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Defense staying light before big test
By Bob Hamar
bob.hamar@theindependent.com
LINCOLN -- The Nebraska defense is having fun this season, and senior linebacker Phillip Dillard is in the middle of a lot of that fun.
Dillard, who didn't play the first two games of the season but has earned playing time since then, keeps the Huskers loose and his teammates return the favor.
Sometime, maybe last spring, they started calling Dillard "Real Deal."
"It's crazy," Dillard said. "We're not only teammates but we're all like buddies, like family and brothers. They crack me up with the 'Real Deal.' I guess they do that because I'm also the joker on the team and make fun of everybody. Regardless if you just got here or not, I'm going to make fun of you."
Dillard has made up his share of the nicknames. He calls senior defensive tackle Ndamukong suh, "Hungry, hungry hippo." and freshman Will Compton "Limp Biscut."
"Any time I see someone on TV that looks like one of my teammates, the very next day I'll call them that," Dillard said.
The Husker defenders may like to goof around, but they know their main order of business is shutting down the opposing team's offense.
"It allows us to play loose," defensive back Larry Asante said of all the shenanigans. "When the going gets tough, we know we've got each others' backs. We joke around a lot, but when it comes time to play we turn it on."
The Nos. 15 and 17 Huskers (4-1, 1-0 in the Big 12) get their next chance to shut down an opposing offense when they host Texas Tech (4-2, 1-1) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
It looks like the classic case of something has to give.
The Huskers are second in the nation in points allowed per game. NU has allowed just four touchdowns this year and has limited five of its last seven opponents to 102 yards rushing or fewer.
Nebraska is holding opponents to 273 total yards per game including 162 through the air.
But Texas Tech will be the biggest challenge thus far. The Red Raiders are averaging 43 points and more than 500 yards per game, including 443 yards through the air.
The Red Raiders had 739 total yards last week in a 66-13 win over Kansas State.
The Husker defensive players are confident they have what it takes to slow the Red Raiders down.
"We have a great game plan put in that was introduced (Monday)," Asante said. "I feel like if we play assignment football and do what we're taught to do, we'll be fine."
Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said the Red Raiders' version of the spread is nothing like what Missouri ran last week.
"It's totally different offense," Pelini said. "Everybody wants to lump these spread offenses into one category and it's not even close. They're all unique in their own way."
That doesn't put a damper on the Huskers' confidence. That confidence comes from the success they've had this season and the belief they have in Pelini and the coaching staff.
"We knew when he got here that everywhere he's been the defense has been good," Dillard said. "So it was really easy to buy into it. Learning in the beginning may be hard, but once you learn it the game does slow down. I think that's why the defense is playing at such a high level. It's slowed down for us because of the techniques and the philosophies they've taught us have actually made it a lot easier on us now."
While Suh has gotten much of the attention -- and even some mention on the national level as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate -- Pelini says he's just one cog in the machine. Defense played the Pelini way is all about each player executing his duties on every play.
When the front four can get a good rush on the quarterback -- like it did against Missouri's Blaine Gabbert -- it causes big problems for the opposition.
"It's crucial," defensive tackle Jared Crick said. "If we can just rush four all the time, then that leaves the other seven guys for coverage. That's what we want. If we can get pressure, we don't have to bring anyone else. That's what we pride ourselves on, getting great pressure and stopping the run and let everybody else play their role."
That will be important again Saturday against the Red Raiders regardless of who plays quarterback. Taylor Potts started the first two games before an injury put him on the sidelines late in the first half of the New Mexico Game.
Junior Steven Sheffield stepped in for Potts and the Red Raiders didn't miss a beat. He threw for four touchdowns in just over a half against New Mexico, and then threw for 490 yards and seven touchdowns last week against Kansas State.
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said the starter at quarterback will be a game-time decision on Saturday. Pelini said both players can get the job done.
"I think they're both good players," Pelini said. "I think they've both shown they can make plays. We're going to defend their offense. They're just one cog in their offense, but they've shown they can be productive back there."
Whoever quarterbacks the Red Raiders on Saturday will have a variety of receivers to throw to. Nine players have caught 10 or more passes this season.
"We have to get a good pass rush which our D-line is going to do," Dillard said. "We have to be focused on the back end -- linebackers and defensive backs -- on our keys and what they like to run, and stay on our man a lot longer. If they're not open they're going to keep running until they're open."
The Huskers have been much more physical on defense than they were a year ago. Pelini said that comes from proper technique.
"Really it's about execution. I think our guys are very capable," Pelini said. "I like what we're doing. I just think our guys are playing better technique-wise more consistently and playing with better fundamentals.
"To me, when that happens you look like a more physical football team. You're getting your hands on people, playing with good technique and playing the right way it should look more physical. That's the only way you play good defense."
Suh said playing defense isn't all about the physical aspect. The mental side also figures in to the equation.
