Husker Defense Sets Sights on Spartans

Lincoln - The Nebraska Cornhuskers continued to gear up for their matchup with Michigan State on Tuesday afternoon when they practiced for just over two hours. The Huskers practiced in full pads outside on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields.                                          

After practice, defensive coordinator Carl Pelini spoke to the media about this weekend's upcoming game. Pelini believes the defense will have its hands full when Michigan State's quarterback Kurt Cousins comes to town.

"He's more mobile than you give him credit for. There are guys who are real fleet guy, running type quarterbacks. There are guys who have a good feel for the pocket and who know how to avoid pressure. That's how I see him," Pelini said. "He's not necessarily a guy who likes to get out and run, but he moves his feet and gets out of trouble. They max protect a lot. They keep backs in and they keep tight ends in and they run three and two man routes. Especially with their big personnels, it's hard to get pressure on him."

Pelini also said that the Spartans offense has a physical running game that's going to take what the defense gives them.

"They're a power running team. Teams have been loading the box against them and that's why you see their receivers having success," Pelilni said. "I think if you spread out and start to defend the wide outs then they go back to the running game. They're a good offense. They're very balanced. You can talk about where they're ranked in the Big Ten rushing, but they're going to take what you give them. They're not going to try and fit a square peg into a round hole. If you stack the box, they're going to throw the ball. That's what teams have been doing trying to stop the run. I think they're a good offense in both aspects."

Pelini spoke briefly about Stanley Jean-Baptiste, who made his first career start at cornerback this past weekend.

"He did fine. He made some mistakes, but it didn't hurt us. They didn't catch any balls on him. I don't think they really went after him that much," Pelini said. "It was great to give him that experience. He had his first start and got the jitters out of the way. He can move on now and start preparing for Michigan State with a game under his belt."

With the defense creating two big turnovers in their past two games to help swing the momentum of the game in Nebraska's favor, Pelini said he can see the group getting more confident.

"I'd like to see more turnovers," Pelini said. "I want them to cut it loose a little more. We've talked about being more aggressive and to quit trying to be so perfect all the time and get after the ball. That will come. I think it's a group that our confidence is starting to grow now and I think that's important. I think that's what we were missing early on."

The Huskers will continue practicing on Wednesday as their gear up for their game on Saturday against the Michigan State Spartans. Saturday's game will kickoff at 11 a.m. in Memorial Stadium and will be televised nationally on ESPN.