NU secondary shows progress by shutting down pass-happy Missouri

Stop the pass, and you'll have a chance to stop the Tigers.

That was the clear, but far from simple task for Nebraska's secondary entering last week's game at Missouri.

NU's defensive backs seemed to be a possible vulnerability that Missouri's Blaine Gabbert could exploit. That was far from the case Thursday night.

Strong secondary play, as well as a dominant defensive line and more than five inches of rain, proved to be too much for the sophomore quarterback. Gabbert was held to 134 yards and no passing touchdowns in Nebraska's 27-12 win.

The offense that blew up Nebraska for 52 points last season in Lincoln was held to just 12 by NU's dime defensive scheme. Missouri hadn't passed for so few yards in a game since 2005.

A number of Husker defensive backs shined during the game, most noticeably sophomore corner Dejon Gomes.

After being relegated to mostly mop-up duty in his first four games, Gomes made an instant impact against MU Thursday.

Five plays after Nebraska took its first lead of the night at 13-12, Gomes jumped in front of a Gabbert pass and returned it 40 yards, putting NU in position for its third touchdown of the quarter.

"I was just watching my receiver. He broke out, and I broke out with him, and I was in perfect position to look back at the quarterback, and the ball was right there," Gomes said.

The junior college transfer joined NU for spring practices and said he's been waiting for his chance to prove himself. He got that opportunity against Missouri's flurry of four- and five-receiver sets and contributed five tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

"I had an idea I may get in, but I had no idea I'd play that much," Gomes said. "They called my number, and I was ready to go."

Defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders said Gomes earned his way into the game with a strong week of practices and impressive poise.

"He's resilient," Sanders said. "He had some jitters when he first came in, but he hung in there and I was real proud and excited for that young man. He did well."

Gabbert hadn't thrown an interception in his 177 career passing attempts entering the game, but NU picked him off twice and could have had four more if not for the slippery conditions.

Led by corner Prince Amukamara and safety Larry Asante, NU defensive backs also made a season-high nine pass breakups. They aimed to test Gabbert, and he responded with 26 incompletions on the night.

Amukamara showed flashes of being a shutdown corner for NU, collecting nine tackles and breaking up two passes on the night. He held MU's leading receiver Jared Perry to only 68 yards on four catches.

Alfonzo Dennard also stepped up against the Tigers in his first career start. The sophomore beat out Anthony West for the starting spot at right cornerback and collected four tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

"I was nervous all week, but I think I did pretty good on most of the plays," Dennard said.

Dennard, a native of Rochelle, Ga., said he appreciated playing in the spotlight of a nationally televised game because it gave his family a chance to witness his first start. He received plenty of feedback on his performance following the game.

"I have like 65 messages," Dennard said after the game.

The chance to watch extra tape of the offense that put up 462 total yards in Lincoln last year proved invaluable during Nebraska's bye week, and Sanders entrusted his secondary with a game-plan that called for tougher and riskier coverage.

"We wanted to make sure we were aggressive so they couldn't get the ball down field because they wouldn't have time," Sanders said. "The guys did a really good job of getting hands on people and playing aggressive."

A big reason why NU was in position for so many interceptions, Asante said, was the fact they recognized many of the plays Missouri threw at them.

"They ran certain routes, and depending on how they were lined up, we knew what routes were coming," Asante said. "They gave us more chances to be aggressive and take more chances on picks."

Just as they did against Virginia Tech, Nebraska's defense compensated for its faltering offense and kept NU in the game. This time, though, they were rewarded with a 27-point explosion and a stunning win.

"We just stuck in there and played our responsibilities and hoped the tables would turn, and that's just what happened," Gomes said.

maxolson@dailynebraskan.com