The 14th ranked Nebraska football team continued preparation for this Saturday’s home contest against Ohio State with practice yesterday afternoon. The Huskers’ first Big Ten home game is against head coach Bo Pelini’s alma mater. Pelini, who is from Youngstown, Ohio, played safety for the Buckeyes from 1987 to 1990, but he has repeatedly said this week that his connection to the opponent this week doesn’t make this coming game any more or less important from any standpoint. Pelini continues to stress continued improvement as the goal for his team. The Husker head man also continues to resolutely stand by his starting quarterback, telling the media he still believes in Taylor Martinez as his man under center and that he never considered pulling Martinez in last Saturday’s 48-17 loss at Wisconsin.

The North Platte Community College Knights won their third straight match with a five set triumph over Eastern Wyoming College last night at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. After the visiting Lancers took the first set 25-22, the Knights battled back to win a marathon second set 29-27 and the third set 25-21 to gain the advantage. But the Lancers took the fourth set 25-20 and forced a decisive fifth set, which North Platte took control of early and ultimately won 15-9 to take the match. The win makes the Knights 2-3 in five-set matches this season and improves their overall record to 12-13. This Friday and Saturday, the Knights take part in the Raider Invite in Columbus. On Friday night the Knights play Cowley and Highland. On Saturday, the Knights do battle with Iowa Lakes and Iowa Western.

What was the most worrying element of Nebraska’s 48-17 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday? Depends on who you ask. Many have pointed the finger at a Husker defense that has seemingly suffered a severe dropoff after two outstanding seasons in a row. The Huskers were gashed for over 200 rushing yards by the Badgers in the loss. Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini still believes in his charges and says he’s looking for his players, especially his linebackers to be more instinctive against the run. The Huskers host Ohio State on Saturday for their first ever Big Ten home game.

The Nebraska basketball program has filled out its 2012 recruiting class a year in advance by securing the commitment of another player who will spend this season at a junior college. Fahro Alihodzic, who played one season at Fordham before transferring, will play at Southeastern Community College in Iowa this season before becoming a Husker. Alihodzic is a 6’10”, 240-pound forward from Bosnia who started 14 of 28 games with Fordham two seasons ago, averaging 4.5 points, four rebounds, and one blocked shot per contest. Last season he played in two games before injuring his back and taking a medical redshirt. Alihodzic says he’s the kind of player who will be a good fit in head coach Doc Sadler’s system. He’s the fifth and final commitment to the 2012 recruiting class.

A struggling Ohio State offense won’t get the reinforcements they had hoped for when they come to Lincoln this weekend to face 14th ranked Nebraska. Receiver Devier Posey and running back Boom Herron remain suspended entering this week, meaning they will be out longer than the original five-games in suspensions they received for involvement in the scandal that cost former Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel his job this summer. Offensive lineman Marcus Hall also remains under suspension. The 3-2 Buckeyes narrowly avoided being shutout in their 10-7 loss to Michigan State last Saturday. At his weekly press conference yesterday, Huskers coach Bo Pelini says he’s not putting any extra weight on the game against his alma mater this week. The Huskers and Buckeyes kick off at 7 on Saturday.