Husker defense needs to at least contain Miller

This week’s football game in Columbus Ohio, between No. 21 Nebraska and No. 12 Ohio State, features a pretty simple task for the Nebraska defense – slow down Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller.

Trying to so and actually performing the task have been two different matters. Miller has accounted for 1,510 net yards of offense (933 passing, 477 rushing), good for 72.2 percent of the team’s total.

Miller, who is a sophomore, caused Nebraska’s defense a lot of headaches last season in rushing for 91 yards on 10 carries in the Huskers’ 34-27 come-from-behind win in Lincoln. Nebraska rallied from a 27-6 mid third quarter deficit spearheaded by linebacker LaVonte David’s forced and recovered fumble that the Huskers turned into a touchdown. One series later, Miller left the game with an ankle sprain giving way to the statue-esque Joe Bauserman.

What makes Miller even more dangerous is that he now has a head coach (Urban Meyer) that knows how to develop quarterbacks. Look no further than his development of Alex Smith at Utah and Tim Tebow at Florida. Meyer is operating Miller much the same way as he did Smith and Tebow – out of the shotgun, this giving him the freedom to read the defense and pick a hole.

With that running style, Nebraska has to play a “gap sound” defense because Miller will feast on defenses that overpursue. You have to concede that Miller will get his yards. The key is limiting him to 5-10 yard gains as opposed to say 40 or more.

While it could be said of any game, third down success will be vital because if you give Miller too many extra sets of downs it will be a long day.

The biggest dilemma that Husker head coach Bo Pelini faces is do you play more man-to-man defense instead of zone. Pelini prefers the latter but neither is foolproof against running quarterbacks because in man-to-man defense, linebackers and defensive backs will have their backs turned at the line of scrimmage whereas in zone they are facing the line of scrimmage. Since the Buckeyes have not had huge success passing, perhaps you commit an extra safety toward the line of scrimmage.

The No. 1 area where Nebraska must unequivocally executed Saturday is tackling because it was a “lack of” tackling that caused the Huskers to give up 653 yards of total offense, including 344 yards rushing in a 36-30 loss at UCLA. Many of those yards were due to lousy tackling or no poor tackling on the part of Nebraska defenders that were in position to make a play. If the Huskers are to have any defensive success Saturday, secure tackling is mandatory because a football team that does not tackle is like a basketball team that gives up easy transitions baskets.

Of course the Husker offense can indirectly help on this matter as well by protecting the football and controlling the time of possession because Miller can’t hurt you if he is on the sideline. Nebraska’s up-tempo offensive strategy runs somewhat counter to this goal, but has been effective in putting points on the board. If Nebraska is able to get a running game established and can put some long drives together, the Huskers can keep Miller on the sidelines and unable to do damage.

 

An early look ahead to Nebraska-Ohio State

When Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference in 2010, there’s no doubt that this was one matchup the powers that be and fans alike were looking forward to – Nebraska and Ohio State. After all, you have two storied programs that play in storied venues. 

If Saturday’s game in Columbus is anything like last year’s contest in Lincoln, we should be in for a treat. Last season, Nebraska rallied from a 27-6 third quarter deficit to win 34-27 thanks in large part to LaVonte David, Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead. Both teams enter the weekend coming off emotional victories. No. 21 Nebraska rallied from a 27-10 deficit to beat Wisconsin 30-27 at home while No. 12 Ohio State defeated Michigan State 17-16 on the road.

Nebraska’s win over a Wisconsin club that had been struggling, and continues to, was crucial for psychological reasons. Ohio State is ineligible for Big Ten Championship and bowl games this year based on NCAA sanctions but under new head coach Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes are using 2012 to lay the groundwork for future success. Ohio State enters Saturday’s game as a 5-point favorite. 

This Husker defense has taken its knocks but has bounced back admirably. The offensive struggles (two turnovers inside the Wisconsin 25) put them in some bad spots against the Badgers, but the defense rose to the challenge and played lights out in the second half. I don’t know what was said at halftime, but that was a different defense in the second half.

Over the past two years, I’ve seen opposing runners get hit at the line of scrimmage and fall forward for four more yards. I’ve seen a lot of Nebraska defenders make tackles in the run game, but not a lot of gang tackling. That was not the case in the second half against Wisconsin. Against arguably one of the best running backs (Montee Ball) in the nation, the Huskers were ferocious against the run (as in 56 yards on 41 carries). For the first time in a long time, I felt confident that they could stop a team in short-yardage situations.

