Nebraska Blackshirt frustrated by Illini doing 'what we knew they were going to do'

The game against Illinois did not go the way Nebraska football team hoped last Friday. In fact, it went so badly that the Huskers had some injuries added to the insult of their first loss.

While there was plenty of blame to go around for the Huskers’ loss, it was the defense that has born the brunt of criticism, considering they often couldn’t get the big stop when that big stop might have won the game. That applies especially in overtime when it took the Illini two plays to score the eventual winning touchdown.

Count defensive back Marques Buford among those who knows the Blackshirts simply didn’t play well enough. And he wants Nebraska football fans to know that it wasn’t that the Illini did something special. He doesn’t believe their offense confused NU. He and his teammates simply didn’t do what was needed.

During his postgame media session, Buford talked about his frustrations after the season’s first loss.

Nebraska football Blackshirt shows frustration post Illinois

“They did exactly what we knew they were going to do. That was a good team we just went and played. When you don’t play up to our standard and you don’t play with physicality. We don’t execute how we’re supposed to. Stuff like that happens. Especially when you’re playing in these Big Ten games against other good opponents. We just have to be better.”

Buford had three tackles against Illinois but also struggled mightily in coverage. That showed up in his PFF grade as he scored one of the worst overall ratings on the defense with a 55.8 overrall. 

While his run defense was effective, scoring a rating over 68, his tackling was around 44 and his pass coverage earned a 53.1 rating. That was the fifth worst on the team and the worst among defensive backs except for Tommi Hill, who exited the Nebraska football game early with a foot injury.