Nebraska coordinators say Wisconsin poses new test in physicality

Lincoln - Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick and Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander spoke following practice on Tuesday about the Husker’s  season-opening loss at Ohio State and this week’s matchup with Wisconsin, the defending west division champions of the Big 10.

Lubick said incoming freshmen Alante Brown and Marcus Fleming saw action Saturday and he is hoping junior college transfer Omar Manning will be ready for the home opener.

Lubick: “All those guys are getting better. Zavier Betts is getting better. They’re all getting better and we’re going to gradually keep working those guys into the system and give them opportunities.”

He responded to a reporter's question that linked Nebraska’s offensive "three-and-outs" to penalties and offered his insight on the offensive line play.

Lubick: “We were proud of the way our guys stood up physically. We won some battles, we lost some battles but there was huge improvement from last year’s game. It helped us run the ball and our guys protected well. We’ve got to get more consistent. We have to keep improving, but that was a step in the right direction. We’ve really emphasized physical by having physical practices and our guys took pride in that.”

He said Nebraska’s offense is challenged to start off the year.

Lubick: “You go from one defense that last year was the number one defense in the country to your next opponent and there’s no drop off.”

Nebraska defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said he was proud of the contributions of underclassmen Casey Rogers and Ty Robinson, as well as the play of Ben Stille, Keem Green and Damion Daniels.

Tuioti: “They were physical in the run game. We did a pretty good job in trying to affect the quarterback as a group with outside backers and using our inside linebackers in certain pressures, but there is obviously room to grow.”

Tuioti: “...I always talk about execution over scheme. Everybody has plays, but it’s how you execute those plays.”

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander says stopping the run will remain a primary focus in the Big 10.

Chinander: “Wisconsin is going to pack all 11 guys into a phone booth and try to make the fits really hard, especially on the second and third level players. I think it’s just a different style of football. Wisconsin is going to try and ram it down your throat a little bit.”

Nebraska will host Wisconsin with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Audio from https://huskers.com/