Allen set for first career start at Nebraska

Zach Potter's version of the story was different.

Pierre Allen was credited with only one tackle in Nebraska's opening game against Western Michigan. So, according to Potter, Allen planned to jump in on pile-ups during the San Jose State game in order to increase his tackles total. Potter claims Allen told him that early in the week.

"I think that's how he got the 10 tackles," Potter said.

Allen led the Cornhuskers with 10 tackles against San Jose State. Seven of them were assisted.

Jumping in on pile-ups, however, is "what Potter does, not what I do," said Allen. "They're jumping in on all my tackles. I'm just always constantly running. If I can get in, I can get in. But I'm not getting in for the tackles.

"I'm just getting in to bring him (ball-carrier) down, to help the team."

Allen was joking about Potter, just as Potter was joking about him.

"He stepped up, and he's going to play well for us the rest of the year," Potter said.

Allen, a sophomore defensive end from Denver, found himself the center of media attention this week. He'll get his first collegiate start on Saturday, replacing Barry Turner, who suffered a season-ending injury -- broken bone and ligament damage -- on the third defensive play against San Jose State.

Turner was "our go-to guy on defense," said Allen. "I've got huge shoes to fill."

The coaches were counting on Turner, planning to move him around, use him in a variety of ways. "Barry's a very versatile guy," coach Bo Pelini said on the Tuesday before the San Jose State game. "He's an important cog in our defense, a playmaker and a heck of a football player."

Now, the defense will have to wait until next season, after a medical redshirt, for him to fill such a role. This season, others, including Allen, will have to pick up the slack.

"It's tough, but we have to move forward, just like we have to move forward with (Kevin) Dixon's loss in fall camp. Somebody has to step up," said junior nose tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Dixon, a defensive tackle, was dismissed from the team just before fall camp began.

Allen stepped up against San Jose State, as the 10 tackles, including three for losses, reflect. "Once I got in there, it felt great," he said. "The nerves were calmed down. At the beginning of every game I've always got nerves. But for some reason I was out there and I knew I had to be out there.

"I just felt free. It was really good."

Although he played more than he ever had at Nebraska, "I was actually more winded in the first game," said Allen. "I don't know why. I think it was more the adrenaline this game."

The opportunity Turner's injury represents is bittersweet for him.

"Barry's like my big brother," Allen said. "He's always been willing to teach me since I got here in '06. I mean, he was the first guy I talked to, and he's always been a mentor to me and my family. You've just got to respect Barry as a person because he's just so great. He's always giving advice.

"He'll come down hard on you when you're doing something wrong. He'll let you know. He's not going to tell you anything different. He's going to tell you what he sees."

What Potter saw from Allen against San Jose State didn't surprise him.

"Pierre got a lot of snaps last year behind me, so it's not like he was really lacking in game experience," Potter said. "I think he stepped in really well."

With Allen starting, another end has to step up, too. Senior Clayton Sievers was listed at No. 2 behind both Allen and Potter on this week's depth chart. Junior Nick Covey, a converted linebacker, and true freshmen Josh Williams and Cameron Meredith also are in the mix, according to Pelini.

Williams and Meredith appeared to be headed to redshirts and still could be.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Allen, who put on some 40 pounds of muscle during his redshirt season, played well in the spring and "I think he's continued into the fall," said Pelini.

"We need him to step up and keep getting better."

Replacing Turner is no small task.

"I'm not here to prove anything to other people," Allen said. "I just want to come in here and prove to my coaches ... I think my coaches already know I'm somebody they can count."


Mike Babcock is a free-lance columnist covering Nebraska football.