A quarters (cover 4) scheme is exactly what it sounds like, there are four defensive backs assigned to cover one fourth of the field deep. With four defenders deep and four rushing, that leaves only three defenders to cover the intermediate routes. This type of coverage is significant because it shows the respect that defenses have for the Nebraska receiving corps as a whole. Even in the scoring-zone, defenses are staying balanced and not sending an extra defender to the side with Bell and Turner, arguably Nebraska’s two most explosive players.
Most defenses, when entering the red-zone, will try to play a cover 2 (or cloud) coverage into the boundary to force quarterbacks to make longer throws to the field. The longer the throw, the more time the defense has to react, which is especially critical in the Red Zone because the defense can be more aggressive. The reason they can be more aggressive is because there is not as much room to get beat deep. But because of the ability of all of Nebraska's receivers to make plays, Southern Miss was foced into a balanced defense. Balanced defenses are a quarterback's best friend because they are easy to identify and react to.
