LINCOLN — Coach Bo Pelini said Saturday that he and his coaching staff are beginning to get a better idea of how the three-man competition for the NU quarterback job will play itself out.
Speaking with reporters after practice, Pelini didn't get any more specific than that, though.
Pelini again declined to detail his progress report for senior Zac Lee, sophomore Cody Green and redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez.
“It's great competition,” Pelini said. “I see all three guys getting better. The picture's become a little bit clearer for us. Nothing's been decided yet.”
Blackout goal was to eliminate distractions
After three quiet days, Pelini had plenty to talk about Saturday afternoon.
Pelini's mini-press conference, which lasted about 15 minutes, was the first organized interview session since the third-year coach banned media members from preseason camp Wednesday morning.
Why the media blackout? Pelini said Saturday that he was frustrated by several circumstances. The most discussed has been local media outlets' reporting of Sean Fisher's season-ending injury Tuesday.
“Really not one single thing, a culmination of things,” he said. “I thought it was time to eliminate some distractions for this football team. Get back to focusing on what we need to focus on. I thought it was the right time to do that.”
Pelini also announced a revised plan for media interviews when the Huskers return to preseason camp Monday. Nebraska will now allow reporters to speak with the team three times next week, instead of every day.
Middleton not officially part of team
Kavario Middleton, a former Washington tight end with intentions of transferring to NU, is not part of the program, according to Pelini.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound sophomore has said that he plans to start school Monday, when Nebraska's fall semester opens. But Middleton won't practice or take part in any team-related activities Monday, Pelini said.
Middleton was dismissed from the Washington team last month for an undisclosed violation of team rules. It's been reported that the necessary paperwork to complete the transfer has not yet been finalized.
Chase Rome is impressing Pelini
The Huskers may have a fifth member in their rotation at defensive tackle.
True freshman Chase Rome, who spent spring practices making the adjustment to football at this level, is emerging as a backup candidate on the interior of the defensive line, according to Pelini.
Junior Jared Crick has already been established as a starter. Junior Terrence Moore and sophomore Baker Steinkuhler are battling for the other spot.
Redshirt freshman Thad Randle has worked himself into a reserve role, and apparently, the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Rome isn't far behind.
“I feel pretty good about the first four guys — plus you add Chase Rome into the mix,” Pelini said. “He's getting a lot of reps. He's getting better and he's showing that he has the possibility of being a factor.”
Game planning to start midweek
Nebraska's roster will expand when fall classes begin Monday, but Pelini said the Huskers' practice structure will remain mostly unchanged until the middle of the week.
Those afternoon on-field sessions will apparently still have a camplike feel to them through Wednesday, which likely means plenty of game-speed situations. The Huskers scrimmaged for about an hour Saturday.
But by Thursday, Pelini said NU will start game planning for its Sept. 4 opener against Western Kentucky.
“Next week will be about half and half,” Pelini said.
— Jon Nyatawa
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