Coaches want Blackshirtsto play with passion

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BYSTEVEN M. SIPPLE

Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove knows he has a tough act to follow.

Last season, under the guidance of Bo Pelini, Nebraska forced 47 turnovers, tying a 32-year-old school record. The Huskers, after finishing 55th nationally in total defense in 2002, improved to No. 11 in 2003. They ranked No. 2 in scoring defense and No. 1 in pass-efficiency defense.

With Nebraska's spring camp set to begin Wednesday, Cosgrove has a vision of excellence for his first Husker defense. As one might expect, it includes many of the qualities of the 2003 Blackshirts.

"What we want to be known for is a defense that plays with great fundamentals, a defense that is very physical and a defense that runs to the football and plays with a passion," said Cosgrove, 48, who spent the past 14 years at Wisconsin, the last nine as defensive coordinator.

Cosgrove has watched videotape of last year's Nebraska defense.

"Bo played a lot of zone," Cosgrove said. "We will be multiple in fronts, and we will be multiple in coverages. We will play more man-to-man; I can't tell you exactly how much we will play, but we'll have the ability to do that.

"The No. 1 thing we're going to try to do as a staff is get our best 11 players on the field."

To that end, Nebraska's new coaching staff shuffled some players to new positions. For instance, Stewart Bradley, a defensive end in 2003, moved to SAM linebacker, and Chad Sievers moved from middle linebacker to the WILL spot. Both enter spring ball No. 1 at their positions.

Three former defensive linemen - Seppo Evwaraye, Jared Helming and Chris Patrick - switched to offensive line.

"Sometimes you have to do things to help the team," Cosgrove said. "We felt we had good depth in the defensive line, and that enabled us to do what we did."

Cosgrove said Nebraska possesses more overall depth than he had at Wisconsin, which last season finished No. 43 nationally in total defense and No. 50 in scoring defense.

Asked to describe his coaching style, Cosgrove said, "Ilike to have fun, and I want our players to have fun. I think when the players see the coaches having fun, it carries over.

"I'm intense at times, I guess. I love the game, and I love coaching it. I want my kids to have the same passion I do for it."

Nebraska returns six starters on defense, including middle linebacker Barrett Ruud, who made a team-leading 149 tackles in 2003; and free safety Josh Bullocks, who recorded a nation-leading 10 interceptions.

"They've done a tremendous job of forcing turnovers here,"Cosgrove said. "When you get 11 guys running to the football, and breaking on the ball, you're going to have a chance to get turnovers.

"They played some very good defense here, and we're going to build on what they've done, and try to improve on it."

Pelini, one of seven Nebraska assistants dismissed in January by new Husker head coach Bill Callahan, developed a strong rapport with most of his defensive players last season.

Asked if he would have to make a special effort to develop a rapport with those players, Cosgrove said, "Nothing more than I would normally. You just have to try to get to know people and get them to know you."

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.