Defensive lineman form wall on field,

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

OWH

Defensive linemen form wall on field, bond off it

 

BY MITCH SHERMAN

 

LINCOLN - John Blake, Nebraska's venerable defensive line coach, approaches every football practice like it's his last.

 

"I coach every game like there won't be another one," he said.

 

Blake preaches the same to his players, which is why the Cotton Bowl shouldn't be any big deal for the NU defensive linemen.

 

That said, it is a big deal.

 

Defensive ends Adam Carriker and Jay Moore, defensive tackle Barry Cryer and nose tackle Ola Dagunduro, all seniors, will play their final college game in three weeks. Any, perhaps all, may move on to the NFL, but the Jan. 1 meeting with Southeastern Conference power Auburn represents the end of an eventful journey for all four.

 

"They're all my boys," Blake said. "Words can't even really express the relationship that I have with those kids. As players and as young men, coaching them has been an unbelievable experience this year."

 

Blake's defensive linemen have served as the stabilizing force this fall for a unit that has experienced its rough patches. The defensive line was a bright spot in the 21-7 Big 12 championship loss to Oklahoma.

 

For the year, the four linemen have combined to record 42 tackles for losses and 17 sacks.

 

"It's going to be a sad thing that it's the last time we're going to play a game with each other," Dagunduro said. "We are family. We're really tight up front. We hang out. We chill. We're like brothers because of the bond we've made.

 

"We've been through so much, up and down, that it only strengthens our relationship."

 

Dagunduro and Cryer arrived at Nebraska last year out of junior college - Dagunduro from California and Cryer from Kansas. Carriker came to NU from Kennewick, Wash., in 2002, and Moore from Elkhorn that same year.

 

Carriker started the past three seasons, twice earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. Moore has started full-time for two years. Dagunduro and Cryer this season replaced Le Kevin Smith and Titus Adams, both departed to the NFL.

 

Back in August, the interior line spots were considered a question mark on the defense. Dagunduro and Cryer answered the questions.

 

"Looking at it from the outside, you can understand why people would question that area," Dagunduro said. "We were two new (starters), but we knew we were up to the challenge."

 

Cryer has played especially well of late. He added about 10 pounds after last season to reach 282, Blake said, a key factor in Cryer's improvement.

 

Cryer consistently penetrated Oklahoma's offensive line last week as Nebraska held the Sooners to 42 rushing yards - 82 fewer than their previous low this year in 12 games.

 

Moore also played one of his best games in Kansas City.

 

"It's just kind of starting to set in a little bit," Carriker said. "We still have almost a month until we play the game, but at the same time we realize it's our last month here. It's just now hitting me."

 

The 6-foot-6, 295-pound Carriker is expected to land early in the NFL draft in April. Moore also figures to get a good look from professional teams.

 

Blake said he believes his two tackles, as well, will play at the next level.

 

"I know I'm going to do everything in my power to get their names out there, to get them a chance," the coach said. "Those guys have had some success against some awfully good offensive lines this year."

 

As for Auburn, the Tigers appear to present an even matchup for the NU linemen. Auburn ranks 43rd nationally in rushing offense with a per-game average of 155 yards. Nebraska is 43rd in rushing defense, allowing 120.4 yards.

 

"They like to run the ball," Dagunduro said. "But we're going to be ready. That's all I can say about Auburn right now. We'll be ready."

 

 

 

[Eric the Red]

Linemen prepare for Auburn's rushing attack

BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Dec 07, 2006 - 11:51:03 pm CST

Barry Cryer (94) fights through Colorado lineman while chasing tailback Mell Holliday (37) on Nov. 24. (LJS file)

At this point in their Nebraska football careers, the four senior starters on the Husker defensive line seldom require a lot of words to convey on-field adjustments.

“We can just give each other a look, and we know what to do,” said nose tackle Ola Dagunduro.

For instance, Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker might glance toward Dagunduro a certain way, and Dagunduro instinctively knows Carriker is about to make a move toward the inside of the line, meaning Dagunduro needs to cover the outside.

“It’s outstanding,” Dagunduro said. “It’s like we’re in each other’s head. We know what we’re doing.”

In an up-and-down season for the Nebraska defense, the Huskers’ four starting linemen arguably have provided the most stability. To be sure, they played superbly as a group in the Huskers’ latest game, a 21-7 loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 2.

Although Oklahoma found success through the air, Nebraska held the Sooners’ vaunted rushing attack to 42 yards on 28 carries, with the defensive line playing a major role.

Nebraska now prepares for a Cotton Bowl showdown Jan. 1 against Auburn, which features a West Coast offense that emphasizes a formidable rushing attack out of the I-formation.

“That’s just Auburn football,” said Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville. “We want to run it. We want to have a fullback and a tailback in the backfield most of the time, and work off that to play-action and drop-back passes.”

Nebraska (9-4) begins Cotton Bowl practices in earnest Saturday.

“They’re definitely going to be intense,” Carriker said of the workouts. “We have a month before the bowl game. Coach (Bill Callahan) isn’t going to make it easy on us.”

The 6-foot-6, 295-pound Carriker leads Nebraska’s defensive linemen with 341/2 tackles, including 13 behind the line of scrimmage. Fellow defensive end Jay Moore has 291/2 tackles, including 131/2 for losses. Carriker leads the team with six sacks, and Moore is next with five.

On the inside of the line, Barry Cryer has 23 tackles (nine for losses), and Dagunduro has 191/2 tackles (61/2).

Against Oklahoma, Cryer and Moore each had two tackles behind the line, and backup tackle Ty Steinkuhler added another.

“Going into that game, a lot of the experts said Oklahoma was going to run all over us, dominate us,” Carriker said. “They had a good offensive line. We had respect for them. But we’ve played really good offensive lines and held our own. We knew we could come in and do what we did.”

Nebraska is 70th in total defense and 43rd against the run, allowing 120.4 yards per game. Carriker said the key against Auburn — or against any running team, for that matter — is being “gap sound.”

“Everyone has a gap and an assignment,” he said. “If you’re doing your job and your assignment, then there’s nowhere (for the runner) to go.”

Tenth-ranked Auburn (10-2) will attack No. 22 Nebraska with running backs Kenny Irons and Brad Lester. Irons, a 5-11, 200-pound senior, averages 82.1 yards rushing per game, and the 5-11, 185-pound Lester, a sophomore, averages 42.5. The Tigers average 155 yards rushing and 178 passing.

Although Dagunduro said Nebraska felt more hurt by the Oklahoma loss than the previous three losses, the Huskers should have no trouble rebounding for Auburn, he said.

Carriker agreed.

“Part of being a football player is being able to bounce back and get ready for the next game,” he said. “You have to love playing the top teams. If you don’t, you shouldn’t be playing. We’re going to be excited. We’re going to be ready to play.

“A win against Auburn would be huge for Nebraska.”

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.