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Nebraska Football: 5 reasons Mike Riley is squarely on the hot seat

By Brett Renner

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Mike Riley of the Nebraska Cornhuskers walks to the stadium before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Mike Riley of the Nebraska Cornhuskers walks to the stadium before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 02: Wide receiver Kendrick Edwards #5 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves catches a touchdown in front of defensive back Eric Lee Jr. #6 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 02: Wide receiver Kendrick Edwards #5 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves catches a touchdown in front of defensive back Eric Lee Jr. #6 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

5. The Blackshirts are lost 

The art of the Huskers defense has always been built around tough-nosed players who receive blackshirts in honor of their defensive play. Before the season even started, 16 blackshirts had been handed out to the players. Three games in, and most of the criticism in regards to the Huskers’ slow start has been directed towards Bob Diaco’s defense.

Diaco was hired by Mike Riley this season to serve as the program’s new defensive coordinator. The Huskers have always been known for their tough 4-3 defense but Diaco elected to introduce a new defensive scheme to his team. The Huskers are now running a 3-4 defense and the inexperience has already shown in this young season.

Through three games, the defense ranks near the bottom in the country in several stat categories. The biggest flaw to the defense up to this point has been its defending of the pass. The Huskers rank 113th in the country in passing yards allowed per game at 302.7 — there are only 130 FBS teams.

The blackshirts are also allowing 452.3 total yards a game which ranks at 92nd in the country. The Huskers are also allowing 33 points a game, 22 first downs a game, and they allow a first down on third down 42.5 percent of the time. All of these statistics rank near the bottom of the league and the defense isn’t making it any easier on the offense.

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