Solid win for openers but bigger goals lie ahead

The opening game is always a very special time filled with much uncertainty and nervous anticipation. This year the biggest questions were surrounding third year starting quarterback Taylor Martinez.

Without a Spring Game to gauge progress, we were left with rumors that Martinez had worked on and shown some improvement in his footwork and throwing motion. After game one, there appears to be some basis to those rumors. Granted, this Southern Miss defense returned only four starters from last year and will never be confused with Alabama, let alone Michigan State but a 49-20 season opening win that saw Martinez complete 26 of 34 passes for 354 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions is a tremendous way to open the season.

Even more than his improved footwork, Martinez had more zip and accuracy on his passes as he distributed the ball to ten different receivers. I know Husker fans love seeing their team pound teams into submission with the run but the pass can set up the run just as well if not better than the run setting up the pass. Martinez also seemed to have a much better presence in the pocket going through his progressions and reading his receivers better than ever before. It also helped that his receivers cooperated by catching about anything thrown close to them.

The biggest downside is the knee injury to running back Rex Burkhead, who left the game with a sprained MCL, which at its worst can sideline a player for eight weeks, at its lightest, only a few days. Husker head coach Bo Pelini said the sprain is the lowest grade, meaning, that Burkhead could be available for Saturday’s game at UCLA.

Burkhead’s injury came on his third carry of the game, a 9-yard run, when the Nebraska I-back was tackled by Southern Mississippi defensive end Jamie Collins. The good news was that sophomore Ameer Abdullah carried 15 times for 81 yards and caught four more passes for 39 yards including a touchdown.

Losing Burkhead is really a tough blow, but his being out may have been fortuitous in that it allowed other backs the opportunity to get needed game experience. Abdullah seemed to run stronger the longer he played. Braylon Heard also improved as he played and as the Southern Miss defense began to really tire. Imani Cross is a man-child. This kid will only get better. Mike Marrow is a load and it’s nice to see the fullback get some touches. Seven touchdowns distributed to seven players and very nice play by both the wide receivers and tight ends. Kenny Bell continues to improve, Quincy Enunwa is a stud, and Jamal Turner is exciting every time he touches the ball. Catch of the game, though, goes to Steven Osborne for his touchdown grab falling out of the end zone. Finally, the big boys up front who gave Martinez time to throw and opened holes to generate 632 yards of total offense deserve huge props. Most importantly, there were no false starts and only one offensive penalty to go along with no turnovers.

The defense showed why the Blackshirts have yet to be distributed. The good news is that the defense only gave up 13 points to a reasonably talented offensive unit. With Southern Miss having a new coach and new personnel, Pelini and defensive coordinator John Papuchis had to prepare for a little of everything. The defense, however, continues to be extremely vulnerable to mobile quarterbacks and giving up big chunks on third down. I don’t remember a three and out all day. Defensive end Cameron Meredith seemed slow trying to track down their QB. Cornerback Ciante Evans looks much improved over last year, and in general the secondary looked solid. When Southern Miss had to pass, the defense shut them down. I’ll take 7 for 19 for 75 yards from the opponents all year long. Linebacker Alonzo Whaley looked good and bad at times. Fellow linebacker Will Compton was generally solid, but the linebackers and defense in general were whiffing and trying to arm tackle way too much. We have a lot to clean up before we play a very capable UCLA offense with a very mobile quarterback next week in Pasadena.

We all know that the worst part of the game for the Huskers were the special teams which were anything but special. The 100 yard kickoff return was inexcusable and as everybody seemed out of position, it makes one wonder if they practiced at all during fall camp. Preseason All-American Brett Maher doesn’t need to worry about his press clippings in the near future. He left six points on the field with misses of two very makeable field goals and the shanked punt and kickoff out of bounds made me wonder what happened to disrupt his pregame preparation. He is much better than he showed and I am looking forward to him getting out of his two field goal misses in a row slump and performing like the star he can be. One highlight on special teams was reasonably decent punt and kickoff returns setting up good field position.

