 "Photo: Andrew Lamberson")
Marvin Sanders approached reporters with wide eyes and a shell-shocked look on his face seven weeks ago.
The Nebraska defensive backs coach had a hard time explaining how a wide receiver had burned NU’s defense for 81 yards to set up a game-winning touchdown and a 16-15 Virginia Tech win.
On Saturday, following NU’s second primetime, nationally-televised game of the season, things were much different.
As Sanders talked about the equally stunning game, a grinning Carl Pelini approached him from behind and threw his arm around the coach.
“Coaching job of the year right there,” NU’s defensive coordinator said.
Then, it was Tom Osborne’s turn to pat him on the back.
“Good job today,” Osborne said. “Never a doubt.”
“Never a doubt,” Sanders said with a laugh.
The masterpiece that Sanders’ defensive backs put together Saturday night merited such attention. NU’s cornerbacks and safeties gave Oklahoma fits all night long with tight, physical coverage and a ballhawking mentality.
“I saw our secondary attacking the football instead of playing it safe,” Pelini said. “That’s the hurdle we’ve been trying to cross, and we crossed it tonight.”
Pelini prepared an aggressive scheme that put an emphasis on not letting OU quarterback Landry Jones get in a rhythm, and Sanders’ unit responded with a confidence that hasn’t been seen from NU’s secondary in a long time.
A variety of blitz packages forced Jones to make quick decisions and caused plenty of errant passes — the redshirt freshman threw 32 incomplete passes on the night.
NU’s bend-but-don’t-break defense gave up 325 total yards, but was able to shut down OU when the Sooners got into scoring position thanks to its defensive backs’ abilities to blanket receivers. Pelini’s increased blitzing paid off handsomely on third-down plays, as well, as OU went 5-for-18 on the night and had to settle for field goal attempts on four drives.
The secondary’s performance was a far cry from its first year under Sanders. Last year, NU’s defensive backs were so busy thinking about what their assignments were on a play that they produced a mere six interceptions. The Huskers ranked 89th in the nation in pass defense and allowed 46 passes of 20 or more yards.
On Saturday, Sanders’ secondary – comprised of nearly all the same players as last season – produced seven pass breakups and four interceptions.
“We felt we were good enough athletically to be aggressive with their receivers, and our goal this week was to come out swinging on every play,” Sanders said.
Safety Larry Asante, who collected eight tackles and a pass breakup against OU, attributed the physical play to a stronger knowledge of Sanders’ game plan this season.
“We understand the scheme, and it allows you to play with confidence,” Asante said. “We knew where our help was at, and we knew we could be aggressive, and that’s how we got a lot of turnovers today.”
The turnovers proved to be precisely what NU’s struggling offense needed to keep the Huskers in the game. Prince Amukamara jumped in front of a pass early in the second quarter and returned it 30 yards to set up Nebraska’s only scoring drive.
Amukamara admitted he was nervous about playing on such a big stage, but when the moment to make a big play presented itself, the junior corner didn’t pause and think, as he might have last season.
“I didn’t have enough time to think,” Amukamara said of the pick. “I just reacted.”
The other three turnovers by NU’s secondary came from the player Sanders was asked to answer for back in Blacksburg, Va.
Matt O’Hanlon, the safety who’d been crucified by Husker fans for getting burned by Virginia Tech’s Danny Coale, found as good of redemption on a big stage as a player could possibly ask for. He played the game of his life against OU, collecting a career-high 12 tackles in addition to the three picks, which tied a school record.
“After the Virginia Tech game, I was down,” O’Hanlon said. “I just needed to have a breakout game to get my confidence back, so I think this game kind of did that.”
Sanders said he never lost faith in his senior safety after that busted play and said he was proud of how O’Hanlon “hung in there” despite the adversity.
“He’s bounced back from that play all season,” Sanders said. “His ability won’t be judged by that one play; hopefully it will be the whole season. It was good to start to see those plays come his way.”
Next week is a much taller task for NU’s rapidly-improving secondary. Kansas’ Dezmon Briscoe ranks third in the Big 12 with 917 receiving yards and six scores, and Kerry Meier is second in the conference with 73 receptions.
Sanders knows that as good as Saturday’s performance was, KU presents a challenge that won’t permit his players to savor the win for too long.
“Nobody will remember what you did this week if you don’t do it again next week,” he said.
maxolson@dailynebraskan.com
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