Chinander Prepares Defensive Strategy for Minnesota

Football
10/12/2021 12:04:00 PM

NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska’s defensive coordinator Erik Chinander met with members of the media following Tuesday’s practice. Chinander talked about the uncertainty of who will be in as Minnesota’s running back as the Gophers have now lost two starting running backs due to injury.
 
“He could be the next great one so we have to prepare like it is the best running back we have seen back there,” Chinander said. “You never know if they think their running game is not going to be where it needs to be they might start throwing the ball around they might have some interesting wrinkles put in there. Obviously they get in a lot of interesting personnel sets with multiple tackles in the game multiple tight-ends in the game. You have to be ready for all those different variations of formations all those different variations of the run.”
 
Chinander discussed Minnesota’s offensive strategy of controlling the football. The Gophers rank second in the Big Ten in time of possession.
 
“With a team like this or any team that is trying to hold the football every play is so important and we need to minimize what they gain on first down and second down so you can get them into a third down situation. These teams that will get real big and run the ball they thrive in third and one and third and two. You need to keep them out of those situations and time off the clock if we can get them to a three and out or six and out that gives our offense another shot to have the ball in their hands.”
 
Chinander was also asked about the next steps for the defensive unit.
 
“The next step is we need to play error free,” Chinander said. “They played a good football game the other night but too many explosive plays out there most of those were some communication errors, not necessarily communication, but a little bit of a bust here and there. So eliminate the explosives, cause more turnovers and get more sacks. That is probably the evolution.”
 
The Huskers are set to play Minnesota this Saturday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. on ESPN2 in Minneapolis, Minn., and radio coverage will be provided by Huskers Radio Network.