Suh, defensive line start over in 2008
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BY BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star
He doesn’t blame the joke tellers. And there were a few. He does blame the critics. And there were many. He certainly doesn’t blame the opponents.
If Ndamukong Suh had gone to Kansas, he would have wanted 76 points, too.
Yes, there are some chips residing on some rather broad shoulders.
“But if anything, we have a chip with ourselves,” the Husker junior defensive tackle says. “If anything, we let ourselves down.”
It was a season Suh still finds hard to believe. Nebraska’s defensive line had talent in 2007. He was sure of it. This was not a group he anticipated getting rolled by anybody, let alone most everybody.
Then came that third game, against Southern Cal. The first play was a fullback belly run. It went for 50 yards. Next play went for 40. Over and over. Big holes. Big runs. Suh remembers thinking, “There’s no way they should be doing that to us.”
Unfortunately for Suh and company, the inability to stop the run became a theme for Nebraska’s season. Suddenly a defensive line full of proud athletes was finding its way into the punch lines of jokes.
“You can’t help but see what the critics are saying, the sarcasm as far as our defense goes,” senior defensive end Barry Turner says.
Nebraska ended the season 116th out of 119 major college teams in rushing defense, giving up an average of 232.2 yards a game. Kansas scored 76 points. Colorado hung 65 on the Huskers.
“You’re thinking back to your video game days like, ‘Is there like a reset button we can press or anything?’” junior defensive end Zach Potter says.
Pressing reset would have to wait until the offseason.
A new coaching staff has brought new philosophies. It’s also brought a chance to start over.
The Spring Game is today, and with any long run, fans will surely have visions of last year.
But the players say that it’s a new ballgame, that they’ve seen a difference this spring, a defensive line with a sharp focus. All of the starters on the front four — Potter, Turner, Suh and Ty Steinkuhler — are back.
“I think we’re re-energized, and I think we’re ready and waiting for that challenge to come,” Suh says. “I think when that first game comes, we’re just going to come out and do as we’re told … and just play our hearts out. We don’t have anything to lose. Obviously, coming off a not very good season, we can only go up.”
Suh has missed spring practice after having surgery on his knee. But it hasn’t kept him from taking mental reps every day, often standing right next to defensive coordinator Carl Pelini.
Pelini cautions that it takes time. You can’t turn it all around in 15 spring practices, but you can see the signs of progress.
“I really see them trying to do things the way we’re coaching them to do,” Pelini says. “At the defensive line level, it’s so much about repetition. Because, really, what I tell them, ‘That first second of every play is going to decide whether they’re successful or not on the play.’ And that is just muscle, memory and reaction. And that takes time to develop, because it’s all just reaction. You can’t be thinking.”
They’re still thinking through some things out there, Pelini says. He expected that. It takes time to process new techniques.
Just get them reacting, he says. Making plays will follow, then the confidence.
“Honestly, I really believe this could be a strong point of our team. I really do,” Pelini says. “I think they’re very talented. I think they’re physical. I don’t think we have to take a back seat to anybody.”
Counting defensive tackles Shukree Barfield and Kevin Dixon, five of Nebraska’s top six defensive linemen from last season are seniors, Suh being the lone exception.
Forgetting last year is impossible, and so they try to use it as motivation instead.
They’ve hit the reset button, but Turner also understands this is it for him. This last go has to be his best.
“I want to do whatever to contribute to my team as best as possible,” Turner says. “Every senior wants to leave their legacy on a high note.”
Reach Brian Christopherson at 473-7439 or bchristopherson@journalstar.com.
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