Moores status with team remains unclear

The rumors regarding the status of sophomore left tackle Tyler Moore that were flying all day Friday were finally confirmed following Saturday's practice.

Head coach Bo Pelini said the former four-star recruit who started four games last season as a true freshman had "temporarily" left the team.

Pelini wouldn't go into much detail on the situation, but said there was still a lot to be determined in terms of his future with the program.

"Tyler Moore has left the team temporarily," Pelini said. "We'll see where that goes. I'm not exactly sure if that's going to be permanent or not permanent. He's working through some things personally.

"I can say this: I talked to his father this morning, and he said there's a bunch of things being said on the internet or whatever - I don't even know, out there on the blogs, whatever you call the boards and things - that aren't true. I'm not getting into what his situation is, but he's got some things he's got to figure out personally, and we'll figure it out from there."

Pelini declined to give any further comments on the situation, and did not give any timetable as to when he hoped to have a better idea of Moore's status.

Pelini did give a rundown of what Nebraska's tackle position could look like should Moore decide to leave the team permanently, however.

As of now, the No. 1 left tackle now looks to be junior Brent Qvale. The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder from Williston, N.D., has played in 26 career games, including 12 appearances last season.

Pelini said Qvale had been pushing for the starting left tackle job even before Moore's departure, and that he has been having an excellent fall camp so far.

"Qvale's had a heck of a camp," Pelini said. "I didn't particularly watch him in the scrimmage (on Saturday), but I'm excited. I think he's had a really good camp, and I think he's going to be a really good player for us."

Qvale has always been praised for his potential given his size and athleticism, but injuries have caused him a few setbacks over the course of his career. He was lost for the season with a shoulder injury as a true freshman back in 2009, and then suffered another shoulder injury last year.

Now that he's finally healthy again, Pelini said Qvale is coming into his own this fall.

"Well I mean, he had a lot to learn when he started this thing," Pelini said. "He's come a long way athletically. He's moving his feet really well. Obviously he has great size, and is a big, physical guy. He's really taken his game to another level. He's playing good football right now."

Qvale isn't the only option the Huskers have at the position either. Pelini said guys like redshirt freshmen Givens Price and Zach Sterup have both impressed through the first nine fall practices.

"Givens Price is a guy who is getting better," Pelini said. "I think he's a ways off, but he's shown me a lot over the last couple days. He's really played well.

"I think Zach Sterup is going to be a good player in time. He's really made some progress. I mean, you just look at him physically from when he came in and joined us to where he is now, it's night and day."

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