Pelini talks O-line rotation, ignoring critics

Bo Pelini has at least one vote for governor if he ever has an interest in politics.

That's among the things learned Wednesday night during Pelini's hour-long radio show on the Husker Sports Network. Pelini the politician is probably a no go, the coach confirmed, despite one caller's support of a future campaign.

The offensive line came up quickly enough though, with another fan wondering about the rotation, something Pelini and staff have had extra time to evaluate with the bye week.

"We're looking at exactly how we want to rotate them. Are we going to change that up a little bit?" Pelini said. "Guys are going to earn their reps during the week. It's how you balance it. ... How do you balance keeping guys fresh and rotating guys through, but at the same time making sure you have some continuity?

"I don't know if there's a right answer to it, but we're talking about it and looking for the right mix and making sure our guys understand, 'You got to compete for playing time during the week which makes you better. You got to earn your playing time during the week.'"

Pelini said there are good reasons why the Huskers operate as they do up front. NU has mostly been using an 8-man rotation in recent weeks, with Ryne Reeves, Chongo Kondolo and Givens Price seeing an increase in reps coming off the bench.

"We make decisions for a reason. We're going to do what we feel is best for our football team regardless of what people say and why they say it. ... At the end of the day, we're going to do what we feel is in our best interest, and gives us our best chance to win, and if people don't like it that's their prerogative."

Other topics:

>>> Pelini said he doesn't worry about whatever criticisms there may be over personnel decisions or second-guessing of certain plays.

"There's a lot to it. I've been doing it for a long, long time. As coaches, you see it during the week ... so you understand what's happening as opposed to someone who just sees something and says, 'OK, it's this. You just got to fix this.' Well, maybe on that one particular play. ...

"But at the end of the day, people are critical because they care. And that's a good thing. People care around here. I see that as a positive rather than a negative. Believe me, we coach for perfection. That's what our standard is. That's what we try to achieve."

>>> Asked about hiring a full-time quarterbacks coach, he said: "I've done that. Coach Beck. He's our quarterbacks coach. Joe Ganz also works with the quarterbacks and he does a great job. ... A guy I totally trust. Just like another full-time coach. The guy's a helluva coach."

>>> Pelini said one thing he'll never do is apologize for winning a football game, even if it isn't always a piece of art.

"It's not always going to be perfect and it's not always going to be pretty. Sometimes I think fans have it in their heads, and I tell it to our team all the time, don't buy into it: 'This isn't a big game' or 'this is a big game.' You can't pick and choose. They're all big.

"When you have been coaching as long as I have, you have tremendous respect for the game. You just look week to week and you can get beat any time. You're not sure how the games are going to go, but you have to find a way to win.""

>>> Monte Harrison, the talented 2014 wide receiver signee who signed with the Brewers, was a surprise visitor at last Saturday's game.

Pelini said he chatted a little with Harrison after the game. He feels Husker coaches have maintained a great relationship with the multi-sport star.

"Whoever knows how that will work out down the line, but he's a great kid and we wish him well."

>>> About Nate Gerry: "He gets better each week. He's going to be pretty special before he leaves here."

>>> About Zaire Anderson: "With Zaire, he's a guy who just has to keep his confidence, and believing what he sees, and trusting his reads and that type of thing. I think that he improves every day. He's getting better and I expect him to continue to do so. He works really hard at it."

>>> About Ameer Abdullah's health: "I feel good about where he is. He's had a good week. He's feeling a lot more confident. I feel good about it."

Reach the writer at bchristopherson@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraBC

Pelini talks O-line rotation, ignoring critics

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