Young DLine Looks for Continued Improvement

[Mavric]

Check out these numbers: The Huskers allowed 4.54 yards per rush through eight games; in the final five games, it dropped to 2.63, fifth nationally over that time. In the first eight games, opponents produced 55 rushes of 10 yards or more against Nebraska, though just 11 in the last five games. Through eight games, 25.8 percent of rushing plays against the Huskers went for first downs; it was 15.5 percent in the final five.
Improvement among the interior linemen has continued this spring. The Huskers are off this week for spring break. Practice resumes on Monday, building to the April 12 Red-White game at Memorial Stadium.

“You’re just talking about a group across the board, end to end, who are way ahead of where they were, obviously, during the season last year,” coach Bo Pelini said. “I think they’re a lot more comfortable.”

The emergence, in particular, of Valentine, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound sophomore, and the 6-2, 300-pound Collins is evident in spring workouts.

And the presence of Maurice, who, like Collins, played last fall as a true freshman, plus juniors Curry and Kevin Williams eases concern about depth on the defensive line in 2014.

ESPN

 

[Dagerow]

Do I believe the DL has the potential to be great? Yes, but right now I think their spring performance (which, by most accounts, is very good) is a combination of the the DL's ability AND the OL inexperience/skill (which will improve).

 

[HeyBurke]

No reason these guys can't be better than they were at the end of last season. This is the first year since 2010 I won't be worried about the defense going into the first game.

 

[lo country]

Those stats, IMO, speak for themselves. The D was getting significantly better down the stretch. I know we are replacing a corner and nickel back, BUT a DL that can get to the QB can cover up a multitude of miscues by the DB's until they get it together. The stats make me want the kool aid much more than the spring reports.

 

[Count 'Bility]

Starting with the NW game in the second half, and aside from a few Peyton Manningish throws from Michigan St's qb, our D was actually very good down the stretch. And against Georgia? That was a top notch, bigtime SEC oline. I thought our guys, including Thad, not only won the day, but pretty much dominated.

 

[True2tRA]

Starting with the NW game in the second half, and aside from a few Peyton Manningish throws from Michigan St's qb, our D was actually very good down the stretch. And against Georgia? That was a top notch, bigtime SEC oline. I thought our guys, including Thad, not only won the day, but pretty much dominated.

I've always felt our defense took too much grief for that game, when really Cook for Michigan St. should have been given a lot of credit. I think he's gonna be a good one.

Then of course, the 5 turnover thing just kind of sh#ts on everybody wearing red that day.

 

[Count 'Bility]

Starting with the NW game in the second half, and aside from a few Peyton Manningish throws from Michigan St's qb, our D was actually very good down the stretch. And against Georgia? That was a top notch, bigtime SEC oline. I thought our guys, including Thad, not only won the day, but pretty much dominated.

I've always felt our defense took too much grief for that game, when really Cook for Michigan St. should have been given a lot of credit. I think he's gonna be a good one.

Then of course, the 5 turnover thing just kind of sh#ts on everybody wearing red that day.

We gave Mich St the ball inside our own 10 3 times (Armstrong fumble on own goalline, right before half, and the Westerkamp return fumble), and if it wasnt 3 it was damn close. Then dont forget the fumble by Newby in our own territory on the first possession. At some point, I just dont know what the defense is to do. And these 4 led to 24 points. So yeah, we're in agreement. This is also the bugaboo that bit us against Iowa. While most look up and see our defense gave up 38 points, you have to watch the game to understand the circumstances they were put in, and the stops they did make with their back against the wall as that 38 coulda been 55 or so.

 

[onlyHskrfaninIL]

Starting with the NW game in the second half, and aside from a few Peyton Manningish throws from Michigan St's qb, our D was actually very good down the stretch. And against Georgia? That was a top notch, bigtime SEC oline. I thought our guys, including Thad, not only won the day, but pretty much dominated.

I've always felt our defense took too much grief for that game, when really Cook for Michigan St. should have been given a lot of credit. I think he's gonna be a good one.

Then of course, the 5 turnover thing just kind of sh#ts on everybody wearing red that day.

Agreed. Cook made some fantastic throws in the second half of that game. Credit to him.

 

[Landlord]

No reason these guys can't be better than they were at the end of last season. This is the first year since 2010 I won't be worried about the defense going into the first game.

Why were you worried about the defense before the 2011 season?

 

[Count 'Bility]

No reason these guys can't be better than they were at the end of last season. This is the first year since 2010 I won't be worried about the defense going into the first game.

Why were you worried about the defense before the 2011 season?

I'ma answer this from my point of view

It was a perfect storm really. New conference. Undersized Dline going up against a more physical, straight ahead type of offensive attack week in week out. And the hype. Remember, our "experienced" Dline was supposed to go into the Big10 and just kinda roll. I had a different outlook though. We just were not built then for the style of play. Combine that with pretty much a completely new secondary, and I was rather concerned about the D going into that season.

 

[HeyBurke]

No reason these guys can't be better than they were at the end of last season. This is the first year since 2010 I won't be worried about the defense going into the first game.

Why were you worried about the defense before the 2011 season?

Accountability did a good job of answering this, but I'll chime in. It was a few things:

1. Lots of guys graduated from the year before. Prince, Hagg, Gomes, Turner, and Allen were all gone.

2. Alfonzo Dennard was injured at the beginning of the year.

3. Even though both safeties from the year before returned, neither of them provided much to be confident about.

4. Lots of new faces at every position.

5. New LB and DB coaches.

 

[Count 'Bility]

Holy Cow Burk. I totally forgot about the coaching changes on D. New Secondary coach. New LB coach. Essentially we had a new DL coach as Papuchis took that over as Carl went to an exclusive DC. And yes, I forgot about the Dennard injury to start the year as well.

Now. I thought that unit came along pretty well and played the game of the year against Michigan St. but a few injuries here and some mobile qb's there, it really kinda just fell apart at the end of the year.

 

[HeyBurke]

The 2011 defense made gigantic strides from the beginning of the season, to the end. Much like the 2013 defense. I had pretty much zero confidence going into the year, though, and they proved my worries right for the three quarters of the year.

 

[Landlord]

I didn't really think they were much improved I just thought they were decent but inconsistent.

Awful games at the beginning of the year against Wisconsin and Fresno State, but awful games at the end of the year against Michigan and Northwestern. Really solid games against Wyoming, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State and Iowa throughout too.