What needs to change for Nebraska’s defense against Purdue?

Amie: Honestly just their attention to detail. I feel like that was the issue last week, and to bring back a quote from MJ Sherman, “no wholesale changes need to be made.” Just attention to detail.

Luke: We even heard it from some players in the aftermath of that loss to Illinois. Marques Buford came and spoke to the media and he was saying at halftime it just didn’t feel the same for the Nebraska defense. (Defensive coordinator) Tony White talked about it on Tuesday too, and said that they didn’t have maybe the same juice they had, which is tough. That’s a unit that you expect to bring the energy, bring the fight, be flying around and be physical. 

They were almost that, so they need to elevate that level. I think especially John Bullock played super well last week (and) expect him to need to keep up that same level of play. That linebacker spot, just looking and rewatching that game last week, it was like, man, they’re missing Javin Wright bigtime.

Amie: We haven’t heard much about his status, so until we hear anything just presume that he’s going to be out. But man, they need him.

Luke: Apart from Bullock, Mikai Gbayor was in there, Stefon Thompson was in there and they even got Vincent Shavers in there a little bit too; that was a position that Illinois exploited a little bit. And the defensive backs too — Tommi Hill had to leave that game, Ceyair Wright played really well stepping up and stepping in, but they still allowed four passing touchdowns and (Illinois quarterback Luke) Altmyer was picking them apart a little bit; I think those DBs need to improve in this one.