White Emphasizes Versatility, Physicality

Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White met with members of the media Thursday to discuss the progress of the Husker defense with the Spring Game less than 10 days away. 

White noted the emphasis of getting defenders to understand not only their position, but the positions around them as well.

"You're always moving guys around, and the more they understand concepts at a different position, the more when they do go to their position, they understand what guys are doing around them. It's really cool in terms of the awakening around here," White said. 

"This is about seeing what they can do. When they're stopping the run, you're putting them one place. When you're defending the pass, you're putting them in another place. They're doing a great job of doing what's asked of them, showing different skill sets." 

With the Spring Game approaching, White said the defensive installation has slowed as the coaches focus more on execution.   

"We haven't installed anything new in the last couple of days just so that way guys can go out there and execute," he said. "Coaches like to think its them and all the X's and O's and stuff, but if those young men don't line up and they don't play fast, then we don't have a chance.

"At this point it's a matter of making sure they're at the right positions and they know what to do. I scale back so those guys can go play." 

White said the staff is also working at continuing to develop a physical approach from the defense.

"The first thing we do every day is tackle," he said. "Coach (Rhule), it's really cool because he's kind of an old school guy in terms of, hey, the game is won physically, so we practice physical. The very first things we do on defense is always getting off a block and knowing how to make tackles. That's learning the tackling form how we want to do things, how we want to tackle. But also putting them in situations where they've got to go tackle." 

White said going against the Husker offensive line has made his defensive unit better.  

"Those guys play together," he said of the offensive line. "It's really making us better. It's fun to go against those guys because you can see them working, you can see them always constantly getting better, challenging the defense. They're making us really know the game and really know what we've got to do." 

The Huskers will take the field on Saturday for the annual Red-White Spring Game presented by FNBO. The scrimmage is set for April 22, at 1 p.m. (CT). Tickets for the Spring Game can be purchased on Huskers.com or by calling 1-800-8-BIG RED.