Buddy Wyatt was in a joking mood following Nebraska’s win against Iowa State.

At least, it seemed like he was joking. We’ll say he was joking, anyway.

“Panic,” said the Nebraska defensive line coach with a slight chuckle when describing his emotions when tackle Ty Steinkuhler and end Clayton Sievers were each out with injuries early in Saturday’s game. Nose tackle Ndamukong Suh was also slowed by a dinged-up knee.

Possibly holding back tears, possibly not, Wyatt elaborated.

“No, we had guys who had been working hard, and it was their turn and they stepped up and performed, which is always a good thing.”

Good enough to finish off Iowa State, anyway. Missouri’s high-octane offense figures to be a different test.

To be certain, Nebraska’s defensive line was one of the biggest question marks entering the season, a natural result of losing four starters including NFL Draft picks Adam Carriker and Jay Moore. Most of the major contributors now are sophomores and juniors.

Five games into the season, the hope is that you’re not a newcomer anymore. Banged up at best, though, the state of the defensive line remains like a Bill Callahan injury report — day-to-day.

“We’re not new, but we’re still improving,” Wyatt said. “Our goal is to get better every week, and I think we took some strides this week.”

Most will agree there was progress made by the defensive line. The pass rush improved. Suh was fighting off double teams. Others were holding off blockers so linebackers weren’t getting mauled. There was energy, and some of the fun Corey McKeon told us had been missing.

Even Iowa State coach Gene Chizik noted he thought the Cyclones would have better success rushing the football, surely recalling those gapping holes USC trotted through.

The stats will also support Wyatt’s claim. The three sacks match the amount in the first four games combined, and the five quarterback hurries no doubt contributed to Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer’s three interceptions.

Steinkuhler forced a fumble, and Potter recovered one. Sievers was having his best game of the season, and Barry Turner probably did, as well. Don’t pack your bags for San Antonio just yet, this came against a one-win team, but there was improvement.

Also, a combination of injuries and the fatigue that comes with being on the field for 102 plays meant several defensive linemen saw action against Iowa State.

Redshirt freshman Ben Martin, a Lincoln Southwest graduate, played in his third game this season after Steinkuhler went down. He helped put pressure on the quarterback, and got his only two tackles.

His play drew the attention of Wyatt, who says Martin adds needed depth and gives the coach the ability to move players around to best put them in positions to make plays.

A senior walk-on from Ponca, Andy Poulosky saw his first action of the season, had a third-quarter tackle, and gave Potter and Turner a chance to catch their breath.

Junior college transfer Shukree Barfield made sure no one would be questioning the players’ effort this week when the 310-pound tackle was rumbling downfield to aide Bo Ruud on his 93-yard interception return for a score.

While all feel-good moments, should those backups on the defensive line be needed to make contributions at Missouri it may cause concern in Husker Nation. Wyatt did not know the injury status of any of his players.

“We got who we got, so if they have to play then they’re going to have to play well for us, because Missouri is a good football team,” Wyatt said.

Suh sounded as though nothing would slow him against the Tigers.

“It’s a great challenge for us to go down there and show what we can do,” he said. “We know that they’re a team we have to beat to be Big 12 North champions, so that’s what we have to go and do.”

The defense may have felt the heat lately, but their confidence has never wavered, Suh said. And really, that pressure was nothing new for a defensive line that huddled up before the season opener and talked about overcoming its doubters.

Now because of injuries, more unproven players may be needed in big games, which everyone can finally agree is always the next one.

“We’re extremely close as a defensive line, and we’re making strides together,” Poulosky said. “When somebody goes down, veteran or not, guys have to elevate their play to better the team.

“That’s what we did.”

Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.