Blackshirts need to tighten play before Tech showdown

After Nebraska's 38-9 win over Arkansas State Saturday, coach Bo Pelini used the word "sloppy" to describe his defense.

"I thought we were inconsistent, sloppy and we missed tackles at times," Pelini said. "I thought we played better than we did a week ago, but we're not where we need to be. I think everybody feels that. That's why we practice."

With a big game against Virginia Tech on the horizon, Pelini said he expected a little bit more after game two. Arkansas State was able to break off some big runs on the Nebraska defense and averaged nearly 4 yards per carry.

Red Wolves running back Reggie Arnold led ASU with 83 yards rushing, and scrambling quarterback Corey Leonard pitched in 55 yards.

"I thought we would be a little bit further," Pelini said. "Sometimes our inexperience shows. The communication is better but still not where I want to be. It's just not what I'm used to seeing on a consistent basis."

The No. 19 Cornhuskers are now in the game week for the highly anticipated non-conference matchup against the No. 13 Hokies. Although the Red Wolves looked potent at times when rushing the ball against NU, defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said he isn't worried about his defense going into the game.

"I don't think concern is a word I would ever use," Pelini said. "I think of it more as a great challenge ahead of us. I get excited to play the best opponents. We have to be ready to go."

Arkansas State coach Steve Roberts said some of the success seen in his rushing attack was due to the way NU decided to play its defensive backs.

"They played us with a lot of high safeties, giving us an opportunity to at least gain a man advantage in our running game," Roberts said. "It was a good plan by them of not giving up the big plays that lead to momentum and easy scores."

After the game, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said Leonard gave him and the rest of the NU defense a good look to prepare for quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the Hokies.

"It was a good test," Suh said. "I see him as a (Kansas quarterback) Todd Reesing. It was definitely a good test, and we have another test this week against another mobile quarterback."

Pelini has said all fall that pressuring quarterbacks requires a team effort, and for the second week in a row, the Huskers are looking to add more of that physical nature to their defensive pressure.

Pelini is known as a coach that is never satisfied unless his team is perfect, and safety Larry Asante said the defense is far from that standard, and it all begins with the work in the film room.

"There were some mistakes made," Asante said. "We have to watch the film and correct them and get squared away for Virginia Tech. Right now, we're not ready."

NU is going to be on a national stage for the first time this weekend when they visit the Hokies, and Pelini said the Huskers will have to execute much better than they did on Saturday.

Virginia Tech upended Marshall on Saturday by the score of 52-10. Taylor took a back seat to the Ryan Williams and David Wilson show on Saturday, as the Hokie running backs blitzed Marshall for a combined 329 yards of rushing.

Marshall had held its first opponent, Southern Illinois, to just 105 yards on 28 carries before playing VT.

Virginia Tech put up 444 total rushing yards on the Thundering Herd, with Taylor chipping in 58 yards on the ground as well as 161 yards through the air.

Based off both teams' performances Saturday, the Huskers will be an underdog in their first road game of the season.