Befitting of the relative end to Nebraska’s fall camp, NU head coach Bo Pelini took on a low-key, reflective tone after Friday’s workout and scrimmage, held on the grass fields outside Hawks Center.

Pelini described the final two practices of the week as “decent,” certainly better than the Cornhuskers’ weak offering of effort and execution on Wednesday, which left Pelini roiling afterward.

“Our attention to detail still needs to get better,” Pelini said. “We’re sloppy at times. Seeing some penalties here and there. Not as crisp and as sharp as I’d like to see it. But I’m seeing some good things, too. The effort was good.

“I always think we should be further ahead, but going into the game, I think we got a lot done through camp. We’ll hone in, obviously, from here on out on Florida Atlantic, and I think that’ll help some of the guys.”

NU continues to learn a lesson, Pelini said, about “championship-caliber” practices. The Husker fell short of the standard, he said, on Wednesday, by “coming out to get through it, rather than get better.”

“If you don’t compete, then other people will pass you by,” Pelini said. “That’s what we were last year. We didn’t always come out here with the right attitude, the right framework, the right focus. And it showed at times. Hopefully this year we’ll be a little more mature.”

Although one presumes Pelini will release a depth chart at Tuesday’s press conference, Nebraska’s starting lineup “won’t be set until the end of next week.”

Competition continues at receiver, where Pelini mentioned a number of players – including sophomore Curenski Gilleylen, seniors Menelik Holt and Chris Brooks, and freshmen Antonio Bell and Khiry Cooper – as guys vying for time behind alongside junior Niles Paul, who nailed the No. 1 receiver job during fall camp.

“It’s a mix of guys,” Pelini said. “We’re not sure who’s gonna step out there and really take control of the position yet.”

Cooper, who spent last fall on the scout team and last spring playing baseball for the Cornhuskers, isn’t a name that’s been thrown around much so far in camp.

“He’s talented young man,” Pelini said. “I expect him to really step up and make some plays for us.”

Pelini briefly dished on Florida Atlantic, saying the Owls had “a lot of talent, a Lot of speed and good skill guys.” He also confirmed that he recommended Quentin Castille – whom Pelini booted off the team last week – to Castille’s new school, Northwestern (La.) State, which is coached by one of Pelini’s former assistants at LSU, Bradley Dale Peveto.

“I know that coach well, and he called me about ‘Q’ and I told him they’d be well-served to have him on their football team,” Pelini said.

Permanent Link to this Blog Post