Nebraska’s Tony White unimpressed with tackling in scrimmage

Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White is aware of how training camp goes.

The defense — his defense for only the second season — is typically further along than the offense early on. Quarterbacks and receivers need time to get in sync. Offensive linemen have to mesh.

But standing at the podium for Tuesday morning’s availability, White had one lingering takeaway from the Huskers’ closed scrimmage on Saturday.

“I don’t think we tackled very well the very first scrimmage,” White said. “First time, I get it. But like coach (Rhule) said, you want to see the things you practice and preach every day, and you want to see it show up on the grass, live.”

White has high expectations of this year’s group. Through the first couple weeks of camp, the Huskers’ defense — coaches and players — have said they want to be the best defense in the country.

Those things they practice and preach didn’t show up on Saturday, White said. Not with the group NU has on that side of the ball.

“That’s been something that’s bugging all of us,” White said, “is that making sure we stress the tackling; we want to be a great tackling team.”