Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini hands out gaudy praise of his own players like a dentist foists candy on tykes, but Tuesday he mounted a surprisingly strong defense for senior cornerback Prince Amukamara, whostruggled in Saturday's 51-41 win over Oklahoma State.

“Remarkable,” was the word Pelini used to describe Amukamara's play in 2010. Considered a top cover corner by several NFL analysts, he let Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon catch three passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the first half, including an 80-yard flea flicker. Blackmon caught the ball at midfield, broke through Amukamara's arm tackle, and outran him to the end zone.

“That really wasn't his play,” said Pelini, who expected Amukamara to receiver over-the-top help from the safety on the pass. “The ball was underthrown and the guy kind of pushed him by.”

Amukamara told reporters Saturday he was “humbled” by Blackmon, the nation's leader in receiving yards who also drew a pass interference penalty.

Pelini saw it differently. He played safety at Ohio State in college and coached the position in the NFL – including Deion Sanders with the San Francisco 49ers.

“They all get beat,” Pelini said Tuesday. “No one is invincible.”

The mark of Amukamara's talent, Pelini said, is preventing bad plays. Every corner has them.

“What really shows what Prince was about is how he played the second half,” Pelini said.

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