Pelini, defense hope to restore glory
New Nebraska football coach places emphasis on defense, brings back family atmosphere to program.
By Taylor Bern (Contact)
Friday, August 22nd, 2008
DEFENSE
Pelini’s defensive units during his time at Nebraska were solid. Nebraska defeated Michigan State 17-3 in the 2003 Alamo Bowl, when Pelini served as interim head coach.
Pelini’s defenses ranked in the top 15 every year when he was the defensive coordinator at LSU.
Now he gets to dig in and try to revamp a unit that ranked in the bottom 10 in scoring, total yards and turnover margin last year.
Nebraska returns its entire starting defensive line, including end Barry Turner. Turner was taken aback by his new coach’s interest in his players’ lives and not just their performance on the field.
“He talked to every single player on the team in a one-on-one conversation — just wanting to know you, wanting to know the player personally,” Turner said. “He asked me about my daughter and how my daughter is doing and my family.”
Family is very important in Lincoln, as in the family of former football players. Callahan turned away former players from practice, which used to be a time-honored Cornhusker tradition. Now former greats are welcome anytime and the pride that once came with playing for Nebraska is returning.
Part of that is the once-dreaded Blackshirt defense. The Cornhusker defense used to be a tenacious and feared unit, but last year they were stripped of their traditional Blackshirt practice jerseys. Pelini is bringing back that defensive fire and everyone around the team is taking notice.
At spring practice the defense made a big play and Ganz saw Pelini bolt over to them.
“He was going out there and head butting people and pushing people around,” Ganz said. “He’s just like one of us.”
SEASON OUTLOOK
The first year of a coach’s tenure is rarely a pretty one, but Pelini’s team has most of the pieces in place for a successful campaign.
The offense will score points, that we know. The question is whether the defense can stop anybody.
Nebraska surrendered a school record 76 points to Kansas in November, but they’re unlikely to continue with that kind of record-breaking performance. The Cornhuskers have experience on that side of the ball and Pelini could make a Pop Warner defense compete in D-III.
Marlon Lucky is the wildcard for the Cornhuskers’ season. If he puts up the kind of numbers he did last year, then there’s no reason Nebraska can’t be in the conversation for a Big 12 North title.
If he suffers any kind of setback, then they could suffer another five-game losing streak like last year.
So, the question you’ve got to ask yourself is, ‘Do I feel Lucky?’ Well, do you Pelini?
PREDICTION
7-5, Insight Bowl
— Edited by Arthur Hur
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