NU STAR

Phillip Dillard has made himself into a well-rounded defender. The 235-pound senior replaced Will Compton on the second Tech series as Nebraska's lone linebacker in the dime look. Dillard finished with a team-high 12 tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage. That's especially impressive against the spread, considering that Dillard was once a 260-pounder who thrived only as a downhill player against the run.

HIGHLIGHT

The Blackshirts forced Texas Tech to punt on four consecutive possessions to open the second half. NU did enough defensively to stay within striking distance, even turning momentum slightly in its favor as the Red Raiders gained just one first down in the third quarter. In one sequence, Dillard hit Baron Batch for a 3-yard loss, followed by a Barry Turner sack of Steven Sheffield for a 16-yard loss, an incompletion and a punt that gave Nebraska possession at the Tech 25. Still, the Huskers could not capitalize.

BUSTED PLAY

Prince Amukamara's whiff of Detron Lewis late in the second quarter was costly. The NU cornerback, reeling from a pass-interference call among other misplays in the first half, showed poor form in going for Lewis after the Tech receiver caught a pass from Steven Sheffield near the sideline. The short throw turned in to a 58-yard gain — including about 50 after the missed tackle — and got the Red Raiders in range for a field goal before the break.

OUR TAKE

On a different day under different circumstances, Nebraska's defensive effort would have been strong enough to beat Texas Tech. But not Saturday, and probably never when teamed with an offense that performed so poorly. NU allowed just 47 yards after halftime and 259 for the game. As long as the Huskers continue to stumble on the other side of the ball, the defense must carry this team. And the pressure appears set to increase.

— Mitch Sherman