LINCOLN — Arkansas State quarterback Corey Leonard knows exactly how he and his teammates would like Saturday's game against Nebraska to transpire.

It's the same formula the Red Wolves used last year to win at Texas A&M.

“You get your points when you can in the first, second and third quarter — hang around within striking distance,” he said. “Late in the fourth, you make a move. And now you're putting that team in a position they're not used to being in. Put them in a position where their backs are against the wall, and then let's see how they respond.”

In last year's A&M game, a Leonard touchdown pass put Arkansas State up 15-14 with 4:51 left. The Aggies turned the ball over twice. And ASU left Kyle Field with an 18-14 upset win.

A repeat performance won't be easy in Lincoln Saturday, according to Leonard. The Huskers are talented, he said, but by no means are the Red Wolves intimidated.

In 2007, Arkansas State lost at Texas 21-13. Three weeks later, the Red Wolves pulled within 11 points to start the fourth quarter before falling 48-27 at Tennessee.

A couple of months after beating Texas A&M last year, ASU found itself down just 14-0 on the road against second-ranked Alabama at halftime. The Red Wolves lost 35-0.

“We're not unrealistic. We know who Nebraska is and the athletes they have,” Leonard said. “But we've got to counter that with just being smart — taking care of the football, controlling the clock and waiting around to make a move.”

More physical? Bo not convinced

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini challenged his players earlier in the week to play more physically, but he still doesn't know how they'll respond Saturday against Arkansas State.

The Huskers, who Pelini said played “soft” in their 49-3 season-opening win over Florida Atlantic, have practiced well as they've prepared for Saturday's game, according to their second-year coach. But then again, Pelini said, they had a similar work week before the opener.

So will Nebraska be physical enough Saturday to please Pelini? He's not sure.

“(We'll find out on Saturday),” Pelini said. “It wasn't a problem during the week. A lot of those things were fundamentals and technique-oriented. Hopefully we get those fixed.”

Ekeler taking calmer approach

Apparently Nebraska assistant coach Mike Ekeler is taking a different — and calmer — approach with his linebackers.

Before the game, anyway.

“He admitted sometimes last year he might have been overexcited and had us a little too riled up, and drained the energy maybe too much before the game,'' NU junior Blake Lawrence said. “But this year he's kind of taking a step back and saying, ‘You guys are going to be able to create your own energy, but I'm always here for you. I'll be jumping up and down on the sidelines if you need to get some energy off of me.'”

Kinnie says he's motivated

NU receiver Brandon Kinnie played only a few snaps last Saturday and didn't enter the game until the fourth quarter. Kinnie did not have a reception in the 49-3 win over Florida Atlantic.

That's new territory for the junior-college transfer.

“I've got a long way to go, and I'm fine with that,'' he said. “It's hard watching guys play in front of you, because I was never used to that at the high school or junior-college level. I've just got to get used to it and learn.

“It makes you hungry. It makes you a whole lot hungry to want to get back to practice the next week and show Coach (Ted) Gilmore, ‘OK, look, I'm in my playbook, I want to learn, I want to play.' It's motivation. Trust me, it's motivation because I've never been used to anything like that.''

Injured trio's outlook good

Other than backup guard Andy Christensen, Nebraska appears healthy heading into its second week of action.

Three players — defensive end Pierre Allen (sore back), linebacker Mathew May (stinger) and left guard Keith Williams (undisclosed) — have missed parts of practice this week, but they all should be available Saturday, according to Pelini.

Christensen, who's dealing with a turf toe injury, is still questionable, though.

— Jon Nyatawa and Rich Kaipust