Zac Lee looked solid and Curenski Gilleylen and Menelik Holt demonstrated some fancy feet.

It's hard not to like Cody Green. And Rex Burkhead ran tough.

But one thing was clear after a ho-hum opener in which Nebraska did whatever it wanted: Roy Helu is the meal ticket.

At least for the next month or so, the weight falls on the guy who showed up to his post-game press conference wearing a lei consisting of ribbons and candy.

It's family tradition, Helu says.

Apparently, there's no dress code when you average 9.5 yards a carry.

“He's as good a back as there is out there right now,” Bo Pelini said.

Over the next month, we'll know for sure.

The defenses of Virginia Tech and Missouri aren't going to fear NU's new wideouts, or a quarterback still growing into the job, or freshmen sparkplugs.

It's Helu who gives Nebraska a chance in tough environments.

When it's third-and-3 in a tight ballgame in Blacksburg, Helu is the guy Shawn Watson must turn to.

That's a scary proposition for Husker fans who have studied Watson's offense and grown accustomed to multiple weapons in the backfield.

Helu dazzled at times in 2008. But he never proved his durability.

He now has four 100-yard games to his name, but only once in his career has he rushed more than 16 times in a game.

He got a knee infection right before the Gator Bowl and missed most of the bowl preparation. He carried five times for minus-1 yard as Quentin Castille powered through Clemson.

Entering 2009, you heard talk of a 1-2 punch. Then Pelini sent Castille packing for Louisiana.

Uh oh.

Watson isn't a fan of riding one I-back too long.

Last season, he shuffled Helu, Marlon Lucky and Castille like kings, queens and jacks. He has indicated a wish to get three or four backs ready for prime time.

But at crunch time, he must ride the workhorse. There's reason to believe Helu is capable.

“He's a totally different kid,” Watson said. “He's 225 pounds instead of 210.”

“You noticed it really in the second half,” running backs coach Tim Beck said. “He ran through some tackles. He makes people miss. He runs over them, around them, through them. And he has confidence.”

Early, it looked like Helu had lost a step when he gained the weight.

But to open the third quarter, he carried on consecutive carries 14 yards, 28 yards and seven yards (for a touchdown). Next possession, a zone read handoff didn't go according to plan.

“I misread the block, I believe,” Helu said.

When Owl pursuers pushed him away from his linemen, Helu improvised, turning back right.

“Zac Lee was in the way,” Helu said, “so I ran past him.”

For 44 yards and another score. That was his last rush of the game. He spent the last 22 minutes of action on the sideline, with plenty of time to think ahead.

And maybe think back.

When Helu was 9, he played peewee football.

But sometimes his father, a former professional rugby player, didn't think the workout had taxed his son. So he took Roy to a hill behind the field.

Made him sprint up, up, up.

“Those are the most excruciating workouts I've ever experienced,” Helu said.

Good practice for the climb ahead.