Defensive line developing two new starters
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
In evaluating his performance last season, Ola Dagunduro says he played well through six games, but not so well late in the season. He was sluggish at times, he says. John Blake thinks he understands why.
The Nebraska defensive line coach notes that Dagunduro played a backup role behind then-senior nose tackle Le Kevin Smith. Because Smith was playing well, Dagunduro knew he wasn’t going to be a starter and perhaps didn’t feel the need to always be at the top of his game.
“I told Ola, ‘That’s totally unacceptable,’” Blake said.
That’s especially true now that Nebraska is counting on Dagunduro to replace Smith as the starter. The Huskers also lost to graduation their other starting interior lineman, Titus Adams, who likely will be replaced by Barry Cryer. Smith and Adams played lead roles last season in helping the Blackshirts lead the nation in sacks and tackles for loss.
Nebraska's Ola Dagunduro (54) and Bo Ruud (51) sack Kansas State quarterback Allan Evridge last November at Memorial Stadium. (William Lauer, file photo)
Retaining that strength in the interior defensive line is one of Nebraska’s major points of emphasis during spring practice, which today enters the second week. Blake doesn’t underestimate the challenge of replacing Smith, a full-time starter for three seasons, and Adams, a full-time starter for two.
“They were 6-foot-3, 300-pound guys who had great personalities, great character and experience,” Blake said. “Thank God that Ola and Barry played some last year.”
Blake places a premium on playing experience.
“Oh man, when you get into that third quarter in games, and you’re tired, and the crowd’s screaming — you don’t know if you’ll give up, quit,” Blake said. “You have to go fight. You have to dig down deep. It’s almost like you have to go to a spot of straining and competing to even understand how to react when you get there. That’s what experience does.”
The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Dagunduro, a transfer from Compton (Calif.) Community College, last season recorded 22 tackles, including four for losses. The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Cryer, after transferring from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, finished with six tackles, including four for losses. Cryer saw most of his action when Nebraska went to its nickel defense in obvious passing situations. Both players recorded a sack in the Alamo Bowl.
“I feel good with those two guys,” said Blake, who emphasizes the importance of developing depth at the two inside line positions. “We don’t expect any of our guys to go out there and play 70, 80 straight plays. If we have five or six guys in (the rotation), we’ll be OK.”
Sophomores Ndamukong Suh and Ty Steinkuhler are pushing for increased playing time this spring. The 6-4, 320-pound Suh appeared in two games last season before being sidelined the rest of the way by a torn meniscus in his knee. He’s capable of playing either nose tackle or sliding over a spot to defensive tackle, Blake said.
The 6-3, 275-pound Steinkuhler, a Lincoln Southwest graduate, slides inside to tackle after appearing in eight games last season as an end.
“The thing about Stein is, he has good height,” Blake said. “And if he learns how to play (with) leverage, he’ll be OK.”
Regarding Suh, Blake said, “He’s a big, strong kid, but he needs to learn how to play every down.”
Nebraska coaches are counting on 6-3, 312-pound Brandon Johnson to step into the D-line rotation when he arrives on campus this summer from Compton Community College. In addition, redshirt freshman Craig Roark moved to nose tackle after playing offensive line last season.
Whatever the personnel rotation, Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan wants the defensive line to help the Blackshirts come up with more turnovers. The Huskers ranked 69th nationally in turnover margin at minus .17 last season after leading the nation in the category as recently as 2003 (plus 1.77). All told, the Blackshirts came up with 22 takeaways in 2005 to tie for 51st nationally.
“If you watch the great defensive lines, they cause fumbles,” Callahan said. “When the running back comes through the line of scrimmage, they’ve got the potential to knock that ball out. I’ve always been an advocate of defensive linemen causing fumbles and linebackers recovering them.”
If Nebraska is to develop a great defensive line in 2006, Dagunduro knows he needs to step up his game.
“The coaches expect me basically to be like Le Kevin was last year,” he said. “I have to be that big guy in the middle. Stop everything coming up the middle.
“I think me and Barry did a good job of coming in for the starters last year,” he added. “So I really don’t think we’ll be missing anything at the D-tackle spots.”
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
