Pelini Defends Jabs at Crowd

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Bo Pelini isn't one to backtrack.
On Tuesday, the fiery Nebraska coach said he was merely making an observation, not ripping the fans, when he said he was disappointed with the "dead" atmosphere at Memorial Stadium for last weekend's Kansas game.
Some fans reacted with anger on radio shows and websites, saying Pelini shouldn't insult the people who pay the bills and have sold out an NCAA-record 310 consecutive home games since 1962.
Others say Pelini spoke the truth and that the fans need to ramp up the volume to support the Huskers and make the stadium more intimidating to visiting teams.
Pelini first commented about the crowd on his weekly television show, taped shortly after Saturday night's 20-3 win over the Jayhawks. On Monday he said, "I felt like I was at a scrimmage."
Pelini didn't back off Tuesday. He said after his weekly news conference that the stadium was quieter than it's ever been in his three seasons at Nebraska and that just before the team came out of the locker room for kickoff "you could hear a pin drop."
Nebraska football is king in this state of 1.8 million, and the fans are proud and passionate. Over each stadium entrance is a sign that reads: "Through These Gates Pass the Greatest Fans in College Football."
Fans already were a bit sensitive after receiver Niles Paul, criticized for his poor outing in the loss to Texas a month ago, said he plays for his coaches and teammates, not the fans.
Pelini dismissed the fan fuss.
"There are going to be fans that are always a little disgruntled," he said, adding that he didn't believe his comments indicate a disconnect between the fans and the program. "It was just an observation."

Bo/Shawn....maybe try to do something on offense to give the fans something to cheer about