Much has been said about Dylan Raiola and the Huskers offense, but it’s the defense that has shined for much of the season. They finished top 20 in the nation in total defense (316.9), scoring defense (21.4), and rushing defense (102.9). The ‘Blackshirts’ are a team strength for sure, but they have quite a bit of turnover to contend with this weekend.
After just a year on the job, Nebraska’s defensive coordinator moved on to the same role at Florida State. Interestingly, Coach Rhule had already brought in his former DC at numerous stops Phil Snow to serve as a defensive analyst and has since been officially named an associate head coach. The team’s defensive backs coach John Butler was promoted to coordinator, so I wouldn’t expect too much impact on the coaching front. Butler interestingly coached with Bill O’Brien as a DC at Penn State and in the secondary with the Texans.
On the field however, it will be hard not to feel the impact. 8 defensive players have entered the portal including a few key contributors. A top 5 team tackler, another third on the team in TFLs, the team’s second leading sacker, and a couple of other depth pieces are all gone along that defensive front seven.
Two players who are suiting up are seniors Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher, both stalwarts along the defensive line. Given they’ve never played in a bowl game, the two weren’t about to miss this opportunity. Robinson is a major disruptor and leads the team with 6 sacks, 6 QB hurries, and 11 tackles for loss. He’s even blocked a field goal. With Hutmacher on the inside the pair lead the Huskers and their 12th ranked run-stuffing defense allowing only 106 yards a game.
#Nebraska DI Ty Robinson hype is valid@T_ROB99 pic.twitter.com/EyPKXiQyOp
— Hail Mary Sports (@hailmarysportss) December 5, 2024
Robinson is the team’s only player to earn Big Ten postseason honors better than honorable mention, landing on the third team and deservedly so. He’ll be at the Senior Bowl after this preparing for the NFL Draft as well. While the biggest contributors to the team’s 27 sacks, good for top-40 in the country, are back, there is still some production that will be difficult to replicate. This will be a platform for younger players to step in and show they’re ready to contribute further next season.
The defensive backfield stays mostly intact and is chalk full of upperclassmen. One key opt out is Tommi Hill, who was still coming back from injury. Aside from Hill, there’s only one absence from the depth chart at backup safety. Isaac Gifford is the team’s leading tackler with 69 from a rover position. The Nebraska native is third all-time at the program for tackles by a defensive back and found himself on a number of Watch List’s this season. Junior defensive back Malcolm Hartzog leads the team with 4 interceptions. He was given All-Big 10 Honorable Mention starting seven games at safety and four at corner. The pass defense has held opponents to 214 yards per game (53rd) but nearly 8 yards per pass (90th). I could see Lewis Bond working those intermediate routes.
Overall, Nebraska ended up -1 in the turnover department. They excelled early with a takeaway in each of the first eight games of the season, naturally correlated to when they were winning games. Against Colorado, Rutgers, and Purdue in that early stretch, they pitched first half shutouts. They came full circle in the last game of the season against Iowa too, showing they do come out of the gates with a purpose.
The Eagles offense up against this unit will be the key matchup in this contest. Nebraska has a stout defense, but needs players to step up and plug these potential holes. If BC shows they can still run the ball early in this one, that should say it all.