Secondary Primary for NU

4 comments so far October 7, 2009 by Darren K. Carlson

There are many keys to tomorrow night's game between Nebraska and Missouri. From rushing offense to quarterback play or special teams, a person could argue that any or every element of the game is important, and probably be right. One particular area I'm zeroing in on is the play of the Nebraska secondary. Their health, combined with Missouri's personnel style and of play, makes them a primary part of determining the outcome on Thursday.

Nickle and Dime
The Missouri game is the start of conference play and an important milestone in the Husker's season-long quest to defend spread offenses. Nebraska will open the game in the "nickle" defense (five defensive backs) and play a lot of "dime" defense (six defensive backs) throughout the contest. It will represent the first real test of Nebraska's depth in the secondary. If NU intends to hold down Missouri's running game and pressure Blaine Gabbert, then they may commit another man to the line of scrimmage, and those defensive backs might find themselves in 1-on-1 situations.

Everybody Okay Back There?
Further increasing the emphasis on the secondary are recent injuries to Nebraska safeties Ricky Thenarse and Larry Asante. Thenarse is done for the year with a knee injury. But, Asante's foot injury appears on the mend and he should be able to play. Starting cornerback Prince Amukamara also got nicked up a bit in Nebraska's last game. If any of these injuries force second and third line player in to tight spots for NU, it could be advantage Missouri. This is no week for breaking in fresh faces.

Willing Tacklers
Missouri's style of offense also means that Husker defensive backs must play a physical game. Let me explain. Missouri uses a lot of screen passes in their offense - slip screens on the outside to the wide outs, timing and throw back screens to tight ends, and bubble screens to running backs. Yes, it is on the entire defense to diagnose those plays early. But it also dictates that members of the secondary be willing to roll up, be physical, and knife in to make those tackles.

The Missouri run game is also predicated on creating creases to the outside. While gap control and limiting those seams falls on the defensive line and linebackers, having physical corners to help at the point of attack can really stifle a perimeter running game. Nebraska's corners must be willing to hit.

Jump Ball!
Watching this year's Missouri team reminds my colleague Steve of the 1990s Miami offenses, in that they sort of beat you with their wide receivers. Folks Danario Alexander can really play. He's good enough has good enough players around him that Blaine Gabbert has confidence. That confidence helps fuel those video-game type numbers that Gabbert is putting up.

Gabbert is accurate and has a bit arm. But, his confidence in Alexander allows him to throw a lot of, frankly, contestable balls. In a lot of cases, the Tigers get people 1-on-1, and throw it up there. Alexander does the rest. So, for NU to be successful on defense, the defensive backs must win the battles for contested balls. Miss them, and it is a Tiger score. Make those plays, and it is a turnover in the Huskers' favor.

Of course the secondary is not alone out there. Nebraska must play team defense, starting up front, to make tough sledding for Gabbert and company. But, for the Huskers to win, the secondary must play a primary role.

Did you enjoy this article?

Get Husker news by email
Follow us on Twitter

NextPrevious