Why defensive coordinator Tony White apologized to the Nebraska defense after a scrimmage

Cornerback Blye Hill and defensive lineman Kai Wallin were two players who impressed White during the scrimmage, but when he sat down for a full-scale film review, a different picture emerged.

“After the scrimmage when we came back and watched it, coach (Rhule) got on me because it wasn’t good enough,” White said.

According to White, head coach Matt Rhule’s concerns were that the Nebraska defense needed to create the habits that the nation’s best defense would possess — constant physicality, a desire to run to the ball and most of all, confidence.

Seeing that those traits were lacking, White addressed his defense and quickly got a response from them in Nebraska’s ensuing practices.

“I apologized to the guys and said, ‘Hey guys, this is my fault. This is what we want to look like, and this is what we want to do,’ and showed them,” White said. “Tuesday they went out there and they ran around with their hair on fire, and I was like, ‘Wow.’ Today to start it off, they had the same attitude.”

Junior Chief Borders said White’s message to the team was about showing “uncommon physical effort.” While the Huskers may have answered their coach’s challenge during the week, Nebraska will gather on Saturday for another full 11-on-11 scrimmage portion during its practice.

Once again, White will be looking for improvements.

“You’re always looking for somebody to break through,” he said. “Somebody that knows what to do and knows how to do it, all of sudden you give them a chance live with coaches off the field, that they go out there and make plays.”