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Practices Are Like Game Days for Fired-Up Nebraska Defense


‘It’s that intense, it’s that physical,’ coordinator Tony White says after Tuesday’s spring session

Joe Hudson

Wide receiver Isiah Neyor and defensive back Ethan Nation go after a ball during a recent practice.
Wide receiver Isiah Neyor and defensive back Ethan Nation go after a ball during a recent practice. / Nebraska Athletics

Defense was front and center as coaches and players met with the media after Tuesday morning's Nebraska football practice, the Huskers' fourth session of spring ball.

Defensive coordinator Tony White said he's working to raise the defense to a new level after a much-improved 2023 season for the Blackshirts. He's not complaining about the Huskers' effort level thus far.

“Every day, it’s like game day around here. When we’re practicing, it’s that intense, it’s that physical. The standard is not what it was last year. Guys are moving around and we have to watch the tape to give justice to how they’re doing.”

As promising as the 2024 defense might appear, "this group together, we have not done anything yet," White said.

He continued: “It’s like building a building. It starts with the little things and making sure they know what to do, they know how to do it. Then, reinforcing, not only coach to player, but player to player. Giff (Isaac Gifford), Ty (Robinson), Mikai (Gbayor), Javin (Wright), Ques (Marques Buford Jr.), those guys have played a lot of ball. This is their second year here with us. They know what’s up. Now, we’re trying to make them take hold of it, take leadership, and then wherever they go on their fields, really bring that to life. That’s the goal.”

Also speaking were defensive line coach Terrance Knighton and defensive players M.J. Sherman, Cam Lenhardt and Nash Hutmacher. Scroll down for coverage from Tuesday's session. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription.

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Joe Hudson
JOE HUDSON

Joe Hudson has operated a Husker-related website since 1995 and joined forces with David Max to form HuskerPedia (later renamed HuskerMax) in 1999. It began as a hobby during his 35 years as a newspaper editor and reporter, a career that included stints at the Lincoln Star, Omaha World-Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer and Denver Post. In Denver, Joe was chief of the copy desk during his final 16 years at the Post. He is proud to have been involved in Pulitzer Prize-winning projects in both Philadelphia and Denver. Joe has been a Nebraska football fan since the mid-1960s during his childhood in Omaha. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism and economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976. He resides a few freeway exits north of Colorado Springs and enjoys bicycling and walking his dogs in his spare time. You can reach him at joeroyhud@outlook.com.

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