There are many things to be excited about with this year’s version of the Huskers. There are talented players on both sides of the ball and special team potential. We won handily on a day when many other Big Ten teams struggled (including Wisconsin). Every week we will learn a little more about how special this team can be. I’m also looking forward to the offense building on their sterling performance in the opener and the defense and special teams cleaning up the miscues.

Offseason Q&A to whet your palate

So it’s only June and Nebraska’s first game is not for another 10 weeks or so. Well, it’s September 1 at home against Southern Mississippi to be exact. Once the last game ends, you always have questions running through your head as it pertains to next season and after the Huskers’ season-ending 30-13 Capital One Bowl loss to South Carolina, there are plenty of questions.

The ones running through my head at the present time for Nebraska are as follows:

Will Taylor Martinez be the quarterback fans and media hope he can be? Will his game management and decision making improve? Most importantly will he change his throwing form so he looks like a quarterback passing to a receiver instead of a shortstop throwing off his back foot?

Martinez may never become a great quarterback but his management and decision making actually did improve last season. Most Husker fans remember his three-interception performance against Wisconsin in a 48-17 loss but what also bears mentioning is that he had a four-game streak with no interceptions. Martinez’s suspect mechanics have been a hot topic but the fact that he has spent part of the offseason working with quarterback guru Steve Calhoun, whose work in getting former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton to ascend to Heisman Trophy winner who led his team to a National Title in 2010 is especially significant. The fact that Martinez is taking the time to address his mechanics can only be a good thing.

Will Rex Burkhead show that he's not just a talented running back but an All American caliber stud by making a Heisman run?

Like most Husker fans, I love everything about Burkhead and what he stands for as a player and as a person. Nebraska is extremely fortunately having someone like him as the face of the program. However, Burkhead as a Heisman candidate is a longshot at best. For starters, Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck will likely try to reduce Burkhead’s workload to a) diversify the offense and b) keep him fresh. Plus, you have to understand “how” Burkhead gets his yards. Burkhead is the kind of back that if he carries the ball say 30 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns it is more likely to be a steady diet of 4, 6, 8 yards with an occasional 20-yarder than it is breaking off a 60-yarder that gets on Sportscenter. Let’s face it, in our style over substance society, the Sportscenter plays get noticed.

How will the Husker defense move forward without LaVonte David?

Nebraska has had its share of great linebackers throughout the years such as Trev Alberts, Tom Novak, Broderick Thomas, Barrett Ruud, Jerry Murtugh, Ed Stewart and Marc Munford. David definitely belongs in that conversation. Will Compton had a strong finish to the 2011 season and the Huskers will need him to find that extra gear this season and there’s no reason to think he won’t.

Will Cameron Meredith find a haircut and facial hair combination that doesn't make him look creepy in team photos?

An even bigger issue is will Meredith Cameron Meredith get some speed and power back in his body. The guy got shoved around a lot last year, and looked very slow. With all the talking he does, you’d think he might back it up at some point. I hope he or the coaches find a way to get more production. I’ve seen enough patty cake.

Will Nebraska fans ever be able to say “We’re Back” instead of “We’re close to being back?”

Bo Pelini made headlines after Nebraska’s 33-0 shutout win over Arizona in the 2009 Holiday Bowl when he said: “Nebraska’s back and we’re here to stay.” That win capped off a 10-4 season in which the Huskers won six of their last seven. However, Nebraska followed that season with a 10-4 campaign in 2010 and 9-4 in 2011. Granted, the program is in much better shape than the Bill Callahan years but considering that 1999 was the program’s last conference title, fans are getting restless.  

With Carl Pelini gone as defensive coordinator, will Bo Pelini become more hands-on with the defense?

Bo Pelini’s hands have always been on the defense. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking otherwise.

Will Tim Beck’s offense click into the monster machine it has the potential to be?

Beck certainly has a lot of talent at his disposal and going through a year without having to revamp the offense will be a plus. It all comes down to the health and progress of Martinez and the health of Burkhead.

