The Nebraska football Blackshirts served up a shutout against Akron. DC John Butler doesn't want complacency to set in with his side of the ball! There was a lot to like last week, but as always, coaches are never satisfied. The Huskers take on Houston Christian this Saturday at 11 am on FS1. Here are 3 things we learned from Tuesday's presser!
Nebraska's secondary has played lights out so far
In the first 2 games of the season, opponents haven't thrown for many yards against the Nebraska secondary unit. In week 1, Cincinnati threw for 69 yards, which is unbelievable. Not to be outdone, in week 2, they only allowed 62 yards passing to Akron.
Defensive Coordinator, John Butler said in his Tuesday press conference, "I think in the first 2 games, that group of players has played well together, you know, we've played some man, we've played some zone, we've played some match defense, we've blitzed a little bit". Butler referred to the amount of passing yards Cincinnati had in their game last week: "they threw for like 65 against us, and then about 350 against whoever they played." Butler also said that the secondary was definitely one of the strengths of the group. "So far, so good", Butler said of the secondary!
Getting a shut-out was 'pretty cool' for the Blackshirts
When asked about what a shutout meant for the team, Butler nonchalantly said, "Nothing, honestly." He went on to say that he didn't even know when the last Nebraska shutout was until a few hours later. He later backtracked on the "nothing" comment. Butler stated, "It doesn't mean that it means nothing, but like, we're trying to play to a standard, and I think that, at times, against Cincinnati, we played to that standard, and at times we didn't.
And against Akron, we played to that standard more. But we have a ways to go, and a ways to develop." He said the main job is to prevent the opponent from scoring, "0 points is outstanding." Butler doesn't care about giving up yards...but he does care about giving up explosive plays. "I think it's pretty cool that we got the shutout, but I didn't know until hours after the game, somebody said it was since 2009, so I think that's a pretty cool thing."
Butler has high praise for some of the 'Newcomers' on the 2025 defense
Butler had some good things to say about Kade Pietrzak (pronounced Pet-shock) in his first extensive action for the Blackshirts. "I think he's got great DNA when it comes to being a football player. I coached in the NFL for 10 years, and all the best defensive linemen I've been around have a little bit, something off about them...in a good way. You look at Kade, and he's got that look about him. He's gonna play really hard, very physical, play with a lot of passion."
Butler said he wished they had played Pietrzak more in the season opener against Cincinnati. "That's our fault, we should've played him more. I think he'll be a steady member of that front moving forward."
Butler also had some good things to say about Jack linebacker Dasan McCullough. Coach said he was very active, and that it was "unfortunate that he got a sack, that got taken off the board because it was like an inadvertent swipe to the facemask, and he would've had a sack in the game." Butler said McCullough is going to need to embrace his role, which is basically a do-it-all player at the 2nd level of the defense. Butler has been happy with the effort and production from Dasan to start the season. And he feels that he can be an impact player.
"Smart and prepared, and he's experienced. By the time the game comes, he's pretty consistent with his execution level." Butler also mentioned newcomers Gabe Moore and Williams Nwaneri as new players that have been playing well early!
On Houston Christian, Butler said, “They do a good job in the running game, made some plays in the RPO game.” Butler wanted to say that no matter the opponent, we want to make sure that we’re “on point, whether that’s Houston Christian, Michigan, whoever!" You really have to like the way the Nebraska football defense played last Saturday, especially in the 2nd half with a lot of backups in the game. It could be a similar result this week!