There was a new confidence that I don’t think I’ve seen since 2010. Wisconsin’s offensive line, despite the coaching staff turmoil, still averages around 320 pounds but the Husker line got some penetration, fought off blocks, and they met the back at the point of attack and didn’t give up ground. I know it’s two days after a great win, and emotions are still bubbling over, but hopefully this defense turned the corner.

The offense was sloppy at times, very crisp at other times. If not for giving the Badgers a short field with turnovers, this could have easily been a 17-point win for Nebraska – but it wasn’t. I still think that the Huskers have a potent offense, and running back Ameer Abdullah might be the Husker MVP so far, with apologies to Martinez. I love Rex Burkhead but I think he’s still shaking off some rust from his knee injury in the season-opening game. He still seems hesitant at times when he needed to just hit the hole and go. However, I have no doubt he’ll round into form. Having some competition behind him can be nothing but a good thing. The offense has the potential to be explosive. Martinez still needs to clean up some things but I think he showed more confidence in his running than he has in quite a while.

Nebraska moved the ball well against Ohio State last year, and I see no reason why the Huskers can’t do it again this year because they are much better offensively than a year ago. Ohio State, however, has one common denominator that was a headache for Nebraska last season and is the central figure behind the Buckeyes’ 5-0 start – quarterback Braxton Miller. Before leaving last season’s game in Lincoln in the third quarter with an ankle injury, Miller’s feet frustrated Nebraska for 91 yards on 10 carries. Miller left the game with the Buckeyes leading 27-13 before giving way to the statue-esque Joe Bauserman. Bo Pelini defenses have struggled in the past against mobile quarterbacks like Miller.

Last season, it was only Miller’s third career start when he visited Lincoln, and his first on the road. He’s grown up quite a bit since and now with a coach that knows how to develop quarterbacks, which makes him an even tougher cover.

While Wisconsin is more of a classic Big Ten team than mixes I-formation or “12 personnel” (one running, two tight ends), Ohio State is a spread team that does not throw very well (ranked 98th in the nation). They depend largely on the athletic ability of Miller and he is the Huskers No. 1 priority in limiting as the Buckeyes offense that is ranked 21st in rushing and Miller is their leading rusher by far. The team is built around him. Of course, controlling him is easier said than done.

Ohio State just faced the toughest defense they will see all season in Michigan St., which pushed them into three turnovers. One thing I notice from Miller is that as much as he runs, he rarely secures the ball at contact, which has caused him to fumble quite often. The question is, will Pelini (normally one for a 4-3 alignment) play more 3-4?

While it could be said about any game, Nebraska has to protect the ball on offense and not fall behind early. Meyer coached teams are not going to surrender a 17-21 point lead.

Whatever happens next Saturday in Columbus will likely speak very loudly about the current status of the Huskers. At this point, I’m still not at all sure where they stand. Ohio State is likely the best all-around team Nebraska face in the regular season.

How do you contain a mobile QB?

It has been said very frequently throughout the years that Nebraska defenses have struggled with mobile quarterbacks.

The proof was certainly in the pudding last season. In a 48-17 loss to Wisconsin, Russell Wilson torched the Huskers in going 14-of-20 for two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran for 32 more yards on six carries. In a 34-27 come-from-behind win over Ohio State, Braxton Miller gave the Huskers fits before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Miller completed 5-of-8 passes for 95 yards and a score. He also ran for 91 yards on 10 more carries.

In a 28-25 upset loss to Northwestern, Kane Colter completed 4-of-6 for one touchdown and 15 yards. He ran for 57 yards on 17 carries and a score. In a 45-17 loss to Michigan, Dennard Robinson completed 11-of-18 passes for two touchdowns and an interception for 180 yards. He also ran for 83 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. Nebraska managed just five sacks combined against those mobile signal-callers.

Against the more classic, dropback quarterbacks, Nebraska had much more success. In a 24-3 win over Michigan State, Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins completed just 11-of-24 passes for no touchdowns, one interception and 86 yards. He totaled zero yards rushing on six carries and was sacked four times.

In a 20-7 win over Iowa, Hawkeyes’ quarterback Jeff Vandenberg completed just 16-of-35 passes for 182 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He was sacked just once but recorded just one yard rushing on one carry.

The question should be, what is the solution to slow down mobile quarterbacks? Some say use a defender as a “spy,” which means assign him specifically to the quarterback. I do not like that approach because it takes one defender away from everyone else.

Some would say, rush four, drop seven and make him “read” the defense. That approach is fine if you have a back seven with speed and can rely solely on your front four to bring pressure but how many defenses can do that? Plus, if you give any quarterback too much time to throw they will spot an open receiver at some point.