Will Brett Maher kick a 58 yard field goal?

I’ll say 53.

Will Nebraska finally make a BCS game or win a conference championship game?

Definitely possible. The Legends Division will be a three-horse race between Nebraska, Michigan and Michigan State. The schedule features more swing games than at any time in recent history. The 2013 season would appear more likely because Wisconsin and Ohio State will be replaced by Purdue and Illinois in the crossover games. However, that argument is somewhat hollow because if you win your division you’ll have to face Wisconsin or Ohio State in the Big 10 Conference Title Game anyway.

2012 Position Outlook: Defensive Line

One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2012 season. Today, we look at defensive line:




Looking back: The Nebraska defensive line was dealt a severe blow when defensive tackle Jared Crick, who appeared poised for a breakout season, was shelved after five games because of a torn pectoral muscle. While Crick was not having the breakout season most expected of him, losing him as a presence in the middle of the line was a fate the Huskers were not counting on suffering before the season began.

The Nebraska defense did not stop teams with the same authority as it had in 2009 and to a lesser extent 2010. The Huskers ranked No. 41 nationally in points allowed (22.8) and No. 37 to total yards against (350.7).

Nebraska also allowed opposing quarterbacks too much time to throw, which is significant because head coach Bo Pelini prefers to rely on the front four to generate pressure without blitzing.

While Crick’s season-ending injury hurt the Huskers during the last half of 2011, it helped develop experience for sophomore Chase Rome, who could be Nebraska’s most explosive young lineman. Seniors Bakers Steinkuhler and Cameron Meredith have been steady starters for two years, but their production seems to have reached its ceiling.

Looking ahead: Though the Huskers lose Crick and Terrence Moore, who started seven games at defensive tackle after Crick was put on the shelf, Nebraska should be in good shape at this position because there are plenty of experienced returning players.

Eric Martin and Cameron Meredith are entrenched as starters at defensive end. Senior Baker Steinkuhler should provide a steady presence at defensive tackle with sophomore Chase Rome pushing strongly for a starting job.

Jason Ankrah, Joe Carter and Kevin Williams are touted recruits who have yet to live up to their potential. Thad Randle and Jay Guy are coming off injuries, but seem to have the goods to stop the run. Todd Peat and Williams could also emerge as contributors. Greg McMullen is a talented recruit while Avery Moss may be counted on to rush the passer more.

The biggest change, however, is the addition defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski, who turned out strong units at Iowa for five years. Kaczenski was hired as a result of John Papuchis replacing Carl Pelini as defensive coordinator after getting hired as the Florida Atlantic head coach. Kaczenski assumes a unit that needs a jolt of energy. This unit should be the strength of Nebraska’s defense in 2012 and it needs to be.

Kaczenski has spent the past five years coaching Iowa’s defensive line. Among the players that flourished under his watch were All-Big Ten picks Adrian Clayborn and Mitch King. Clayborn received consensus All-America honors in 2010.

Seven of Kaczenski’s defensive linemen have been drafted or have signed an NFL free-agent contract over the past four seasons.

Blackshirts must continue to earn their keep

Apparantly it’s not a rumor. Blackshirts were awarded Monday according to the Lincoln Journal Star website in large part due to the Huskers 24-3 win over Michigan State on a day the Blackshirts stymied the Spartans.
The following is an unofficial list of defenders who received the black practice jerseys that are symbolic of excellence:
P.J. Smith, Baker Steinkuhler, Chase Rome, Cameron Meredith, Jason Ankrah, Eric Martin, Austin Cassidy, Josh Williams, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Alfonzo Dennard, Lavonte David, Andrew Green, Daimion Stafford, Lance Thorell, Thad Randle, Justin Blatchford, Will Compton, Sean Fisher, Terrence Moore and Ciante Evans.
The doling out of the Blackshirts is well deserved after a great defensive effort against Michigan State. The front four rushed the passer and controlled the line of scrimmage, the linebackers maintained their lanes, and the secondary completely shut down the receivers. With this kind of defense, the Huskers chances for a Big Ten title are very much alive but for that to happen the strong play must continue.
I still think the Blackshirts should be passed out at the beginning of the season based on practice sessions, and later taken away, or awarded based on game performance. This season the defense was so bad for so long that an exception was warranted.

