Nebraska ready to face challenging Miami defense
And then there were two.
After just three weeks of the 2014 college football season, only two of 14 Big Ten teams remain unbeaten – Nebraska and Penn State.
The conference’s general ineptitude has been a big story his year. Big Ten teams have gone an awful 1-10 against Power Five schools so far, but Nebraska’s Saturday night home matchup against Miami has the potential to turn the tides a bit for the downtrodden Big Ten.
The Huskers are coming off a dominant 55-19 road win over a bad Fresno State team. It was a good way to bounce back from a near disaster against FCS McNeese State. If not for a heroic effort from standout running back Ameer Abdullah on the game-winning late fourth quarter score against McNeese, the overall scope of the Huskers’ season thus far would look drastically different.
Nonetheless, Bo Pelini knows his team needs to kick it up a notch with Fresno State in the rearview mirror and the Hurricanes coming to Lincoln.
“We did some pretty good things (against Fresno), We got some things on film that our kids will learn from as we always do coming out of a game,” Pelini said. “Playing a team with the tradition that Miami has and the talent that they have on their football team. I’m sure it will get our guys’ attention.”
Miami, with its physical front seven, is only allowing 82.7 rushing yards per game (15th best in the nation) and 259.7 total yards per game, good enough for 8th best in the nation. Linebackers Thurston Armbrister, who leads the ACC with four sacks, and Denzel Perryman (25 total tackles) lead the way. The Canes will be a tough challenge for the Nebraska offensive line and sophomore quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. who didn't have a whole lot of trouble with Florida Atlantic, McNeese and Fresno.
“I think they have some good size up front. They have a couple of very good linebackers. I think it will be a good test for our guys,” Pelini said.
Conversely, the Miami defense has not seen a player with the level of skill that compares to Abdullah and Armstrong, in his first year as full-time starter, is off to a a solid start. Though he has completed just 53.1 percent of his passes, the sophomore has shown growth while throwing for 773 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception.
“You know, they’re a good defense. A talented defense. It’s going to be a good challenge for (Armstrong),” Pelini said. “It’s not like this is Tommy’s first rodeo either. He started eight football games a year ago. The three games he’s started in this year, he’s basically played a season now. Obviously his experience helps him. I think he’s getting more comfortable as he goes. I really do.”
For the Nebraska defense, it’s no secret that a key to success will be to stop Duke Johnson, a 206-pound junior running back who is averaging 6.4 yards per carry so far this season. A consistent ground attack is what sets up true freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya’s success through the air, so Pelini knows stopping the run will be crucial.
“I think their game and philosophy starts with the running game,” Pelini said. “They kind of set up their passing game with the running game by getting some play-actions with things down the field and making you have to honor that running game. Like any good football team, you better control the line of scrimmage and control the running game. That gives you a lot better opportunity to dictate to them rather than them dictate to you.”
Though these two programs haven’t met in the regular season since 1976, there is still some significant history. Nebraska and Miami have squared off for four national championships, with Miami winning three (1983 Orange Bowl, 1991 Orange Bowl and 2001 Rose Bowl).
The 1994 Orange Bowl win over Miami was the first of three national titles for Nebraska in the 90’s, and that team will be honored Saturday.
If the 2014 Huskers can channel the 1994 team and knock off the Hurricanes, it’d be the program’s first 4-0 start since 2011. A Nebraska win, coupled with the chance for Iowa, Maryland, Michigan and Indiana to all beat Power Five teams, could be a first step for a Big Ten Conference that needs to re-establish its national standing.
For more Nebraska news, visit HuskerOnline.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
