Could the Peso Leave NU Shortchanged?16 comments so far MARCH 31, 2010 by STEVE HANWAY
When your defense sees a lot of three, four, and even five wide receiver sets, it makes sense to play an extra defensive back or two to keep from being picked apart in the passing game due to unfavorable matchups. But what about the running game? In the aftermath of the 62-36 debacle in Boulder in 2001, the NU coaches admitted that they didn't do enough to prepare their team for the power run game. They'd seen so much of the spread offense (including the one they successfully shut down against defending national champion Oklahoma that year) that most of their practice time had been devoted to defending the pass. So could history repeat itself in an unwelcome way if Nebraska gets too focused on matching up against the spread?
Think back to the game against Kansas this year. The box score lies a bit about the impact of big back Toben Opurum, a 235-pound freshman for the Jayhawks. With KU trailing the Huskers 10-0, the Jayhawks rode Opurum to a 17-16 lead. On their first scoring drive, Opurum converted two fourth downs and made some other solid runs. Then on the ensuing field goal drive, Opurum converted a critical 3rd and 1. On their final touchdown drive, he again converted a 3rd and 1 situation in addition to some other key runs. The Jayhawks went away from Opurum after that and perhaps not coincidentally failed to score another point. That was a night where Nebraska opened the game with six defensive backs on the field.
In what was effectively the Big 12 North title game against Kansas State, the 227-pound Daniel Thomas provided over half of the offense by the Wildcats. Thomas managed 99 yards (without a loss) on 19 carries and another 51 yards on four catches. He was really the only offensive player to give the Huskers trouble and that was on a night where Nebraska often played five defensive backs.
Against Iowa State, 232-pound Jeremiah Schwartz gained the only two yards on ISU's opening field goal drive (which was decisive) and a few more on the Cyclones only touchdown drive. He also carried the ball to eat clock and help with field position as ISU hung on to shock Nebraska. No, he didn't have nearly as much to do with the outcome as the eight Husker fumbles, but he did play an important role in the upset. That was another game where NU started in the nickel.
The 225-pound Derrick Washington of Missouri racked up 90 of the 225 total yards that Missouri had against the Huskers in another game where NU played six defensive backs. He had two carries to set up Missouri's lone touchdown just before halftime. He carried the ball four times on the Tiger's field goal drive.
The point of rehashing all this is just to highlight one element of nickel, dime, or "peso" defenses. They aren't necessarily the ideal personnel package for stopping a big running back. But when that big back is lined up with three wide receivers, you have to pick your poison. Hopefully, the Blackshirts will again have the antidote particularly in the Big 12 North. It's also good to see that NU can line up the same way with big Dontrayevous Robinson. Those opposing defenses may not be quite ready for him either.