"I think the biggest thing in my growth is the fact that they take great pride in teaching us the mental standpoint of the game as well as the physical standpoint of the game," Suh said. "Yet they do harp on the technique stuff which I agree with. It's a huge part of the game."
Dillard, who didn't play the first two games of the season but has earned playing time since then, keeps the Huskers loose and his teammates return the favor.
Sometime, maybe last spring, they started calling Dillard "Real Deal."
"It's crazy," Dillard said. "We're not only teammates but we're all like buddies, like family and brothers. They crack me up with the 'Real Deal.' I guess they do that because I'm also the joker on the team and make fun of everybody. Regardless if you just got here or not, I'm going to make fun of you."
"Any time I see someone on TV that looks like one of my teammates, the very next day I'll call them that," Dillard said.
The Husker defenders may like to goof around, but they know their main order of business is shutting down the opposing team's offense.
"It allows us to play loose," defensive back Larry Asante said of all the shenanigans. "When the going gets tough, we know we've got each others' backs. We joke around a lot, but when it comes time to play we turn it on."
The Nos. 15 and 17 Huskers (4-1, 1-0 in the Big 12) get their next chance to shut down an opposing offense when they host Texas Tech (4-2, 1-1) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
It looks like the classic case of something has to give.
The Huskers are second in the nation in points allowed per game. NU has allowed just four touchdowns this year and has limited five of its last seven opponents to 102 yards rushing or fewer.
Nebraska is holding opponents to 273 total yards per game including 162 through the air.
But Texas Tech will be the biggest challenge thus far. The Red Raiders are averaging 43 points and more than 500 yards per game, including 443 yards through the air.
The Red Raiders had 739 total yards last week in a 66-13 win over Kansas State.
The Husker defensive players are confident they have what it takes to slow the Red Raiders down.
"We have a great game plan put in that was introduced (Monday)," Asante said. "I feel like if we play assignment football and do what we're taught to do, we'll be fine."
Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said the Red Raiders' version of the spread is nothing like what Missouri ran last week.
"It's totally different offense," Pelini said. "Everybody wants to lump these spread offenses into one category and it's not even close. They're all unique in their own way."
That doesn't put a damper on the Huskers' confidence. That confidence comes from the success they've had this season and the belief they have in Pelini and the coaching staff.
"We knew when he got here that everywhere he's been the defense has been good," Dillard said. "So it was really easy to buy into it. Learning in the beginning may be hard, but once you learn it the game does slow down. I think that's why the defense is playing at such a high level. It's slowed down for us because of the techniques and the philosophies they've taught us have actually made it a lot easier on us now."
While Suh has gotten much of the attention -- and even some mention on the national level as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate -- Pelini says he's just one cog in the machine. Defense played the Pelini way is all about each player executing his duties on every play.
When the front four can get a good rush on the quarterback -- like it did against Missouri's Blaine Gabbert -- it causes big problems for the opposition.
"It's crucial," defensive tackle Jared Crick said. "If we can just rush four all the time, then that leaves the other seven guys for coverage. That's what we want. If we can get pressure, we don't have to bring anyone else. That's what we pride ourselves on, getting great pressure and stopping the run and let everybody else play their role."
That will be important again Saturday against the Red Raiders regardless of who plays quarterback. Taylor Potts started the first two games before an injury put him on the sidelines late in the first half of the New Mexico Game.
Junior Steven Sheffield stepped in for Potts and the Red Raiders didn't miss a beat. He threw for four touchdowns in just over a half against New Mexico, and then threw for 490 yards and seven touchdowns last week against Kansas State.
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said the starter at quarterback will be a game-time decision on Saturday. Pelini said both players can get the job done.
"I think they're both good players," Pelini said. "I think they've both shown they can make plays. We're going to defend their offense. They're just one cog in their offense, but they've shown they can be productive back there."
Whoever quarterbacks the Red Raiders on Saturday will have a variety of receivers to throw to. Nine players have caught 10 or more passes this season.
"We have to get a good pass rush which our D-line is going to do," Dillard said. "We have to be focused on the back end -- linebackers and defensive backs -- on our keys and what they like to run, and stay on our man a lot longer. If they're not open they're going to keep running until they're open."
The Huskers have been much more physical on defense than they were a year ago. Pelini said that comes from proper technique.
"Really it's about execution. I think our guys are very capable," Pelini said. "I like what we're doing. I just think our guys are playing better technique-wise more consistently and playing with better fundamentals.
"To me, when that happens you look like a more physical football team. You're getting your hands on people, playing with good technique and playing the right way it should look more physical. That's the only way you play good defense."
Suh said playing defense isn't all about the physical aspect. The mental side also figures in to the equation.
"I think the biggest thing in my growth is the fact that they take great pride in teaching us the mental standpoint of the game as well as the physical standpoint of the game," Suh said. "Yet they do harp on the technique stuff which I agree with. It's a huge part of the game."
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