After Nebraska’s 31-24 overtime loss to Northwestern, the NU defensive coordinator, with the calm ferocity of a convert, explained to reporters the struggles of his run defense, where linebackers can’t shed blockers, linemen lose ground and the unit has allowed 1,063 rushing yards and 5.93 yards per carry in its last four games.
When the Huskers and Wildcats reached the extra period, tied at 24, the end nearly seemed preordained. Northwestern had run the ball with confidence and downhill momentum all afternoon. Aside from one pretty jet sweep, Nebraska hadn’t.
And the overtime played out just like that.
Northwestern ran seven times, gained 25 yards and scored a touchdown. Nebraska didn’t call a single run play, lost two yards on four pass plays, and left the field in dejection.
Diaco, afterward, said he was disappointed but his demeanor was resolute: His defense is right on schedule. So is Husker football, at 4-5 overall and in danger of missing a bowl bid.
“There’s no reasonable reason – considering where the defensive program was at – to believe that they should be able to do everything that needs to be done in the game, to win the game,” he said. “The strain was spectacular, right? So we could just go back and look at the game.”
He looked at various reporters.
“Do you see the strain? Do you see it, or no?”
Oh, Husker nation sees it. The strain is real. All aboard the struggle bus.