I believe in the approach of bring your front four (or three if you run a 3-4) but add one blitzer on every play. You may give up a big play every now and then, but getting in any quarterback’s head (especially a mobile one) is vital. If he is running for his life, he isn’t going through his reads.

However, they have to be delayed and disguised blitzes because straight blitzes will lead to open field for them to run through.

When I hear the term, “he is a mobile quarterback,” it usually means that he has success to some degree or another with most defenses. In the glory years of the 1990s, defensive coordinator Charlie McBride’s game plan was to attack the quarterback rather than just contain. I can remember many Defensive ends for Nebraska that got to the quarterback very quickly. He might dodge one, sometimes two rushers but often times he ducked right into the path of a runaway freight train. I remember many a quarterback back then who looked like he had gone through a meat grinder. Their heads were not totally focused at the task at hand.

It comes down to philosophies. McBride’s was old school aggression and Bo Pelini’s is all about outsmarting and confusion. At least that is how I see it.

Revisiting the win over Ohio State

It’s amazing what watching the replay of a game seven months later can do. I just got done watching the DVR recording of the Big Ten Network’s airing of Nebraska football’s thrilling, and frankly stunning, 34-27 come-from-behind win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 8.

You truly have to reassess the circumstances to appreciate the situation. Ohio State was a scandal-ridden program that had various players coming off of five-game suspensions because they were found to have sold awards, gifts and university apparel, plus receive improper benefits in 2009. In addition to missing five games in 2011, those players had repay money and benefits ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,500. The repayments needed to be made to a charity.

The Buckeyes entered the game 3-2 but looked like they couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time, especially on offense. Ohio State lost 10-7 at home against Michigan State (the same club Nebraska throttled 24-3 at home later in the month) the previous week. Nebraska, meanwhile, was 4-1 but coming off an embarrassing 48-17 loss at Wisconsin in its Big Ten debut on National TV. The Huskers as a team played a horrendous game and took a lot of heat (deservedly so in some cases) from local and national media alike. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez especially took a lot of heat for his 11-of-22 passing performance with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Head coach Bo Pelini also took his share of slings and arrows.  

The victory over Ohio State was a psychological win for the Huskers. No matter how much Ohio State had become just another program, you don't rally from a 27-6 deficit to win without having some testicular fortitude. The Buckeyes finished 6-7 including a 21-14 Gator Bowl loss to Florida.

Entering the Ohio State game, negativity was at a fever pitch among Husker fans and media alike after the aforementioned loss to Wisconsin. After the Ohio State game, Nebraska had a bye week followed by a road game at Minnesota. If you thought negativity among the Nebraska fan base and media was bad entering the Ohio State game, one could only fathom how things would have been with consecutive losses going into a bye week.

In the first half, the Buckeyes ran through Nebraska like Roseanne Barr at an all-you-can-eat buffet to the tune of 246 yards of offense in the first half. OSU freshman quarterback Braxton Miller rushed for 79 and passed for 68. For the second time in as many weeks, the Huskers looked like stumblebums on defense. The offense certainly wasn't pulling its weight either.

Sometimes, however, one play can change a game if not the course of a season. Nebraska linebacker LaVonte David's play in the third quarter was the difference in Nebraska’s season. Granted, the Huskers finished 9-4 including a 30-13 Capital One Bowl loss to South Carolina. However, without David’s brilliance, the Huskers very easily could have gone 7-6. In the first half of the Ohio State game, the Husker defense looked lost on defense, perhaps still reeling from the Wisconsin loss. OSU led 20-6 at halftime. Pelini, who is known as a defensive guru, seemed at a loss for solutions. That Nebraska deficit later became 27-6.  

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller made his way through traffic for a 7-yard gain but like a thief in the night, David ripped the ball from the hands of the 6-3, 210-pound quarterback. From there, it was all Huskers. Yes, Nebraska caught a break when the mobile Miller had to leave the game with an ankle injury. His replacement (Joe Bauserman) went 1 for 7 for 13 yards. However, it should also be pointed out that David made the play with Miller in the game. Also, Miller does not play defense.

With Martinez, you had to look beyond his numbers. Yes, he completed 16 of 22 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. He also added a rushing touchdown, 95 yards on 16 carries. However, besides his end-of-the-first-half interception, Martinez bounced back well from the previous week’s performance at Wisconsin. He did a better job of checking down to receivers this week, and overall he showed more poise and confidence. ABC color commentator Matt Millen kept harping on how Martinez lacks the ability to stretch the field. It's funny. Against Wisconsin, Martinez was being criticized for forcing the ball downfield into coverage and not checking down to underneath receivers. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

What more can you say about running back Rex Burkhead? 119 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown. Nebraska rushed for 144 yards in the fourth quarter, against the 13th ranked defense in the country.

