JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Even though the Nebraska football team arrived to sunshine and warm weather here Friday and with the anticipation of playing in their first Gator Bowl, the mood was less than festive.
The Cornhuskers arrived without coach Bo Pelini and his brother Carl, the team’s defensive coordinator, who were in Youngstown, Ohio, for their father’s funeral. Anthony Pelini died Tuesday at an Akron, Ohio, hospital after an extended illness. He was 85.
“Everybody’s hearts are heavy in thinking about the Pelini family,” offensive line coach Barney Cotton said.
The players were told of Anthony Pelini’s death during a team meeting Christmas night. During the two Pelini brothers’ absence, other coaches on the staff will run the team’s practices, including Saturday’s workout at the University of North Florida.
It’s a tough and unexpected situation, All-Big 12 nose tackle Ndamukong Suh said.
“Everybody feels their loss,” he said. “Being a family and as close as this team is, there is a sense of grieving for their loss.”
But the Cornhuskers (8-4) must maintain their focus as they prepare to take on Clemson (7-5) on New Year’s Day.
“From a player’s standpoint, all we can do is come down here and be focused. That’s the main thing Coach wants from us,” Suh said.
Emotions aside, the Cornhuskers should be at full strength for the game. Everyone is expected to be healthy and ready to play against Clemson.
After winning just three of its first six games of the season, the Huskers finished strong with five wins in their last six games to earn their 45th all-time bowl appearance, the fifth-highest total nationally, and the school’s first trip to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville.
A win against Clemson will give the Huskers a nine-win season for just the second time since 2003.