While part of me says the list is watered down because so many players were awarded Blackshirts, let’s keep in mind every player on that list has either started or received significant playing time.
Changing conferences (going from Big 12 to Big 10) is no small task. The big 12 was fairly consistent in their offensive schemes that were each tailored toward the strength of their personnel. Week in and week out we would have to prepare for slight variations from the prior week in most cases. Occasionally we would have to prepare for a wholesale change in offensive or defensive philosophy but that was the exception.
Our world today is much different. Almost on a weekly basis we have to prepare for a team that we have not played in recent history. In addition, those teams differ substantially in style and scheme on both their offense and their defense.
The curve is steep and the path is narrow, a slip here or a slip there can place our team in a perilous position. It makes it all the more important that this year we have individuals with character that are able to persevere through the highs and lows.
The Huskers have a lot of battle hardened troops on this roster. When they play for each other we see what we saw.

Tackling and third down conversions key to defensive rebound

Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini talked a big game at his first press conference after the Huskers 34-27 come-from-behind win over Ohio State on Oct. 8.


The Huskers, who are ranked No. 13 in the AP poll, had a bye and will resume action on Saturday at Minnesota.

"We're 5-1, we'd like to be 6-0," Pelini said. "But I think that with continuity we're starting to settle in, and that lends itself to us being a better football team in the second half of the year.

"I feel good about where we're at, where we're going and where our potential is. I think we're very close in making a big jump as a football team. It's about the daily grind and about trying to get better."

If the Huskers are to make a run at a Big Ten title, the side of the ball that absoutely must get better is the defense. On that front, Nebraska was supposed to be strong but has been a big disappointment. Pelini's reputation as a defensive guru has taken a hit this season as the Huskers Currently, the Huskers are 80th in the country in rushing defense, giving up 167.8 yards a game and 94th in opponents' third down conversion percentage.

However, I refuse to believe that Pelini suddenly forgotten how to coach defense. This is the same guy that replaced Craig Bohl as defensive coordinator in 2003. The Huskers ranked 56th ranked in total defense during a 7-7 season in 2002 but shot up to Top Ten during a 10-3 campaign in 2003. Pelini led a 17-3 win over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl as interim head coach after Frank Solich was fired. Well, you know the rest of the story, Bill Callahan was hired as head coach and was fired after a 27-22 stint that culminated with a 5-7 campaign in 2007. The Husker defense ranked 114th under defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. Under Pelini's guidance they shot up to 55th in 2008 and No. 3 in 2009.

So what's the problem now? In terms of the secondary, part of the problem was the loss of cornerback Prince Amukamara to graduation coupled with Alonozo Dennard missing the first three games with a quad injury. Even with Dennard's return, attacking the Huskers via the air is simple. Don't throw the ball anywhere near Deannard. Sure, he takes away half the field but when you can abuse Ciante Evans and Andrew Green there's no rhyme or reason to throw within 15 yards of Dennard. There might be hope, however, in the form of converted receiver Stanley Jean-Baptiste, who intercepted a pass that led to the game-winnin score against Ohio State. However relying on a guy that is making a position change has its risks.

However, part of the reason the secondary has had its issues is because the Husker front four has not gotten the pass rush -- and that was even before defensive tackle Jared Crick was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. It also has not helped that tackle Baker Steinkuhler and end Cameron Meredith have underachieved. Thus, front four problems lead to secondary problems.

OK, so Crick is out for the season. Amukamara is not getting a year of eligibilty. Hopefully, the likes of Meredith and Steinkuhler can start to live up to their advanced billing. On defense, the only player that has lived up to the preseason hype is linebacker LaVonte David.

