Watch a video of the fans and sights and sounds from Saturday

LINCOLN — Tyler Gabbert sure didn't look like someone wavering.

The high school senior, a four-star quarterback prospect and Nebraska pledge, was on the sideline before kickoff Saturday in a surprise visit to Lincoln.

The younger brother of Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert reportedly has been weighing other options. But Saturday he looked ready to suit up for the Huskers as soon as he could.

The 6-foot, 190-pound signal-caller out of Missouri wore a backward Nebraska hat and clenched his fists during the Tunnel Walk. There were even a few claps as NU entered the field.

Four-star all-purpose athlete prospect Curtis Carter out of Stonewall, La., was in on an official visit, as were Quincy Enuwa, Andre Hal, Derron Smith and Dexter McDonald. Carter sat in the stands next to Gabbert.

Hal, Smith and McDonald are three-star defensive backs. Hal, a Louisiana native, has committed to Vanderbilt, while McDonald, out of Kansas City, is an Illinois commit. McDonald looked like he was enjoying himself with a Rockhurst teammate, both snapping pictures as Nebraska took the field.

Others of note on the NU sideline included Omaha Skutt quarterback Christian Dudzik. The SkyHawk senior stood and talked for a while with Tyler Evans, Waverly's quarterback and a Nebraska recruit. Dudzik's Skutt team beat Evans and the Vikings 33-17 Friday night in a battle of two of the top teams in Class B.

Also, there was Lincoln North Star offensive line prospect Bryce Dietz, who recently committed to Ohio University but promised to keep his recruiting open.

Helu has fan in Ahman Green

Ahman Green will remind you, and remind you fast. The former Husker and longtime NFL running back isn't retired.

Green said he was in attendance for a regular-season Husker game for the first time in a couple of years. And although he was enjoying himself, he figured he would have caught on with an NFL team by now.

“I've got to just be patient,” he said.

Green said he still lives in Wisconsin, where he had his best years in the league with the Green Bay Packers. He said he continues to work out and talk to teams that are interested.

“It's just about waiting for the right opportunity,” he said. “Unfortunately, it usually means something bad like an injury happened to someone else.”

Green, a second-team All-American at Nebraska in 1997, said he likes what he's seen out of Nebraska running back Roy Helu. Green said he can appreciate “the way he runs, he's so patient.” Not to mention his toughness.

“I know what it's like as a running back to play with a shoulder injury,” Green said. “It's not fun. It's like swinging a racket with tennis elbow.”

Blackshirts make coordinator see red

Carl Pelini had tried yelling.

Nebraska's defensive coordinator lit into his players after they gave up a scoring drive on Texas Tech's opening possession.

“Make a play!” Pelini screamed, with a few colorful words sprinkled in.

So Pelini tried something new after the Huskers gave up a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a touchdown to make the score 21-0.

The silent treatment.

Pelini didn't come to the NU bench once during the ensuing Husker drive, a span of nearly seven game minutes. After the offense drove down for a field goal, the Nebraska defense went out and promptly gave up a quick drive that Tech ended with a field goal of its own.

Speaking of NU assistants and their sideline antics...

Nebraska linebackers coach Mike Ekeler sprung out of his shoes and then went to one knee begging for a facemask call on a Helu run near the NU sideline. Ekeler pointed to the stadium's big screen for the replay, which indicated there was no infraction on the play.

Painting the fans red

Despite cool temperatures Saturday, body paint was still a popular outfit in the NU student section. One Husker fan wore red, glitter body paint and a kilt. Another group spelled out “SuhNami” on their chests.

Extra points

NU offensive lineman D.J. Jones received the Jake Young Memorial Endowed Scholarship before kickoff Saturday. The Omaha Central graduate was recognized for his “high level of athletic achievement and effective leadership skills.” ... Nebraska's basketball team, which started preseason practice Friday, received a nice ovation when introduced to the crowd. Doc Sadler's team made an appearance before Saturday's game at the Husker Nation Pavilion outside Memorial Stadium. ... A handful of former Huskers were on the sideline for the team's Big 12 home opener. Included in that group was Cody Glenn, who was suspended last year and missed the last few games of his senior year.

Contact the writer:

850-0781, nickrubek@hotmail.com