Game Notes: NU v. ASU

After Saturday’s 38-9 win over Arkansas State, Nebraska 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, averaging nearly four yards a carry.

Red Wolves running back Reggie Arnold led ASU with 83 yards rushing while scrambling quarterback Corey Leonard also pitched in 55 yards before 33 yards were subtracted because of sacks.

“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 Cornhuskers are now in the game week for the most-anticipated non-conference match-up against the No. 14 Hokies. Although the Red Wolves looked potent at times rushing the ball against Nebraska, concern is a word choice that defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said he doesn’t believe in.

“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 (Saturday).”

Arkansas State coach Steve Roberts added that some of the success seen in his rushing attack was due to the way NU decided to play the safeties.

“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 not giving up the big plays that lead to momentum and easy scores.”

After the Saturday win, 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 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 it’s a team effort when it comes to pressuring a quarterback, and for the second-straight week, the Huskers are looking to add more of that physical nature in the defensive pressure.

Pelini is known as a coach that is never satisfied unless his team is perfect, but safety Larry Asante said the defense is far from perfect 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 their opponent in Marshall on Saturday by the score of 52-10. Taylor took a back seat to the Ryan Williams and David Wilson show on Saturday. The Hokie running backs blitzed the Marshall defense for a combined 329 yards of rushing.

The team as a whole put up 444 yards rushing on the Thundering Herd, with Taylor chipping in 58 yards on the ground to go alongside 161 yards through the air. Coaches and players alike are aware of the offensive firepower that is to be expected this Saturday.

Marshall took on Southern Illinois a week before their blowout loss to VT and allowed just 105 yards on 28 carries - less than four yards a rush. Based off both team’s performances Saturday, the Huskers will be coming into Saturday’s game as the underdog for the first time this season.

“I think that is the fun of college football,” NU quarterback Zac Lee said. “You get to play in places like Blacksburg. It’s going to be a great atmosphere and hopefully we play well. The team is really looking forward to the opportunity we have, especially after what happened here last year.”

Lee and the NU offense kept doing their part Saturday, compiling 494 total yards, but it’s the NU defense that has the daunting task of slowing down a potent Virginia Tech offense this week.

Pelini said he did see some things he liked Saturday, but knows improvements will be needed to compete well against a team like Virginia Tech. His brother Carl shared his sentiment.

“Bottom line is I’m pretty please with how they responded,” Pelini said. “It wasn’t perfect, but again I think they took another step up the ladder.”

spencerschubert@dailynebraskan.com