If most Nebraska football fans were polled on the biggest problem that plagued the Blackshirts a year ago, “pass rush” would be right at the top of the list. That’s why those fans likely did a double-take when new defensive line coach Roy Manning talked about his lack of focus on sacks this season.
However, when you listen to Manning explain why his focus has been on something other than sacks, he may have made the best case possible for why he was the right hire at the right time. Despite coming over from the Mountain West, Manning clearly knows what will work in the Big Ten and how he wants his players to attack it.
"Everything I've preached has been about process, about pressure. I haven't mentioned the word sack as much..."
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) August 21, 2026
Edge rushers coach Roy Manning wants his room to play as one cohesive unit rather than chasing individual big plays. pic.twitter.com/C6kfsCBvf4
Roy Manning wants Nebraska football focused on pocket control instead of sack totals
“If you study the Big Ten, it's a conference that's going to be filled with run and play action. So, in my opinion, you have to rush the passer a little different than you do playing in an overly spread-out type of conference,” Manning said at Friday’s press conference closing Nebraska’s fall camp. Now that the Huskers are turning their focus to Week 1, it’s even more important that Manning come up with a plan to generate a pass rush.
“You know our big focus really all camp has really been more about pocket control and about crushing and condensing the pocket as opposed to hey you're going to work this move on the edge this move on the edge.”
Manning went on to explain that he’s trying to get his players to come together as a cohesive unit. He doesn’t want them chasing sacks and individual accolades. Rather, he wants the players to stay in their roles and make sure there’s not a ton of room to operate. He thinks the pass rush and sacks will come if the players do all that.
Manning clearly knows his stuff and what he wants to see from the defensive line. The question now is whether a group that severely underperformed in 2025 just needed a new voice and approach.
Nebraska was 15th in the Big Ten in total sacks with just 19 on the season. That number put them ahead of just Northwestern, Rutgers, and UCLA. They were a full 20 sacks behind Big Ten leader Indiana.
Likely understanding that there’s still a gap in what a defensive front like the Hoosiers can do versus what the Huskers can accomplish in one offseason, Manning is staying away from making recording sacks the goal.
Instead, Nebraska will look to work as a unit, keep pressure on at all times, and expect a disciplined approach to deliver big results: “Everything I've preached has been about process, about pressure. You know, I haven't mentioned the word sacks as much as in my past because I want them thinking pocket, pocket, pocket, and then everybody will eat as a result of that.”
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