It seems the word "or" that appears between the names of I-backs Marlon Lucky and Roy Helu Jr. on Nebraska's preseason depth chart hasn't caused nearly as big of a stir among the Cornhusker players and coaches as it has outside the program.
Ever since the infamous "or" made its way into the news on July 21 when Nebraska's football media guide was released and the preseason depth chart was posted on the Huskers' official Web site, fans and media alike have debated the significance.
After all, Lucky is a senior and a preseason All-Big 12 Conference selection and the leading returning rusher in the league with 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Helu had a solid true freshman year -- 209 yards rushing on 45 attempts in seven games -- but didn't seem to be a likely candidate to push Lucky for the starting job in fall camp.
This week, Nebraska's coaches are quick to say that all the "or" talk is overblown.
"We don't get caught up in depth chart -- who is listed as No. 1 and No. 2 and so forth," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said. "We're a football team and whoever the starter is the guy who is in on that play. That's the way we approach it."
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and Pelini both seemed to indicate that the depth chart "or" is more of a reward to Helu than any kind of slight or message to Lucky.
"I think obviously Marlon Lucky has proven he's a heck of a football player," Pelini said. "Roy Helu showed us in the spring that he's a guy that's going to be deserving of carries."
Pelini said Helu has the capability to help an offense in a lot of different ways.
"He runs the ball hard, he's physical, he's tough, he's smart (and) he's a leader," Pelini said of Helu. "He had a good spring, which we needed a guy to step up. Once again, Marlon's played a lot of football, a lot of snaps, but he can't do it every down."
Pelini added that I-backs Quentin Castille and Marcus Mendoza also have talent and could add some things to the mix in the backfield.
At Nebraska's media day on Monday, Lucky seemed relatively unconcerned. The 6-foot, 215-pounder from North Hollywood, Calif., said competition is just a way of life in college football.
"You've got someone breathing down your neck every second," Lucky said. "It's going to be a push."
However, Lucky characterized the I-back competition with Helu as friendly -- and motivating.
"It's a big motivation," Lucky said. "Roy (and I), we compete against each other all the time in the weight room, running, speed work -- that's what we do so it'll be fun."
Likewise, Helu said the relationship between him and Lucky is good.
"He helps me out," Helu said. "Mentally, I think we're on the same level of understanding the offense. If I have something I'm struggling with -- a play or a route -- I'll ask him."
Lucky said that Helu made a "big jump" in spring practices. Helu agrees.
"I think mostly it was a mental jump, understanding the offense better," said Helu, a 6-foot, 215-pound sophomore from Danville, Calif. "Physically, it was pretty easy. Marlon and I competed every day during the summer and during the spring. It's really helped me to get ready for the fall camp."
Helu said he wasn't surprised to learn that he and Lucky were listed as co-No. 1 I-backs heading into the start of fall camp.
"It wasn't too much of a surprise because our coaching staff gives everyone a pretty fair opportunity," Helu said. "I was in California when I heard about it. When I came here, everyone was talking about it, so I guess it was a pretty big buzz, but it's not that big of a deal.
"It's just competition for both of us."
After all, Pelini said having a large stable of I-backs to call upon is a must during the course of a 12-game regular season.
"You have to have depth, especially at that position with the amount of hits they take and the amount of running they have to do," Pelini said. "Fortunately, we feel good about that position even beyond those two guys.”