What did the Ohio State win mean in the grand spectrum of things? Well, mathematically it meant the Huskers are 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. What might have happened, however, had Nebraska lost that game? The Huskers went on to beat Minnesota (41-14) and Michigan State (24-3). Nebraska alternated outcomes the rest of the way with a home loss to Northwestern (28-25), a road win at Penn State (17-14), a road loss at Michigan (45-17), a home win against Iowa (20-7) and the aforementioned bowl loss to South Carolina.

So what did the win over Ohio State mean? Mathematically, not much because after that game the Huskers went 4-3. Without that win, Nebraska probably still beats God-awful Minnesota, which went 3-9 but maybe not by 27 points but that’s the only game with conviction you can say the Huskers win.  

As disappointing as 9-4 may seem, and no I don’t think it should be the Gold standard, just remember how truly disconcerting the season would have been without the Ohio State win.

Stunning second half a season saver -- for the time being

My goodness! What more can be said about No. 14 Nebraska's 34-27 come-from-behind win over the Ohio State Buckeyes.


Never mind that Ohio State (now 3-3) is just a shell of its former self. After last Saturday's debacle of a 48-17 loss at Wisconsin, this win was a psychological hurdle for the Huskers. No matter how much Ohio State has become just another program, you don't rally from a 27-6 deficit to win without having some testicular fortitude.

If you thought negativity among the Nebraska fan base and media was bad entering this game, one could only fathom how things would have been with consecutive losses going into a bye week. Head coach Bo Pelini and quarterback Taylor Martinez were the main targets after the Huskers loss in Madison, Wisc.

Not that either one is out of the woods but they bought themselves breathing space for a week. Despite the win, all is not well in Huskerland by a longshot. The Buckeyes ran through Nebraska like Roseanne Barr at an all-you-can-eat buffet to the tune of 246 yards of offense in the first half. OSU freshman quarterback Braxton Miller rushed for 79 and passed for 68. For the second time in as many weeks, the Huskers looked like stumblebumbs on defense. The offense certainly wasn't pulling its weight either.

Sometimes, however, one play can change a game if not the course of a season. Nebraska linebacker LaVonte David's play in the third quarter might be the difference between having a 10-2 season versus a 7-5 season. the Huskers looked more the latter than the former in the first half. The Huskers, as they had the previous week, looked lost on defense, perhaps still reeling from the Wisconsin loss. OSU led 20-6 at halftime. Pelini, who is known as a defensve guru, seemed at a loss for solutions.

David has been a bright spot in a disappointing season for the Blackshirts. Miller made his way through traffic for a 7-yard gain but like a thief in the night, David ripped the ball from the hands of the 6-3, 210-pound quarterback. From there, it was all Huskers. Yes, Nebraska caught a break when the mobile Miller had to leave the game with an ankle injury. His replacement (Joe Bauserman) went 1 for 7 for 13 yards.

However, it should also be pointed out that David made the play with Miller in the game. Also, Miller does not play defense.

With Martinez, you have to look beyond his numbers. Yes, he completed 16 of 22 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. He also added a rushing touchdown, 95 yards on 16 carries. However, besides his end-of-the-first-half interception, Martinez bounced back well from last week's performance. He did a better job of checking down to receivers this week, and overall he showed more poise and confidence. Questions can subside about whether he should be Nebraska's starting quarterback. Well, for a week anyhow. ABC color commenator Matt Millen kept harping on how Martinez lacks the ability to stretch the field. It's funny. Last week, Martinez was being criticized for forcing the ball downfield into coverage and not checking down to underneath receivers. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

What more can you say about running back Rex Burkhead? 119 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown. Nebraska rushed for 144 yards in the fourth quarter, against the 13th ranked defense in the country.

What does Saturday's win mean in the grand spectrum of things? Well, mathematically it means the Huskers are 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten and they saved the program for another two weeks.

The Blackshirts — if you want to call them that — have inexplicably become fundamentally flawed. They suddenly can't make a tackle and look slow. Is this the kind of win that can awaken a sleeping giant? Sometimes personnel deficiencies can't be overcome but there are enough personnel on that played well last season.

We'll see what the next few games bring. The Huskers looked like such a punchless at halftime. Yes, Miller's injury was a break but you've got to start somewhere.