LINCOLN — Admit it, you've considered the matchup: Kansas State's rushing attack, led by senior Daniel Thomas, against the Nebraska defense.
And on some level, it doesn't look favorable for the Huskers.
In the marquee battle on Thursday night as sixth-ranked NU opens Big 12 football play at fellow unbeaten K-State, Thomas and the Wildcats have statistically outperformed the Blackshirts this season. Despite its defensive reputation and success last fall, Nebraska has failed at times to silence the run game.
The scary part? The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Thomas, fourth nationally with a per-game rushing average of 157 yards, rates as the best back to match against Nebraska this season.
“He's physical, and he'll run through tackles,” NU defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “That's the biggest challenge. You've got to put a face on him.”
The Huskers, though, aren't ready to wave the white flag. They'll have a plan against Thomas. And Nebraska's numbers against the run — 56th nationally, allowing 138.8 yards per game — don't paint a complete picture, NU players and coaches said.
“We're not out to show nothing to nobody but us,” defensive end Pierre Allen said. “They do have a great running back over there — a great O-line and great coaches. They look good on film, so it'll be a great test for us.
“But everybody knows we've got a great defense. It's not a question of how good we are.”
The Huskers remain confident in their ability to stop the run. A year ago, with All-American Ndamukong Suh as an anchor in the middle, Nebraska ranked ninth nationally in rush defense, allowing 92.9 yards per game.
Already this season, Bobby Rainey of Western Kentucky rushed for 155 against Nebraska, and South Dakota State's Kyle Minett gained 112.
“I don't love the way we've been defending the run,” Carl Pelini said. “Ultimately, though, the way we do defend the run is to take away the big-play ability of the opponent.”
In other words, the Huskers refuse to load the box and invite opponents to aim for a home run in passing against single coverage.
“In a lot of instances, we're defending the run with less guys than your typical team would, knowing that nobody's going to get over the top on us,” Pelini said. “There's always going to be two bodies on a downfield receiver. There's some give and take.”
Nebraska has not changed its philosophy in defending the run during Pelini's three-year reign over the defense.
This year, he said, it's simply a matter of refining technique and alignment to correct some of the problems from non-conference play. Additionally, the Huskers are playing with new linebackers as projected starters Sean Fisher and Will Compton went down with injuries in the preseason, and safeties DeJon Gomes and Rickey Thenarse replaced a pair of veterans who thrived in run defense.
“As you go into the season and talk philosophy, you say, ‘This is who we are. This is who we're going to be, and they're going to gain 3 or 4 yards on some runs on first down,'” Pelini said. “You're not going to (hold) everybody to zero gain if that's the philosophy you play with.”
For Thomas, though, could those 3- and 4-yard gains turn into 10- and 12-yard chunks?
“I think our run defense can get it done as long as we all execute the game plan,” cornerback Prince Amukamara said.
Said Allen: “We've shown we can do it. We're not worried about that.”
Nebraska's front four, most often blamed for problems in defending the run, has matched the play through four games of the defensive line last year, Pelini said.
“I feel honored to play behind them,” linebacker Lavonte David said.
David and the linebackers remain a work in progress. Most important, Pelini said, they need to get more decisive in run defense. Stay patient, he said, then make a move and go full speed.
Pelini said he thinks the Huskers are capable of winning the battle against the Kansas State ground game, ranked 23rd nationally.
“Yeah, but we have to play very well, and I wouldn't want to play them tomorrow,” he said. “I like having the extra time. If we play with technique, if we're physical at the point of attack, I do like our chances, but that's not to diminish, in any way, my opinion of their offensive line or their coaches.”
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