OMAHA, Neb.—Two days after his team racked up 610 yards, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini says the Huskers’ offense is nearly where he’d like to see it.
“It’s getting there,” Pelini said Monday. “I like what I’m seeing on the offensive side.”
So even though the Huskers beat Kansas State 56-28 and produced 340 rushing yards last weekend, Pelini said Nebraska still will be fine-tuning its offense as the team prepares to face Colorado on the day after Thanksgiving.
“You evolve as the season goes on and as you become more familiar with what the strengths and weaknesses of your team is and are,” Pelini said.
Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz won the Big 12’s offensive player of the week honor Monday in recognition of his 365 yards of total offense against Kansas State.
Ganz threw an early interception that was returned for a touchdown. But he went on to throw for 270 yards and two touchdowns and run for 95 yards and two more touchdowns.
Pelini said Ganz did a good job reading the Kansas State defense and managing the team.
“I thought he played really well, and he’s been playing really well all year,” Pelini said.
This is the second time Ganz has won the Big 12 honor. He also received the award after last year’s Kansas State game when he threw for 510 yards and seven touchdowns.
Pelini said he wants Nebraska (7-4, 4-3 Big 12) to be more consistent and play at the highest level possible all the time.
“We’re always going to be striving for perfection around here,” he said.
That’s part of why Pelini still calls his team a work in progress.
But Colorado coach Dan Hawkins has noticed a number of improvements Pelini has made in his first year as Nebraska’s coach.
“I think they’re playing a lot more confident, a lot more aggressive, a lot more full throttle,” Hawkins said.
The game will be important to Colorado (5-6, 2-5) because the Buffaloes must beat Nebraska to become eligible for a bowl game. Colorado lost to No. 11 Oklahoma State 30-17 on Saturday.
Pelini said there is definitely a rivalry between Colorado and Nebraska that has developed over the years, so emotions will be running high. Plus, it will be the last home game for all of Nebraska’s seniors.
But that won’t change the way the Huskers prepare for the game, Pelini said.
“We have a lot to play for, as does Colorado, so it’ll be a nice test for us,” he said.
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