Pelini more trustworthy than former coach, says Cody Glenn

LINCOLN (AP) -- Nebraska I-back Cody Glenn says he already has formed a trust in coach Bo Pelini that he never had in Bill Callahan.

Glenn, who appeared in only five games last season, says Callahan gave him the run-around when he asked about his lack of playing time.

Pelini promises to give Glenn a real shot at getting on the field -- and Glenn believes him.

“In one-on-one meetings, he told me he’s a fair guy and that the best 11 guys are going to play,” Glenn said Wednesday. “That’s all I could ask for. I’m just going to give it my all and at the end of the day hope to be the best guy.”

The 6-foot, 230-pound Glenn proved to be a nice change-up and complement to the diminutive Cory Ross his freshman season, running for 131 yards and four touchdowns in 45 carries over seven games.

Glenn missed the final three games his sophomore season because of a foot injury but still was the third-leading rusher with 370 yards and eight touchdowns.

Last year, Glenn all but disappeared. He saw action in five games, carrying 27 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

Glenn was slowed last spring by a lingering sprain to his right foot, and he missed practice time in August because of a hamstring pull.

But Glenn said he was completely healthy at the start of the season, and he still doesn’t understand why Callahan went away from him after he had showed so much promise his first two years in the program.

Marlon Lucky established himself as the No. 1 back, and he’s the only returning 1,000-yard rusher in the Big 12. But Quentin Castille, a bruiser like Glenn, and Roy Helu emerged as Lucky’s top backups.

Glenn said he didn’t feel comfortable talking to Callahan in depth about his playing time.

“I maybe had five conversations in my whole life with coach Callahan while he was here,” Glenn said. “I’ve probably had more with coach Pelini in the short time he’s been here. With coach Callahan, we never had any conversations really. You come out here, practice and leave.”

Glenn said former running backs coach Randy Jordan told Glenn repeatedly that a number of plays were scripted for him, but the plays never materialized.

“I talked to coach Jordan about it and he kept feeding me the same stuff,” Glenn said.

Eventually, Glenn said, the coaches acknowledged that they want to stay with Lucky, Castille and Helu.

“I don’t know what I wasn’t doing right,” Glenn said.

Glenn said he was frustrated with the situation, but he knew it was out of his control. He said he tried to be a good teammate and work hard in practice.

Reminded that Shawn Watson was retained as offensive coordinator, Glenn didn’t blink. He said Watson was one of his biggest supporters but that the play-calling was out of Watson’s control.

Entering his senior season, Glenn wants to win more than anything. He said if that means he is among two or three backs who get carries, that’s fine. If he gets the majority of the carries, that’s even better.

If he doesn’t fit into Pelini’s plans after getting a fair evaluation, he said he would accept that, too.

“I’m the kind of guy who, if I meet you, I’ll give you my trust,” he said. “The first time you lie to me or cross me, it’s gone. I give everybody a chance.