• Video: Bo Pelini after Saturday's practice:
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LINCOLN — Coach Bo Pelini admits he's concerned about the uncertainty typically associated with a season opener, and an unfamiliar opponent is only complicating the preparations.
Western Kentucky hired head coach Willie Taggart last winter, effectively voiding the team's game tape from 2009.
The Hilltoppers were 0-12 last year, but a brand new staff will take a different approach. Taggart was the running backs coach at Stanford from 2007 to 2009.
That means NU coaches can use last year's Hilltopper film to identify player-related tendencies, but all scheme-oriented strategy must be formed by tracking the history of the Western Kentucky staff.
And even then, the Huskers still won't have the best idea by the 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday.
“It's just kind of an unusual opener,” Pelini said. “It's hard to kind of nail down how to prepare for this football team. … From a coaching standpoint, you've got to kind of jump around a little bit, which is not the most ideal situation.”
Nebraska held a walk-through Saturday.
Pelini said he can sense the players are ready to play, though even he's not completely sure what to expect.
“We haven't played a game yet,” he said. “You have to get out there for the first time in front of (85,000) and do it when the lights come on.”
Allen focused on next level
Pelini had some good things to say about senior defensive end Pierre Allen's first three weeks of practice.
Allen is the team's most experienced defensive lineman, though he has expressed a little disappointment regarding his statistics during his junior year. He had 51 total tackles and five sacks.
Those numbers won't be good enough this year, Allen told reporters at Big 12 media days in July. He's apparently been playing like a highly motivated veteran ever since.
“I think his confidence has just grown,” Pelini said. “He played at a pretty high level last year, but it looks like he's a guy focused on taking it to another level this year.”
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Allen was battling injuries throughout the 2009 season. But he's healthy now, according to Pelini.
Positive reviews for Enunwa
True freshman receiver Quincy Enunwa might be getting closer to earning a regular spot on the field.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder from Moreno Valley, Calif., has been receiving positive reviews from teammates and coaches all camp. And that continued Saturday.
Pelini said Enunwa has impressed enough to gain the staff's confidence.
“I think he definitely has shown some ability,” Pelini said. “He's a mature kid. He's shown that he's a very capable player, so we're not afraid to use him.”
High expectations don't faze Bo
Lofty expectations won't influence the way Pelini does business. In fact, he doesn't think fans have set their sights high enough.
The Huskers are ranked eighth nationally and have been tabbed as the overwhelming favorite to win the Big 12 North. A growing number of Nebraska fans truly believe this team is talented enough to improve on last year's 10-4 season.
Pelini isn't feeling the pressure, though.
“I could care less about the expectations because my expectations are a lot higher than anybody else out there, so I don't worry about that,” he said. “We're going to do our thing as a staff and as a football team based on our standards. And those are really high.”
— Jon Nyatawa
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