Huskers head coach wants to focus on more defensive turnovers. The first area where you improve in that category comes from the defensive line, a facet of the team that could look quite different this season.
The biggest surprise came from Day 1 when Pelini met with the media and announced that Kevin Dixon was kicked off the team for violating team rules.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Dixon’s named appeared twice in UNL police reports in July, which would just be speculation that was the reason for his dismissal.
Now there are bigger questions for this defensive unit that returns a roster with just three career interceptions to this season. A far cry from the 36 turnovers his national champion LSU Tigers produced last season.
From day one, Pelini has preached hard work and effort being the foundation to success and this is no doubt the formula for creating turnovers. The area to focus on is the defensive line. Pressure the quarterback, the first guys hitting the ball carrier, much of NU’s success in that category will have to come from the front line.
One guy who could have an impact immediately is five star recruit Baker Steinkuhler. He has impressed defensive line coach Carl Pelini with his skill and effort. However, it’s not a sure thing that Steinkuhler will end up on defense. The team could also try him out on the offensive line.
His teammate senior Zach Potter who brings back one of those returning interceptions likes what he has seen from Steinkuhler so far.