Nebraska Readies for Pass-Happy Demon Deacons

Huskers hope to put more pressure on Wake quarterbacks

Just inside the north entrance to the Hewit Center, the academic complex underneath Memorial Stadium where Nebraska's football team studies and eats dinner, hangs three poster-sized photos in silver frames.

Blown up and laminated, they show, frame by frame, seniors Steve Octavien and Tierre Green stalking, jumping and sacking Nevada quarterback Nick Graziano.

"It's pretty nice," Octavien said. "You never know who they're going to put up there. Pretty cool."

But it was the only sack of the Cornhuskers' 52-10 win over the Wolf Pack. Not enough for NU Head Coach Bill Callahan.

"We need improvement across the board in terms of a pass rush, rush control and the ability to contain the pocket," he said at Tuesday's press conference.

Wake Forest, NU's opponent Saturday, should provide plenty of opportunities for the Blackshirts to show their team speed in front of a nationally-televised ESPN audience.

Provided, of course, NU Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove chooses to unleash them.

See, the Demon Deacons' 60 passes in a 38-28 loss to Boston College gave Cosgrove and Callahan a little pause. This wasn't the same Wake offense that won the ACC Championship last year with a consistent rushing attack out of its spread formations.

Last Saturday, the Deacons only rushed for 2 yards, and threw for 366, using five wide receivers, one of whom, Kenneth Moore, caught 15 passes. Callahan said they looked like an offense that's given the Huskers headaches in recent years: Texas Tech.

"When you throw the football 60 times in one game," Callahan said, "that tells me there’s a real concentrated, focused and committed philosophy in what they’re trying to get accomplished. That’s evident. They’re going to throw the football down after down after down."

To do it, Cosgrove said, Wake used a five-man protection scheme. That's just the five big-bellied lineman, forming a Maginot Line for defenses to run around or penetrate. If Nebraska chooses to bring to sixth defender on a blitz, Wake's quarterback "goes hot" and tried to find his safety valve receiver.

"The ball comes out quick," Cosgrove said. "The ball is coming out. The quarterback always has somebody."

That quarterback will probably be sophomore backup Brett Hodges, who relieved starter Riley Skinner after Skinner separated his shoulder in the BC game. Hodges completed 17-of-23 passes, but threw a costly interception inside the Eagles's 20-yard line, as well.

Wake Head Coach Jim Grobe said Hodges and Skinner competed for the starting job last year before Hodges got hurt. He added that Hodges ran the exact same offense Skinner did before he was injured.

"What I really enjoyed was when I looked down the sideline, and Brett knew he had to go, he was warming up," Grobe said. "And when he looked over at me he smiled. He wasn't nervous. He was excited about getting a chance to play. He knew it was his turn, and he went in and played really, really well. And that's what I expected."

Callahan said he's sure Grobe, last year's national coach of the year, will have Wake's offense ready.

Which means Nebraska blitzes - or does not blitz - at its own risk.

If the Huskers brings a three-man or standard four-man rush, they rely on an inexperienced defensive line to pressure Hodges. NU Defensive Line Coach Buddy Wyatt said their success is crucial.

"Our goal is to rush the quarterback with four," Wyatt said. "If we do that, it makes the defense much better. If they're releasing all of their backs and tight end, we need to get pressure.

"We've looked throughout the week at how they protect, and he we want to attack."

A five or six-man blitz puts at least one, and maybe all, of the defensive backs in man coverage. Last season, that arrangement might have worried Cosgrove, but, with the return of senior Zack Bowman and the emergence of new starter Armando Murillo, he's got the troops to trust.

"We'll need them all," Cosgrove said. "We're fortunate to have depth at that position. We have five, six corners that we feel are pretty good. And you can never have enough of those guys."

News/Notes

***Cosgrove said defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler, who left the Nevada game early with a sprained knee, will "absolutely" play Saturday at Wake Forest.

***Running back Cody Glenn moved up to No. 3 on the depth chart. Callahan said Glenn would see more playing time against Wake Forest.

 

Dining Guide

• Lincoln
• Omaha
• Greater NE

Calendar

• Lincoln
• Omaha
• Greater NE