Lincoln – The Nebraska football team began the Bo Pelini era with a 2 ½ hour practice in helmets and shorts at the Hawks Championship Center on Wednesday afternoon. Pelini sent the team through drills and breakout work as the Huskers prepare for the annual Red-White Spring Game, which will be held on April 19.

“It was what we expected,” Pelini said of the first day of spring ball. “You are not going to be game ready on the first day. There were a lot of mistakes, but the effort was great. There were a lot of guys flying around and having fun. We will make progress from here.”

The start of the spring season marks the first official practice Pelini has supervised. He takes over at the helm of a NU squad that returns six starters on each side of the ball this season. Pelini and his new staff have created excitement around the program that Pelini has seen transfer onto the field.

“The energy level was great,” Pelini said. “The kids were enthusiastic. They are learning a lot of new things and hearing some things for the first time. A lot of terminology on the defensive side, and even offensively, we have tweaked some things.”

The Huskers will continue spring workouts on Friday afternoon.