Chinander Emphasizes Depth of Defense

Football
8/10/2021 12:34:00 PM

NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander met with members of the media following day nine of fall camp Tuesday. Chinander spoke on Tuesday’s practice, the depth of the defense and the takeaways from the scrimmage on Sunday. 
 
“I thought the scrimmage went well,” Chinander said. “We did some really good things on defense. I thought we tackled pretty well. A couple of missed ones we have to get cleaned up but overall I thought the tackling was really good and that’s what you want to see when you go live. That’s a piece we haven’t gotten much yet. Caused a couple of turnovers. Coach Frost put us in some good situations that we need to teach from and get that dialed in.” 
 
Chinander discussed what he is focused on discovering about the defense moving forward in fall camp.
 
“Who are the next guys up?” he said. “Because there is that first string even though it is not solidified. There are still a lot of guys battling for reps. There are probably a lot of guys who deserve reps in games. I don’t know if we are going to get all of them to play because there are so many guys that are playing at a high level right now but just who is going to be that next group in and then are you that next guy in and can you play on special teams because then you are going on the trip.”
 
He also commented on the depth of the defensive line heading into the season.
 
“You are definitely talking about two platoons at every position up front and probably a third at most,” Chinander said. “It is a pretty deep group. You definitely want to, now that we have developed some depth, get those guys some breaks. You want them to be able to rush the passer and be fresh for that. And play the run. But you also want to get the best guys enough reps so that is a good balancing act. Coach (Ton) Tuioti and Coach (Mike) Dawson are doing a great job with rotating guys right now, and I don’t see a huge drop off between the ones and the twos.” 
 
The Huskers will return to the practice field Wednesday for day 10 of fall camp. Nebraska kicks off its season on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Illinois at Noon on FOX.