LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -Nebraska coach Bo Pelini is a sore loser – which helps explain his sideline blowup late in Cornhuskers’ loss to Virginia Tech.
The 35-30 setback was Pelini’s first as Nebraska head coach. Counting his Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State as interim head coach in 2003, he’s 4-1 with the Cornhuskers.
“I’m a poor loser. I’m not very fun to be around the next day,” Pelini said Tuesday. “I take losses hard. I took them hard as a coordinator and position coach. When I start enjoying losing, or when I can handle it well, it’s time for me to go into another profession.”
Pelini said Monday that he had no concerns about his ability to control his temper and that no one, such as athletic director Tom Osborne, had told him to keep his cool on the sidelines.
Pelini on Tuesday acknowledged that he used bad judgment by drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the fourth quarter against Virginia Tech. He called an official an unflattering name after Huskers lineman Ndamukong Suh was penalized for hitting Hokies quarterback Tyrod Taylor out of bounds.
e two penalties gave Tech the ball at the Nebraska 10, and Virginia Tech scored a touchdown three plays later to go up 35-23 with 2:28 left.
Pelini said he’s lost his cool on the sideline before without getting an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
“I’ve been madder than I was there. Trust me on that,” Pelini said. “Honestly, I was surprised he threw the flag, because I didn’t really get a warning. That was bad judgment on my part.”
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