NU football practice notes 4/13

Spring Game chatter

Pelini said the coaching staff is working on its plans for the Spring Game, and it may feature a more competitive atmosphere.

In last year's game, team leaders held a draft to set the rosters, and Pelini and his assistant coaches stood on the field.

"We're going to split up the teams evenly," Pelini said. "It's going to be a little more of a true game this year.

"We're working on that as we speak. You got to look at the numbers, that's the biggest key, and where we are injury-wise as we head into this final week."

The game offers the opportunity to get recruits in town and show off a game-day atmosphere, but Pelini said he isn't sure how many recruits plan on coming to Lincoln for the game.

"We're working on it," he said. "These kids these days, a lot of them tell you in the last week that they're coming. We expect a good deal of them, hopefully there's a good turnout."

According to recruiting Web site Rivals.com, NU will have at least 12 visitors for the game, including committed players Andrew Rodriguez of Aurora and Anterio Sloan of West Helena, Ark. 

Practices get back on track

NU's players made up for an admittedly lackluster practice Wednesday with two good ones Friday and Saturday.

"It was a good, physical practice," Pelini said following Saturday's two-hour practice. "I thought we practiced really well (Friday). We came back (Saturday), and we made some errors but the effort was good, the enthusiasm was good."

The team has three more practices before Saturday's spring game.

Helu Jr. could miss rest of spring

Running back Roy Helu Jr. suffered a hamstring injury last week, and Pelini is in no rush to get his leading rusher back on the practice field.

"He's not a guy that pulls (a hamstring) real easy and it's just not the time of year to rush him back," Pelini said. "He had a phenomenal spring when he was going and he had a great winter. We want him to be healthy as soon as he can so he can get back into his training and the offseason work, but I really foresee just holding him until spring's out."

Among other Huskers who sat out for Saturday's practice were center Jacob Hickman, who pulled an oblique muscle, and linebacker Blake Lawrence, who suffered a concussion last week.

-Compiled by Max Olson