2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Husker rushing defense on life support
Ben Gouldsmith
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Of the 119 teams playing in the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly called Division I-A, Nebraska is last in rushing defense. Yes, No. 119.
"I know we're not very good," said NU defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. "It's pretty obvious."
So obvious, in fact, that many teams have centered their offensive approach on running the ball right at the Cornhuskers until it works.
Through nine games, Nebraska is giving up an average of 242.6 rushing yards per game.
Baylor, the 11th-ranked rushing defense in the Big 12 Conference, is giving up an astounding 60 fewer yards on the ground per game than the Huskers. Clearly, defending the run has been a problem for Nebraska.
On Saturday, Texas exploded for 364 rushing yards - 248 of those coming in the fourth quarter - against a Husker defense that had blitzed and kept the Longhorns off-balance for the first three quarters.
Texas running back Jamaal Charles broke free for touchdown runs of 86 yards, 40 yards and 25 yards, respectively, in the fourth quarter of the Longhorns' 28-25 win. So what happened?
NU sophomore linebacker Phillip Dillard said it was a combination of the speedy Charles making plays and Husker defenders missing assignments.
"We just have to stay more focused in the fourth quarter," Dillard said. "With our assignments, we just can't get tired and lose sight of what we're supposed to do."
NU Coach Bill Callahan said the Huskers' frequent blitzing against Texas left the defense susceptible to big plays, but he said his team's lack of success against the run this season has been "disappointing."
The Huskers' lack of a successful rushing defense is somewhat puzzling considering the past two seasons. In 2006, Nebraska gave up 116.6 rushing yards per game. In 2005, that number was 124.2.
Texas wasn't the first opponent to gash the Huskers with its running game. It's been a troubling trend all season, and each of Nebraska's last three opponents have picked up at least 300 yards on the ground.
"I know we're not very good," said NU defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. "It's pretty obvious."
So obvious, in fact, that many teams have centered their offensive approach on running the ball right at the Cornhuskers until it works.
Through nine games, Nebraska is giving up an average of 242.6 rushing yards per game.
Baylor, the 11th-ranked rushing defense in the Big 12 Conference, is giving up an astounding 60 fewer yards on the ground per game than the Huskers. Clearly, defending the run has been a problem for Nebraska.
On Saturday, Texas exploded for 364 rushing yards - 248 of those coming in the fourth quarter - against a Husker defense that had blitzed and kept the Longhorns off-balance for the first three quarters.
Texas running back Jamaal Charles broke free for touchdown runs of 86 yards, 40 yards and 25 yards, respectively, in the fourth quarter of the Longhorns' 28-25 win. So what happened?
NU sophomore linebacker Phillip Dillard said it was a combination of the speedy Charles making plays and Husker defenders missing assignments.
"We just have to stay more focused in the fourth quarter," Dillard said. "With our assignments, we just can't get tired and lose sight of what we're supposed to do."
NU Coach Bill Callahan said the Huskers' frequent blitzing against Texas left the defense susceptible to big plays, but he said his team's lack of success against the run this season has been "disappointing."
The Huskers' lack of a successful rushing defense is somewhat puzzling considering the past two seasons. In 2006, Nebraska gave up 116.6 rushing yards per game. In 2005, that number was 124.2.
Texas wasn't the first opponent to gash the Huskers with its running game. It's been a troubling trend all season, and each of Nebraska's last three opponents have picked up at least 300 yards on the ground.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
TulsaHusker
posted 10/31/07 @ 8:36 AM CST
Pitiful. That is all I have to say. Bring on Bo Pelini or some other tough defense minded coach. We have good players but to keep hearing that they are 'out of position' week in and week out gets tiresome. (Continued…)
Post a Comment