The Huskers are 5-1 right now but if they don;t shore up what has been terrible tackling and third down defense, this team will be in for more than a few disappointing outcomes. Poor tackling leads to oppnents getting good yardage on first down, which in turn leads to advantageous third downs they can convert.

The Huskers allowed offenses to convert third downs 30 percent of the time last year, and 32 percent in 2009. Even in 2008, when the Huskers were figuring things out under the new Pelini system, teams converted 34 percent.

Nebraska's tackling problems have nothing to do with the scheme. Players have been in position to make plays but time after time there are missed tackles that allow plays to be extended. In fact, I'm surprised legendary Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi hasn't popped out of his grave and yelled, "What the hell's goin' on out here!" or "Grab, grab, grab! Nobody's tacklin'!"

To compare it to other sports, a football team missing tackles is a lot like a baseball team making errors or a basketball team missing free throws. When the habit forms, the problem snowballs.

If that is the case, then the bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. Hopefully, the team can reset itself defensively and a defensive rebound is in order. But that turnaround must start Saturday.

Light bulb goes on late for Husker offense but defense suspect in win over Bulldogs

After the No. 10 ranked Nebraska football team's 40-7 win over Tennessee-Chattanooga, much of the angst over the Huskers performance centered around the offense. The Huskers gained 364 yards of total offense (239 rushing, 135 passing) but those stats were somewhat skewed because 99 came on two plays (a 47-yard run by quarterback Taylor Martinez and a 252-yard run by running back Rex Burkhead).


As for the Huskers 42-29 win over Fresno State, yes the offense was still choppy at times but that's to be expected considering the collective youth of the offense and the fact that Nebraska is breaking in a new offensive coordinator (Tim Beck). The Huskers amassed 438 yards of offense (232 rushing, 219 passing).

Much like the win over UTC, the Husker offense had a home run or strikeout element. Martinez had a 57-yard run and also had pass completions of 42 yards to Kenny Bell, 53 yards to Kyler Reed and 42 yads to Jamal Turner. That's 194 yards on four plays. However, when it matter most, Nebraska's offense pulled its weight, which can't be said very often the past two seasons. Fresno State cut the Nebraska lead to 35-29 on Kevin Goessling's 37-yard foeld goal with 5:24 left in the game. The Huskers took over and Burkhead carried six times for 34 yards then Martinez scored on a 46-yard run to seal the win. Game. Set. Match. Drive home safely.

The disturbing aspect of Nebraska's game against the Bulldogs, however, is the defensive performance. Fresno State, which like Nebraska has a young offensive line, blew open serious holes in the running game and gave quarterback Derek Carr more than ample time to throw. The Bulldogs rushed for 190 yards (169 from Robbie Rouse on 36 carries). Carr completed 20-of-41 passes for 254 yards. Granted, the Husker secondary is still without starting cornerback Alfonso Dennard, who most believe is one of the best (if not the very best) in the nation at his position. However, the Huskers did not sack Carr once and only pressured him when they blitzed. That's significant because Nebraska (while occasionally dials up blitzes) prefers to rely on the front four to get pressure and for good reason when you have elite defensive linemen like Jared Crick, Cameron Meredith and Baker Steinkuhler.

What was even more disturbing was the resistance against the run that Nebraska showed. Well, lack thereof would be a better description. The Bulldogs opened some huge holes for Rouse. Yes, he is a talented running back who did a good job of following his blocks but that performance evoked memories of Nebraska's 19-7 loss to Washington. Incidentally, that same team comes to Lincoln next week. That performance, however, was at least understandable because at that point in the season the defense felt the burden over the offense's ineptitude. While the 2011 edition of the Nebraska offense is still a work in progress, it is defenitely better than the one that ended the 2010 season. Well, better to the point where they don't lead the world in terrible offense.

The most disturbing aspect of the defense's effort Saturday is the fact that since Bo Pelini took over as the Huskers head coach, he has established a culture of developing players. Yes, some years the talent is better than others but the culture has been such that, you lose one player, the next guy is ready.

