Daily Nebraskan

Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Sports

Larry Asante [Click to enlarge]

Matt Slauson [Click to enlarge]

Bo Pelini is finally going to get his way.

The general consensus from Nebraska football players is that's a good thing.

In his first season as Nebraska's head coach, Pelini officially opened spring football discussion with a press conference on Monday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Although the Cornhuskers will begin their annual 15-practice schedule on Wednesday - with the 15th session being the Spring Game on April 19 - there was nothing routine about the sense of hope expressed by many of NU's top returners.

That especially went for those who played defense last year for a unit that surrendered 476.83 yards per game last season - good for last in the Big 12 Conference and 112th in the nation out of 119 teams.

"We've been working hard," said NU junior safety Larry Asante. "I can't wait until Wednesday."

Asante did his research on Pelini. He saw the success the coach had on defense with Oklahoma in 2004 and Louisiana State University for the past three seasons, not to mention the energy he pumped into Nebraska's Blackshirts in 2003. None of those defenses ranked worse than No. 13 nationally in total yards allowed.

As for Pelini, he said he isn't much for predictions. He has a promising track record, sure, but on Monday he spoke more about "building a foundation" this spring, well in advance of NU's season opener on Aug. 30 against Western Michigan.

It started with winter conditioning and weight lifting, Pelini said. Next up is learning the Xs and Os of new plays and getting to know what players can do within the system during spring practices.

"If we focus on the little things and start with square one and we start at the beginning and build correctly, then the end product will take care of itself," Pelini said. "But you can make the mistake of trying to be the Patriots tomorrow. We're not going to be that on Wednesday."

The Huskers will be holding more physical practices, though. Pelini said players won't be "out there playing tag," but rather will create game-like atmospheres full of hard hitting and all-out competition.

Of course, that goes for the offense as well. Pelini said senior quarterback Joe Ganz will enter spring practices as the starter, although all of Nebraska's quarterbacks will receive opportunities to play.

But Ganz said NU defenders have been the ones salivating at the chance to get back on the field.

"I know they're real excited because it's tough when their name's been dragged through the mud like it's been," Ganz said, "so they're real excited to back out there and play and redeem themselves."

In the midst of a forgettable 5-7 campaign in 2007, multiple Blackshirts lamented at a lack of fiery leadership within their unit. Pelini said this year's unit will need to develop players to take charge - ideally seniors.

Senior defensive end Zach Potter and Asante got the memo.

Potter said Nebraska's starting defensive line - which includes seniors Ty Steinkuhler, Barry Turner and junior Ndamukong Suh - has accepted the challenge. Other returning starters like Asante and senior cornerback Armando Murillo also plan to help out in that capacity.

"I think with spring ball we're really going to try and start that," Potter said, "and carry it over into workouts and obviously into fall camp."

The Huskers will get their chance to begin working toward their goals tomorrow. As long as players buy into the new system and have the drive to improve, they said they'll be in for a much more exciting 2008 season.

"I believe the defense works," Asante said. "I know the defense works and it's up to us to accept the defense and buy into the defense and I think once everybody buys into the defense, we're all going to put it together and it's all going to work."

EVANBLAND@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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