Scott Bruhn photo, Nebraska Communications
Defense Makes Strides in Scrimmage, but Late Blunder Provides Teachable Moment
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Ball security left something to be desired in Saturday's Nebraska football scrimmage, but head coach Matt Rhule said the team is "ahead of where I thought we'd be" one week before the Red-White spring game.
The defense showed significant improvement Saturday after struggling in the April 1st scrimmage, Rhule said. The offense did have some explosive plays — he mentioned a long run by quarterback Jeff Sims and a long reception by Marcus Washington — "but the defense was better today."
The defense, however, was guilty of a major blunder on what should have been the last play of the scrimmage. After the offense was stopped inside the 10 on fourth down, a defender threw a punch. The offense got an untimed down and scored.
"I scream at the defense and make them run a gasser — the coaches too," Rhule said. “...The defense won the whole scrimmage. But at the end of the day, you know what they did? They didn't make the play at the end to win it. It wasn't anything physical. It was mental — our awareness of the situation and our awareness of doing the right thing."
The quarterbacks were live for contact Saturday, just as they were in the April 1 scrimmage. Rhule said defensive lineman Elijah Jeudy and tight end John Goodwin suffered minor injuries.
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Coverage
- Husker247 | Rhule talks Husker scrimmage, defense's strong day and continuously grinding
- Husker247 | Rhule offers thoughts on spring game format possibilities: 'This is not a show'
- Nebraska Athletics | Rhule Explains Message to Team Ahead of Spring Game
- Nebraska Athletics photos | 1, 2
- Hail Varsity* | Nebraska 'Definitely Further Along' Than Matt Rhule Expected After Second Scrimmage
- Omaha World-Herald* | Defense wins scrimmage, but final play a reminder of work to be done
- HuskerOnline* | After second major scrimmage, Matt Rhule says defense won the day and that Nebraska is further ahead overall than he anticipated
- HuskerOnline* | Saturday nuggets: Matt Rhule talks Nebraska's second major spring scrimmage