While anyone can have a bad game, the Husker defensive performance in the Holiday Bowl and Saturday (that's two of the last three games they've taken the field if you're scoring at home) is that considering the Huskers are in the Big 10 conference that becomes significant. While spread offenses in the Big 10 have become much more mainstream than influential media types believe, it is still a conference much more likely to line up in the I-formation ad run right into the teeth of defenses (as Fresno State often did Saturday) than the Huskers former conference (the Big 12) that is a sinking ship. However, that's another story for another time.

Season opener tells little but important signs nonetheless

The 2011 college football season is here and not a moment too soon. As stated here on Wine Country Husker throughout the week, No. 10 Nebraska's 40-7 win over UT-Chattanooga is a game where you view the process more so than the result. Let's face it, if Nebraska beats, say, Wisconsin 10-7 and turns the ball over five times you won't care about the result.


Against a middle-of-the-road Div. I-AA team like the Mocs, however, the process tends to matter more. So what do we take out of Game # 1?

-- Quarterback Taylor Martinez looks to be back to full speed and I liked that he threw some passes away instead of enduring a sack. One of the things Nebraska fans were waiting with baited breath to see was whether Martinez would be back to something resembling the T-Magic of last season. In that sense, he didn’t disappoint, with touchdown runs of 43 and 47 yards. In offensive coordinator Tim Beck's first game in his new role, Martinez showed himself to be healthy enough to have Nebraska’s offense centered around him.

Whether that is a good or bad thing is a question that will divide opinion among Husker fans.

Days before the game, head coach Bo Pelini promised Nebraska’s new offense would be a combination of old-school NU football and the modern day spread. There was a lot of option football being played, warming the cockles of the experienced members of Nebraska’s fan base (say 35 or older).

Nebraska’s inability to consistently run the ball right at Chattanooga, however, will rankle that same fan base. As an example, Nebraska had the ball first and goal at the six-yard line and could not get in the end zone. We're talking UT-Chattanooga, not the UT Volunteers.

The truth of the matter is, a 40-7 rout may make things look good but Nebraska appears to still lack the ability to simply line up and run over teams (especially teams Nebraska has a clear athletic superiority over). That has to be cause for concern.

From what we saw of the Beck offense as opposed to former coordinator Shawn Watson, Nebraska’s offense will include a lot of option, a lot of quick passes and a lot of getting the ball to playmakers and letting them go. However, there were plenty of times where it was clear that not everyone was on the same page. On many occasions, players would run into each other in the backfield, or one player would look for another to see no one there. Against a team like Chattanooga, those types of miscues didn’t make a difference. Against a sturdier opponent, those mistakes could be fatal.

The offensive line, however, play improved as the game went along, and I thought Spencer Long looked pretty good and Andrew Rodriguez might be Nebraska's most phsicl offensive lineman.

Two of Nebraska’s biggest struggles in 2010 were fumbles and penalties. The fumbles were still an issue, although that had more to do with getting used to Tim Beck’s new high-tempo offense than anything else but Nebraska only committed three penalties for 33 yards, and one was an incredibly soft roughing the passer call on defensive end Josh Williams.

One particular bone of contention from last year was the play clock issue, which Saturday appeared to be a thing of the past. The new offense gives Martinez enough time to survey the defense, change a play and snap the ball before the play clock is even close to expiring. Gone seem to be the days of Memorial Stadium groaning in exasperation when a timeout is burned due to the play clock running down.

On the defensive side, Nebraska's line, as expeted looks deep and solid. Defensive end Cameron Meredith looks like he might have a breakout season, and defensive tackle Jared Crick was as advertised.

The linebacker play of LaVonte David and Trevor Roach looked great, and I thought Alonzo Whaley did a nice job too.

