NU's Glenn gets some glory

It's been a while for Cody Glenn.

The senior linebacker hadn't received significant playing time with the Nebraska football team since his sophomore year, when he was known as a bruising running back with plenty of speed.

The following years led to Glenn being overshadowed by senior back Marlon Lucky, former Cornhusker Kenny Wilson and even sophomore I-backs Quentin Castille and Roy Helu Jr.

Basically, Glenn ended up on the back burner.

Now, however, with Nebraska's first game in 2008 in the books, the Texas-native is the main headline - and not because of what he did with the ball in his hands.

"I really didn't envision how many tackles I would have or anything like that," Glenn said. "I just envisioned playing good football and having fun, and it really worked out well for me."

Glenn collected a team-high 12 tackles as Nebraska went on to upend Western Michigan 47-24 Saturday night, and it was a performance that turned a couple heads.

NU Coach Bo Pelini said he was pleased with Glenn's showing on Saturday, but his expectations of him were the same as everyone else. The first-year coach said Glenn showed signs of greatness, but he also showed signs of weakness.

Both Glenn and Pelini agree that the NU defense as a whole is far from fine-tuned.

"It can be a lot better," Glenn said. "We made a lot of mistakes (Saturday night). We just need to get to the film and see what we messed up on and get ready for next week."

Next week the team on the other side of the ball will be San Jose State. The Spartans are fresh off a thrilling last-second win that could have the West Coast team even more excited to lock horns with the Big Red.

The Spartan offense stalled in the start of its season-opener with UC Davis as they were shut out in the first half. SJSU fought back in the second half with a touchdown in the third quarter and the game-winning touchdown coming with just eight seconds left in the fourth.

One statistic hard to miss in that game is that the Spartans only rushed for 42 yards while going for 231 through the air. If anything is similar to the Western Michigan game this Saturday, the Spartans might not rush for any yards.

Glenn was one of a few bright spots in the defensive performance where the Huskers gave up just eight rushing yards all game. It would have looked even nicer had the Huskers not given up 350 yards to the Broncos through the air.

Glenn says the aerial attack was as good as it was because the NU defense wasn't always on the same page.

"Communication is the biggest issue," Glenn said. "Everybody needs to keep talking and make sure we're on the same page. The fans were getting loud, and we just need to hit the calls better."

Pelini agreed with Glenn's assessment.

"We had some communication problems, and we missed some assignments," Pelini said. "I don't want to take anything away from Western Michigan, but most of what they got is what we gave them. That's good and bad. We have to get them coached up a little better."

Glenn says he expects much more out of himself as the season progresses and plans to sharpen himself for the Spartans this Saturday. NU senior quarterback Joe Ganz said jokingly that he hopes Glenn can take care of business a little better against San Jose State.

"I came in at halftime and gave him a hard time about dropping an (interception)," Ganz joked. "But no, he looked really good out there. He's a playmaker for this defense, and it's great to see him coming on that quick. I'm kind of sad to see him leave, but I'm glad he's there with (the defense)."

spencerschubert@dailynebraskan.com