During his weekly media session, Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White described a play during the team’ practice session in the day that felt eerily similar to many in Saturday’s 28-20 loss at USC.
Huskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog and wideout Jahmal Banks each jumped in the air for a contested ball, with Banks able to get his hands on it for a completion.
Following practice, White said he talked with Hartzog about the play, and what he wanted to see from it going forward.
«I want to see you actively going to punch the ball, try to rip the ball,» White said of his coaching point. «You are always in position, now we have to finish the right way. We are right there, we got to go finish.»
There were many of those same scenarios in Saturday’s loss against the Trojans, where a Nebraska defender seemed to be in the right position to make a play, only for it to turn into a big gain for USC.
The Trojans completed five explosive plays through the air against Nebraska (going for 15 yards or more), most notably a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyron Hudson that was momentarily in Hudson’s hands before bouncing to Hudson’s.
Those are plays that White says need to be made in order for the Huskers to end their four-game losing streak Saturday at memorial Stadium against Wisconsin (2:30 p.m./FOX).
«You want to get them in that position and believe, trust in your guys to make the play,» White said. «When you play the level of athletes in this conference, you are going to be in position, now thats your time to shine. It just wasn’t a day where we had those one-on-ones go our way.»
Early on it looked like it was going to be a strong afternoon for the Husker secondary, after Ceyair Wright, a USC transfer, return a Jayden Maiava interception for a 45-yard touchdown.
Maiava, making his first start of the season, was able to settle in, throwing for 259 yards, three touchdowns and rushing in another.
Some of those explosive plays were due to miscommunication in a Nebraska secondary which was at full strength for the first time since the beginning of the season.
«You got a veteran secondary,» White said. «You let them go out there but you got to reinforce the process all the time. Harp on communication all the time and give those guys a chance because they can make those plays. Clearly there is something I did that the message didnt get relayed.»
Though the Badgers don’t have a very explosive offense, averaging less than 24 points per game, they have ability to create explosive plays with wideout Will Pauling totaling 42 receptions this year for 407 yards and three touchdowns.
Knowing where he is and limiting plays down the field will certainly be a defensive key focised on throughout the week heading into Saturday’s home finale.
«You got to execute at a high level and then play with some attitude,» White said. «We had opportunities where we just didn’t execute. You want to put yourself in a position where if they make a play, they have to beat you. They have to go one-handed, on the sideline, tippie toe, they beat me? Alright let’s line up again and do it. But when you don’t execute and give them free plays, you won’t beat anyone that way. That starts with me and making sure we do the processes right in practice.»