The secondary played without the servies of Alfonzo Dennard, who is out with a quad injury. As expected, his replacement (Andrew Green) had his peaks and valleys but the experience of Saturday will hopefuly be a huge difference. The biggest bright spot in the secondary, however, was cornerback Austin Stafford looks like he is going to be a stud. Stafford made tackles against the run and pass with authority.

Let's not forget the kicking game. Junior kicker and punter Brett Maher did his best to put the Alex Henery ghosts to rest in his first game as a starter. His first of four field goals was from 50 yards, into the teeth of a howling wind, with plenty of distance to spare. Maher also punted admirably, getting good height and distance even in a tough wind, and getting one punt downed inside the 10.

Going into the season, most observers (including yours truly) thought Nebraska would have a drop-off in production from the kicking game in 2011. After Maher’s performance, it appears that worry may have been unfounded.

So what does this mean in the big picture?

Ultimately, it’s not fair to judge Beck too harshly after the first game. Yes, it was rough in spots. Martinez doesn’t look all that comfortable running the option. Yes, receivers still dropped passes at an alarming rate but there was also a lot of youth that got game experience. The three freshman running backs (Ameer Abdullah, Aaron Green and Braylon Heard) all looked very good in their appearances. Jamal Turner, in limited playing time, still electrified the crowd and showed his incredible promise.

So there does appear to be a lot of parts in place for Nebraska’s offense to be successful. But, as a year ago, ultimately that success will revolve around the performance of Taylor Martinez.

2011 Blackshirts have many proven players

Much of the offseason discussion regarding the 2011 Nebraska football team has centered on the move to the Big 10 and whether or not the retooled can offense take enough pressure off a stout defense as it did in the first half of the season.



Since Bo Pelini arrived as the Cornhuskers head coach in December 2007, he has fostered a culture on the defensive side of the ball. Talented players will come and go. Some years the talent will be better than others. However, as long as the Pelini brothers (Bo and Carl) are in Lincoln, we won’t see disasters like the Kevin Cosgrove, and to a lesser degree, Craig Bohl eras.


In 2007, the Huskers rated 112th in the nation in total defense and that was quite possibly the worst defense ever to set foot in Memorial Stadium (including Nebraska opponents). In 2008, Nebraska improved to 55th in total defense in Pelini’s first season. In 2009 led by Heisman Trophy candidate defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, the Huskers finished second in scoring defense behind National Champ Alabama and ninth in total yards. Despite the loss of Suh in 2010, Nebraska was No. 7 in scoring defense and No. 10 in total yards per game. The defense put up such numbers despite at times showing wear and tear from an inconsistent offense.


The 2011 defense figures to be pretty stout as well with Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuher forming a strong tandem at defensive tackle. Cameron Meredith returns to start at one defensive end position with Eric Martin moving from linebacker to end.


As for the linebacker unit, Butkus Award candidate LaVonte David was the surprise star of the defense in 2010, without an offseason as the starter to prepare. With an offseason’s work, David should have an even better season in 2011 at middle linebacker. Sean Fisher is the likely starter at SAM linebacker with Will Compton getting the call at WILL linebacker.


As for the secondary, Austin Cassidy is the probable starter at strong safety. Cassidy established himself as a heady playmaker in the second half of the 2010 season. The starting free safety could be either Courtney Osbourne or PJ Smith but in the second half of last season the coaching staff clearly had more confidence in Osborne.


At cornerback, the Huskers lose Prince Amukamara to graduation but some people believe his running mate Alfonzo Dennard might be even better. Ciante Evans would appear to be Dennard’s partner in crime. Evans performed admirably after injuries pressed him into extensive duty as a true freshman.


While the X factor in how well Nebraska’s defense performs is predicated on how much pressure the offense relieves them, the Blackshirt defense should e just fine in 2011.


There isn’t a single person along the projected starters that is not a proven commodity. This defensive team is probably better than some schools all-time teams and even though none of the pass rushers will make me forget the likes of Grant Wistrom, the 2011 Huskers are strong enough at cornerback that they will give a little more time to the pass rush to get to opposing quarterbacks and allow for less coverage and more carnage.