World-Herald staff writer Mitch Sherman takes an in-depth look at the defensive side of the ball during Nebraska's 56-21 win over Washington.

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NU STAR

Alfonzo Dennard didn’t make a single tackle, and that speaks to his excellent work in coverage; he was so good, no one caught a pass against him. The junior cornerback did make a play, though, stepping in front of Devin Aguilar to snag a Jake Locker pass in the third quarter. Dennard followed his blocks nicely to return it 31 yards for a touchdown — the Huskers’ third pick returned for a score in two games.

HIGHLIGHT

The Blackshirts made plays all over the field Saturday, but none bigger than Eric Hagg’s interception on the first series of the game. Locker had thrown 70 passes before Saturday without an interception. His first one against Nebraska? Picked by the senior nickel back, who slid into deep coverage in front of Aguilar on a first-and-10 play from the UW 31. Hagg returned it 11 yards to the Huskies’ 48, and Nebraska scored two plays later to go up 7-0.

BUSTED PLAY

Of Locker’s 130 total yards, 78 came on two plays immediately after Nebraska went up 35-14 to start the third quarter. The senior QB gained 33 on a draw before a bust in the Nebraska secondary. Prince Amukamara read a route incorrectly, releasing Jermaine Kearse deep, and the Nebraska safeties lost track of him as Washington’s star receiver hauled in a 45-yard TD catch. Other than that, the Huskers held Kearse to one catch for 6 yards.

OUR TAKE

The Nebraska defense remains a work in progress, but the pieces are there for these guys to form a group as good as any in the country. In fact, if there’s a better batch of defensive backs in college football, we haven’t seen it. The Huskers still look vulnerable to a powerful running attack, though Washington found little success on the ground after one early drive. Bigger tests await, but the Blackshirts look on track to wreak havoc in the Big 12.

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