2008 Woodie Awards
Huskers prepare to tackle rival's spread offense
Evan Bland
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Sports
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But if Husker players and coaches are nervous about lining up against the offensive attack for the first time this season, they aren't showing it.
The Cornhuskers will play San Jose State at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in a battle of 1-0 teams.
It will be NU's first opportunity this season to defend an attack that frequently utilizes four- and five-receiver sets and often calls for the quarterback to line up in a shotgun set.
"It's a little bit more complicated (and) there's a lot more throwing and you have to pressure the quarterback a lot more," NU junior defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh said. "But if you have a plan to execute it, you really shouldn't have a problem with it. It's just like any other offense."
Nebraska struggled mightly with the spread in 2007, allowing whopping point totals of 41 to Missouri and 76 to Kansas, respectively.
Both the Tigers and Jayhawks dominated NU through the air and on the ground, using quarterback zone reads or delayed hand offs to keep the Blackshirts honest against the pass.
This season the Huskers figure to face no fewer than five teams that employ a similar strategy.
San Jose State and New Mexico State, as well as Big 12 Conference opponents Missouri, Texas Tech and Kansas have used it in past seasons. Kansas State is also considered to use a form of the spread attack.
Thus, NU Coach Bo Pelini said his team is fortunate to get an early look before bigger, faster and more polished teams try to light up the scoreboard in league play.
But he added that the attack isn't as unstoppable as it can sometimes look.
"Everywhere I read I just keep reading about the spread offense, like it's the first time it's ever happened," Pelini said. "It's not a concern. It's just part of the deal; spread's just an element of the game."
The coach also said it would be good to remember that the Nebraska offense also includes certain elements of an open attack. NU scored more than its fair share of points by spreading a defense last year.
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nevhusker
posted 9/05/08 @ 9:53 AM CST
If the Coaches can fix the Defensive Communication problems from GAME ONE and Pelini has a serious plan for defending this Spread Offense then the HUSKERS could really surprise all their critics around the country. (Continued…)
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