By Tommy Rezac
Nebraska’s defense wasn’t expected to be on top of every statistical category in the Big Ten or the country this season. Installing a new defensive system and running it effectively can take time, no matter how much talent is on the roster.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Bob Diaco believes if he’s given the right amount of time, he can turn the Blackshirts into one of the toughest units in college football.
“There is no doubt that we are going to create a great defense,” Diaco said following Tuesday’s practice at the Hawks Championship Center. “We are going to create the best defense in the country here. There is no doubt about that. It’s just going to take time.”
“It’s a holistic, all-encompassing, all-consuming process to create a defense, and it takes time.”
Even in his first season, there’s no way of knowing how much time Diaco and his staff will be given with Bill Moos still in his first official week as Nebraska’s new athletic director. But for the next five games, Nebraska has their work cut out for them defensively.
Here’s where Nebraska ranks in every major defensive category both in the Big Ten and nationally:
Pass Defense: 11th B1G, 79th FBS
Run Defense: 11th B1G, 69th FBS
Scoring Defense: 13th B1G, 94th FBS
Total Defense: 12th B1G, 71st FBS
Third Down Defense: 13th B1G, 117th FBS
Purdue’s offense doesn’t jump off the page statistically themselves. The biggest threat the Boilermakers pose is through the air, where they average 239.4 yards per game (5th B1G, 56th FBS).
Their offense is run by two quarterbacks; junior David Blough, who had 354 all-purpose yards against the Huskers as a freshman in 2015, and sophomore Elijah Sindelar, who leads the team with 907 passing yards. Playing time has fluctuated between the two this season, but it’s been fairly even. Sindelar has started four games; Blough three.
Diaco said they’re prepared to see a lot of different looks thrown at them, no matter which one is under center.
“The two-quarterback system doesn’t seem to change the play selection,” Diaco said. “It is a lot of offense, a lot of personnel groupings, a lot of formations, a lot of plays, a lot of window dressing. Just a lot of stuff. Tempo. It’s a lot to prepare for, and can be a real problem.”
Purdue has also been known for its trick plays in 2017, including this double-reverse flea flicker in their 44-21 win over Ohio on Sept. 8.
Purdue Defense
The Boilermakers’ defense has been an improved bunch in 2017, allowing only 19.3 points per contest (8th B1G, 26th FBS). Junior running back Devine Ozigbo says Nebraska’s offense has been preparing hard for the challenge.
“We’re definitely preparing for them to blitz a lot,” Ozigbo said. “They’ve done a great job, particularly with creating turnovers, and that’s one thing we’re going to make sure we don’t give up to them.”
Purdue forced three Wisconsin turnovers in their 17-9 loss to the Badgers at Camp Randall on Oct. 14. The Boilermakers have forced 15 turnovers this season; that’s tied for 17th in the FBS. Their +2 turnover margin is fifth best in the Big Ten and tied for 48th in the FBS.
Safeties
Head coach Mike Riley said Monday that safeties Antonio Reed, Aaron Williams and Josh Kalu are all likely to play against Purdue. Diaco mentioned that those three “may not all be 100 percent” by Saturday, but are all still expected to play.
Other Notables
Junior linebacker Luke Gifford was suited in full pads, but was seen riding an exercise bike during warm-ups early in Tuesday’s practice. Gifford is questionable/doubtful for Purdue with a hip injury.
Another junior linebacker, Dedrick Young is also questionble/doubtful (wrist), but was also in full pads, wearing a cast on his left arm.
Additional player audio
In case you missed it
Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos joined KLIN’s “DriveTime Lincoln” on Tuesday afternoon to talk about his first few days on the job and plenty more. You can catch the entire interview here.
You can contact Tommy at 402-840-5226, or you can follow him on Twitter @Tommy_KLIN.
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