Pelini: Loss to Va. Tech hurts

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Except for a few unguarded moments, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini refused to let his weekly news conference turn into a pity party.

Pelini said Tuesday that he and his 25th-ranked Cornhuskers are going to turn the fallout from last week’s crushing 16-15 loss to No. 11 Virginia Tech into positive energy. He did, however, acknowledge the hurt that came from the last-minute meltdown that led to a 21st straight loss to a team ranked higher than No. 20.

“I can say that was as hard a loss as I ever encountered in football,” the 41-year-old Pelini said. “I’ve had some hard ones. That was difficult. You know what, it’s time to move on. I’ve moved on. I really have. It took me a little longer, but I’ve moved on.”

Pelini said he’s confident his players have, too. The Huskers (2-1) finish non-conference play Saturday night against Louisiana-Lafayette (2-1) in what will be the 300th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium since 1962.

“I promise you you’re going to see a group of guys playing with passion,” Pelini said. “You’re not going to see anybody crying about what happened last week. Our guys are going to come out and we’re going to play our tails off. I vow that will happen on Saturday.”

Lafayette coach Rickey Bustle is expecting it.

“They’re going to want to make an example of us and get back to winning,” he said. “Coach Pelini has done a great job getting the attitude turned around and getting back to Nebraska football. I don’t think there’s any question they’ll flex their muscle.”

There was concern early in the week that Nebraska might be without starting quarterback Zac Lee, who missed Monday’s practice. Pelini said Lee, who throws with his right arm, would start against Lafayette despite having a sore left thumb.