Steven M. Sipple: Blackshirts won’t, can’t rest
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Back in August, I reckoned the combination of a strong running run game and stout defense would be the impetus behind Nebraska finishing first in the Big 12 North Division.
I surmised being very good in those two areas would be enough to capture a weak division.
Well, we know what’s become of Nebraska’s running back position and the Husker offense in general.
So, for Big Red, it’s come down to defense.
The defense won’t rest. It can’t rest.
Which raises a question: At what point might Nebraska’s surging defense begin pressing in attempt to compensate for a moribund offense, assuming it hasn’t already?
It’s a valid question, Husker defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said, but the coaches’ consistent message to the players supplies the answer.
“You drive yourself crazy trying to control stuff you can’t control,” Pelini said. “All we can control is what we do. I mean, that’s true in life, right?”
Life throws curveballs with bite. Quentin Castille gets booted from the team. Rex Burkhead injures his foot. Roy Helu Jr. suddenly isn’t running like Roy Helu Jr. because of shoulder pain. The receivers are dropping passes. The quarterback … well, it’s all been a bit calamitous at times.
The Huskers (4-3, 1-2 Big 12) have played poorly on offense essentially since the start of Big 12 play, culminating with Saturday’s eight-turnover debacle against Iowa State.
The Blackshirts now perform knowing any score they allow could be the difference-maker.
You naturally wonder if there’s infighting between units, if defenders are pointing the finger at the offense.
“I haven’t seen it, and if it did happen, you’d squelch it,” Pelini said. “Again, control what you can control.”
Perhaps defenders will begin to labor noticeably under a challenging mental strain.
“You have to be tougher-minded than that,” Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini said.
In the heat of any game, Husker defensive tackle Jared Crick said, emotions can get the best of players. Sometimes words are exchanged. It happens.
But Crick doesn’t see any offense vs. defense division on this team.
“It doesn’t matter what the offense is doing, we have the same mentality on defense,” he said. “Until we’re perfect, we’re going to keep striving.”
Suh discusses defense, Baylor
Nebraska ranks eighth nationally in total defense, allowing 266.4 yards per game. That’s Big Red’s most frugal mark since the 1999 Blackshirts allowed 252.3 yards to rank fourth nationally.
The Huskers’ front four — led by starters Crick, Ndamukong Suh, Barry Turner and Pierre Allen — is a group to behold. Its strong play has enabled the Huskers to be extremely selective with its blitz package.
“It’s true we’re defending well up front, which means our secondary can stay in coverage,” Carl Pelini said. “But the other thing that’s true is we’ve been disciplined in the back end. We use those guys in run fits, yet they’ve been very disciplined in understanding when they fit and not having busts on play-action and stuff like that. Whether it’s a safety fit or corner fit, they’ve been very disciplined. They’re fitting when they need to be fitting and they’re back in coverage when they need to be back in coverage.”
Meanwhile, Suh is Suh, and Crick’s showing NFL-level explosion (trust me, that’s not hyperbole).
Turner “looks like the old Barry, doesn’t he?” Carl Pelini said.
Allen has been slowed slightly of late by a bad knee.
However, “The thing about Pierre, he would play with nails stuck in his temple,” Carl Pelini said.
Nebraska will need to win at least three of its last five games to have any hope at all of winning the North Division (Colorado won it in 2004 with a 4-4 mark). The Huskers’ surging defense gives them a chance.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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