Nebraska’s Pelini released from hospital

Associated Press

LINCOLN, NEB.

Bo Pelini wasn’t acting like himself on the sideline Saturday, and defensive coordinator John Papuchis could tell something wasn’t quite right with the Nebraska head coach known for being effusive and emotional.

“Not that I knew there was anything wrong with him,” Papuchis said. “He was just a little bit less vocal than he normally is.”

Pelini, a Cardinal Mooney High graduate, was taken by ambulance to a hospital while his Cornhuskers were in the middle of a 42-13 victory over Arkansas State. He said in a statement released through the athletic department that he underwent precautionary tests that “checked out just fine” and that he planned to work today. Nebraska spokesman Keith Mann said Pelini was out of the hospital Saturday night.

When Pelini gets around to watching the film of what he missed, he’ll like what he sees.

Taylor Martinez threw two touchdown passes to Kenny Bell for Nebraska (2-1), and Ameer Abdullah ran for a career-high 167 yards and two scores, filling in for the injured Rex Burkhead.

“I’m proud of our team and coaching staff for the way they responded this afternoon,” Pelini said in his statement.

The 44-year-old Pelini complained of not feeling well in the first half. A member of the Nebraska athletic medicine staff was seen checking his pulse, but he continued to coach through the end of the second quarter.

There was no word on the nature of Pelini’s symptoms.

Papuchis led the team onto the field for the third quarter and shared head coaching duties with offensive coordinator Tim Beck.