Brian Rosenthal: We probably didn't see real NU defense
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
How much of a concern is the Nebraska defense?
I’m guessing the Blackshirts aren’t as bad as they showed in allowing 574 yards to a mediocre Kansas offense led by its backup quarterback. They’re also not as good as the defense that shut out Troy with only 140 yards.
The truth lies somewhere in between. Whatever that truth is, will it be enough to help Nebraska win a Big 12 North title?
We’ll find out more Saturday night in Ames, Iowa, and even the following week in Manhattan, Kan.
Right now, we merely have warning signs. Is anybody heeding them?
We’ve heard the reasons/excuses for Nebraska’s very subpar performance in Saturday night’s 39-32 overtime victory against Kansas.
Some are understandable. Others are tiresome and cause for concern.
Let’s first understand that defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove is short-handed with personnel. Against Kansas, the Huskers (who defended a school-record 94 plays) played with four healthy linebackers. Cornerback Cortney Grixby was hobbled by an undisclosed injury.
Then there’s the rest of the secondary. Zach Bowman’s season-ending ACL injury in August crippled this defense much like we’d anticipated. Two receivers were moved to cornerback. One of them also suffered a season-ending knee injury. The other hasn’t yet panned out. Apparently, junior Titus Brothers, described by Cosgrove as “a very hard worker,” isn’t an answer.
After the starting four, the remainder of the secondary appears highlighted by a few promising-but-not-quite-ready true freshmen. Nickel defense? Cornerbacks coach Phil Elmassian grumbles at the suggestion. Cosgrove is adamant. Both coaches say that staying in the base 4-3 defense is Nebraska’s best option in defending multiple-receiver sets.
“I’m not going to take Stewart Bradley off the field,” Cosgrove said, referring to his experienced SAM linebacker, who’d be replaced by one of the freshmen, presumably, in a nickel defense. “That makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Fair enough. But when Bradley and the rest of Nebraska’s veteran front seven is on the field, we shouldn’t expect the “mental errors” or “lack of communication” that Cosgrove and players said hindered the Blackshirts’ performance against Kansas.
I’ve heard that excuse too many times to recall, dating to 62-36. It was somewhat understandable during the stretch of three defensive coordinators in three years. But with a third-year coordinator leading a mostly veteran unit, the more you hear “lack of execution” and “too many mistakes,” the more you wonder if we have a situation.
Too loud in Memorial Stadium? Please. Not a good excuse, no matter the number of checks and calls. Hand signals, anyone?
Cosgrove admitted to being overly defensive against the shovel pass, saying that was “a major factor” in the defensive line not applying enough pressure. Kansas tried the shovel pass once in 94 plays. Nebraska got zero sacks in 54 passing attempts. I’ve seen the Royals make better trades.
I’ve got a hunch that pressure from the front four has been a major emphasis this week in practice. Blitzing seems to be a risky venture, and the Huskers’ defensive line should be good enough to harass quarterbacks, anyway.
Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer has been sacked 14 times in five games. Meyer, though, is also very mobile. In any case, Iowa State’s offense is a great test for a Nebraska defense that should be bent on proving itself. Can the Huskers contain a mobile quarterback, cover highly regarded receivers and slow a good offense, and do it on the road?
And what about Kansas State? The Wildcats’ offense has been in shambles and appears to be getting worse. If K-State, in all its disarray, would happen to have anything resembling a breakout game against Nebraska, that’s cause for alarm.
Meanwhile, Nebraska’s offense, while still growing, is good enough to move the ball and score points on Big 12 North opponents. As inconsistent as Zac Taylor was against Kansas, he still led the Huskers to 39 points and 511 yards against what offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said was one of the best-coached defenses Nebraska will face this season.
Now, can the Blackshirts hold their end of the deal? Let’s answer that question in two weeks.
Going deep
* If — if — we see a nickel defense, it sounds like Rickey Thenarse could be your guy.
* I must have a soft spot for Brothers. I need to understand that what happened to Brothers against Louisiana Tech (getting beat on a long pass) takes precedence over his game-winning stops against Pittsburgh and Michigan.
* Promoting a true freshman quarterback who went 11-of-33 with three interceptions in his last game is debatable. Announcing the move through the media without first telling the players involved is not. KSU coach Ron Prince goofed.
* Is Missouri for real? If the Tigers win in Lubbock, look out.
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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