Pelini complimented the recent improvement of sophomore defensive back Corey Cooper, who’ll likely be relied on regularly during the Huskers’ matchup with Northwestern’s spread offense Saturday.

Cooper’s the sixth defensive back in Nebraska’s dime formation, a personnel group used mostly when opponents line up with four wide receivers. That’s been his job all year, and he’s getting better, according to Pelini.

Still room to grow, certainly. But the bye week helps. So does Cooper’s work ethic.

“He’s a guy that works extremely hard at it,” Pelini said. “It’s real important to him. And it’s showing.”

Pelini spoke with reporters for about five minutes after practice Thursday. The highlights are below, beginning with the injury updates…

>> Pelini on Rex Burkhead: “He’s about as …

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Sophomore defensive tackle Chase Rome, who temporarily left the NU program last week, has rejoined the Huskers and is available to play against Idaho State Saturday, coach Bo Pelini said Thursday.

Pelini said Rome has returned with “the right attitude” after a personal issue prompted a week-long absence. Rome started the first two games at defensive tackle for Nebraska this season.

“He’s ready to come back,” Pelini said. “He’s been practicing with us all week.”

An update on the DT rotation: Junior Thad Randle (still battling back from offseason knee surgery) started in Rome’s place last week, lining up next to senior Baker Steinkuhler. Redshirt freshman Kevin Williams’ role has increased lately. The same is expected for true freshman Aaron Curry and redshirt freshman Todd …

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Just needed a landing page for several notes and tidbits picked up during the week about Nebraska’s next opponent.

Don’t underestimate UCLA, which has had four top 15 recruiting classes in the last five years, according to Rivals. Talent’s not necessarily the issue.

But assimilating into coach Jim Mora’s culture will be a process. Plus, this team is young and inexperienced in several key areas (quarterback, O-line, linebacker). Are the Bruins ready for this type of challenge, this early in Mora’s regime? We’ll find out.

Emptying the notebook, UCLA-style…

OFFENSE

>> Watch quarterback Brett Hundley on zone read options Saturday. Does he make the right decisions? It seems he’d rather hand off than keep it, more often than not. Nebraska has to execute well as …

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